A couple of logistical resupply photos

[master chief]

Great thread Glen, Very informative and never boring!, Keep them coming Please.
MC

[Tommy]

I noticed that three of these Inters have text applied to the drivers door. Now I know what it says 

"Delivered by Port Jackson - Vung Tau Ferry Service".

[Tommy]

These two photos must have been taken just minutes apart as the vehicles (including the forklift in the foreground) are in identical position apart from the Land Rover 'delivering' the No5 trailer to it's allocated spot. You can even see where the Land Rover was parked after delivering the trailer. Just above the middle Teaspoon Tipper in the colour photo.

[Tommy]

Unloading the Inters using HMAS Sydneys side mounted cranes.

   

[zulu delta 534]

These two photos must have been taken just minutes apart as the vehicles (including the forklift in the foreground) are in identical position apart from the Land Rover 'delivering' the No5 trailer to it's allocated spot. You can even see where the Land Rover was parked after delivering the trailer. Just above the middle Teaspoon Tipper in the colour photo.

These shots were taken on the HMAS Sydney's first trip transporting 1 RAR and its associated logistics group that went over first in 1965. This whole group consisted of a supposedly self reliant group, consisting of an Infantry battalion, and enough associated arms and services required to keep it operable (on paper at least). There is a predominance of S2 Landies visible in these shots, not that many S2as.

The Transport element in this load came from 3 Platoon that was based in Wacol Qld and most of these vehicles ended up coming down river by LSM from  Bien Hoa to Vung Tau almost one year later to be used by 87 Tpt Pl.
When 3 Platoon was first warned of their deployment and the proposed "dry" condition of this deployment, some of the older members of the Unit began collecting donations from members and qietly investing this money into cartons of XXXX, which were duly laid neatly on the floors of the trucks that were destined to go overseas. On top of this illicit cargo was laid a covering layer of timber for building purposes and then the actual prescribed official stores were loaded on top of this. As it turned out this "illicit cargo" was a bit like a stash of gold bars when it came to the bargaining power of a slab, especially with Americans who were use to their 2% alcohol content beers, and as a result a number of "home comforts" were obtainable such as washing machines, fork lifts, fridges etc.

You may note the Mk3 just forward of the Starboard gun sponson in amongst all the Wksp variants is also a Workshop itself. Easily distinguishable by the higher canopy and bows.

This following photograph was taken in the Brisbane river whilst the Sydney was taking on the Qld contingent.

I mentioned on the other site that this trip was the last one that the Sydney did under the white Ensign shown (British) as the Brits, who did not engage in the Vietnam conflict, took umbrage at us flying their ensign whilst we took part. As a result of this we suddenly had to design and legitimise a new Australian white ensign (that we still use today), one that does not bear the St Georges Cross of England.

In your next lot of shots I find it interesting to note that some of the Mk3s shown bear their shipping bars (precursors to Xmas Trees) on their canopies as well as on their windscreens.
I am also still trying to work out how and why the S2 Landrover in your picture got where it is. It has obviously had to turn around, but why?
When these vehicles were loaded on board the ship all the fuel tanks were drained as the possibility of fuel leaks on deck was a bit frightening so on the day of arrival and unloading I remember there was a mad flurry of refuelling all these vehicles with at least enough fuel to get them ashore.
Stuart, if your originals are larger and if you can make out the ARNs of the GS Mk3s being hoisted over the side I would be most interested, as some of our Unit Association might be very interested to see 'their' vehicle coming ashore.
Great shots Stuart.
Regards
Glen

[Ellard]

Hi there

I had the oppertunity a few months ago to have a look over & in one of these olds war bird heavy lifters.

I was initally amazed with what the pilots were talking about, originally designed for moving down planes and the scary fact they are still used today throughout the world for fire-fighting.

The fuel consumptions are huge - but there a big bird and capable of carrying 8000lt of water.

Thank for the great pictures.

All the best

Wayne 

[juddy]

Unloading the Inters using HMAS Sydneys side mounted cranes.

   








What make is the dozer? It's got a rear backhoe, was not aware the adf used that type.

[FFRMAN]

Check out this action photos from the AWM

Regards
Scott

[FFRMAN]

Check out this photo from AWM

[zulu delta 534]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8u_aIWYqrA
This video is worth a view although it doesn't show any ARNs in any clarity.
Regards
Glen

[Carzee]

Thx for this Glen. Its fantastic video.

Its hard to believe but.... we must be sharing a wavelength or something - this week I have spent some time researching Sydney's "diaries" and noting all the dates and loads.
Will post in a couple of hours after formatting. A mazing.

[Carzee]

"Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney

Summary of RAN "Reports Of Proceedings: 1965"

25apr65 situated at the dry-dock, Garden Is, Sydney for refitting. Also, 120 RAN crew on parade; "...a Royal Guard for HRH Duke of Gloucester [son of George 5th, former soldier, and ex-Governor-General Of Australia] on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of ANZAC Day".

01may65 refit "curtailed to carry out the operation of transporting the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and its equipment to South Vietnam." Some 153 crew recalled from leave for Operation Trimdon.

24may65 1840 loading of Army vehicles, completed 25may65 1700. [elements HQ AAFV, 1st Battalion RAR, 709 Sig Troop, Logistic Support Coy]

27may65 0100 commence passage to Vung Tau via Manus Is PNG after embarkation of 1RAR troops.

01jun65 1600 steaming north with RAN escorts. "The RAAF were providing close support and continued to so until the morning of the 3rd June".

08jun65 0200 some RAN escorts and HMAS Melbourne depart.

08jun65 0700 arrive and anchor for 3 days at Cap St. Jacques, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. [unloading tasks took 48 hours - a separate letter of explanation is mentioned but not included]

11jun65 commence passage to Fremantle via Singapore Naval Base.

25jun65 0245 arrive Fremantle. Receptions, socials and Open To Public on wharf.

29jun65 1600 commence passage across the Great Australian Bight to Sydney.

05jul65 0800 arrived buoy Sydney Harbour. Op Trimdon figures: 11,200 miles steamed.

10aug65 participate in RAN Fleet Exercise at Hervey Bay and The Great Barrier Reef.

27aug65 arrive Garden Is, Sydney.

30aug65 preparations for Operation Tanton; "early in the month Army requirements started arriving."

11sep65 1100 commence passage to Brisbane to embark "a large percentage of cargo and troops".

13sep65 1100 arrive B.H.P. wharf Brisbane. Captain is pleased with initial utilization of six new "National RJ15A portable transceivers" to improve berthing and cargo operations. Speedy loading completed and troops boarded next morning.

14sep65 1100 commence passage to Vung Tau with HMAS ANZAC and HMAS Melbourne in company inside the Great Barrier Reef and via Manus Is PNG after troops embarked. [elements include 1 APC Troop, 105 Field Battery and LAD Det, 527 Sig Troop, 161 Recce Flight, 3 Field Troop]

28sep65 0730 arrive Vung Tau for unloading and backloading.

30sep65 0645 commence passage to Sydney via Subic Base, Manus Is PNG and then Townsville. RAN fleet escorts proceeded to Hong Kong.

20oct65 1100 arrive Garden Is, Sydney.

27oct65 1000 commence passage to Melbourne. Classified Equipment dumped during the afternoon. 1700 RAN fleet rendezvous off Jervis Bay for press.

29oct65 1000 arrive Port Phillip. Followed by receptions, socials and Melbourne Cup visit.

06nov65 1330 commence passage to Sydney.

08nov65 0800 arrive Garden Is, Sydney.

11nov65 0900 commence passage to Coral Sea via Brisbane in convoy with USN unit for joint Naval Exercise Warrior.

29nov65 0700 arrive Wewak PNG and embarked 5RAR personnel, logistic support elements and stores using DUKW and LARCS.

30nov65 1700 commence passage to Brisbane.

06dec65 0715 arrive Moreton Bay anchor point. Disembarked 5RAR after Customs clearance.

06dec65 1700 commence passage to Sydney, "carrying out the Quarterly Full Power Trial enroute."

08dec65 1130 arrive Garden Is, Sydney, after unloading ammunition at buoy etc.


Stats for 1965: HMAS Sydney steamed 42,297 miles

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm78/329/awm78-329-11.pdf

[Carzee]

"Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney

Summary of RAN "Reports Of Proceedings: 1966"

01jan66-28feb66 refitting at Garden Is, Sydney.

15mar66 Jervis Bay trials and "...stevedoring drills were conducted using Army vehicles embarked for the purpose, and the Army LSM Harry Chauvel."

24mar66 RAN fleet exercises including HMAS Melbourne vicinity of Jervis Bay. Steamed ~3000miles this month.

07apr66 0830 at Port Jackson buoy embarked Army ammunition for Vietnam (451 boxes) from a lighter.

18apr66 through 20apr66 Army stores and vehicles embarked at Garden Is wharf.

21apr66 Sydney Town Hall March Past to farewell troops. The Minister for the Army and high ranking personnel take a salute at the Town Hall and board to inspect the ship.

22apr66 1500 commence passage to Vung Tau, Operation Hardihood #1, via Manus Is PNG "in circumstances which contrasted vividly with earlier departures... the wharf was a colourful scene with many people to farewell the Army contingent and massed bands playing."

04may66 0740 arrive Vung Tau to unload 350 vehicles and 294 tons of ammunition and stores using landing craft and lighters.

05may66 official visit by US Gen. Westmoreland, AFV Commander, and other high ranks whilst unloading proceeded. Aust. Ambassador unable to attend.

06may66 0740 commence passage to Sydney via Manus Is PNG.

18may66 arrive Sydney Harbour. Embarked "press, mail and a small amount of explosives before securing starboard side to Fitting  Out Wharf" Garden Is.

25may66 commence passage to Vung Tau from Sydney, Operation Hardiwood #2, with embarked troops, vehicles, 8 Iroquois and 4 Sioux helicopters.

02jun66 RAN Task Group rendezvous in "Western Pacific", fleet includes HMAS Melbourne.

06jun66 1530 arrive Vung Tau and unloaded stores, vehicles, and helicopters. Unloading was "hampered by shortage of landing craft and of tugs to move dumb lighters. It had originally been planned to land troops on the arrival day, but... the troops remained onboard until the following day".

07jun66 disembark Army troops.

08jun66 1200 commence passage to Sydney via Hong Kong (another RAN fleet rendevous) and Manus Is PNG.

20jun66 1000 sailed from Hong Kong harbour into heavy conditions due to Typhoon "Kit".

05jul66 0830 arrive at buoy Sydney Harbour. During Op Hardihood HMAS Sydney steamed 20,746 miles.

11jul66 sailed to Hervey Bay, then Brisbane River, RAN rendezvous, then Cato Is (used DUKW) to survey reefs regarding construction of an automatic weather station.

22jul66 0820 arrive Garden Is, Sydney "for long self maintenance and leave."

06sep66 -- 09sep66 Jervis Bay for RAN exercise.

14sep66 1830 passage to Melbourne for weekend.

19sep66 1000 passage return to Garden Is Sydney, "...cleared Pt Phillip at 1400 [and] the annual full power trial was satisfactorily carried out on passage." "Attained a speed of 25.0 knots."

21sep66 0820 arrive Garden Is, Sydney.

26sep66 1345 commence passage to Port Alma with Army personnel and equipment for Ex. Barrawinga.

29sep66 0800 arrive Port Alma Military Training Area (Rockhampton Qld) and unloaded overnight using Army LSM Vernon Sturdee. After that Sydney proceeded to Hervey Bay to carry out gunner training etc.

07oct66 1515 arrive Brisbane River for RAN Reserve and Sea Cadets participation.

11oct66 0900 commence passage north for the RAN Annual Fleet Exercise, including HMAS Melbourne, between PNG and New Britain.

28oct66 0800 "combined RAN Fleet Entry to Sydney Harbour.. and a Fleet reception in the flagship."

02nov66 commence passage to Port Alma.

04nov66 HMAS Sydney was diverted NE to assist USS Tiru (USN submarine) aground on Frederik Reef.

06nov66 1550 arrive at Port Alma to retrieve Ex. Barrawinga Army personnel (94) and equipment from Port Alma.

07nov66 1630 commence passage to Sydney.

10nov66 0905 arrive Fitting Out Berth Garden Is, Sydney.

14nov66 1400 passage to Melbourne.

16nov66 1400 arrive Outer East Station Pier Port Phillip, embarked RAN Reserves.

19nov66 1130 passage to Port Arthur and Hobart.

28nov66 1100 passage to Melbourne.

30nov66 1400 arrive and disembarked personnel at Melbourne.

03dec66 1130 passage to Spencer Gulf, visited Port Lincoln and Adelaide for Annual Continuous Training with RAN Reserves.

12dec66 1030 passage to Melbourne.

13dec66 2110 arrive Port Phillip.

14dec66 1415 passage to Sydney via Jervis Bay.

16dec66 arrive Garden Is, Sydney, for "self maintenance and leave."


http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm78/329/awm78-329-12.pdf

[Carzee]

"Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney

Summary of RAN "Reports Of Proceedings: 1967"

[[ '67 records unable to be located ]]

[Carzee]

"Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney

Summary of RAN "Reports Of Proceedings: 1968"


16jan68 commence passage after embarking troops (320) to both Vung Tau and Thailand (to supply the SEATO exercise) via Manus Is PNG.

03feb68 0703 arrive Vung Tau unload vehicles with Skycranes and LCMs disembark troops. Backload empty sea containers and unserviceable vehicles. Skycrane crews claim a world record day for tonnage lifted in one day.

03feb68 1400 commence passage for Sydney via Singapore Naval Base.

13feb68 "Queensland libertymen" disembarked by helicopters as the ship passes Townsville.

16feb68 arrive Garden Is, Sydney, and maintenance carried out.

27mar68 commence passage to Vung Tau with 1RAR (516 personnel) embarked and a "small number of vehicles".

09apr68 0740 arrive Vung Tau, unloading by Skycrane unavailable. Task used LCM. Embarked 7RAR troops, "backload of some no goer veh was cancelled".

09apr68 1400 commence passage for Sydney via Thailand.

26apr68 0800 arrive Garden Is, Sydney. Ship's company participate in city march.

18may68 commence passage to Brisbane.

21may68 1255 commence passage to Vung Tau after embarking 4RAR and elements.

01jun68 0647 arrive Vung Tau and disembark 4RAR troops and elements by LCM. Embark 2RAR troops.

01jun68 1305 commence passage to Brisbane.

13jun68 0830 arrive Brisbane and unload 2RAR.

15jun68 0900 passage to Sydney.

16jun68 1600 arrive Garden Is, Sydney, after "Quarterly Full Power Trial". Overnight... 20knots.

jul - aug - sep68 period of refits at Garden Is. Multiple Industrial relations troubles.

oct68 RAN Exercise in the South Pacific with New Zealand involvement.

30oct68 arrive Sydney.

30oct68 passage to Melbourne; receptions and socials during Melbourne Cup week.

09nov68 arrive Adelaide and embark 9RAR troops and equipment.

13nov68 arrive Fremantle.

13nov68 1500 commence passage to Vung Tau via Christmas Is.

20nov68 0700 arrive Vung Tau Berth B12. 9RAR troops disembarked and cargo unloaded.

20nov68 1200 commence passage to Sydney via Singapore.

28nov68 0800 arrive Fremantle.

05dec68 0900 arrive Garden Is, Sydney. Extended crew Leave.


http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm78/329/awm78-329-14part1.pdf