SAS Vietnam Vet Looks for Contacts

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11 years 5 months ago #26565 by jtallen83
SAS Vietnam Vet Looks for Contacts was created by jtallen83
I've been conversing with a wonderful Australian man over the last 6 months in relation to my antique tool business. I found out today he was an Australian SAS member in Vietnam. He gave me a short bio of his service and is hoping to reconnect with with fellow soldiers as well as maybe find an old Jeep. I promised him I would do what I could to relay his story. I'll paste most of his email below, if anyone can help connect him or know of a Jeep for him PM me and I can pass it along to him. :usa:



"Yes, it was ‘nam – Feb.’67-Feb’68 with the Australian SAS out of Perth. I was in our First 2year National Service, from 30th. June’65. We had a 3month one that followed the Korean War, then followed a decade’s break. Could it be that you were there?



For me, I was one of only four other National Servicemen to be selected into the SAS. Something I am proud of as they gave us hell!

After 12months with firstly a six week Cadre’ Course, three week Para Course, a break then off to Melbourne for a six week Med-Aid Course* then back to the Unit and exercises with the last three months in New Guinea and the dreaded Owen Stanleys – a la KOKODA and a 24day Patrol through the Ku Ku-Ku Ku Tribe’s land – in those days, Headhunters! And there we were with just five rounds of live ammunition (All accountable!), for 24days!



Immediately prior though, we were paraded before the RSM and asked, ‘you boys wanna go to Vietnam?’ He followed up with the words that the SAS didn’t take Natios to ‘nam, ‘so sign here?’ Three of us did and the fourth was marched out of the Unit within the hour. It was tough and he was good! Anyway, he had a farm to return to in SA. That didn’t matter as it was War we were training for.

So, in all I did four years plus four days, hence the fourth of July!



We operated in five man patrols, generally going out for seven days. If there was a contact and depending on the severity of it, we were lifted out – mostly under fire. Having been dropped in as close as just 200metres, it was always close, such that we never spoke, used morse code for comms, and apart from releasing our mid rift belt at night, never took our gear off the entire time. Bar one, we all of are still alive and well however all suffer with PTSD, which is why I constantly busy myself.



In all we did 19-patrols, of which only two were without enemy contact. One of which was with the SEALS, an overnight ambush affair out from Nha Bay in the Mekong Delta. A shit of a place. Fortunately, it didn’t amount to anything, so it was back to base and some very generous hospitality, courtesy of you guys. Please pass on my thanks?



For many years Jim, I’ve wanted to visit the Mainland States and got to Hawaii for an Insurance Conference in ’82?

Of interest along with tools is to bring back an M151-mutt Jeep. Once the dust has settled this end, perhaps you could direct me to a club or Ex-Serviceman’s Association that might be interested in parting with one!"

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11 years 5 months ago #26579 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic SAS Vietnam Vet Looks for Contacts
There's a pretty good movie about the RASAS called "Run Between the Raindrops." Came out in the mid to late 80's. Don't know if it's still available or not. As for the jeep, an old battle buddy of mine works for the Post Museum here at Sill. I'll check with him and see if he's got a line on one.
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11 years 5 months ago #26718 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic SAS Vietnam Vet Looks for Contacts
Gil passed along more history to me, I thought some here would have an appreciation for his words so I'll post some of his email, amazing men they are!

"At just 19, it was Steve who was on a 4man patrol in Borneo in ’65. They were over the border on the Indonesian side and not supposed to be there. It was a thirty day affair which started with them cutting in a Helli-Pad. They received a full resupply and ate well for the first night. They were then on their own.

From the beginning, it was a nightmare. The days rolled on.

Suddenly out of nowhere, they were ambushed by a rogue elephant. It had been stalking them for days.

As it thundered past them Steve hit with 5-SLR rounds,.762. It bellowed but continued to crash through on down the steep ridge they were on. Sadly it had caught the Sig. in the stomach with a tusk. With vines strewn all over it, and in a wild rage it tossed him over an embankment more than 15metres.

When they finally got to Paul, the Patrol tried to stretcher him out, however with three men an impossibility. For this very reason, SAS have since been 5man Patrols.

Would you believe, the Patrol commander plus the 2-i/c after a regroup then left Steve albeit the medic to look after Paul. They left for help.

Steve cared for Paul for four long day, and longer nights. He survived on only a handful of biscuits and a tin of sardines-Pommie Rations. Paul ate nothing. He simply couldn’t, and lapsed in and out of consciousness.

Finally, Steve had to leave him. Having not heard a word. He just had to save himself and Paul if he could. Deep down, he knew he would never see his mate alive again. … and, so it was!

When found (by a Gurkha patrol) Steve was under 7stone. He was given a meal, spent the night in camp, then had to lead a party back. ‘Get Paul and find the Sig Set!’ … and, they did.

Jim, Steve now lives at Port Douglas a little North of Cairns. I have a 55minute tape of the entire episode. It is very, very moving! We recorded it outside the Cairns RSL four years ago. Steve has left it with me to tell his story.


Today, I’ve shared just a little of it with you.

‘Happy 4th. of July, mate!’

Take care, Gil. "
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