Commander's Diaries

B Squadron

11 February 1969 - 23 December 1969

11 February 1969

B Squadron commenced operations in 1 ATF at 1200hrs ,11 Feb 69. B Sqn (-) at FSB Julia, 3 Troop supporting 9 RAR in AO Wondai, 2 & 4 troops at NuiDat

12 February 1969

As above

13 February 1969

1 Troop conducts RIF in area of FSB Julia, 3 Troop remained in support of 9 RAR.

14 February 1969

2 Troop op con B Coy 9 RAR; 4 Troop op con C Coy 4 RAR for immediate reaction against towns south of Nui Dat

15 February 1969

1 Troop op con 4 RAR; 2 Troop supported B Coy 9 RAR in 1 ATF TAOR; 3 Troop supported 9 RAR in AO Wondai; 4 Troop remained at the Horseshoe Op con a Troop to A Sqn 3 Cav, 2 Troop had to fulfil.

16 February 1969

1 Troop involved in a contact at 213901. At 1323hrs B Coy 4 RAR were fired on by MG.RPG ,Small arms and Claymores from enemy located in bunkers. 1 Troop moved to a position to engage the enemy and in so doing callsign 21A was enfaged by RPG rounds. There was evidence of four hits resulting in three penetrations. The tank was also ‘strafed’ by MG fire. One round penetrated the fume extractor. Five members of 1 Troop were WIA.

17 February 1969

1 ATF orders for operation Federal issued. B Sqn (-) moved to FSB Kerry.

19 February 1969

1 Troop plus platoon of 11ACR conducted route reconnaissance in AO Dracula. SHQ 3 Troop, plus platoon of 11 ACR conducted similar ops in AO Arunda.

20 February 1969

1 and3 Troops with elements of 11 ACR carried out route reconnaissance of AO Belconnen. 2 and 4 Troops continued RRF tasks.

21 February 1969

B Sqn(-) carried out reconnaissance tasks in northern and western areas of AO Arunda.

22 February 1969

Locs: B Sqn(-) FSB Kerry; 2 Troop 402622 (1 KM north of Baria)

23 February 1969

0245hrs

2 Troop placed on alert ready to move as VC activity to their south intensifies.

0315hrs

All units STAND TO

0330hrs

2 Troop moved to relieve attack on RF post.

0440hrs

2 troop stopped in paddy field and engaged unknown number of enemy.

0655hrs

STAND DOWN.

0715hrs

2 troop 3 VC KIA (BC)

24 February 1969

3 Troop supported 9 RAR in AO Arunda.

25 February 1969

No change.

26 February 1969

1 Troop supported A Coy 9 RAR on RIF in AO’s Arunda and Dracula. 2 Troop supported B Coy 9 RAR in sweep of Hoa Long.3 Troop supported C Coy 9 RAR in AO Arunda. 4 Troop supported C Coy 4 RAR/NZ in Horseshoe AO.

27 February 1969

B Sqn (-) remained at FSB Kerry. 2 Troop supported B Coy 9 RAR on RIF. 4 Troop supported 4 Troop supported C Coy 4 RAR/NZ on RIF vicinity of Long Dien. 1 and 3 Troops conducted night road block on Route 1

28 February 1969

2 Troop conducted recce ops in vicinity of Baria.3 Troop supported C Coy (RAR in AO Arunda) 4 Troop remained in support of C Coy 4 RAR/NZ vicinity Long Dien.

1 March 1969

Op Instruction 19/69 received (Operation QUINTUS THRUST). 2 Troop allocated task after Land Clearing Team protection.

2 March 1969

2 Troop returned to FSB Kerry. 2 Troop to 5 RAR.

3 March 1969

2 Troop carried out ops with 5 RAR.

4 March 1969

2 Troop supported 5 RAR.

5 March 1969

SHQ remained at FSB Kerry;1 Troop carried out practice reaction to FSB Maria;3 Troop remained in FSB Maria;3 Troop op con to 9 RAR;4 Troop supported 4 RAR.

6 March 1969

B Sqn (-) remained at FSB Kerry. 2 Troop moved to FSB Maria (5 RAR);3 Troop remained in FSB Maria.4 Troop reconnaissance-in-force AO Fogie.

7 March 1969

No change.

8 March 1969

SHQ remained FSB Kerry;1 Troop op con to 9 RAR for ambush;2 Troop op con 5 RAR in AO Burrinjuck;3 Troop op con 9 RAR;4 Troop op con 4 RAR Horseshoe

9 March 1969

1 Troop op con B Coy 9 RAR; 2 Troop op con 5 RAR,cordon and search at Hoa Long; 4 Troop departed Horseshoe for Nui Dat

10 March 1969

SHQ remained FSB Kerry;1 Troop returned to Kerry; 3 Troop op con 9 RAR till 5 RAR replaces.