A black and white photograph of Capt Tony Eaton, Kirribilli, NSW, the 1st ATF Artillery Intelligence Officer assisted by Sgt Paul Butcher, Doncaster, Vic, checks the impact area of a NVA/VietCong 107mm rocket for fragments and impact angle, beside the Nui Dat Base, Luscombe Airfield (29th March 1969)photograph, capt tony eaton, sgt paul butcher, 1 atf base, artillery intelligence officer, nva/vc, 107mm rocket, nui dat base, luscombe airfield, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Capt Tony Eaton, Kirribilly, NSW the 1st ATF Artillery Intelligence Officer assisted by Sgt Paul Butcher, Doncaster, Vic check an impact area. of a NVA/VietCong 107mm rocket after an overnight attack by enemy gunners on the 1ATF Base, Nui Dat (29th March 1969)photograph, 1st atf base, artillery intelligence officer, capt tony eaton, sgt paul butcher, nva/vc, 107mm rocket, nui dat, luscombe airfield, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Capt Tony Eaton, Kirribilli, NSW, The 1st ATF Artillery Intelligence Officer assisted by Sgt Paul Butcher, Doncaster, Vic. check an impact area of a NVA/VietCong 107mm rocket after an overnight attack by enemy gunners on the 1ATF Base Nui Dat. (29th March 1969)photograph, 1 atf base, capt tony eaton, artillery intelligence officer, sgt paul butcher, nva/vc, 107mm rocket, nui dat, luscombe airfield, gibbons collection catalogue

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A colour photograph of Hat Dich, South Vietnam, December 1969. Australian United Press International War Correspondent Denis Gibbons, in a night harbour position with members of the 8th Battalion from the Royal Australian Regiment, watches a medic burn contaminated dressings following the treatment of wounded diggers in a contact with the NVA/VietCong.photograph, hat dich, united press international, war correspondents - australia, 8th battalion, royal australian regiment, medic, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, 8 rar, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, (1961-1975). history- sources, nva viet cong

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the M16A Anti-Personnel Mine used in the 'Barrier Minefield' from Dat Do to the sea, to prevent NVA/VietCong infiltration into the hills east of the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat. The mines were regularly stolen from the minefield and used against 1 ATF units (February 1967)photograph, 1 atf, nui dat, m16a anti personnel mine, barrier minefield, dat do, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the second of eight wounded Viet Cong captured in the wards of K76A NVA/Viet Cong Hospital, on the Nui May Tao Mountain during Operation Marsden by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC),is carried into the 8th Field Ambulance Hospital at 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat6rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, 8th field ambulance, 1 atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, photograph, 6 rar/nz (anzac), 1st australian task force, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of A Viet Cong patient leads elements of 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) to another ward in the K76A Hospital where the NVA/VietCong were still being engaged by elements of 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) during Operation Marsden. The Viet Cong prisoner led the diggers to many cachesphotograph, 6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, vc prisoner, 6 rar/nz (anzac), wounded viet cong soldier, viet cong prisoner, diggers, denis gibbons, underground cache

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of two Diggers checks out a Nurse's Quarters near the one of the wards at the NVA Viet/Cong K76A Hospital on the Nui May Tao Mountain. captured during Operation Marsden by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC). Note the bomb shelter under the well kept plastic covered hutphotograph, 6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc, diggers, nurse's quarters, 6 rar/nz (anzac), nva viet cong, bomb shelter, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a Digger straps captured NVA/VietCong weapons to a stretcher found in a cache disclosed by the enemy VietCong prisoner, who watches on, led the 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) elements to the cache. The VietCong, at the K76A Hospital led the Aussies to many such caches during Operation Marsden on Nui May Tao Mountain.photograph, 6rar/nz, operation marsden, nui may tao mountain, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, nva/vc, vc prisoner, nva viet cong, viet cong prisoner, 6 rar/nz (anzac), underground cache, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery Gunners, make adjustmanetsto ready the gun for firing at Fire Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the giant US Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, artillery, 104 battery, fire base betty, raa, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, gunners, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of contact, Contact, contact, late afternoon, section strength TAOR patrol, Long Binh Operation Federal 14th March 1969, 7 Platoon, C Company 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), a captured NVA/VietCong sapper waits to be picked up by helicopter and taken to Fire Base Peggyphotograph, long binh, operation federal, 7 platoon, c coy, 4rar nz, gibbons collection catalogue, taor patrol, fire base peggy, anzac, captured nva viet cong sapper, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a Doctor from 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, inspects captured medical and surgical instruments at the NVA/VietCong K76A Hospital and advised an Intelligence Officer from 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) of the correct terminology during Operation Marsden on Nui May Tao Mountainphotograph, 6rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, doctor, nva/vc, 6 rar/nz (anzac), 1st australian field hospital, captured medical supplies, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 1st ATF Artillery Intelligence Officer Sgt Paul Butcher (from Doncaster, Vic) watched by Capt Tony Easton (from Kirribilli, NSW) pound a stake into an impact area of a NVA/VietCong 107mm rocket after an overnight attack by enemy gunners on the 1st ATF Base (29th March 1969).photograph, sgt paul butcher, capt tony eaton, 1st atf base, artillery intelligence officer, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, 107mm rocket, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograph of Gunners of the 103 Battery 1st Field Reiment, Royal Australian Artillery, operating from their base at 1st ATF, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, fire in support of 5 RAR and 6 RAR infantry elements operating against the NVA/VietCong local forces (circa May 1967)photograph, artillery, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, phuoc tuy province, 5 rar, 6 rar, 1st field regt, royal australian artillery, nva viet cong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact late afternoon section strength TAOR patrol, Long Binh Operation Federal 14th March 1969, 7 Platoon, C Company 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC), the forward scout engages (17)seventeen NVA/VietCong sappers moving up the road to his rightphotograph, long binh, operation federal, 7 platoon, c coy, 4rar nz, gibbons collection catalogue, taor patrol, nva/vc, anzac, nva/vietcong sappers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a Viet Cong patient leads elements of 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) to another underground bunker in K76A Hospital where the NVA/VietCong had been storing cut wood and other materials that needed to be kept dry. The Viet Cong prisoner showed the diggers many caches during Operation Marsdenphotograph, 6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, vc prisoner, viet cong, 6 rar/nz (anzac), nva/vietcong, captured nva viet cong sapper, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Diggers of 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) raise the Aussie flag with the Battalion flag below on the summit of Nui May Tao Mountain following the capture, after very heavy fighting, of the NVA/VietCong K76A Hospital. The Piper was flown in from Nuit Dat and winched down to play. This was during Operation Marsdenphotograph, 6 rar/nz, operation marsden, nui may tao mountain, k76a hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc, 6 rar/nz (anzac), diggers, australian flag, aussie flag, 6 rar piper, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Gnr Jim Dunn, 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, carries a 105mm shell to the gun at Fire Support Base "Betty". The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the giant US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969.photograph, 104 battery raa, gnr jim dunn, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, 105mm artillery, fire support base betty, nva/vietcong, us army supply depot, royal australian airforce, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner , rams a shell home while the gun is readied for firing at Fire Support Base "Betty".. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, 104 battery, fire base betty, raa, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, royal australian artillery, nva viet cong, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons

A black and white photograph of Gunners of 101 Battery 1st Field Regt, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton, engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, 101 battery, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, fire support base baton

A black and white photograph of Gunners of 101 Battery, 1st Field Regt, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infactry units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 101 battery, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), fire support base baton, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner

A black and white photograph of Gunners of 101 Battery 1st Field Regiment, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infantry Units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 101 battery, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), fire support base baton, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Gunners of 101 Battery, 1st Australian Field Regt RAA at Fire Support Base "Baton", east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam. They are softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infantry Units heliborn assault against the NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion. (Circa July 1969)photograph, 101 battery, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, fire support base baton, nva/vc, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, gunners

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 2Lt Tom 'Rockets' Guivarra, a fixed wing pilot with 161 (Indep) Recce Flight stamps down sandbags as he works on raising the height of the sandbag protection against NVA/VietCong attack, at the 1st Australian Task force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. (Circa April 1967)photograph, 161 recon flt, 2lt tom "rockets" guivarra, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, 1st australian task force, denis gibbons, 161 (indep) recce flt, sandbags, nva/vietcong

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Gnr Jim Dunn, watched by Stg Pete Tilbrook, of 104 Battery RAA, carries a 105mm shell to the gun at Fire Support Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the 1969 Tet Offensivephotograph, sgt peter tilbrook, gnr jim dunn, 104 battery raa, long binh, bien hoa province, fire base betty, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, nva/vietcong sappers, us army supply depot

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white of Gnr Mike Longley and Gnf Charlie Hayden, 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, at Fire Base Betty in the ammunition bunker preparing shells for firing. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to attack the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the 1969 Tet Offensivephotograph, 104 battery raa, gnr mike longley, gnr charlie hayden, fire base betty, nva/vc, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, ammunition bunker, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons, gunners

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Gnr Alan Muston rams a shell home watched by Gnr Dave Thomas 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, at Fire Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to beach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the 1969 Tet Offensivephotograph, gnr dave thomas, gnr alan muston, 104 battery raa, fire base betty, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, royal australian artillery, nva/vietcong sappers, us army supply depot, tet offensive, 1969

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Gnr. Mike Longley and Gnr Charlie Hayden, of 104 Battery Royal Australian Artillery, at Fire Base "Betty" in the ammunition bunker preparing shells for firing. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to attack the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa province during the 1969 Tet Offensivephotograph, gnr charlie hayden, gnr mike longley, 104 battery raa, fire base betty, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, ammunition bunker, nva/vietcong sappers, us supply depot, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner turns his head and shields his ear as he fires the gun at Fire support Base "Betty". The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, artillery, 104 battery, raa, nva/vc, fire base betty, long binh, bien hoa province, gibbons collection catalogue, royal australian artillery, gunner, nva/vietcong sappers, tet offensive, 1969, us supply depot, denis gibbons

In May 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Laos, led by Australian Captain J White, 11th Mobile Strike Force Company (MSF) occupied an old French fort on a hill named Ngok Tavak tasked with improving allied intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area. However, with enemy activity increasing, on May 4th, 44 US Marines, 35 CIDG (Civilian Irregular Defence Group) and two 105mm Howitzer field guns arrived as reinforcement from the Special Forces base at Kham Duc. By May 9th, Captain White’s company numbered about 200 men. Although in a good defensive position, coming towards them was the Iron Brigade of the 2nd Division of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). At 03:00 on May 10th, the attack on Ngok Tavak began. The NVA, led by Major Dang Ngoc Mai, poured through the entrance at the eastern wall quickly occupying most of the fort. By midday the next day, Captain White had lost 40 Nung soldiers and 11 Marines with over 70 others badly wounded. Realising he could not withstand another attack, Captain White decided to abandon Ngok Tavak. Once the wounded were evacuated, Captain White ordered strike aircraft to blast a ‘corridor’ through the surrounding enemy cordon using napalm. By early afternoon, what remained of the defenders escaped through the ‘corridor’ and helicopters eventually flew them to Kham Duc. Colour image of edge of Ngok Tavak fort with soldiers sitting on & walking around sand-bagged foxholes. Jungle & mountains in background.battle of ngok tavak, john white