© Brian
London OAM., DCM.
Both Tours
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On arrival in Vietnam as part of
the advance party in 1966, my first port of call was the US
173rd Airborne Brigade Base with the 1st Battalion, Royal
Australian Regiment (1RAR). The purpose was to be briefed by
my counterpart the Radio Sergeant of Signal Platoon 1 RAR.
The briefing and familiarization excursions outside the wire
went well. Although, I recalled my lectures back in
Australia; "The typical uniform of the enemy is black
pyjamas." Everyone I saw outside the wire was wearing black
pyjamas!
Just before departure to meet the main body
of 5RAR, my counterpart remarked "I suggest you trade in
your Owen Machine Carbine
(OMC) for something more powerful." He had long
since done so and had purchased an
M16 Armalite Rifle. The weapon was for sale at a bargain
price. This offer was too good to refuse so I became the new
owner.
During our acclimatisation period at Vung Tau,
I managed to acquire a brand new Colt Automatic Pistol to go
with the M16.
Now, some may reason, that a Radio
Sergeant does not need that amount of firepower. Nonetheless
I felt secure in the knowledge that if push came to shove I
would be ready. Even so, I reluctantly carried the
OMC on operations to comply with the rules. It was not
until my platoon commander Captain Brian LeDan staggered
into BHQ with a wound to the chest that I tried to bend the
rules a little. On the next operation, I carried my
M16. The only problem came from an unexpected quarter,
not from enemy action but from within the battalion. Some
people, (no names no pack drill), were a little put out
because I was better armed then the forward scouts and other
members of the battalion. A fair comment I agree, but
misdirected. Blame the 'Bean Counters' who sent us to
Vietnam with obsolete weapons. There was a question posed on
ammunition re-supply to which I replied "I am carrying three
times the amount of front line ammunition." In
addition, several tins of 5.56mm were at Nui Dat with my
name on them. I also mumbled in a low tone " If the bloody
Radio Sergeant runs out of ammo we are in big trouble". I
can imagine the outcry if 'They' had realised
that in my non-issue Special Forces pack tucked away,
contained my non-issued Colt 45 Pistol.
It turned out
to be a "Storm in a Teacup." I seem to recall all
OMCs were withdrawn and replaced with
M16s' afterwards.
The first tour of 5 RAR ended
and as was the custom, I briefed my relief. I remarked "If
you want to trade in that heavy
SLR you can have my
M16 for the price I paid for it, the same goes for the
Colt Auto." This was an offer too good to refuse .
TALES FROM THE TIGER
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