HOLDFASTFEBRUARY 2012 - NUMBER 20 WWW.TUNNELRATS.COM.AU OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE VIETNAM TUNNEL RATS ASSOCIATION INC MINE LIFTING HERO It was Viet Cong soldier Duong Van Manh who first discovered how to lift M-16 mines fitted with anti-lift devices from the 11km long barrier minefield laid by 1 Field Squadron in 1967. Our own mines were then used against us, causing hundreds of Australian casualties. Today FreeSECRET map of Nui in Long Phuoc Village he is Dat inside, but recognised by this statue as a don’t show it local hero. Full story inside: to anybody, it’s classified secret 2 Nostalgia Pages A few drinks before flying off to Vietnam Pages of great pics from the Three Sappers fresh out of Corp Training and excited about the adventure past to amaze and amuse. Pho- of being posted to Vietnam. It’s 27th of May 1969 and Greg Gough, 2Tp to contribitions welcome. Send (left) and Gary Degering, 1Tp (right) are heading off that night, while Mick your favourite Vietnam pics (with Van Poeteren, 2Tp (middle) will depart some six weeks later. After Corp descriptions, names and approx Training and Jungle Training at Canungra, Sappers were posted to Hold- dates) to Jim Marett 43 Heying- ing Wing at SME and simply waited for their Vietnam posting. It became a ton Place Toorak Vic 3142 or by tradition to go to the airport and see your mates off with a few beers in the email to: posh International Departure Lounge. It was so flash in there you had to
[email protected] wear a tie, hence Mick’s Army tie with his civvie gear.