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By Ted
Colmer
INTRODUCTION
Below are two images of 3 SAS Squadron, 6 man Recce
Patrol Report [two pages] dated: 28 April 69 until 6 May
69, in the Xuyen Moc District; describing the sighting
of one particular enemy Caucasian, well built, fair
complexion, brown hair, 5' 10" - 5' 11" [must be the
Russian, subject to all the 'scuttlebutt'] assisting
with the preparation of the HO CHI MINH offensive of the
19 May, that came to fruition.
Here is the evidence of this Caucasian seen in our
Province, on two separate occasions [the 29 April & 2
May 69 respectively] assisting the enemy, which I think
is interesting since the reported sightings confirms my
memory from briefings that a fair Caucasian was seen in
the area of Xuyen Moc, and on one occasion was extremely
lucky after actually approaching a 5RAR gun picket in
the area: observed to be wearing a distinctive
bandoleer, sidearm, or short weapon [must be the same
Caucasian]. I think from memory the 5RAR gun picket was
surprised and unsure of whether he was a legitimate
target, so lucky for the Russian!
There were many stories of this Russian from May to June
69, who was obviously advising D445 LF Battalion etc,
and probably arrived from the north with many insurgents
arriving via Taiwanese Fishing Diesel boats, and
Sampans.
Perhaps some 5 RAR, Cavalry troopers, Sappers or D & E
Platoon members may remember the 'SitRep' (Situation
Report) warnings?
I wonder if he survived, with all that May to June 69
activity, culminating with the Battle of Binh Bah 6 June
69. I also wonder whether he played a significant role
in planning or otherwise advising on the VC offensive.
At least he had the company of 2 VC (females) combing
their hair near a pool of a creek 2 May 69.
Regards,
Ted Colmer
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News Article From Russia Today |
News
February 16, 2008, 23:41
USSR
'secret' Vietnam soldiers
speak out
Russian veterans have
gathered to mark the
anniversary of America's
withdrawal from the Vietnam
War. More than 3,000 Soviet
soldiers fought in the
conflict despite years of
government denials that they
were ever involved.
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For years, they were the men
who 'weren't there' - Soviet
Vietnam veterans |
For years,
they were the men who 'weren't there' -
Soviet Vietnam veterans
It was America's longest and most
divisive war, with almost 60,000 young
men dead in a conflict that killed more
than five million on all sides.
Most still think of Vietnam as a war the
U.S. and its South Vietnamese allies
fought against the North.
But Soviet Union's men were there, too,
doing their part to advance the spread
of communism. They are some of the
Soviet Union's forgotten soldiers,
veterans of a war their government
denied involvement in for almost twenty
years.
It was only after the regime collapsed
in 1991 that officials admitted more
than 3,000 Soviet troops fought against
the Americans in Vietnam.
Now, some of these old soldiers are
together again to mark the 35th
anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal.
"Officially we were known as a group of
Russian military experts. The commander
was referred to simply as the senior
expert. Thus, technically, there were no
Russian units in Vietnam. The only thing
we knew was that we were Soviet people,
Soviet soldiers, and that we had to do
whatever it took to stop air raids,
which is what we did," Nikolay Kolesnik,
Vietnam veteran, remembers.
Soviet expertise played a vital part in
training Vietnamese forces and Soviet
anti-aircraft missiles to inflict heavy
damage on American planes.
Those who fought alongside the Russians
say it's difficult to overestimate the
impact they had.
"The Soviet Union was a huge help in the
war. We have a lot of respect for
Russian equipment and Russian experts.
Their equipment was better than what the
Americans had. That's why we were able
to win," Lee Cong Niem, Vietnam veteran,
said.
Saturday's ceremony was a chance for the
next generation of soldiers to meet the
men who have done it all before and for
a grateful nation to thank the veterans
who were its unsung allies for so long.
For years, those were the men who
'weren't there', veterans of a war their
government said they never fought in.
Now, thirty-five years after the last of
them left the jungles of Vietnam they
can properly commemorate their part in
one of the 20th century's most
significant conflicts.
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