hist2004
10-27-2007, 01:13 PM
Role of the SASR in Vietnam
The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II ‘Z’ Special Force commando unit, as well as the Independent Companies which were active in the South Pacific during the same period. It is based at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Perth, Western Australia and is a unit of the Royal Australian Corps of Infantry, part of the Australian Defence Force. They have been widely regarded as the best or one of the best special forces in the world.
The Australian Special Air Service was established on 25th July 1957 as the 1st Special Air Service Company. The SAS was expanded to three “sabre squadrons” and gained Regimental status on 20th August 1964.
The SASR first saw action in 1965 as part of the British Commonwealth force stationed in north Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation. The Australian SASR troopers operated alongside their British and New Zealand counterparts in operations aimed at stopping Indonesian infiltration into Malaya. They learnt many skills which would later prepare them for Vietnam three years later.
Skills include:
-Patrol order and numbers which enabled them to experiment with four to six man teams.
- Infiltration and extraction techniques
- Jungle patrolling, surveillance and survival
- Guerrilla tactics
- Hearts and Mind missions
The SASR’s participation in the Vietnam War began when 3 Squadron deployed as part of the 1st Australian Task Force in June 1966 to
Nui Dat, where they concentrated on the Nui Thi Vai and Nui Dinh mountains. Located in the south east of Vietnam.
The SASR’s role in Vietnam was to act as the ‘eyes and the ears’ of the Australian Task Force through conducting reconnaissance patrols throughout 1 ATF’s area of responsibility. As the war progressed, it was decided that once a recon patrol had completed its mission, if it still had the capacity to do so, it would conduct harrasing type tasks such as ambushing. This posed additional problems as patrols ran a higher risk of getting injured, killed, or overrun by the enemy as fast extractions were not always possible, so targets had to be chosen carefully.
The patrol would operate in a four-five man teams and consists of the scout, patrol commander, second in command (2IC), medic or signaller. In four man patrols the scout or 2IC would double as a medic. In five man patrols the fifth man assumed the role of the medic.
As in Borneo, the SASR operated closely with the New Zealand SAS, with a New Zealand SAS troop being attached to each Australian Squadron, which has now become standard in operational deployments.
SAS faced many problems not only from their enemy but the difficult weather conditions. Vietnam’s climate consisted of two main seasons, wet and dry. Dry season run from October through to May and was considerably warm, with patrols facing the serious problem of shortage of water, which forced them to carry 8-10 bottles of water, seriously overloading them. The dry season also made it difficult to move silently around the jungle as dry leaves littered the ground and would crunch loudly as they walked.
The wet season brought less concern for water and dry leaves, but made conditions far more difficult. High temperatures and humidity sapped all their strength and contributed to heat rashes and tinea, as they did not remove their boots for fear of enemy attack. Torrential rain usually fell in late afternoon evening, so the men had to spend their nights shivering and wet, and as a result many contracted chest and bronchial infections.
Malaria was a constant problem.
SASR Squadrons rotated through Vietnam on one year long deployments until the last Squadron was withdrawn in October 1971. During its time in Vietnam the Regiment was extremely successful in the reconnaissance and ambushing roles. The SASR lost only one soldier as a direct result of enemy action (died of wounds after repatriation to Australia), whilst all other deaths in Vietnam were accidental. In total the SASR lost only six men throughout their time in South Vietnam. One member is still missing in action after falling into the jungle during a suspended rope extraction, subsequent patrols into the area failed to recover his body.
The Patrol
Squadron OC
- Job to command the squadron, to keep the overall operation under control and to ensure that resources were allocated as best as possible.
- Would not go out on patrol
- At any one time a squadron could have seven-eight patrols deployed at one time consisting of four-five man patrols
Patrol Commanders
- Leader of the patrol, made sure everything was in working order, all men of the patrol were briefed, in good health, etc.
Scout
- Led the patrol, followed closely by the patrol commander
- Had the complete trust of the patrol commander and would dictate the speed of the patrol
- Everyone would mimic the scout, follow his path and listen to his directions
- Huge responsibility, under constant mental pressure of looking, listening, smelling, waiting, and trying to spot the enemy by they were spotted
Medic
- Usually travelled behind the patrol commander, or alternated with the signaller
- The medic was very important, due to their isolation and secrecy help was a long way off, so a medic had to the responsibility of aiding and injured member.
Signaller
- Came from the support squadron of 152 Signals
- Used either the SABRE 9 or an URC-10, which emits a high frequency distress signal, picked up by overpassing aircraft.
- Capable of sending 10 words per minute in Morse code
- Carried one of the heaviest loads due to the weight of the radio
Second in Command (2IC)
- Nicknamed the “Tail end Charlie”, because they brought up the rear of the patrol.
- More or less operated as a scout, just in reverse, whilst covering up the patrols tracks.
- At base, was responsible for the administration of the group, before deployments checked if everyone had supplies, equipment, ammunition, etc.
Procedure
- The SASR were very pedantic about the safety of their patrols and would often insist on obtaining every source of information possible to ensure the success of the mission. It strongly believed the success of the mission was attributed to their careful planning and operated under the seven P’s; Prior Preparation and Planning, Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
- Patrol was inserted by helicopter, generally a few kilometres away from their patrol area.
- Walk to their location
- Locate and observe the enemy
- Withdraw swiftly by helicopter, all without detection
- Report findings back to base
- Conventional forces would be sent in
- If a patrol was compromised it would tactically withdraw from the area as fast as possible, find a secure location to call in for extraction, and leave the area trying its best to avoid capture, or suffer any casualties.
Combat Load
The patrol had to be able to maintain themselves for the period of the patrol, without a resupply. They had to carry everything that they needed such as; water, ammunition, equipment, etc. Which in total weighed roughly 44-48kg.
Movement
Movement in an SASR patrol was often painstakingly slow, as the patrol couldn’t afford to be compromised before they completed their task. Patrols stretched over a maximum distance of 15metres, where everyone could see one another. It was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that they were checking front and back not only for enemy, but also for silent field signals and/or hand signals, as this was the only form of communication. In times of rest the patrol was assume the Laying Up Position (LUP), in which members would lay down on their backs, with their pack on, rest for a time and immediately carry on. This was done in case of enemy attack, allowing them to stand up quickly as their packs were quite heavy to be put on at speed. The SASR patrols were most likely going to be outnumbered and had to rely on stealth to achieve their primary mission.
Support
The SASR patrols were very closely tied with their support squadron 152 Signals and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They both provided invaluable support and were very much essential to the success of patrols. SASR held the RAAF pilots in the highest regard as they would often fly down to pick up patrols when under heavy fire, at the risk of their own lives. The RAAF used the Iroquois helicopter, which suited the speedy insertion and extraction of patrols. It had the ability to hover, land or rappel by fixed ropes in tight areas.
Due to their secrecy, ability to escape capture and very high mission success rate, members of the SASR became known as the ‘Phantoms of the Jungle’ to Vietnamese Communist forces, and were their most feared enemy.
The Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a Special Forces regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions of the Australian World War II ‘Z’ Special Force commando unit, as well as the Independent Companies which were active in the South Pacific during the same period. It is based at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Perth, Western Australia and is a unit of the Royal Australian Corps of Infantry, part of the Australian Defence Force. They have been widely regarded as the best or one of the best special forces in the world.
The Australian Special Air Service was established on 25th July 1957 as the 1st Special Air Service Company. The SAS was expanded to three “sabre squadrons” and gained Regimental status on 20th August 1964.
The SASR first saw action in 1965 as part of the British Commonwealth force stationed in north Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation. The Australian SASR troopers operated alongside their British and New Zealand counterparts in operations aimed at stopping Indonesian infiltration into Malaya. They learnt many skills which would later prepare them for Vietnam three years later.
Skills include:
-Patrol order and numbers which enabled them to experiment with four to six man teams.
- Infiltration and extraction techniques
- Jungle patrolling, surveillance and survival
- Guerrilla tactics
- Hearts and Mind missions
The SASR’s participation in the Vietnam War began when 3 Squadron deployed as part of the 1st Australian Task Force in June 1966 to
Nui Dat, where they concentrated on the Nui Thi Vai and Nui Dinh mountains. Located in the south east of Vietnam.
The SASR’s role in Vietnam was to act as the ‘eyes and the ears’ of the Australian Task Force through conducting reconnaissance patrols throughout 1 ATF’s area of responsibility. As the war progressed, it was decided that once a recon patrol had completed its mission, if it still had the capacity to do so, it would conduct harrasing type tasks such as ambushing. This posed additional problems as patrols ran a higher risk of getting injured, killed, or overrun by the enemy as fast extractions were not always possible, so targets had to be chosen carefully.
The patrol would operate in a four-five man teams and consists of the scout, patrol commander, second in command (2IC), medic or signaller. In four man patrols the scout or 2IC would double as a medic. In five man patrols the fifth man assumed the role of the medic.
As in Borneo, the SASR operated closely with the New Zealand SAS, with a New Zealand SAS troop being attached to each Australian Squadron, which has now become standard in operational deployments.
SAS faced many problems not only from their enemy but the difficult weather conditions. Vietnam’s climate consisted of two main seasons, wet and dry. Dry season run from October through to May and was considerably warm, with patrols facing the serious problem of shortage of water, which forced them to carry 8-10 bottles of water, seriously overloading them. The dry season also made it difficult to move silently around the jungle as dry leaves littered the ground and would crunch loudly as they walked.
The wet season brought less concern for water and dry leaves, but made conditions far more difficult. High temperatures and humidity sapped all their strength and contributed to heat rashes and tinea, as they did not remove their boots for fear of enemy attack. Torrential rain usually fell in late afternoon evening, so the men had to spend their nights shivering and wet, and as a result many contracted chest and bronchial infections.
Malaria was a constant problem.
SASR Squadrons rotated through Vietnam on one year long deployments until the last Squadron was withdrawn in October 1971. During its time in Vietnam the Regiment was extremely successful in the reconnaissance and ambushing roles. The SASR lost only one soldier as a direct result of enemy action (died of wounds after repatriation to Australia), whilst all other deaths in Vietnam were accidental. In total the SASR lost only six men throughout their time in South Vietnam. One member is still missing in action after falling into the jungle during a suspended rope extraction, subsequent patrols into the area failed to recover his body.
The Patrol
Squadron OC
- Job to command the squadron, to keep the overall operation under control and to ensure that resources were allocated as best as possible.
- Would not go out on patrol
- At any one time a squadron could have seven-eight patrols deployed at one time consisting of four-five man patrols
Patrol Commanders
- Leader of the patrol, made sure everything was in working order, all men of the patrol were briefed, in good health, etc.
Scout
- Led the patrol, followed closely by the patrol commander
- Had the complete trust of the patrol commander and would dictate the speed of the patrol
- Everyone would mimic the scout, follow his path and listen to his directions
- Huge responsibility, under constant mental pressure of looking, listening, smelling, waiting, and trying to spot the enemy by they were spotted
Medic
- Usually travelled behind the patrol commander, or alternated with the signaller
- The medic was very important, due to their isolation and secrecy help was a long way off, so a medic had to the responsibility of aiding and injured member.
Signaller
- Came from the support squadron of 152 Signals
- Used either the SABRE 9 or an URC-10, which emits a high frequency distress signal, picked up by overpassing aircraft.
- Capable of sending 10 words per minute in Morse code
- Carried one of the heaviest loads due to the weight of the radio
Second in Command (2IC)
- Nicknamed the “Tail end Charlie”, because they brought up the rear of the patrol.
- More or less operated as a scout, just in reverse, whilst covering up the patrols tracks.
- At base, was responsible for the administration of the group, before deployments checked if everyone had supplies, equipment, ammunition, etc.
Procedure
- The SASR were very pedantic about the safety of their patrols and would often insist on obtaining every source of information possible to ensure the success of the mission. It strongly believed the success of the mission was attributed to their careful planning and operated under the seven P’s; Prior Preparation and Planning, Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
- Patrol was inserted by helicopter, generally a few kilometres away from their patrol area.
- Walk to their location
- Locate and observe the enemy
- Withdraw swiftly by helicopter, all without detection
- Report findings back to base
- Conventional forces would be sent in
- If a patrol was compromised it would tactically withdraw from the area as fast as possible, find a secure location to call in for extraction, and leave the area trying its best to avoid capture, or suffer any casualties.
Combat Load
The patrol had to be able to maintain themselves for the period of the patrol, without a resupply. They had to carry everything that they needed such as; water, ammunition, equipment, etc. Which in total weighed roughly 44-48kg.
Movement
Movement in an SASR patrol was often painstakingly slow, as the patrol couldn’t afford to be compromised before they completed their task. Patrols stretched over a maximum distance of 15metres, where everyone could see one another. It was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that they were checking front and back not only for enemy, but also for silent field signals and/or hand signals, as this was the only form of communication. In times of rest the patrol was assume the Laying Up Position (LUP), in which members would lay down on their backs, with their pack on, rest for a time and immediately carry on. This was done in case of enemy attack, allowing them to stand up quickly as their packs were quite heavy to be put on at speed. The SASR patrols were most likely going to be outnumbered and had to rely on stealth to achieve their primary mission.
Support
The SASR patrols were very closely tied with their support squadron 152 Signals and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They both provided invaluable support and were very much essential to the success of patrols. SASR held the RAAF pilots in the highest regard as they would often fly down to pick up patrols when under heavy fire, at the risk of their own lives. The RAAF used the Iroquois helicopter, which suited the speedy insertion and extraction of patrols. It had the ability to hover, land or rappel by fixed ropes in tight areas.
Due to their secrecy, ability to escape capture and very high mission success rate, members of the SASR became known as the ‘Phantoms of the Jungle’ to Vietnamese Communist forces, and were their most feared enemy.