FOREWORD COMMENT BY THE VICTOR 6 COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR WARRANT OFFICER RICHARD SHEPHERD INTRODUCTION RETURN TO THE INFANTRY PREPARING FOR DEPLOYMENT TO SINGAPORE A TASTE OF THE ASIAN JUNGLE TRAINING WITH THE GURKHAS FINALLY VIETNAM 1 PLATOON V6 ORGANISATION Operation Iron Clad 15 May - 23 May 71 Operation Iron Maiden 23 May - 2 June 1971 Operation Bhowani Junction 3 - 4 June 1971 Operation Overlord 5 - 14 June 1971 Operation Hermit Park 14 June - 27 July 1971 Main Bunker Assault by Victor 6 Company The Second Assault Operation Iron Fox 28 July - 5 August 1971 Operation North Ward 5 Aug - 17 Sep 1971 Operation Ivanhoe 18 September - 2 October 1971 Operation Valiant 3 - 6 October 1971 Operation South Ward 6 October - 7 November 1971 TVNZ SUPPORT POLITICAL SUPPORT VICTOR 6 COMPANY HONOURS ITS BRAVE LEST WE FORGET 1 PLATOON BRAVERY AWARD RECIPIENT BARWICK AND ANDERSON FAMILIES
During the Vietnam War the New Zealand Defence Force deployed a number of individuals, a number of small military elements, an artillery battery (on a rotational basis) and nine infantry rifle companies in support of the Australian Task Force role. This is the story about one of those elements, 1 Platoon, Victor 6 Company, 4RAR/NZ Anzac Battalion. In 1971, during Operation Hermit Park, four New Zealand servicemen demonstrated outstanding gallantry rescuing wounded Australian servicemen while under heavy and intense enemy fire. Such injustice prompted the author and the Company Commander of Victor 6 to seek proper recognition from the New Zealand Government for over fifty years. The dramatic events of the action involving the four New Zealand soldiers are detailed in this book. It is the author's hope that this written record will serve as both a testament to their bravery and as a resource for those continuing the fight for recognition of these unsung heroes.
Norman Fry was born in New Zealand. Educated at Auckland Grammar. Served in the New Zealand Army 1965-1988. Commanding Officer 2/1 RNZIR. Director of Army Training. 1988-1994 in the Australian Army. SO1 Operations Defence Centre Victoria. Graduate Officer Cadet School Portsea, the Australian Army Staff College and the Australian Joint Services Staff College. Platoon Commander, 1 Platoon, Victor 6 Company, 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC Battalion), Vietnam 1971
