[104 Signals Squadron, Vietnam, 1969-1970] / Murray Woods Accession Number: F04614

Description

General scenes of Vung Tau and part of the living area of 104 Signals Squadron and "Kanga Pad" Nui Dat. View of Helicopter refuel point, Kanga Pad directly in front of rear of 104 Signal Squadron tent lines. View in background is the base of Nui Dat Hill, named by us as SAS Hill. Range of hills to the west of Nui Dat name unknown to me though at night I was able to see lights, making their way up the hills. American Skycrane heavy lift helicopter landing and taking off after refuelling at start of wet season also more views of SAS hill. View of us on leave from Nui Dat spending time at the Peter Badcoe Club. View of coastline around Vung Tau. 104 Signal Squadron machine gun bunker always manned by two men with M-60 machine guns from just before dark to first light each day - contained field telephone, extra ammunition and flares. View of our tents made bigger by any items we were able to scab/borrow mostly they were rotten canvas and pallets for floors. Each tent had its own sand bagged bunker with over head protection used mostly for depositing empty cans - I dont think anyone would go down them due to snakes. Slit trench used during attack alerts. L/Cpl R.W. Hartly with movie camera from US PX store. Better view of machine gun bunker. Light helicopter coming in to pick up signalman so as to transport him to a Fire Support Base. To Vung Tau extra [duty] to do daily cyper changes on communication equipment (named him yellow taxi). Chinook chopper with load sling attached. Walking along beach towards Cape St Jacques from Badcoe Club - used to go through wire at the beach and get into Vung Tau without a leave pass. Junks on the horizon were suspected of carrying arms for the enemy. View of the [????] roll stall Vung Tau. General view of streets of Vung Tau including National Policeman ("White mouse"). Main market area Vung Tau - called the flags which was used as a common meeting point whilst in town. Part of the port area I think called Black Beach. The natives here were not very friendly. The Vietnamese used entertainment troupe at Badcoe Club, Vung Tau. Entrance to Buddhist gardens and temple just out side Vung Tau - appears to be Thai MPs in the area. [from scene list provided by M.F. Woods]

Details

Conflicts

• Vietnam, 1962-1975

Units

• 104 Signals Squadron

Tags

• Sikorsky helicopters
• Women
• Photographers
• Vietnamese
• Iroquois helicopters
• Entertainers
• Home movie