Air strikes on Long Hai Hills DPR/TV/800

Australian troops are now engaged on a mission designed to uproot the Viet Cong from the rugged Long Hai Hills, south of the Task Force base at Nui Dat. An estimated 1000 VC, including cadre members from groups throughout Phuoc Tuy and Vung Tau are "holed up" in the hill area, which has not been thoroughly searched before by Australians. For most days of the operation, troops from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment, have watched giant United States Air Force B52, eight-engined bombers drop tons of explosives, and low-level strike aircraft, and Task Force artillery pound the area. The heavy bombardment is expected to flush VC from caves scattered throughout the range, tunnel complexes, camps and hides. In recent contacts, Australian and New Zealand infantry have picked up groups of VC moving around the foothills. Before this B52 raid was called in, troops from "B" Company, 3rd Battalion, were moved back to safer positions. Supporting the move were two 50-ton Centurions, equipped with bulldozer blades for clearance of booby traps, mines, and lanes for free access into the hills. The troops walked and were given rides in armoured personnel carriers from "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. With troops safely positioned to watch the strike, Sergeant Kevin Craig of Seymour, Vic, used binoculars to watch for hits and secondary explosions. Lance-Bombardier Roger Dudfield of New Zealand, a member of the forward observer party from 161st New Zealand Artillery Battery, relayed information. Warrant Officer Gary Martin of Woodside, SA, Company Sergeant Major of "B" Company also surveyed the action. While the strike continued, 81mm mortars mounted in APCs added to the noise. Using air burst bombs, they continually peppered "B" Company's evacuated positions to catch VC using them to escape the bombardment, or lying in wait for the company to return. With the air strikes and artillery bombardment completed, the "All Clear" was given by Captain John Robbins of Mosman, NSW, Second-in-Command of "B" Company. Troops piled aboard the APCs again for the return trip to their old positions to continue their patient watch. While smoke drifted from the bomb-drenched hills, an Iroquois helicopter came over the area to spot targets and assess damage. (Also identified: Craftsman Terry Brook of Yarrawonga, Vic).