| Operation Merino |
| 18 - 25 July 1968 |
Operation Merino was a battalion-sized reconnaissance in force in the western part of the
enemy zone known as the Hat Dich. The enemy considered himself relatively safe and carried
out training and operational planning in the area.
W Company was initially the Fire Support Base Company with additional responsibility for an
adjoining AO. By late afternoon there had been several small contacts and D Company never
cleared W Company's AO for the duration of the operation, so the Company initially had a quiet
time. On 20 July the Fire Support Base was moved further into the area, some 4,000 metres
from Route 15.
On 22 July V Company located what appeared to be a sizeable number of enemy in a bunkered
camp. Two platoons were committed but returned to the company base as light faded. The
next day V Company again returned to the camp and came under heavy fire. The company then
withdrew to allow for air strikes, but darkness prevented a return to the scene. That night the
first battalion attack since the Korean War was planned.
The attack was preceded by a further airstrike and heavy bombardment by two batteries of
105mm and one battery of 155mm guns. Because of long delays in getting the assault
companies to the Start Line through the thick undergrowth, the bombardment was prolonged
considerably. W Company was left assault company with B Company on the right and C
Company, 1RAR, in reserve. (C Company 1 RAR just happened to be passing by en-route to Nui
Dat.)
The attack went in but the defended position had been vacated. (Just as well as the OC W
Company, the CSM and a signaller were the first to step from the jungle into the completely
flattened enemy position.) The scene was one of complete devastation - not a tree or leaf was
to be seen on the surface, but many of the bunkers were still intact. The enemy had flown.
The operation ended on 25 July and all companies returned to Nui Dat by air after 33 days
continuous operations. From 25 to 31 July W Company remained in Nui Dat preparing for
Operation Lyrebird.
enemy zone known as the Hat Dich. The enemy considered himself relatively safe and carried
out training and operational planning in the area.
W Company was initially the Fire Support Base Company with additional responsibility for an
adjoining AO. By late afternoon there had been several small contacts and D Company never
cleared W Company's AO for the duration of the operation, so the Company initially had a quiet
time. On 20 July the Fire Support Base was moved further into the area, some 4,000 metres
from Route 15.
On 22 July V Company located what appeared to be a sizeable number of enemy in a bunkered
camp. Two platoons were committed but returned to the company base as light faded. The
next day V Company again returned to the camp and came under heavy fire. The company then
withdrew to allow for air strikes, but darkness prevented a return to the scene. That night the
first battalion attack since the Korean War was planned.
The attack was preceded by a further airstrike and heavy bombardment by two batteries of
105mm and one battery of 155mm guns. Because of long delays in getting the assault
companies to the Start Line through the thick undergrowth, the bombardment was prolonged
considerably. W Company was left assault company with B Company on the right and C
Company, 1RAR, in reserve. (C Company 1 RAR just happened to be passing by en-route to Nui
Dat.)
The attack went in but the defended position had been vacated. (Just as well as the OC W
Company, the CSM and a signaller were the first to step from the jungle into the completely
flattened enemy position.) The scene was one of complete devastation - not a tree or leaf was
to be seen on the surface, but many of the bunkers were still intact. The enemy had flown.
The operation ended on 25 July and all companies returned to Nui Dat by air after 33 days
continuous operations. From 25 to 31 July W Company remained in Nui Dat preparing for
Operation Lyrebird.
