Attack repulsed at Australian base (DPR/TV/842)

AWM accession number: F04671

Australian troops repulsed a second North Vietnamese regular attack on the Australian Task Force forward Fire Support Base (FSB) 'Coral' in north west Bien Hoa province on the night of 15/16 May 1968. In a three hour pitched battle the North Vietnamese troops used rocket propelled missiles, mortars and ground troops in the attack on the base, which had been established on 12 May 1968.
Soon after dawn, when all enemy firing had ceased, troops from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment sent out clearing patrols to inspect up to 200 metres outside the base perimeter wire. On the immediate perimeter the battalion recovered 27 bodies by body count. More bodies were found further a field. Blood trails and signs that the attackers attempted to drag away many of their dead indicate that casualties were much higher. The patrols also recovered rockets and rocket launchers, automatic weapons, grenades, explosives, rifles and webbing equipment. The North Vietnamese were dressed in an assortment of green, khaki and black uniforms, and most wore "Ho Chi Minh" sandals, thong-type footwear cut from car tyres.
Amongst those appearing in this clip are: Private Geoff Clyde, 21, of Toowoomba, Qld; 1 RAR, Lieutenant John Salter of Townsville, Qld, Commander of 10 Platoon; and Private Dan MacDonald, 20, of Croydon, Melbourne, Vic.
We would be pleased to hear from anyone who can identify other soldiers appearing in this footage.

Details:
Cinematographer: Bill Errington
Made at Fire Support Base Coral in Vietnam, May 1968
2 min 11 secs from a 3 min, 16 mm black and white, silent film original.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Australian
• War
• Memorial
• Vietnam
• RAR
• Coral

[Roberto29071976]

i just wondering if the L1A1 and SLR functioned well in vietnamese climate. The M16 had a poor function and the M16A1 was a little better. I saw a picture of a US Green Berets with a Heckler&Koch 33A2, probably a good choice for this climate.

Best regards and thank you so much for your effort.

[AustWarMemorial]

Hi Roberto29071976,

The L1A1 SLR was one of the most reliable self loading rifles used by combatants in the Vietnam War and was held in very high esteem by Australian forces. Some issues were raised regarding the possible formation of mould on the wooden forend and buttstock due to the humid environment but to the best of my knowledge it was never a major concern due to the good construction and workmanship of this weapon.

[AustWarMemorial]

Unfortunately the bad rap the rifle received has lingered to some extent to this day although the latest incantations of the weapon are amongst the most reliable made and are in service with many countries worldwide.

[drumdust]

Where's the sound?

[AustWarMemorial]

Hi drumdust, this is all silent footage. It was rare to have footage that had sound accompanying at the time that this was shot.

[madbloodydog]

well very interesting to find that old black and white movie here ,the bloke having a shave at the end is me,the bloke toying with the ak47 was 2nd lieutenant john salter who became colonel salter and commanded the 1 rar years later , good to see us as young men again, if you dont know this was fsb coral may 1968 the largest and longest continuous battle australia ever had in vietnam

[reddog0820]

there were pomms in vietnam but they were fighting under the flag of there adopted country Australia

[rikibeesta]

Coral was a swamp when it rained and a dust bowl when it didn't - not exactly officer tacticians finest placement for heavy weapons, tanks and A.P.C's. - Bill Errington (written by his daughter)

[dpsherry]

@67DieHardPatriot454 it didn't matter a damn if the wood did warp - it never affected the rifle (apart form appearance) at all. nly two screws held the pair halves onto the rifle and apart from stopping your hand being burned and no structural strength role to play. It wasn't just the Aussies who were smart for using them, the Brits who fine tuned the rifle had quite a bit to play in refining the Belgian original. If you compare them visually and technically there is a world of difference.

[RamboAmbo]

@Roberto29071976 A workmate of mine who served in Vietnam told me that US Soldiers were forever trying to trade him for his SLR failing that they'd try to steal it

[gnarkillkicksass]

Australia had the L1A1 as part of a procurement deal between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK for a standard semi auto battle rifle. In the Falklands War the UK had their L1A1 and the Argentinians the full auto FN which actually performed worse. Trauma wise - depends on the velocity of the projectile coming out of the weapon. Now days we fire the Austyer which is 5.56 but has a much higher velocity then the SLR but slower then a FN MAG, so much different energy carrying characteristics.

[bobkats]

@AustWarMemorial and bloody cleaning mate

[WallabyPhil]

@AustWarMemorial

Too bad about the M60; jamming piece of rubbish...

[Eshayzbra96]

@AlienFirefox yeah cause they were to busy siping tea behind their desk while our forces practially died and lost but thats cause of the yanks they pulled out cause of the casualty measure and its not like we didnt have that much either...*mumbles*bloody americans.

[neoconsnightmare3]

@petethebastard how 'badly' the yanks handled thing? when they americans won all the battles? okay.

the only thing the americans did wrong was BEING THERE in the first place. the fighting men, however, did a fantastic job on their level.

[67DieHardPatriot454]

IF you got enough poly and treatment on that wood it wont mold or warp in anyway and the water will run right off it. I am sure they had ways to do it then, so thats why it was never a major problem. Aussies are smart I am sure they figured it out fast. There environment is alot drier then vietnam. Not completly dry but vietnam is a very swampy jungle country.

[Roberto29071976]

Hi AustWarMemorial

Thanks for your reply.

The FN FAL (and variants) is like other rifles of this decade (M14, HK G3, SIG Stgw 57, Beretta BM59) very solid. Do you know the differences between ballistic trauma of the M193ball in 5.56NATO and projectile effects of the 7.62 NATO?

Furthermore why the Australian Army had M60 machine guns and not the FN MAG58, i meen the L1A1 rifle and the L9A1 pistol were all FN licensed weapons, why not the machine gun, too?

Many thanks and best regards.