Tank patrol DPR/TV/1336

In South Vietnam, the monsoon season continues to make the job harder for Australian soldiers searching for the Viet Cong in Phuoc Tuy Province. But the Wet hasn't meant a halt in operations for the 52 ton Centurion tanks. This patrol was from 3 Troop, A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment. Three tanks, and an armoured recovery vehicle left the fortified Horseshoe Hill to search for the enemy and to set ambushes by night. The troop, commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Graeme Jones, 21, a University student before being called up for National Service, rumbled to an area near the village of Xuyen Moc, about 12 miles east of the Task Force base at Nui Dat. A group of Viet Cong had been sighted recently in the vicinity, and the "tankies" were on the alert. The 20 year old Centurions are much feared by the VC. The tank's main armament comprises a 20 lb gun, two .30 calibre machine guns, and a .50 calibre machine gun. Although they can operate effectively in patrols like this, their most important role is in support of infantry on the ground, especially in attacks on bunker systems. They arrived in Vietnam early in 1968 amidst strong criticism that they would bog down in the jungles, and prove useless in an insurgent war. Today the critics are silent for the tanks have proved their worth. This patrol was fruitless, and after a couple of days the tanks were re-deployed to provide protection for a New Zealand infantry company and artillery battery building a fire support base. But once again, the old iron clads had shown they could handle the thick undergrowth, as well as the mud and slush of the monsoon season. Also identified: Lance Corporal Robert Page, 26, of Benalla, Vic.