" Guy Fawkes night was early this year", by [Flight Lt.] Arthur Sibthorpe. Vietnam, 1968/1969. From RSL Qld. Edition 01, 2014
" During my tour as an FAC in Sth Vietnam I flew 254 sorties in the O-1, in support of the US 1st Division at Lai Khe, the 82nd Airborne Division at Tan Son Nhut, the 25th Division at Dau Tieng, and the 9th Division at Dong Tam. Normally, I flew a three hour stint every day. Often there would be little work available and airborne time could be very mundane, but the areas had to be covered by by an FAC at all times because emergencies did occur with little warning. On one occasion I was operating in the Delta area at the start of what promised to be another boring day. Ground activity seemed to be non-existent, so after about an hour, I began badgering the ' head shed ' to see if they could find me some work. Finally the reply was ' Ok, tamale 15, try calling 'Keen Razor ' on Fox Mike frequency. He has moved into your area on a recce patrol and may be able to use you.'
Thankful for the diversion, I made contact and had a chat with ' Keen Razor', but gained the impression that he was in the same boat as far as lack of work was concerned. . He indicated, though, that his outfit was about to search out a treed area near the Hotmont Canal, and that if I would like to wander over and have a looksee I might be able to help.As 'Keen Razors ' location was some distance from my position it took me a little while to arrive on station given the exotic speed of the O-1. About 20 minutes later I was in the area and could clearly see the outfit on the ground as I circled.
A few minutes later, all hell broke loose and the tree line erupted in barrage that would have done justice to 4th of July celebrations. Either that or Guy Fawkes day was early this year!. The advance suddenly became a controlled withdrawal as the troops hurriedly sought more secure positions . Luckily for the troops, Charlie had opened up early , so they managed to reach reasonable safety with only a couple of WIA. Almost immediately I had ' Keen Razor' on the air, panting away in a voice considerably higher in decibels than during his previous transmissions ; 'For Christs sake, FAC - huff- get us some air - puff- we have stirred up - huff - a hornets nest- puff. "
I told him to get back as far as he could, then hit the deck and wait, since help was on the way. Fortunately the wait was very short as the Ops people had been monitoring the transmissions and were able to divert fighters going to a target of lesser priority. Meantime, I requested as much air as possible, as this was obviously a major contact, and was assured that more aircraft were on their way. The fighters were soon on station and we wasted no time in getting to work. Because of the proximity of the canal, and the clearly defined tree line , it was a breeze for the fighters to flatten the target This they did with great gusto- much to the delight of 'Keen Razor ' . The subsequent air strikes were just as successful, but , unfortunately, after the sixth packet of fighters had finished, I had run out of marking rockets.
I called ' Keen Razor' to tell him I had to go off station , but that another FAC and more air was on the way. Although all was presently quiet down in the treed area and we appeared to have put the fire out, if his troops did move into the target area they would have cover. His parting comment was ' Well, Tamale 15, I don't know who you are, but if we ever meet, your on free booze for the rest of your life'
The moral this story is that we Australians who went to Vietnam as FAC's did not get much money, but at times were in a position to earn a big drink "
Thanks to RSL news, edition 01, 2014
I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food
A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks