Battle of Suoi Chau Pha

Battle of Suối Châu Pha
Part of the Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents  Australia
 United States
 New Zealand

Việt Cộng
 North Vietnam

Commanders and leaders Eric Smith
Ewart O'Donnell Ut ThoiUnits involved 7 RAR 274th RegimentStrength ~120 men
artillery ~300 menCasualties and losses 6 killed
20 wounded 7 bodies recovered
33 more believed killed or wounded
200 further estimated casualties

The Battle of Suối Châu Pha (6 August 1967) was fought during the

By the second half of 1967 the Việt Cộng seemed to have melted away in

Mounted on a large scale under American command and involving nearly 15,000 troops, Paddington failed to result in significant contact, in spite of the employment of well co-ordinated search techniques and blocking forces. A large number of Việt Cộng camps, bunkers and storage areas were however uncovered and destroyed, resulting in significant disruption to the communist logistic system.[7] Under the overall command of Major General George G. O'Connor, commander US 9th Infantry Division, allied forces for Operation Paddington included the US 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, the 2nd Battalion, US 47th Infantry Regiment (Mechanised), the US 11th Armoured Cavalry Regiment, Task Force B Marine Corps (RVN) and the 1st Australian Task Force, as well as various supporting arms including two artillery batteries and more than a thousand armoured vehicles and helicopters. Việt Cộng casualties included 92 killed, including 31 by 1 ATF for the loss of one Australian killed and another wounded.^[5][8] Nonetheless, the results were disappointing for the Australians, and the Việt Cộng continued to elude them.^[1]

Prelude

Opposing forces

Based at

Despite the optimistic Australian assessments of Việt Cộng capability, rather than having left Phước Tuy the communists were more likely reinforcing and consolidating in preparation for future operations, avoiding battle with the Australians in order to preserve their strength.[1] Regardless, D445 Battalion had suffered heavy casualties and posed a diminished threat, while the headquarters of the Việt Cộng 5th Division was located near the northern border, west of the Mây Tào mountains, with its fighting formations widely dispersed. The Việt Cộng 275th Regiment was reported to have moved north to War Zone D for retraining and refitting, and the Việt Cộng 274th Regiment had moved from its scattered locations in the north-west Hát Dịch to replace it in the north-east of the province, and was now operating in unfamiliar terrain. Meanwhile, casualties, illness and poor local recruitment meant they were now largely reliant on reinforcements from North Vietnam.^[2] Unsure of the next move, the Việt Cộng 5th Division adopted a cautious posture, with only the 1st Battalion, 275th Regiment remaining in the Mây Tào mountains while the 274th Regiment dispersed east of Route 2 for the remainder of the month.^[11]

Planning and preliminary operations

The province now seemed secure and Graham saw the opportunity to continue pacification on a more methodical basis in Phước Tuy.^[13][14] Planning to attack the remaining Việt Cộng where they were most vulnerable, the Australians returned to interdicting communist supply lines and bases, with 2 RAR conducting two search and destroy operations to the east of Đất Đỏ—Operation Cairns in late-July followed by Operation Atherton in mid-August, both of which resulted in only minor contact.^[15] Meanwhile, the Hát Dịch area had been quiet since US forces had swept of the area as part of Operation Akron (9–29 June), and Australian intelligence assessed that it was free of Việt Cộng main force combat units.^{[Note 1]} By late-July communist rear services units and other supporting units were believed to have begun moving back into the area, in an attempt to rehabilitate their base areas that had been destroyed in the earlier fighting.^[17] Yet in reality the location of communist forces was largely unknown to the Australians. In mid-July, the Việt Cộng 274th Regiment—now believed to be commanded by Ut Thoi—had been forced to move from the Hát Dịch towards its north-eastern base areas due to Operation Paddington and Australian signals intelligence had been able to effectively track the regiment's movement due to the location of its transmitter.^{[Note 2]} However, 1 ATF intelligence officers had then lost track of the unit.^[18]

Operation Ballarat was subsequently planned to assess the extent of the Việt Cộng's efforts to re-establish their supply lines and to repair bunkers and camps in the eastern Hát Dịch that had been destroyed by previous operations.^[17] The concept of operations envisioned 7 RAR, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Eric Smith, creating a series of company patrol bases, from which platoon fighting patrols would gather intelligence on Việt Cộng activities. An ambush plan would then be developed.^[17] The twelve-day battalion search and destroy operation subsequently commenced on 4 August 1967, within AO Lion, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north-west of Núi Đất. In an attempt to achieve surprise the rifle companies moved into their respective areas of operation by foot, rather than by helicopter, carrying five days rations and supplies to reduce the need for resupply and the likelihood of detection by the Việt Cộng.^[7] With stealth considered key to the operation it was intended that any bunkers and camps located during the patrol phase of the operation would not be destroyed until after the ambush phase. Regardless, the Australians expected only to encounter rear guard elements.^[17]

Fire Support Base Giraffe was subsequently established with the new 105-millimetre (4.1 in)

A Company, 7 RAR had already been patrolling in the Hát Dịch since 3 August when the orders for the operation were issued. Utilising an insertion technique perfected by the Special Air Service Regiment they were subsequently re-supplied early on the evening of 5 August, with the supplies successfully unloaded and the helicopters departing within three minutes.^[17] The covert infiltration of the infantry companies went undetected, and on the morning of 6 August A Company began to patrol towards the intended site of their initial patrol base. Under the command of Major Ewart O'Donnell, by-mid morning the Australians were approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Phu My. At 10:40, moving north-west with 2 Platoon leading, the Australians crossed a creek, the Suối Châu Pha, and shortly afterwards located a fresh track which had only recently been used. O'Donnell ordered the lead platoon into ambush positions astride the track, while he moved forward to conduct a reconnaissance.^[22] Minutes later two Việt Cộng sentries walked into the ambush with their weapons slung, and they were killed instantly by a short burst from an M60 machine-gun, likely surprised by the silent insertion of the Australians.^[23]

The incident alerted the remainder of the Australians and the company prepared for action. Considering it unlikely that the dead men had been alone, O'Donnell assessed that the remainder of a Việt Cộng squad was located somewhere further along the track and he subsequently requested artillery fire to block any escape, while 2 Platoon was ordered to sweep forward.^[22] Under the command of Second Lieutenant Graham Ross, 2 Platoon commenced its advance before coming under automatic fire 100 metres (110 yd) along the track by a Việt Cộng squad which then went to ground after the Australians returned fire.^[22][23] Attempting to take the initiative, Ross began to manoeuvre for a quick attack, moving two sections to the high ground on the right flank, while the third section provided fire support.^[22][23] Meanwhile, the Việt Cộng force, which turned out to be larger than first thought by the Australians, also attempted a flanking manoeuvre, moving one squad into a defensive position while two squads moved to their left flank. Deploying to the high ground at about the same time the two assault groups came face to face and a fierce fire-fight followed at close range, with both sides throwing grenades in an attempt to gain the initiative. Two Australians were killed and several more were wounded in the initial clashes.^[24]

2 Platoon was in trouble and the Australians were forced to fight hard in order to survive, with numerous acts of heroism on both sides.^[24][25] Repeatedly exposing himself to the fire to throw grenades and to direct his platoon's fire, Ross dragged two of his wounded men to safety during the fighting and despite being wounded in the leg by shrapnel he refused to be treated until the other wounded had received first aid. Meanwhile, Private Dennis Bathersby, although wounded in the right arm, remained behind his M60 throwing two grenades with his left arm and only withdrawing in order to drag another wounded Australian to safety. Finally, after his right arm went numb, Ross ordered Bathersby to hand over his machine-gun and he was evacuated to the rear.^[26] Elsewhere, Private Keith Downward, one of the forward scouts, after edging forward to within 10 metres (11 yd) then single-handedly charged one of the Việt Cộng machine-guns, killing the operator and capturing the weapon before then dragging a wounded Australian soldier out of danger despite himself being wounded.^[20][25] Amid the chaos, a wasp nest in a nearby tree was disturbed, and a number of Australians were so badly stung that they were incapacitated and also needed to be evacuated.^[27]

Move and counter-move, 6 August 1967

O'Donnell attempted to probe the Việt Cộng flank, and after locating it on the high ground he committed 1 Platoon—under Second Lieutenant Rod Smith—to conduct a right flanking attack. Beginning at 11:30 the Australian assault soon ran into another Việt Cộng platoon conducting a similar manoeuvre, and they became involved in an intense battle at close quarters with each side blocking the manoeuvre of the other.^[24] A heavy monsoon rain began, drenching the men as they faced each other at a range of just 30 metres (33 yd), with seven Việt Cộng machine-guns facing six Australian machine-guns at the height of the battle as the two Việt Cộng platoons clashed with two Australian platoons.^[25] The Australians suffered heavily, losing two section commanders killed and a dozen men wounded in the first few minutes.^[24] The fighting continued for another two hours as both forces traded shots, with neither the Australians nor the Việt Cộng able to achieve a decisive advantage.^[24]

A Company's

By 14:30 the Việt Cộng commander finally made the decision to withdraw, with the artillery deciding the battle in favour of the Australians.^[30] O'Donnell had commanded the battle with cool resolve under constant fire throughout, setting the standard for his men and on one occasion he had run 30 metres (33 yd) through heavy fire to drag a wounded medic to safety.^[24] Withdrawing through the barrage and a number of airstrikes called in to pursue them, the Việt Cộng proceeded to drag their dead from the battlefield, having suffered crippling casualties.^[31] B Company, 7 RAR was subsequently inserted by helicopter into blocking positions to the north, however they made no contact and were unable to prevent the withdrawal.^[32] Numerous blood trails were later found as the Australians attempted to follow up the Việt Cộng.^[20]

Meanwhile, even as the battle had continued the evacuation of the Australian casualties had begun, with a number of Iroquois helicopters from No. 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under Squadron Leader Jim Cox, flying through heavy ground fire to complete the dust-off. Hindered by artillery fire and the dense foliage the operation proved difficult and Cox's aircraft was hit by heavy machine-gun fire, wounding him and an orderly on board. Safely landing the damaged aircraft he then directed the operation by radio from the ground.^[20] Among the worst of the casualties was Sergeant Alexander Sutherland, from 2 Platoon. Losing an eye and suffering heavy blood loss from multiple shrapnel wounds after a Việt Cộng rocket exploded within a metre of him, he was evacuated to 8 Field Ambulance in Vung Tau with no pulse. His left leg later amputated, his wounds were so bad he had to be given a general anaesthetic each time his bandages were changed. Making a miraculous recovery however, he was personally recommended for the US Medal of Honor by Westmoreland for his resolute spirit, although this was later reduced to a lesser Australian award. Many casualties were beyond help however, and the battalion chaplain was inserted by winch from a helicopter to administer last rites.^[25]

On the basis of documents captured by the Australians during the battle the Việt Cộng were identified as being from C12 Company, 3rd Battalion, 274th Regiment, probably assisted by the battalion Reconnaissance Platoon and a number of local force guides.^[18][23] It was assessed that at least a second company had helped in the recovery of many of the Việt Cộng dead. Later, during operations the following day, a recently occupied battalion-sized camp was subsequently located about 900 metres (980 yd) from the site of the battle, and it was considered likely that the Việt Cộng company had fought the vigorous action in order the delay the Australians and enable the withdrawal of the remainder of the battalion from their base camp.^[33] Meanwhile, elements of the Chau Duc District Company were also believed to be located in the area.^{[34][Note 5]}

Aftermath

Casualties

Australian casualties had been heavy with five killed, one died of wounds and 20 wounded.

A classic encounter battle, the action had been fought between two forces of roughly equal size in the heavy monsoon rain at close quarters. Both companies had deployed to the high ground at around the same time in a bid to outflank the other, with the Australian infantry skilfully using their supporting artillery while the Việt Cộng had attempted to nullify the Australian tactics by remaining in close contact. Ultimately, the artillery had decided the outcome in favour of the Australians however, and the Việt Cộng had been forced to withdraw with heavy casualties.^[24][33] In this way the fighting bore many similarities to the victory twelve months earlier at Long Tân, yet it remained largely unheralded in Australia.^[36] Eight Australian soldiers received gallantry awards for their actions, including Military Crosses to O'Donnell, Ross and Clark, while Sutherland was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. A number of awards were also made to the RAAF pilots and aircrew, including Cox who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.^[20][25] Meanwhile, the bravery evident by the Việt Cộng during the battle had also made an impression on the Australians, who later acknowledged their tight fire discipline and the skilfulness of their battle drills and tactics which they found to be similar to those used by the Australians themselves.^[37]

A month after disappearing the Việt Cộng 274th Regiment had emerged without warning and had caught 7 RAR by surprise, with the unexpected presence of a Việt Cộng Main Force regiment in the Hát Dịch forcing the Australians to change their tactics for the remainder of Operation Ballarat. The Australians became more cautious as a result and while 7 RAR continued its search and destroy mission, only two companies patrolled while the other two remained on standby in fire support bases nearby to provide support if required. Additional artillery support was also made available, with 161st Field Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery airlifted into Fire Support Base Giraffe.^[26] Meanwhile, Graham placed 2 RAR on standby to fly into the area if needed and US forces were also positioned to the north.^[32] In this manner Ballarat continued until 16 August, however there was only minor contact which resulted in two more Việt Cộng killed, two wounded and one captured for no further loss to the Australians.^[26]

Subsequent operations

Australian operations in Phước Tuy province continued throughout the remainder of 1967, and although they were largely successful at the tactical level, the Việt Cộng continued to be able to enter most of the villages in the province, and were causing increasingly heavy Allied casualties with mines lifted from the controversial barrier minefield laid by the Australians. Operation Santa Fe, a further large-scale joint US-Australian operation, took place between October and November, but it too ended with only limited success in comparison to the resources committed.^{[33][Note 8]} Meanwhile, despite allegations of corruption and ballot rigging by the ruling military junta, South Vietnam's presidential elections in September had been unhampered by security concerns and were largely considered successful, with 83 percent of eligible voters turning out nationwide; in Phước Tuy this number was higher still at over 90 percent.^{[13][39][Note 9]} Graham believed that the large public turnout in Phước Tuy had been due to the long-term effects of Australian operations in the province which had increased the population's sense of security. As a result, 1 ATF now turned its attention to expanding its area of operations.^[39]

However, with the war approaching a stalemate strategically, the Australians were substantially reinforced following the trend of further American troop increases, with a third infantry battalion arriving in December, while a