W3 Company - News

link to more news beginning January 2010 - news archive

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year..!

Like the shepherds 2000-odd years ago watched over their flocks to witness a great historical moment, so you are encouraged to watch over your health, your family integrity, and your moral compass in this holiday season and the year to come.  Don't let your guard down but enjoy fellowship and food aplenty..!

Another year is behind us, and a 40th anniversary reunion to look forward to next November.  It will be great to gather again, possibly for the last time, in Christchurch in November 2010, so why not make that your New Year's resolution..?

Best wishes to all veterans and their families/whanau as we [hopefully] have the opportunity to relax and unwind..!

My thanx to all the veterans who have supported the website with stories and news items during 2009 - webmaster

Swee Hemana, widow of Harry Hemana, was on the tour with us and as I have mentioned previously Ron Lichtwark and I were the only ex W3 folk along for the trip.  A full report of the Reunion and SEA tour is at this link. 

Kind regards and seasons greetings to you all - Evan

However, a longstanding practice of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) has been to also pay the travel concession to veterans who make these journeys using private cars, a practice it turns out that falls outside of the legislation. Moreover, the concession has been paid to veterans only when travelling across a regional boundary. This disadvantaged veterans who travelled within regional boundaries.  Ms Collins today announced changes to the scheme to legally recognise the use of private cars and create a payment system that treated veterans evenly.  “These changes will bring fairness and certainty back into the system,” Ms Collins said.  “The concessions have been in place since 1922. Over this time cars have replaced public transport as the main way people move around our country, so the rules needed to be changed to reflect that VANZ was reimbursing disabled veterans who used their own cars.  This also presented an opportunity to address unfairness in the way those rules had been set around veterans qualifying only when certain geographic boundaries were crossed.”

An eligible veteran who wanted to travel from Dunedin to Queenstown – a round trip of 566 km, or Hicks Bay to Gisborne – a round trip of 362 km - could not claim a travel concession, while other veterans who lived close to a regional boundary were able to claim the travel concession for trips of less than 10km.  Clearly that’s just nonsense and needed to be fixed up,” Ms Collins said.

Cabinet considered a number of options to remedy the situation and decided to change the travel concession to reflect a proposal made by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RNZRSA).  “I am very appreciative of the input provided by the RSA in reaching this solution. They are to be congratulated for being such strong advocates for veterans,” Ms Collins said.  The regulations to bring this scheme into force will be passed early in the New Year.

 Features of the new travel concession:

• The war pensions travel concession will be paid for travel in private cars for trips over a distance of 80km, a 160km round trip, paid at 22.5 cents per km.

• The war pensions travel concession will refund for travel on public transport for trips over a distance of 80km, a 160km round trip.  This would only be for travel that could not be accessed using the SuperGold card travel concession as the Government are already subsidising this travel. 
• The war pensions travel concession will refund for travel by air for distances over 80km, a 160km round trip, by paying the equivalent mileage allowance of 22.5 cents per km or refunding the actual airfare, whichever is the lesser amount.

The main group of travel concession holders are veterans who have a War Disablement Pension of 100%.  The other two groups that are entitled to a travel concession are veterans who are unable, due to their service related disabilities, to travel alone; and veterans who have a War Disablement Pension of at least 50% for a disability which impedes mobility.   These changes do not affect medical travel by war veterans. VANZ pays travel to attend medical treatment and rehabilitation services. There is no restriction on the distance that must be travelled by the veteran, when they are claiming travel to medical treatment and rehabilitation services. 

40-years ago:  the Timeline series continues - webmaster [29 November 2009]
40-years ago today W3 Coy had finished their deployment on Op ROSS and were at FSPB DISCOVERY preparing for new tasks on OP MARSDEN starting 1 Dec 69.

The timeline article for December 1969 is at this link

Comments, stories and corrections are all welcome - make an effort and send them here

Ian is interested in making contact with Bob Day V5, anyone know his location..? [UPDATE - am advised that Bob Day joined SASR but died in Perth in 1998]

40-years ago:  the Timeline series has started - webmaster [24 November 2009]
the first Timeline article covering the W3 Coy arrival in SVN to the end of November is here

The next in the series covering December 1969 will be on the website before 1 December

Comments, stories and corrections are all welcome - make an effort and send them here

Noticas Fatal - 729910 Pte Paul Moana 1Pl - webmaster [16 November 2009]
The website has been advised that Paul Moana passed away suddenly at Te Puia Springs hospital on 15 November 2009 aged 63.  Pauls funeral service is to be held at the Hinerupe Marae Te Araroa on Wednesday 18 November 2009 at 1100 hours.  Messages to the Moana Family PO Box 35 Te Araroa 4050, or Evans Funeral Services Ltd 06 867 9150

Paul is well remembered for being allowed to grow a beard while in Vietnam, he had a skin complaint that was aggravated by shaving.  Fortunately Paul was at Tribute08 in June 2008

UPDATE:  From the 'its a small world' story category comes the item off the Vets Net today from Bill Jones [Cpl V5] whose son-in-law Nat was the locum at Te Puia Springs hospital on Sunday working on Paul in an attempt to keep him with us.  Bill makes the point that in his final time with us Paul got the best care possible from someone who had some understanding of what he had been through.

UPDATE:  from Sunray - I had a telephone call from Danny Campbell last evening wondering whether I had been advised of Paul Moana's death.  Danny said that Tom Konia and he were going to attend the funeral in Te Araroa so I asked that he convey to Paul's family the condolences of all ex members of W3 and that I was pleased that we would be represented at his final farewell.  I am wondering whether the family would be aware that Paul died exactly forty years from the day that he arrived in Vietnam?  And you will also note that Danny Campbell arrived in Vietnam on the same day and presumably the same flight!

TRIBUTE:  It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Paul Moana (better known as “Castro” because of his “Castro-like” beard).  It is true that he made the most of not having to shave; and who wouldn’t!!  Paul was an outstanding lead scout with One Platoon in Viet Nam.  He was a tireless soldier who always gave of his very best; then a bit more.  Paul was one of those kiwi soldiers who would just keep working until ordered to take a break; the stamina of an ox.  One would be hard pressed to think of an occasion during his service in Viet Nam when Paul was not in the “smiling mode” – he had this unique, infectious ability to make everyone smile and be relaxed and happy.  Paul was a regular attendee at W3 Coy reunions; he also attended Viet Nam Remembered (1998) and Tribute 08.  A sad day indeed - but let us also celebrate the esteem with which Paul was held by his comrades and the service he gave to New Zealand.  Rest in peace Paul; we will remember you - Jim Cutler   

TRIBUTE:  I was sorry to hear the passing of Paul, I did catch up with him in Wellington @ tribute 08 I have good memories of 'Castro' and will always remember him in this way.  (Pani) Tony Panirau

Tributes here.

40-years ago:  W3 were on the ground in South Vietnam - webmaster [15 November 2009]

The 40th anniversary of the W3 Company tour in 1ATF will be commemorated as follows:

Starting in late November 2009 a year-long on-line historical diary of key dates and facts from the tour.

•                 The establishment of a W3 historical archive.

•                 The 40-year reunion in Christchurch November 2010.

Historical Diary:  The on-line historical diary, hosted on the website, will dip into the available archives to document the who, why and how of the W3 tour highlights and low points.  Progressively the individual diary items will be compiled into a historical timeline for easier understanding - which leads to the establishment of the next point..

W3 Historical Archive:  Bob Upton has agreed to head up the establishment of a W3 archive.  W3 wants to avoid the issues other sub-units have experienced where relevant personal records and effects have been lost or inadvertently destroyed – this makes getting a balanced historical picture very difficult.  W3 wants to historically portray the experiences of our veterans during operations, rather than simply present the official [and quite dry] timeline and sound bite approach taken by unaffected historians.  The archive is now open for any material, maps, documents, personal letters, photos and bequests that veterans, their families and the wider community wish to donate.  There will be restrictions on the further use of material donated and final control of information will be subject to donor approval at all stages of use.  Contact Bob here.

The 40-Year Reunion:  the Reunion Committee has selected the weekend of Friday 19 to Monday 22 November 2010 as the dates for the W3 40th Anniversary Reunion. The reunion will be held in Christchurch and the dates selected meet the criteria of ‘it ain’t a birthday till its past’.

Programme: The theme for the weekend will be developed around the statement ‘this could be W3’s last reunion’.  In line with this statement the reunion committee felt the programme needed more social time but not at a hectic pace. It was considered that a longer reunion was needed to meet this aim and the following outline programme is proposed:

Friday Night: ‘meet and greet’ in a central location from 6PM.  Bar food will be provided. Invited - any other Vietnam veterans in the greater Christchurch area.

Saturday: Options period, including doing nothing organised.  It is proposed to arrange an all-day bus trip to Esk Valley [near Timaru] to greet and farewell Dave Wright 2Pl DOW.  Otherwise the committee is open to other options for day activities including vineyard tours, and an informal bus tour of Burnham Camp.

Saturday Night: Formal dinner [perhaps with Regimental colour 2/1 RNZIR present], short catwalk display of modern equipment, and afterwards a band.  Invited – registered veterans and NOK plus special guests.

Sunday Morning: 1030 memorial service at Capt Charles Upham VC and Bar gravesite near Papanui RSA.  Following the service a buffet lunch at Papanui RSA is proposed.

Sunday Afternoon: Remain at Papanui RSA for the W3 AGM, followed by further opportunity to mingle and perhaps have dobs and other activities. During afternoon have presentation of attendance certificates to veterans and family or NOK attending.

Sunday Night: Bar food or buffet meal and music, private farewells.

Monday: dispersal with assistance from Christchurch veterans.

A fuller explanation of the Reunion proposal is here.  Registration forms will be available next year.

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40-years ago:  W3 Main Body Reception Programme - archives [14 November 2009]

At this link is the administration programme published by the W3 advance party - although unsigned it was the work of Capt Jim Brown MC no doubt with assistance from W2 Coy HQ and Bn HQ 2RAR.  The programme was required to fit around the departure of W2 Coy on the same day that the main body arrived, [the first W2 flight out using the incoming aircraft carrying the first W3 contingent in etc], explaining why the W3 people were being directed to move into the W Coy accommodation from 0800 hours 14 November despite having been in-country for a fortnight.

The programme anticipated the arrival of the first contingent at 1100 hours, but given the problem with the aircraft while taking off from Changi it is likely the actual arrival time was three hours later around 1400 hours and the 2^nd flight arrival at Nui Dat much later than 1730 hours. 

entrance to W Company lines

It is apparent that W3 advance party echelon people did not replace W2 people until 14 November [the day W2 departed] although they would have been working alongside them for some days [cooks, canteen manager, clerk].

Reception and stores distribution:

Allocation of accommodation.  Each platoon was allocated the tent spaces of the departed W2 platoons, usually four soldiers to a tent [or an officer and sergeant shared], each bed space having a 6’ locker, steel folding bed, and an array of home-made furniture left behind by previous deployments.  The WW2 vintage canvas tents had been elevated to allow comfortable posture inside, had a board floor to cope with ground water during the wet season,  and were surrounded by a waist high blast wall to protect the occupants while sleeping.  The sides of each tent were normally removed to allow ventilation.  this link shows the 2Pl lines

Bedding.  Bedding issued on 14 November to incoming W3 personnel would have likely been the same bedding handed in by departing W2 people the same day.  The bedding was a foam mattress, foam pillow, clean green sheet and pillowcase, mosquito net, and a thin Australian tropical blanket.  

bedspace and surrounds in the tent lines [Rowsell]

Ammo.  Each flight on arrival at Vung Tau was given the ammo taken to the airport by W2 people, generally a magazine of 20 rounds per rifleman and a belt of 200 rounds per M60 machine gun.  On arrival in the Nui Dat lines the advance party had stacked rations and ammunition in platoon lines and these were distributed to match operational scales on 15 November.  This was the first time most personnel felt the weight of the full operational ammunition requirement, and many wondered at their ability to carry the full load – over time this was sorted out by either conditioning, reshuffles of people within sections, or by adjusting the requirement.

Rations.  The issue of rations on the programme is surprising as there would have been no requirement for pack rations for the initial period in base given the Company cookhouse was offering fresh food, but there might have been a requirement [SOP] to always have a minimal amount of food in the webbing for emergencies.  The rations would have been a mixture of Australian 24-hour packs and US C ration meal boxes, both unfamiliar to the new arrivals so some experimentation would also have been encouraged.

The W3 tent lines were not located against the Nui Dat base outer wire so there was no requirement to man sentries on the first night in-country.

The programme for 15 and 16 November involved a ‘bullring’ approach of rotating the platoons and Coy HQ around four activities:

Issue of specialist equipment from the CQMS store [controlled and class A stores were programmed for the evening 15 November – perhaps due to a heavy workload in the company store during the day].

Briefing on Company orders for the Nui Dat base [weapon safety and carriage of weapons when away from the tent lines, stand-to periods, what to do in the event of..., areas off-bounds, etc]

Issue of small arms ammo and rations            

Documentation and familiarisation of the 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) area - basically the platoons did a squad run around the sprawling 1ATF base to identify amenities, aircraft staging points, unit boundaries, no-go areas, etc.

Maj Torrance had his first company O Gp in-country at 1930 hours 14 November, and CO 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Lt Col David Butler RAR was programmed to address the Company at 1430 hours 15 November.  6RAR were absent from the base on operations, V4 Coy at the Horseshoe and the Australian companies on Operation Ross based around FSPB Discovery to the east of Nui Dat near the coast.

This is the programme for the period until the Company deployed on its first operation away from Nui Dat on the morning of 24 November 1969 confirming recollections of a series of lectures by unit instructors or supporting arms on VC mine methods, ‘know your enemy’, and equipment and supporting Arms familiarisation, including time out of base with either APC or doing overnight TAOR patrols to the east of the base.  The weather during this period was on occasions wet but the wet season passed by the time W3 deployed on operations.

'I Was There' - add a comment

40-years ago:  W3 Main Body Flight Nominal Rolls - archives [13 November 2009]

At this link are the two flight nominal rolls for the movement of the W3 main body from Changi to Vung Tau on 14 November 1969.  The initial flight started on time at 0700 hours local but the aircraft experienced bird strike while still on the runway and a 3-hour delay was experienced while RNZAF engineers checked the aircraft.  The flight finally left Changi at 1000 hours.  This delayed the turnaround for the second flight which should have left at 1300 hours but which arrived at Vung Tau much later in the afternoon.   One recollection is that the draft arrived at Nui Dat after last light – this true anyone..?

The 0700 flight had 47 passengers including one destined for ARU [Aust Reinforcement Unit – a pool of supposed in-country reinforcements] but Ian Caldwell might like to comment if he actually served in ARU before joining 1Pl.  The 1300 flight had 70 passengers including two for ARU and three for NZ Component.  Again, Fred King might like to comment if ha actually served with NZ Component before joining W3 Coy HQ.

The records are probably the draft nominal rolls only, not the RNZAF form 1256 for personnel required by the RNZAF Flight Movements staff and the responsibility of the 1RNZIR Movement Officer.  The earlier movement order required OC W3 Coy to decide on the composition of all flights and to pass draft flight rolls to the Movement Officer 72-hours prior to flight date.  The RNZAF form 1256 for personnel [if found] is the authoritative record of who travelled when.

This link is to the B Coy Nominal Roll as at 1 Oct 69.  This roll is likely to have been the OC’s planning document for who would board which flight but comments and amendments are in Capt Jim Brown’s or Cpl Ted Mason’s handwriting.  Were 1RNZIR short of paper..?  The roll was printed by 1RNZIR in Terendak but on the back of old French maps of Vietnam – an example is shown on the last page of the roll. 

The single-digit number on the left side of the B Coy roll appears to relate to the flight planning:
A – Advance party, 1 – Pre main party, 2 – 0700 main body, 3 – 1300 main body, dash or 0 – left behind

'I Was There' - add a comment

40-years ago:  W3 Main Body Movement Order - archives [10 November 2009]

At the link is the HQ 1RNZIR Administration Order for the ‘Movement to South Vietnam - W3 Coy Main Body’ signed by Captain Tony Birks on behalf of the CO Lt Col John Brook.  Issued on 31 October 1969 the order has five pages, a distribution page and four pages of clothing and equipment lists – it promises to issue at a later date the actual movement details once these had been decided by OC W3 Coy [webmaster: these will be posted on the website on 14 November 2009].  The website copy of the movement order was the personal copy of Maj Torrance and has the occasional amendment made by him.

The Order advised the intention to move W3 Coy to South Vietnam on 14 Nov 69 utilising two RNZAF C-130 flights by the same aircraft.  It is unlikely to be 'original', the format and detail would have evolved from the successful deployment of earlier Company's so a simple change of dates and names each time would have mainly been all that was required [having a document that worked successfully makes it easy for later staff officers to keep getting it right].

The Order is written against the background of 1RNZIR’s own separate move to Punjab Lines Nee Soon in Singapore in December 1969, meaning W3 personnel would not return to Wellington Lines Terendak Garrison and the 1RNZIR move needed to include the management of W3 base kits, the movement of W3 single personnel civilian cars to storage in Singapore, and the handover of housing by families left behind.  Anyone care to comment on how the cars were really looked after..?

The order allowed for weight of stores per person to be 250 Lbs per soldier – this was based on the RNZAF assumption that the actual soldier would physically weigh 180 Lbs so each individual was allowed 70 Lbs of kit including weapon and webbing on the flight.

The order issues ‘security’ instructions requiring 28 Bde patches to be removed from clothing, and for command of the Company to pass to HQ NZ Army Force Far East [FE] for the 24-hour period covering the movement to Singapore and on to Vietnam, playing out the political ‘game’ that the Malaysian and Singapore governments, and 28 Commonwealth Brigade, were not supporting the training and despatch of New Zealand troops for South Vietnam.

It is assumed that the OC did get a company clearance for all Coy personnel who had debts with the tailor, boot maker, dhobi, gift shop, Lee’s Photo, boot boy and charwallah, by 1700 hours the night before we departed...  Anyone care to comment..?

While the postal address for W3 on arrival in South Vietnam changed to C/- HQ NZ V Force, GPO Auckland New Zealand, families remaining in Singapore must have had a different address that utilised the weekly RNZAF SATS flight from Changi - anyone remember..?

Does anyone remember what a ‘zoot suit' was..?  Perhaps tracksuits made from parachute silk and used as night wear while in the bush [hence the no black suits rule].

Anyone have any photos of the main body move from Terendak..?

'I Was There' - add a comment

40-years ago:  W3 Coy advance party's move to SVN - archives [28 October 2009][updated 30 Oct 09]

Advance Party.  The W3 advance party landed in Nui Dat late afternoon 29 October 1969 [a Wednesday], two weeks in advance of the main body.  Based on hand written notes by both Capt Jim Brown and Cpl Ted Mason in a B Coy 1RNZIR nominal roll 'as at 1 October 1969' 17 personnel were designated to be the advance party - note the cautionary 'designated' as the actual advance party flight roll is not available:

Book Review – Bruce Young [21 October 2009]
The minefield : an Australian tragedy in Vietnam - Greg Lockhart

This is a shocking non-fiction book.  It may be the most compelling read on the ANZAC effort in Phuoc Tuy Province ever.  Most unit and personal histories of the Vietnam War belong in the ‘feel good’ category, intended for a sympathetic audience to justify the outcome of hard service.  ‘The Minefield’ reveals an entrenched colonial mind-set that belongs in the poor leadership category, the same category that records the mistakes and false suppositions made when planning for the Gallipoli campaign.  The story is well deserving of ANZAC recognition. It is up there with 'Street Without Joy', Bernard Falls record of the French debacle in Indochina.

Greg Lockhart describes it as a story of strategic self-destruction.  Lockhart, today the honorary historian of the Australian Vietnam Veterans Federation, was a member of AATTV and was himself blown up by a command detonated mine while with a RF/PF patrol; draw your own conclusions from that.  40-years after the 1ATF minefield was laid from the Horseshoe to the coast, Lockhart reveals from exhaustive research through official records and interviews the twisted thinking that led to 1ATF arming the very enemy we were sent there to fight.  The book reveals how the Australian CGS FLEW over Phuoc Tuy before deciding it was a suitable piece of turf to have a war on.  How Australian intelligence never understood the enemy, or the local provincial administration, or the sympathies of the local population.  How techniques from Malaya and Algeria were introduced as war-winning ideas when in reality the campaigns had nothing in common.  How two 1ATF battalion commanders with relevant experience in Korea and opposed to the minefield concept were ignored, and how staff in Australia was unable to promote views that were contrary to those of the original minefield planners.

Lockhart reveals how arming the VC from the minefield cost many Australian and Kiwi lives.  In 1967 two 11 KM wire fences were erected 100-metres apart as the minefield boundaries.  20,292 powerful M16 mines were laid, approximately 12,700 with anti-lifting devices [grenade underneath connected to a switch].  Yet in 1970 when the minefield was finally removed only around 12,000 mines could be accounted for and a figure of approximately 7000 mines were attributed to being lifted by local people sympathetic to the VC cause.  55 members of 1ATF [5 NZ] were killed by mines from the field, 250 [13 NZ] wounded.  In 1969-70 over 50% of 1ATF casualties were by M16 mines, a single M16 mine on several occasions gutting a platoon. 

But Lockhart also reveals the heroism of the diggers in dealing with the laying and aftermath of the minefield, including the original field engineers who laid the field despite suffering fatal casualties caused by rushed preparation and faulty mine fuses.  He provides names and the circumstances of those killed, and the effect on those fortunate to survive.  He pulls no punches over poor decision making, grandstanding and obstruction by senior officers, and he reveals the commonsense approach taken by soldiers and unit commanders to finally remove what was left of the minefield threat.  It was almost a relief to read about the final day of mine clearing, considering one local interviewed had personally removed 2000 mines, and that mine lifting efforts by locals was increased in front of the mine clearing teams as they worked their way along between the fences.

And in case veterans thought otherwise, the research confirms that the VC and local population were not as stupid as some would portray them.

My copy of the book was from the local library - there are very good maps, lots of photos and very good appendices.

An earlier review of the issue is here,  a 2Pl perspective is also at the link.

39 Years Later 25 April 2009 - how times flies.  Yesterday was the first time I wore my medals, yes 39 years later.  After getting out they stayed in the drawer not mounted for about 10 years.  Then I sent them to get mounted in Auckland and included my discharge papers and a necklace that belonged to my friend and comrade's sister with the hope of returning it to her as I had promised.  Trying a new frame was the last report, then he vanished, and so did my medals, papers and necklace never to be seen or heard of again.  I decided to get another set and had them mounted as soon as I received them.
The feeling of belonging on ANZAC Day and marching to and from the Cenotaph with these on my chest for the first time was one of the best 'I belong' feelings anyone could have.  So if you have not worn yours or had them mounted get it done now.  Borrowing someone's does not have that same feeling as wearing your own.  WAG Illingworth

Soldiers going to Afghanistan this month will be issued new modern combat kit as illustrated in the photo, at a cost of around $6500 each soldier.  The need for it is probably very obvious  but the weight of around 50Kg is certainly steep if that is the empty weight - the articles describing the operational requirement don't make that obvious, nor do they state that all soldiers will have the handgun [the model for the photo is a major]

Here's a link to a background press article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/2872036/Kiwi-troops-get-hi-tech-armour

I wonder what today's soldier discards first...

Great artwork on this US vets motorbike:  Ian Caldwell sent me a series of photos of a US veterans motorbike, I have reproduced two of the seven images [click the photos to enlarge], if interested in seeing the rest drop me a line and I will forward them.

The military system explained:  Gary Brooker's daughter Cassie has offered this document as a simple explanation of the military system of corps and ranks, enjoy..!

He once dug trenches into the clay, now he creates art with it: Discovered today that Wi Taepa is exhibiting his ceramic art examples at top galleries including Te Papa Wellington.  Part of his bio states: 'b. 1946, Te Arawa, Ngati Pikiao, Te Atiawa - Wi served in Vietnam and as a prison officer at Wellington's Wi Tako prison, before becoming a self-taught carver.  During his employment as a social worker with the Department of Social Welfare, he developed an interest in clay as an alternative to wood in teaching boys in reform institutions how to carve.  Clay offered him a welcome level of freedom compared with the tight specifications usually imposed when he carved in stone or wood.  His imagery evolved from his Maori heritage and the designs of the past, reclaiming and transposing little-known processes to his clay work.  In 1992 he graduated from the Whitireia Polytechnic with a Diploma in Craft Design, and completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Wanganui Polytechnic in 1999.  He is now known for his ceramic work, preferring to produce hand-built work as the most accessible technique to express his style".  More at these two links or Google his name:

http://www.pageblackiegallery.co.nz/article.php?articleid=55
http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/ntr_website/wi_bio.htm

The Mortar section was travelling in a convoy to Asahan Range for a week of field shoots and Vince Butler pulled the Land rover I was in out of the convoy and we sat on the side of the road while Neil Armstrong said in a tinny voice from a small transistor radio 'one small step for man...'. 

I guess for us at the time, Vietnam was also a small step, but like the moon landing, one that continues to impact on lives today.             where were you..?

Job Offer in Auckland to W3 'family' - Mark Binning 11 July 2009
"I don’t know whether its appropriate but, given these economic times, I wonder if I could advertise for a part time position at my business, using the W3 website?  If so, this is what I am seeking:

My business has a part time position to sell fresh baked bagels at the Clevedon Market (Auckland) on Sunday mornings.  Looking for someone who is interested in food and has an outgoing personality.  Early start from bakery in Mt Roskill, set up at market and sell before returning when market finishes at 12.30pm.  Drivers license essential. Probably suit female of some maturity.  Interested? Contact Mark Binning (06) 877-7010 or email m.binning@xtra.co.nz.

If I could find someone from within the wider W3 ‘family’ that would be great - Mark"

Another party in OZ - Gail Herd [8 July 2009]
To all Vets, Ian turns 60 this month so you are all invited to the Beenleigh RSL on 25th July 6.30 pm - Gail Herd

Peter Anderson 16 September 2009:  this is probably a bit late but (1) I agree with both Duke and Doug that a Combat Infantry Badge or Infantry Combat Badge is long overdue.  Firstly because it gives credit to the infantrymen who did the work of taking and holding the ground, securing the area, being shot at, experiencing the mines and booby traps, the heat, the wet, the dry, the long weeks of operations, crap rations and endless patrols and sentries, radio watches and ambush positions.  I don’t mean to denigrate the role of the supporting corps in any way but there is a huge difference between a pay clerk in Saigon, or any one attached to 1 ALSG in Vung Tau.  If other units want their own distinction the let them go for it.  I read in the Viet Nam Contact and Army News that at a recent V4 reunion in Tauranga V4 attendees were presented with an ICB.  I suspect that it is the Australian ICB and it is rather poignant that because we have no NZ distinction and we have to use an Australian one, so it is high time there was a New Zealand distinction for those who did the hard yards, after all the weight was in our packs and if we don’t claim that distinction then we will always be seen as only ever having been there.
There is a problem though and that is that as soon as a NZ ICB or CIB is available to those who qualify, it will be seen on Trade Me and every man and his dog will be wearing it and therefore cheapening and demeaning the distinction. Which leads me on to the next issue.  Every ANZAC Day I see the dreamers, pogues and blow arses with an array of London Tie Company medals and replica NZ issue medals they have bought to say they were on a Jalan Ulu Execise, been to Check Point Charlie in Berlin, served in all sorts of African debacles, South Eastern conflicts and Middle Eastern conflicts etc, you get the picture.  I don’t know how many ex TF of the 60s and 70s have told me they were trucked at great secrecy to an airport issued ammo and then flown out of NZ to help a Kiwi Company that was in the shit in Vietnam but after several hours the whole thing was called off and being flown home and told not to say what they had been doing.  Then there are the ones who went to Viet Nam, but when asked what unit, the answer is it was so secret that even they don’t know, asked whereabouts and it is Viet Nam but it was always dark and always under constant fire and they were so lucky to get out and they haven’t been able to tell anyone about it, it was so secret. Crap like that makes you lose the will to live. As you can tell I have no time for shams and frauds. I have always had the Flinkenberg List as a last resort.  Any way we can conflab about a CIB or ICB but unless people with clout take up the cudgels on behalf of infantrymen who have done the sharp bits we are probably trying to push molten butter around a hot frying pan with a red hot fish slice.

The book is interesting for three other points: 1) it covers how the Australians tactically removed themselves from Nui Dat and the demise of the brigade-sized base, 2) 4RAR were proud to be an ANZAC unit and their story treats V6 Coy in a very positive and inclusive manner, illustrated by the foreword being written by the then Kiwi bn 2ic Maj [later LtGen] Don McIver, and 3) the background on the enemy ORBAT is well written and easy to understand.  I found the book absorbing and finished it in 48 hours, a really good read and very recommended.

Combat Infantryman's badge:  Having recently worked for lengthy periods alongside our American colleagues in the Middle East I am always extremely envious I guess when I see the proud recipients wearing their Combat Infantryman's badge [CIB].  I believe that the Aussies have such an award ?  If so I wonder why our military system backed off the idea (for whatever reasons) some years ago.  Enough said, now that the Kiwi's have been deployed back on operational deployments maybe its time to prompt the folks who make things happen that frontline soldiers deserve recognition for the very tasks they volunteered for?  There are enough senior officers around who qualify for such an award that surely it should be a viable option once more?'    contact webmaster here if you have a comment

Comment from Barry Pont:  "Years ago I sent my service record to an officer in 2RAR and received my CIB which I wear on ANZAC Day.  This was arranged through Lee Notton V5 in Aussie."

Looking Forward to 40^th Anniversary – webmaster [28 June 2009]
November 2010, the 40^th anniversary of the W3 departure from Vietnam, is to be the next Company Reunion.  There are a number of elements to the anniversary:

November 2009 is the 40^th anniversary of the Company arrival in Vietnam.  The website will publish a number of historical documents from that era concerning our deployment from Terendak Garrison to commemorate this.  If you can’t remember which flight you were on, how many sets of uniform you were required to take, what happened on arrival in Nui Dat, etc there is a document available from the archives to refresh your memory and these will be published about the time they were first published in 1969.  Anyone got a diary with details of dates etc when B Coy deployed on exercise..?

The deployment timeline will continue with website summaries starting in November 2009 about significant events as they happened in 1969 and 1970.

The reunion in November 2010 will be in Christchurch – hopefully for the weekend 19 – 22 November 2010 so mark it in your diaries.

I have been delegated the job of organising the November 2010 reunion [thanx Bob].  A reunion committee will be formed later this year to plan the reunion – any people wanting to serve on the committee should contact me, likewise anyone with a good idea for the weekend is welcome to drop me a line.  In the absence of volunteers I will start shoulder tapping local characters.  Better to volunteer…!  Families are welcome to attend, become involved with planning, and offer ideas for consideration.

An invitation will be extended to veterans in Australia who served alongside W3 Coy - I envisage these would be 6RAR, 2RAR, both DS artillery batteries, 3Cav, 9Sqn RAAF etc.  If you have email addresses for Aussies you are in contact with either advise them of details or pass their contact details to me to use.

Registration can be on-line from the middle of next year, more details once the organising committee considers them.

'likely lads' hitting on Vietnam - again....!

the two John's, Nicolle and Mullen 2006 Picton reunion [Ewan Wright]

Note: The award of the NZDF Medal(s) would not confer entitlement to War Pension coverage.

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40-years ago:  W3 Coy deployment to SVN -archives [9 June 2009]

10 June 1969 - Maj Evan Torrance flies to SVN for a pre-deployment recce, spending most of his time in theatre with W2 Coy, and returning to Terendak 19 June 1969.  where were you..?

"By way of introduction my name is Barry Hampson.  Recently I started researching each of the 521 Australian Service personnel (as recorded on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll) having lost their lives in the Vietnam War, in the hope of one day of producing a book documenting and honouring their lives and service in Vietnam, to try and ensure that generations will remember them.  I am writing to you in the hope that you may be able to assist me, by possibly advertising on your website and passing my details to your members via the old boy network about what I am doing and that I would like to interview anyone who served with any of the 521 Australian’s who lost their lives in the conflict."

contact webmaster here if you can help...

UPDATE: The following was offered to Barry Hampson by Bob Upton:  Lt Bernie Garland RAA was the W2 and W3 company FOO until near the end of his tour he was repositioned to the 101 Battery RAA gun line.  After a 'misunderstanding' with his battery commander he was ordered back into the field with A Coy 6RAR where he was killed 22 April 1970 in a mine incident, the day before 6RAR ceased operations in preparation for their return to Australia.  Bernie and Bob Upton were class-mates at Duntroon and Bob spoke to Bernie, somewhere south of XUYEN MOC, when their paths crossed as A Coy went into the bush and Bob Upton flew back to Nui Dat to start leave in Singapore.  By the time Bob landed in Nui Dat Bernie was dead and four other Australians [including the A Coy CSM] wounded.

Responses from Oroua Downs pupils to an Anzac poem from the W3 company in Vietnam

As I lay in bed and wonder why
my dearest friends had to die
they fought the war
but are no more
than memories lying deep
for us to treasure and to keep
sounds of guns fill my head
they stay there, haunting me as I lay in bed
our families are so far away

I think of them mostly every day
my mind’s stained with death
but I know it's for the best
I smell and see horrible things
I hear gunshots, my ear rings
but it is over and it's done
no need to hide, no need to run.

A poem by JJ and Isaac

Andy's response back to Tanya summed it up well:

"I am most impressed with the two poems your pupils have composed as a reply to the poem I wrote as “The Soldier Dream”.  They certainly have grasped the essence of the poem.  I think they will make an excellent comment on the W3 Company web site.  I am looking forward to reading any other poems that the pupils write.
It is great to see today's pupils have an interest in the New Zealand Armed Forces contribution to the Viet Nam War. For so long it has been a controversial subject, rarely mentioned in polite company, so very few New Zealanders know much if any of the day to day operational experiences of New Zealand troops involved.
But its even better to hear that your pupils have an interest in poetry."

further contributions are published here

link to more news from before June 2009 - news archive