Australians search Vietnamese village during operation Mosman DPR/TV/681

Faced with the threat of increased Viet Cong terrorism as Vietnam's Presidential elections draw near, troops of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat move into Hoa Long village. Their mission is to uncover signs of Viet Cong activity. No stone is left unturned as the Diggers begin their search for hidden weapons, ammunition, documents and food caches. When the Australian Task Force first moved into the area finds like these were common, and the people of Hoa Long became part of the civil aid programme designed to win their friendship. In the last six months a growing pride has been evident among the villagers and it seems the project has been sucessful until an excessive amount of rice is found in the home of one village family. However, the family gave a satisfactory explanation for its presence. After sewing up the bags and tagging them for periodic checks, the Australians wind up the operation. As they begin the march back to their base area the troops are sure their aid programme is working and that the Hoa Long villagers can look forward to an election untroubled by Viet Cong terrorism. [Identifeid personnel: Jack Ezzy, of Forest Hill, NSW; Pte Jim Bowley of Port Pirie, South Australia; Craftsman Harry Cislowski]