Bien Hoa b/w photos

[Carzee]

I have been looking over the b/w photos of 1RAR from late May '65 to early '66 in SVN by the official Australian Army photographer Bryan Dunne. There are about 400 on the AWM collection.

Here is a great one. In the rear left side is another water bag on a frame as seen in other photos. caption: "Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 1965-07. A member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) with his machine gun."

The canopy and hood are off in the same month as the welcome to SVN parade in Saigon. 1RAR was moved after the parade by convoy to Bien Hoa which was a flatish grassy area adjacent to a airbase where the US 173rd were based. Vung Tau and 1ALSG/1ATF was to come about year later.


Here is a well known pic showing a US movement task at Saigon, transporting 1RAR vehicles to Bien Hoa June '65. The headlights have canvas covers. The majority of 1RAR vehicles, Mk3s, some APCs, went by road and arrived very late at night according to the Diary I read.



Photos show hootchies were SOP accommodation, and sand bagged pits, and a cooks tent with diggers peeling spuds shirtless under the sun. Zero tree cover.



Bryan Dunne took many photos of the early civic works, HQ activity, the various crafties and tent workshops, everyday chores etc. He also took about a hundred individual portraits of diggers and was careful to record their names and ranks.

Here is a typical example of the portraits.

When I saw that I thought brass band and what? a Chaplain's Land-Rover..
I clicked on it and read the caption.
So glad I did.
That Bien Hoa photo is the only photo I have seen -to date- showing Chris Clark as a medic in SVN. Chris is also in the 1RAR band. Thank you Bryan Dunne.
Chris was killed 8jan1966 during Op Crimp at the Ho Bo Woods (extensive tunnel complex and Saigon zone base of the enemy).
caption quote: "Vietnam. 1965-08. Three members of 1RAR, Regimental Band. Private Peter Vandenburg of Ballarat, Vic, practises on the E flat bass, while Private Chris Clark of Padstow, NSW (centre) and Fred Anderson of Port August, SA, practise first aid."

[Carzee]

Here is another well known early photo by Bryan Dunne. "Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 1965-09. Working in a mobile signal centre at the Headquarters of 1RAR is Cpl Rex Gabel of Woomera, SA."


Another one, taken perhaps a few minutes later as Bryan toured the "base"... "Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 1965-09. Mounting guard at the signals centre in the headquarters of 1RAR, is Signaller Hugh McLintock of Mt Gambier, SA."


Note the signal wire poles (HF?) and the rolled up passenger side of the canopy- i think the HQ vehicle could be the same vehicle in both photos.

[aussiegregmac]

I wonder if the bag this time is an actual shower with the shower rose hanging at the bottom and what
looks like an enclosure underneath.  Good photos though.
Greg

[Carzee]

Could be the shower point as you say. One thing for sure: loads and loads of sandbagging that first few weeks... and in the heat of their summer.