Holdfast, the tunnel rats of Vietnam, Australian Army

[bob10]

When I left the RAN, I found it difficult to fit in to " normal" society. I gravitated to the RSL, joined the Naval Association, served 3 years as Secretary of our Sub- Branch. But I still didn't fit in,. Something just wasn't right. I could not relate to my fellow former sailors . So, I decided to join the local Vietnam veterans society , on a whim. The one I joined was Redcliffe, which happened to be the field force Engineers mob. Now, I felt like a fart in Church. But this mob made me feel welcome. No bull****, just welcoming. They help me keep my head right. Having said that, I would never claim to have gone through what this group of men have.

[ame]http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-28.pdf[/ame]

[mekon76]

I've seen one of their number driving a white 110 in the territory a year or so ago. Well the rear wheel cover suggested it. Brave blokes, **** jumping in a hole with a torch and a handgun.

[Ausfree]

Yeah Bob, I recognise one name on there from 2 Troop 1968/69, at least I think it's him judging by the phone number which is a local one to me. I also know another bloke who's name is not there, he is very quite and withdrawn, but I'm sure he would be aware of this group.

Bob, glad you are in surroundings that you feel comfortable with.

[oldyella 76]

I have a book called the history of 1 field squadron group Roval Australian Engineers, written by a Bendigo bloke. It is a very interesting read as they went into the underground areas of the V.C and the ways that they were booby trapped. A really good read.
Lindsay,.

[bob10]

I have a book called the history of 1 field squadron group Roval Australian Engineers, written by a Bendigo bloke. It is a very interesting read as they went into the underground areas of the V.C and the ways that they were booby trapped. A really good read.
Lindsay,.

Yeah, mate, one thing that is not realised is, the Afghanistan Sappers are doing

the same job.

[nismine01]

I served in 1RAR, patrolling ambushing etc that the infantry do, all fun stuff.

A mate of mine served in the Navy, he had a simple job, take the ammunition from one lift shaft, close the door open the other door, put the ammunition into the lift close the door and away it goes. He always used to decry his war efforts, nah, it was you guys that did all the work. Then one day on his way to work (civvy life now) the lift broke down between floors and my mate fell to pieces. Seems that whilst firing their guns in support of a unit on land the turret he was supplying had it's gun explode, I think killing a lot of the gun crew. I can't imagine the noise through steel plate of that happening just above your head, now stuck in a lift he was back there and totally disabled.

Remembering our ages then, feel for the young bloke put over the side at night puddling around in a small boat, dropping the occasional grenade or whatever to dissuade any potential frogmen from clamping a mine to the side of the mother ship. As an infantry man the scared-est I was, was when inside an APC, noisy no room to move and such a target for the bad guys, give me wandering around in the J in preference to that any day. Anybody cooped up with nowhere to run!!!!! not for me thanks.

Now, the guys I really felt for were the medics, contact and we would set up a defensive position and wait for the choppers to take out the WIA and think Glad it was him not me. The medics had to deal with their mates in bits.

The tunnel Rats were gutsy little buggers for sure, but each mans war was as valid and necessary as the next man's, no matter what the service, no matter what their position.

Thank you Bob for your service.

And, sorry for the long winded ramblings.

Mike

[bob10]

And, sorry for the long winded ramblings.

Mike

No need for sorry, mate. We are all part of the same family. I have to ask, I had 4 cousins in the Army. Barry, Lionel, & Trevor Laverty. Barry , I believe , was in 1 RAR in Malaya. Not sure about Vietnam. Don't suppose you know him.

[nismine01]

No Bob, I hardly even remember the guys in my section.

Mike

[cuppabillytea]

When I was an apprentice on the NSW Railways, sweating on my turn to go, the Assistant Pay Master in one section I worked in was one of those blokes returned. He was short and thin so they would lower him into the tunnels head first to see if it was all clear. The poor bloke was constantly shaking, so much so he couldn't hold a pencil.
I am so grateful I never had to go.