Victor Company RNZIR

Victor Company RNZIR 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC), 2nd tour, 1971-1972

BACKGROUND AND TRAINING

Victor Company 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion was the sixth V Company to be raised since March 1967 when the New Zealand Government decided that it would contribute an infantry sub-unit to 1st Australian Task Force; a second New Zealand rifle company, namely Whiskey, was added to the resultant ANZAC Battalion from December 1967 till November 1970.

Friend, Romans and .... (Sgt Panui)

All companies served firstly in 1 RNZIR in Malaysia or Singapore and at some stage during a two year cycle, completed an operational tour with the ANZAC Battalion in South Vietnam.

All together

This company formed, on 26 March 1970 in Burnham Camp, New Zealand as a company group replacement for 1 RNZIR in Singapore. Coincidental with this requirement was a strategic mobility exercise from New Zealand to Singapore as part of the five nation exercise BERSATU PADU. B Company, 1 Battalion Depot performed both tasks.

Prior to departure to Singapore on 7 May 1970, the company conducted its training during a three and a half week field training camp which it established in Westland some two-hundred miles west of Burnham.

Each platoon and supporting elements progressed through a circuit of instruction and exercises, that were planned and executed by the company. The company group was self supporting administratively and included an extra platoon to act as enemy.

A UH-ID helicopter was in direct support throughout the period and a B170 transport aircraft assisted in the initial deployment to the training area.

During exercise BERSATU PADU in May and June 1970, the sub-unit became Yankee Company of I RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion. This exercise was valuable in further developing teamwork within the company and afforded it an opportunity of exercising in a variety of South Vietnam type missions whilst under Australian Command.

For periods during the exercise it was also under direct operational control of Headquarters 4 Malaysian Brigade; it conducted an independent airmobile assault with Malaysian artillery in direct support and under command for movement and worked with 9 Battalion Royal Malay Regiment.

Cpl B Hutchinson

Following exercise BERSATU PADU the company concentrated its attention on preparation for service as Whiskey Company of 2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion which it was to join in November 1970. In July 1970 the Officer Commanding visited Nui Dat to establish direct liaison.

Drawing on the lessons learned by the previous eight New Zealand rifle companies, by using the current ANZAC Battalion Standing Operational Procedures and by applying to training the deductions from current After Action Reports, the company progressed through its training. The aim was to develop individual skills and teamwork at each level so that the company could accomplish any foreseeable mission dictated by the ANZAC Battalion.

In September 1970 it was learned that the company would not replace Whiskey Company in November but for planning purposes it was assumed that it would become Victor Company of 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion in May 1971.

Training continued with the company progressing through a series of rifleman grading training, specialised courses, section and platoon training, plus company and battalion exercises. It practised with elements from the Australian Army, British Army including Gurkhas, Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Some of the highlights during this period were:
- Four battalion exercises held in Malaysia in which the company was practised in a variety of situations.
- An exercise with the Royal Marines Special Boat Service and a Royal Navy Air Squadron in which nineteen five-man teams were deployed on a patrol exercise in Malaysia and the Straits of Johore.
- A programme of shooting in which all ranks achieved first class standard or better with the SLR, M16 and M60. Emphasis was placed on target identification and shooting under contact conditions.
- Co-operation with 108 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery in which all officers and non-commissioned officers including section second-in-commands, plus signallers, obtained practice in fire control.
- An exercise with the Gurkha Depot at Langkawi Island in Malaysia during which elements from the company acted as enemy. A period in the Cameron Highlands during which the company relaxed and played sport. Three series of specialist courses so that the company personnel could improve their individual skills and receive cross-training.

Sporting activities were not overlooked whilst the company was in Singapore. The company won both the 28 Commonwealth Brigade Open and Lightweight Rugby Championships; won the Brigade Open Tug-of-War competition, coming runner-up in the lightweight divisions; and came runner-up in the Brigade Water Polo Competition. It also won the I RNZIR inter-company weekly sports competition.

The Product

Machine Gun No. 2	Pte Goodhue R. M.
Date of Enlistment	13 August 1969
Date of Birth	31 January 1949
Civil Trade	Carpenter
Qualifications	2 Star rifleman; Joined the company in March 1970 Qualified on the following courses: Machine Gunners Course 3 weeks Trackers Course 3 weeks

Rifleman/M79 Grenadier	Pte Riri J.
Date of Enlistment	7 December 1966
Date of Birth	5 May 1945
Civil Trade	Labourer
Qualifications	2 Star rifleman. Joined the company in March 1970. Served with I RNZIR in Malaysia plus service in South Vietnam as a mortarman. Qualified on the following courses: Mortar Handlers Course 4 weeks Signal Operators 3 weeks Medical Assistants 3 weeks Advanced Medical Assistants 2 weeks Small Boat Coxswain Course 2 weeks; Scope: The handling and maintenance of small boats during operations.

Rifleman/Section Signaler	Pte Rata K. B.
Date of Enlistment	12 January 1970
Date of Birth	11 November 1950
Civil Trade	Painter/Decorator
Qualifications	2 Star rifleman; Joined the company in March 1970 Qualified on the following courses:- Signal Operator Course 3 weeks; Scope: The production of an operator capable of establishing and maintaining communication with the 77 or 25 set under operational conditions.

Rifleman/Section Medic	Pte Dow R. C.
Date of Enlistment	7 July 1969
Date of Birth	16 September 1949
Civil Trade	Woodsman
Qualifications	2 Star rifleman. Joined the company in March 1970 Qualified an the following courses:- Medical Assistants Course 3 weeks; Scope: The production of a medical assistant capable of applying immediate first aid to a battle casualty. Advanced Medical Assistants Course 2 weeks; Scope: Limited treatment of battle and non-battle casualties. Trackers Course 3 weeks

Rifleman	Pte Rewiti R. T. P.
Date of Enlistment	14 August 1969
Date of Birth
Civil Trade	Freezer worker
Qualifications	2 Star rifleman. Joined the company in March 1970 Qualified on the following courses:- Medical Assistants Course 3 weeks Trackers Course. 3 weeks Machine Gunners Course 3 weeks

Each section within the company was almost identical with the example from 3 Platoon. The company therefore possessed a number of advantages and as all ranks were volunteers, from rifleman upwards, there was considerable motivation and an easily discernible aim in all training. An obvious disadvantage' to the current ANZAC Battalion was the fact that the New Zealand company trained separately from the unit. On analysis though it was felt that this situation was not critical for the following reasons:

The company trained using RAR Standard Operating Procedures for a year prior to deployment to South Vietnam. Minor variations concerning techniques internal to the company would have no effect outside it. The company was on the distribution list of 2 RAR/NR (ANZAC) Battalion for operational material for almost nine months prior to arrival in the theatre. This included Standard Operating Procedure amendments, and directives of instructions concerning operations or logistics. Personnel administration and some equipment provisioning had to be handled separately anyway.

Kiwis coming through the rubber.

On 7 May 1971, the main body of B Company I RNZIR arrived in South Vietnam and became V Company. During 8-14 May, the company settled into Nui Dat and carried out in theatre orientation and prepared for its first operation. Its first task was a Tactical Area of Responsibility patrol for I Platoon during 11-14 May. Then at 0400 hours, 15 May, the company mounted in APCs and left Nui Dat for northern Phuoc Tuy Province on a combined operation with Vietnamese forces.

The company departed on its first operation, fully confident in each others individual and collective skills and because of previous liaison, could foresee no problems concerning integration with the ANZAC Battalion.

There is little that can be stated concerning the activities that followed our deployment on operations; missions, almost without exception, were Search and Ambush and were conducted in the general Courtney area. The Company's operational contribution during the next six months was comparatively minor and in many respects was an anti-climax following the training and preparation that had been conducted.

Our activities can be summarized as follows:

15 May-17 June: Operations-, IRON MAIDEN, BHOWANI JUNCTION, OVERLORD and HERMIT PARK.

Initially the company conducted search and ambush tasks within the Courtney Rubber area. It then carried out a company operation against elements of I Battalion, 274 Regiment. This was launched in response to agent and other reports and 2 Platoon scored the Battalion's initial kill on 2 June.

Then as 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion was deploying on its first operation, V Company and B Company chased after D445 Battalion in the middle of the night. Again this was provoked by an agent report. The company then moved into blocking positions during the Task Force operation against 3 Battalion, 33 Regiment and D445 Battalion.

OPERATION HERMIT PARK 23 JUNE 1971 - 25 JULY 1971

The company was deployed to the west of Route 2 on a search and ambush mission. During 24-26 June, it conducted its most significant action when it located, initiated and subsequently accompanied by armour, captured a bunker system occupied by C2 Company, I Battalion 274 Regiment. It was then committed to ambushing in the same general area until it was deployed as one of the three assault companies during a battalion operation north-west of Courtney against elements of 274 Regiment.

Unfortunately it missed the follow up activities of this operation as it was withdrawn to Nui Dat as Task Force Ready Reaction Company and a well deserved R & I break.

OPERATION NORTH WARD 7 AUGUST 1971 - 9 SEPTEMBER 1971

For this operatlon the company deployed to the east of Route 2 into an area in local Regional Force Companies had not found anything during their clearing (only 1I kilometre) each side of Route 2. However, V Company ventured further bush and was fortunate in locating and capturing several small occupied enemy bases, plus eliminating the itinerant traveller from the Chau Duc guerillas and VC logistic units. Following its return to Nui Dat the company was again employed as Task Force Ready Reaction Company.

OPERATIONS IVANHOE AND VALIANT 21 SEPTEMBER, 1971 - 9 OCTOBER, 1971

At the request of the Commanding Officer, Commander 1st Australian Task Force released V Company from Ready Reaction tasks to assist B and D Companies. On 21 September, the company was deployed back into the same area of the Suoi Tam Bo because of its previous intimate knowledge of the terrain. This time the battalion had also moved into the area and the company had the task of establishing blocking positions in support of operations against elements of 33 North Vietnamese Army Regiment. The company's contribution was to provide a blocking force and then to rapidly re-deploy and move past Nui Sao and link up with D Company to search the bunker complex - the scene of one of the battles of 21 September.

Upon D Company's withdrawal from the operation and following D Company, 3 RAR's return to Nui Dat, V Company assumed responsibility for searching out the area east of Route 2 and then commenced a gradual movement southwards towards Nui Dat.

OPERATION SOUTH WARD 9 OCTOBER 1971 - 7 NOVEMBER 1971

During this final period, the company was responsible for the security of the eastern sector in Nui Dat and for searching and ambushing to the east of the base in the area of Nui Dat 2 and the Long Tan Rubber Plantation.

On 7 November, the company withdrew from Nui Dat to Vung Tau via Caribou aircraft.

For having the opportunity of service in 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion, all ranks of the company were very grateful and we trust that if an ANZAC Battalion is ever reformed and perhaps with the New Zealand element in the majority, then the same recognition of each others sometimes significant differences can be re-established and as a team, the common aim can be achieved.

New Zealand Suite: Courtney Estate

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The Fighting Fourth; the history of 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn. 2nd tour, 1971/72