Story 72 - The First TAOR Patrol
By Ken Ellis, Patrol Commander, 104 Sig Sqn
Introduction
The Task Force Signal Squadron (104 Sig Sqn)
during its deployment in South Vietnam provided communications for
the Headquarters of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF).
As well as its Signal duties 104 Sig Sqn had a combat role,
being a unit from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) an
Arms Corps during the Vietnam War.
While the unit did many combat activities as part of its
communication tasks, it also conducted 1ATF Tactical Area of
Responsibility (TAOR) Patrols. This
commitment started in Dec 1968 and 104 Sig Sqn patrols were under
the direct operational control of an Infantry Battalion starting
with 4RAR who also up skilled the unit members on patrolling
and
working to their CP.
The OC gave me the task of commanding the
first all 104 Sig Sqn TAOR Patrol 4344/68 because
of past patrolling experience in Thailand.
The following unit members were part of the first overnight ambush
patrol 27/28 Dec 1968:
Sgt Ken Ellis – Patrol Commander
Allen Summerfield – Radio Op
Mal Fergusson – Forward Scout
Bob Johnson – Gun Group (M60)
Geoff D’Arcy – Gun Group
Sgt Scott Laycock – Rifle Group (Patrol 2IC)?
Geoff Darcy – Rifle Group
Russell Hopkins – Rifle Group (M79)
Stanley Montefiore – Rifle Group
?
Patrol Preparation
The members were selected for the patrol
by myself and the unit Squadron Sergeant Major WO2 Ron
Still. Each started preparing by checking their
webbing, weapons, picking up additional ammunition from our Q Store
(ammunition bunker) plus claymore mines, smoke and normal grenades
and flares. Rounds for the patrol M79 plus
ammunition belts for the GPMG M60. Each patrol
member carried extra belts for the M60.
As the Patrol Commander, I reported to the
4RAR CP for my patrol briefing involving operational matter that
would concern the patrol task. It included,
map references for listening and ambush positions,
artillery support (including US Army), drop off and pick up
locations, frequencies and callsigns plus other patrols working in the area, etc.
Sgt Ken Ellis being briefed for
the patrol at the 4RAR CP
On returning to the unit I briefed the patrol
members making it clear how important it was to follow all
directions and orders given, as this was importance to ensure the
safety of the team. After checking our
gear, we all loaded on to the truck, with a few other members of the
unit as escorts and moved via LTL 52 to the start point.
Sgt Ken Ellis checking patrol
members equipment before the patrol at 104 Sig Sqn
TAOR Patrol 4344/68 (27/28 Dec 1968)
On arriving at the start point we bade
farewell to our escorts, took up secure positions, had a small meal,
and did our last preparations before moving off to the night
position as planned at 1630H. Our night
position was in Patrol Zone Rod in the vicinity of YS500657.
Map:
Patrol night ambush position
When we arrived at our position we carefully
reconned and moved into the selected night position, proceeded to lay
out our flares and trip wires plus position our claymore mines.
The mines were positioned on the two suspected tracks that
could be used by the VC.
Patrol Forward Scout Malcolm
Fergusson
Note: Claymore mine bag slung over Malcolm's shoulder
When we were secure in our position after I
had rechecked our position, I called in one sighter round from
our supporting artillery to land approximately 500 metres
North of our position. I indicated to our
patrol that the incoming shell may hit the taller trees above our
position but the projectile would be a non-exploding war head.
Within approximately 45 seconds the round passed over and
landed in the correct position and direction. As
I had indicated, it clipping the tall trees at our position.
This also confirmed we were in the correct
location. I could tell that my patrol members now had
become very confident with their Sgt Patrol Commander.
Patrol Gun Group Bob Johnson
(manning M60) and Geoff D'Arcy
As the night went on it was very quiet and very dark; communications was by pull string between members. In the early hours of the morning we heard noises to the North, without being able to identify if these were animal or human noises. To ensure that we were prepared for whatever, I ordered our Gun Group (with the M60) to face the direction of the noise, this disturbance went on for approximately 40 minutes, and then the sound faded out.
Russell Hopkins who was part of
the Rifle Group
Note: Russell carried the patrol M79 Grenade Launcher as well as his
own weapon
When daylight arrived we prepared to decamp.
However retrieving our flares, it was found that one trip
wire had been hit by either animal or unknown. To
avoid injury it was decided to let the flare go off and not recover
our mines for 30 minutes. This was a very anxious
time for all patrol members but we prevailed and departure without
incident patrolling back to the pickup point were our transport and
escorts were awaiting at 0930H and return to Nui Dat.
Patrol De-Briefing
De-briefing followed at the 4RAR CP
discussing the patrol, especially the noises heard.
The following day a 4RAR patrol found signs of human enemy
movement and a small cache of weapons plus some ammunition in the location of the
patrol noises heard.
Sgt Ken Ellis checking patrol
location before calling in sighter round from
supporting
artillery
Patrol Summary
The patrol manning was RASigs tradesmen,
including some national serviceman but all did their task to a
high standard with outstanding discipline.
As the Patrol Commander I was very proud of our effect and my men,
as was 4RAR. Note: This
patrol’s night position was not far from the Long Tan Battle site
plus another 104 Sig Sqn patrol (35/70) in June 1970 had a contact
3km to the North of our night location.
Comment: The Task Force Signal Squadrons of the
Vietnam War were not only communicators but combat troops as per the
RASigs role. However they were the only Arms Corps soldiers as
part of the 1ATF Order of Battle (ORBAT) who weren’t
granted retrospective approval for the Army Combat Badge (ACB)
after 90 days service when it was introduced in 2005.