Black Saturday explosion by rocket mines in Sth Vietnam. Vung Tau and Nui Dat hospitals involved in helping the wounded soldiers. Australian and US helicopters in action. 8 RAR and 6RAR involved.A sepia coloured newspaper article from the Herald, dated March 2 1970, has an image of 13 local Vietnamese people working in paddy fields with five rifles nearby stacked up forming a cone shape. Herald Sun March 2nd 1970/ Guns at harvest/ Battle to save hurt diggers. guns, harvest, mine explosion, black saturday, long hai mountains, helicopter evacuation, 11 dead, 29 wounded, jumping mines, 8rar & 6rar

The last Australian soldier to be listed as missing in action was Lance Corporal John Francis Gillespie of 8 Field Ambulance. On 17 April 1971 Gillespie was serving as a helicopter medic during a 'dustoff' (helicopter medical evacuation) operation in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc Tuy province. Four South Vietnamese Regional Force soldiers had been injured by a mine explosion and the difficult terrain demanded a helicopter evacuation. But the Long Hai hills were an insecure landing zone. The caves and dense timber of the Long Hais had long harboured a major Viet Cong base area and the dustoff operation required the protection of helicopter gunships. As the first wounded soldier was being winched up, the hovering helicopter was hit by enemy machine-gun fire. It crashed to the ground and burst into flames. Although the crew escaped, Lance Corporal Gillespie and three other soldiers were engulfed in the fireball. A helicopter crewman, Corporal Robert Stephens, repeatedly entered the burning aircraft and tried in vain to rescue Gillespie, until being forced back by the flames. Stephens was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his courage. Gillespie's body could not be recovered from the burning wreckage which was reduced to slag by the fire. Private Gillespie was listed as missing in action, apparently on a technicality because his remains could not be found. The classification was subsequently altered to killed in action.Stainless steel open ended bracelet with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square satin lined box.MIA John Francis Gillespie 17/04/71mia, john francis gillespie, l/cpl john francis gillespie, 3170244, royal australian army medical corps, 8th field ambulance, cpl robert stephens, killed in action

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 medics at the 1st Australian Field Hospital turn their heads to escape rotor wash as an American "Dustoff" medivac evacuation helicopter lands with a battle casuality. The Medics are ready to transfer the casavac to the hospital triage for assessment.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, dustoff, medivac, gibbons collection catalogue, medics, wounded servicemen, 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 Australian Field Hospital Medics, Tony Green and Ron Gillespie and their team, awaiting an incoming Dustoff medivac evacuation helicopter at the hospital's Vampire Helicopter Pad. The waiting hospital Medics have been forewarned as to the type of patient to expect.A black and white photograph of 1st Australian Field Hospital Medics, Tony Green and Ron Gillespie and their team, awaiting an incoming Dustoff medivac evacuation helicopter at the hospital's Vampire Helicopter Pad. The waiting hospital Medics have been forewarned as to the type of patient to expect.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, tony green (medic), ron gillespie (medic), dustoff, vampire helicopter pad, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, medics, vung tau, medivac

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 Medics and Intelligence Officers move to board a American Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter to return to the NVA/Viet Cong K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) during Operation Marsden.photograph, dustoff, nui may tao mountain, 6 rar/nz, nva/vc, k76a hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, intelligence officers, medics, nva/vietcong, operation marsden, 6 rar/nz (anzac), 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 Medics and Intelligence Officers meet and unload a secondAmerican Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter bringing wounded NVA/VietCong enemy from the NVA/VietCong K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC)photograph, intelligence officers, dustoff, nva/vc, k76a hospital, 6 rar/nz, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, anzac, medics, 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 Medics and Intelligence Officers rush to meet and unload an American Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter bring wounded NVA/VIETCONG enemy from the NVA/VIETCONG K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC)photograph, 6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, nva/vc, dustoff, gibbons collection catalogue, intelligence officers, medics, wounded viet cong soldier, 6 rar/nz (anzac), 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 photoraph on an American Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter, flies out fully laden with Diggers, following the destruction of APC 13A by a 40lb VietCong chicom mine during Operation Massey Harris.. The helicopter is so full of casualties that the medic has to stand on the skid for the trip to the hospital.photograph, dustoff, apc 13a, operation massey harris, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, viet cong, chicom mine, diggers, medic, 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: Contact....Contact....Contact....late afternoon, platoon strength, North West of 1ATF Operation Atherton, 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Companyy, 8 RAR, thumbs up by Sgt L.E.Fielding and Pte N.J. Robison begins his ascent to the dustoff evacuation helicopter.photograph, 1 atf base, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, sgt l.e. fielding, pte n.j.robinson, dustoff, helicopter, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers

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 Medics and Intelligence Officers rush to meet and unload an American Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter bringing wounded NVA/Viet Cong enemy from the NVA/Viet Cong K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC)photograph, 6 rar/nz, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, dustoff, nva/vc, k76a hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, intelligence officers, 6 rar/nz (anzac), wounded viet cong soldier, medics, 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 Medics and Intelligence Officers rush to meet and unload a second American Dustoff medical evacuation helicopter bringing wounded NVA/Viet Cong enemy from the NVA/Viet Cong from the K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC)photograph, 6rar/nz, k76a hospital, nva/vc, dustoff, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, gibbons collection catalogue, intelligence officers, medics, nva/vietcong, wounded viet cong soldier, 6 rar/nz (anzac), 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 Medics from the 8th Field Ambulance Hospital Nui Dat, unload a second Americam dustoff medical evacuation helicopter bringing wounded NVA/Viet Cong enemy from the NVA/Viet Cong K76A Hospital wards captured on the Nui May Tao Mountain by 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC)6 rar/nz, k76a hospital, dustoff, nui may tao mountain, operation marsden, 1 atf, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, medics, photograph, 8th field ambulance hospital, nva/vietcong, wounded viet cong soldier, 1st australian task force, 6 rar/nz (anzac), denis gibbons

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of 7 soldiers (5 shirtless) posed on the edge of a foxhole with jungle in background. L-R Willie Swicegood (USA), John White (AATTV-Aus), Ken Benway (USA), Frank Lucas (Aust), Clay Aitkins (USA), Glenn Miller (USA), Don Cameron (Aust)john white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of John (Jed) White, aged 26 arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport in full uniform, bag straps over left shoulder. Close- up of chest and head with plane visible in the background.AWM - p 11058,001capt john (jed) white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)A wooden shield painted grey/black celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Ngok Tavak. There are three messages from mates written in black on the back. The shield was presented to Capt John (Jed) White.Presented to Captain John White, AATTV from the men of the Mobile Strike Force, Danang, Vietnam, 1968.mobile strike force, capt john (jed) white, shield, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Black framed glass covered flag. Red material with gold fringe, gold writing with Blackbird in the centre with parachute holding 2 white swords standing on a gold star. 11Co. in gold underneath. Gold plaque mounted under the flag.GUIDON OF 11 COY (NUNG) MOBILE STRIKE FORCE (MIKE FORCE) /5th SF GROUP, 1 CORPS, SVN/ A Significant number of AATTV personnel served with this Nung Company based in Da Nang./ At the end of the Vietnam War, this flag was taken by a former US SF officer and held until/ when it was given to former Captain John "Jed" White (AATTV), CO 11 Coy (Nung), who led/ the MIKE Forces at the Battle of Ngok Tavak on 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, mobile strike force, nung, john white

"Homefront" is the name of the group of chainsaw statues in Greensborough's War Memorial Park. Banyule Council initiated the project. The sculptures were designed by Amanda Gibson, carved by Hikaru Kodama and Leigh Conkie. In this sculpture "Vietnam", the soldier is based on veteran Bill Cantwell’s experience in the Vietnam War. The young soldier wears an eye patch – Bill’s legacy of his wartime injury. The base of the statue represents being held down – you can see the hands reaching up the soldier’s legs. Carved by Hikaru. The laser-cut steel shield has a pattern of Huey helicopters flying over rubber trees, Bill’s memory of being evacuated after being shot in the eye. The Homefront project replaces Leigh Conkie's original chainsaw sculptures in War Memorial Park.Digital copy of colour photographsgreensborough war memorial park, war memorials, homefront project

Black and white photograph in light wood timber frame. Huey evacuation.'Dust off ' Qui Nhon , Vietnam,1969.air ambulance, qui nhon evacuation, hueycobra (helicopter), photograph

Two Photograph in colour in a black frame. 1. Inside view of approaching landing zone "To Final Approach" 2. View of at least two Huey's for evacuation "Landing ...sighted"HueyCobra (Helicopter)photograph, hueycobra (helicopter)

Depicts a casualty evacuation from the field by RAAF Iroquois or 'Huey' helicopter. Four soldiers are protecting the landing zone. Two soldiers carrying stretchered injured soldiers on board. Pilot, Co-Pilot, and another soldier look on.'RAAF' on the tail piece of helicopter. Made by John Loughmandiorama, "dust off", huey helicopter

A black board with white text about "5RAR "Operation Canberra"6th-10th Oct 1966"5RAR "Operation Canberra" 6th-10th Oct1966 Premilinary clearance of a Mountain prior to Operation Robin. Photos depic the evacuation of wounded 8 platoon soldiers after engaging with VC trail watchers then booby trap explosions on the southern slope of Nui Thi Vai - 8th Oct 1966 A landing zone (LZ) was hand cleared from dense jungle to enable a helicopter to land for evacuation for the wounded.honours and awards, 5 rar

Their mason was to evacuate American combat causalities. Their Hueys were flying ambulances. And their call sign DUST OFF was the most famous of the of the Vietnam Warvietnam war - military helicopters, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, american, huey, "dust off"

Painting showing Helicopters coming into field to evacuate soldiers,-. Peter Scott Co 3RAR VN 1971-Mike Eggleston 2783957 112/250

Invaluable contribution to saving thousands of Servicemen's lives.During the Vietnam War the Bell UH 1Iroquois helicopter - nicknamed ( Hueys ) were responsible for the safe evacuation of military and civilian personel . It was the first turbine powered helicopter in service with the United States military . Wounded servicemen were ferried to field hospitals and vital cargo to where it was most needed plus being used for ground attack missions. .Wooden model of helicopter.

The Iroquois helicopter was used in Vietnam by Australian Air Force as gunfire support and for medical evacuation.Wooden model helicopter and descriptive information relating to use of helicopters in Southeast Asia.vietnam, helicopters, iroquios

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

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

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 U.S. soldiers disembarking from a helicopter in a clearing in the jungle. Foreground is rear of two soldiers watching. Background is mountains.united states - marine corps, battle of ngok tavak, john white, ngok tavak