W Company deployed to the Horseshoe by road convoy on 28 December 1967 to relieve V
Company, leaving a small rear party in Nui Dat. V Company moved out from the Horseshoe
on foot to the south east to conduct operations in the Long Green. This was part of
Operation Forrest which was being conducted by the battalion to the north and east of the
Horseshoe. The other companies had many contacts with the Viet Cong who were
obviously redeploying for the Tet offensive. Operation Forrest concluded on 5 January
and the battalion, less W Company, redeployed on 10 January for Operation Duntroon,
conducted in the north west corner of the Phouc Tuy Province. Meanwhile W company
continued operations from the Horseshoe.
The Horseshoe was a fully developed Fire Support Base, on a low volcano-like feature on
the northern edge of the village of Dat Do and it provided a grand stand view of the
activities that took place in the surrounding villages during the Tet offensive. It contained
bunkers for a rifle company, a mortar section, an artillery battery, and two M108s (Self
Propelled 105mm Guns). One small rocket was fired into the Horseshoe during the height
of the offensive but caused no casualties or damage. While there the Company conducted
patrolling, ambushing, check point duties, specialist and co-operation training with
supporting arms.
During platoon and section patrolling in the Horseshoe Area of Operations (AO) there were
several clashes with the enemy resulting in one enemy being killed, three surrendering and
one being captured. Several other enemy were wounded in clashes but attempts to follow
blood trails were unsuccessful. During this period Corporal G. Hoerara was killed and
another soldier wounded when an anti-personnel mine was detonated by a patrol.
Because of other operations in progress, an artillery battery was not available at the
Horseshoe so night activity was restricted to Mortar illuminating range. With usual Kiwi
ingenuity, the Hygiene NCO (John Colemen) managed to get the M108s running again after
being immobilised for many months. Ad-hoc gun crews were formed from mortarmen, and
ex armoured and artillery members of the company to provide direct artillery support to
patrols outside the Horseshoe. With a little experimentation and some on-the-job training,
two guns were soon in action thus allowing patrols to go out further from the base. Much
to the amazement of the Artillery Regimental Headquarters an "unknown battery" at the
Horseshoe sought permission each night to register targets and fire H and I Programmes
(Harassing and Interdiction). It was not surprising that when a field battery finally arrived
at the Horseshoe "someone" had used all their ammunition!
On the 11 February the Company was relieved by C Company and returned to Nui Dat, only
to deploy on operation Coburg the following day.
Company, leaving a small rear party in Nui Dat. V Company moved out from the Horseshoe
on foot to the south east to conduct operations in the Long Green. This was part of
Operation Forrest which was being conducted by the battalion to the north and east of the
Horseshoe. The other companies had many contacts with the Viet Cong who were
obviously redeploying for the Tet offensive. Operation Forrest concluded on 5 January
and the battalion, less W Company, redeployed on 10 January for Operation Duntroon,
conducted in the north west corner of the Phouc Tuy Province. Meanwhile W company
continued operations from the Horseshoe.
The Horseshoe was a fully developed Fire Support Base, on a low volcano-like feature on
the northern edge of the village of Dat Do and it provided a grand stand view of the
activities that took place in the surrounding villages during the Tet offensive. It contained
bunkers for a rifle company, a mortar section, an artillery battery, and two M108s (Self
Propelled 105mm Guns). One small rocket was fired into the Horseshoe during the height
of the offensive but caused no casualties or damage. While there the Company conducted
patrolling, ambushing, check point duties, specialist and co-operation training with
supporting arms.
During platoon and section patrolling in the Horseshoe Area of Operations (AO) there were
several clashes with the enemy resulting in one enemy being killed, three surrendering and
one being captured. Several other enemy were wounded in clashes but attempts to follow
blood trails were unsuccessful. During this period Corporal G. Hoerara was killed and
another soldier wounded when an anti-personnel mine was detonated by a patrol.
Because of other operations in progress, an artillery battery was not available at the
Horseshoe so night activity was restricted to Mortar illuminating range. With usual Kiwi
ingenuity, the Hygiene NCO (John Colemen) managed to get the M108s running again after
being immobilised for many months. Ad-hoc gun crews were formed from mortarmen, and
ex armoured and artillery members of the company to provide direct artillery support to
patrols outside the Horseshoe. With a little experimentation and some on-the-job training,
two guns were soon in action thus allowing patrols to go out further from the base. Much
to the amazement of the Artillery Regimental Headquarters an "unknown battery" at the
Horseshoe sought permission each night to register targets and fire H and I Programmes
(Harassing and Interdiction). It was not surprising that when a field battery finally arrived
at the Horseshoe "someone" had used all their ammunition!
On the 11 February the Company was relieved by C Company and returned to Nui Dat, only
to deploy on operation Coburg the following day.
The Horseshoe
28 December 1967 - 11 February 1968
