Prepared by CPLs Anderson and Mitchell, AFV Pro 1970

Three Military Policemen, CPLs F.J. Anderson, G.H. Kirk and P.T. Mitchell, all of AFV Pro Unit Det HQ 1 ATF at Nui Dat were employed for duty on Operation "Matilda" from 15 January to 26 January 1970. Only two of the NCOs were actually with the force at any one time, CPL Mitchell replacing CPL Kirk half way through the operation.

The aim of the Operation was to move over the area from the coast between Han Tan in Binh Tuy Province and the airfield in the same Province, thence to the Mao Tay Mountains, and then by road to Nui Dat forcing any enemy in the area into 5 RAR who were sweeping down from the NE, and to destroy any fortifications and/or gardens found in the area of operation. The total distance covered was expected to be about 150 miles and it was the first operation of its kind undertaken by the Australian Army in the Republic of Vietnam.

The briefing was held at HQ 1 ATF by the CO of the force, MAJ Chipman, OC B SQN 1 Armoured Regiment, who briefed the commanders of the respective groups, these were:

• Three troops of Centurian tanks and a recovery vehicle from 1 Armoured Regiment
• One troop and two sections of APCs and recovery vehicles from 3 Cav Regiment
• Two FO parties from 1 FD REGT RAA
• One combat engineer section from 1 FD SQN RAE
• Sig Det from 104 SIG SQN RASIGS
• One Infantry Coy from 6 RAR
• Two mortar sections from 6 RAR
• One H13 from 161 Independent Recce Flight AAVN
• RMO from 1 FD REGT RAA
• Three MP NCOs from AFV Pro Unit Det 1 ATF RAA PRO

Military Police NCOs were attached for the duration of the operation, and travelled on the tracked vehicles as the terrain encountered made the use of "B" vehicles impossible. In addition the NCOs travelled in various positions on the convoy dependant on their duties at that time. For example from the start point, they travelled on the lead vehicle "6718B", a Centurian Tank as they were required to perform traffic control duties at the Bailey Bridge at Can Cong Nhan. On the completion of their assignment they were picked up by the last of the rear-guard vehicle "6600" APC and travelled on this to the first stop at midday.

When not engaged on a specific task the NCOs travelled with the lead tracked carrier supply vehicles and during the course of the Operation helped on a voluntary basis with the resupply of rations and ammunition to the force.

The Military Police NCOs carried 9mm Pistols and M16 Automatic Rifles together with the normal front line ammunition, and if the force was ambushed, they were to act as No.2 on the .50 cal Machine Guns in the vehicle they were in at the time.

The force left Nui Dat on 15 January 1970 and consisted of 270 personnel and 44 tracked vehicles. It travelled towards the North East of the Province following the coast line and covering about 10/15 miles each day.

Our NCOs performed a variety of duties consisting of all branches of Military Police work down to basic picquet duties on the vehicles at night. The main aspect of MP work was the control and handling of PW and/or detainees. In all 8 detainees were apprehended and were escorted from the contact areas by helicopter to the force HQ where they were classified by ARVN and US intelligence organisations. After the interrogation, dependant on the detainee's classification they were escorted to various sub-sectors in the area for dispersal, or in the case of actual PWs, back to Long Binh.

Traffic Control as mentioned before was covered, a prime example being at the Bailey Bridge at Can Cong Nhan where a minimum classification weight capacity bridge (50 tons limit) had to support maximum weight vehicles - 60 to 70 ton Centurian tanks. The requirement here was to maintain a constant flow of traffic but only allow one "A: class vehicle on the bridge at one time.

Another aspect of Military Police work was the control and escort of ration and water resupply runs from a US Army base at Ham Tan to the Field Force HQ. These were carried out with the use of tracked load carriers equiped with radios and heavy machine guns.

A list of events which would compile a normal day:

0630 - Revelle and cigarette under blanket

0630 - 0700 Stand to

0700 - Wash and breakfast

0745 - Prepare vehicles, refuel etc

0830 - Move out

1000 - First break and check vehicles, brew

1015 - 2 MPs to helipad to bring in 2 PWs from contact area

1200 - return with intelligence classification on detainees

1300 - escort detainees by chopper to Subsector

1400 - Return to Force, control resupply convoy to Han Tan and return

1700 - Break for meal

1830 - Stand to

1900 - Make up sleeping areas

2 hours picquet during night on one of the APCs and on two occasions our NCOs were required to perform police duties in regards to Australian soldiers who were creating a disturbance in the US Base at Han Tan, where an Australian radio network was operating, to relay traffic to the field force.

The operation, although not a great success as far as number of kills and contacts were concerned, did succeed in driving large numbers of enemy into the path of 5 RAR who in turn took advantage of the situation and had the opportunity to engage the enemy and did manage to accredit themselves with many kills.

Our NCOs on the operation were greatly rewarded in the avenue of field force Military Police training and at the termination of the operation were personally congratulated by the OC of the Force on the job performed.

It is considered that if the Military Police are to continue to support in field force areas such as the above mentioned, and provide effective support, they should have a light armoured vehicle, similar to a US V100 armoured fighting vehicle or the "Ferret", which is at present used by the Australian Army.