LTCOL R.J. Gardner’s Regiment (1966 – 1968) Key Appointments: CO: LTCOL R.J. Gardner 2IC: MAJ P.R. Burns (Till 26/6/66), MAJ G.M. Salom RSM: WO1 D.A. Gilday (1966), WO1 L.M. Almond Adjt: CAPT M. Thompson (Till 18/12/66), CAPT B.H. Mitchell QM: CAPT J.L. Martin Batteries HQ Battery - (BC) CAPT N.J. Rogers, CAPT P.C. Jones, - (BSM) WO2 R.B. Hardman 101 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ N.H. Marshall 101 Field Battery - 101 Bty replaces 105 Bty in SVN - (BSM) WO2 E.F. Buxton 106 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ E.D.M. Cape- (BSM) WO2 H. Iddon 108 Field Battery - (BC) MAJ J.E. Jenvey - (BSM) WO2 T.P. Banfield Main Armament - 18 x L5 Pack Howitzer LTCOL R.J. Gardner became CO in February 1966 and the six-week Ex Barrawinga at Shoalwater Bay in October that year was planned as the test prior to Vietnam. However, because this was before the final National Service reinforcements and 106 had not been raised, it really only allowed SOPs and regimental systems in the field to be sorted out. There were no further external reviews of 4th Field's operational effectiveness prior to embarkation. 106 Bty (MAJ E.D.M. Cape) and HQ Bty (CAPT P.C. Jones) completed reliefs on 30 April 1967. 108 Bty (MAJ J.E. Jenvey) joined them on 10 June. On that day also, CO LTCOL R.J. Gardner assumed operational control of 1 ATF Arty (4 Fd Regiment including 161 Bty RNZA; det 131 Div Loc Bty; A/2/35 Bty US Arty—155 mm SP; and HQ and A/l/83 Bty US Arty— 175 mm/8 in.) About this time, the Australian field batteries' L5 Pack Howitzers were replaced by the US 105 mm M2A2 towed Howitzers as the former had cracked elevating arcs and were excessively worn. This extended the close support range by 1000 m to 11 000 m and assisted the revised operational concept in which the infantry battalions began moving further away from Nui Dat, accompanied by their direct support batteries. TFHQ was also regularly deployed forward. Harassing and interdiction (H&I) tasks were fired each night by most batteries. It also became acceptable for these batteries to act as an additional infantry company for village cordon and search operations. In July 1967, Op Paddington (a div seek out and destroy 274 VC Regiment) in the south- east of the province was controlled by 9 US Div. TFHQ deployed just north of Xuyen Moc and the CO controlled an additional four US batteries. Problems digging in the mud led to the concept of bunding earth around guns for protection within the wire perimeter of fire support bases (FSB). Here also, the 4th suffered its first WIA casualties: GNR W.D. Setzinger from a mine and GNR M.J. Poustie from a mortar attack. During Op Ballarat (a battalion group search and destroy operation) on 6 August 1967 in the Chau Pha valley to the south-west of Phuoc Tuy Province, A/7 RAR sustained enemy contact which developed into a company action. Under heavy and accurate small arms, machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire from a suspected VC company, FO LT Neville Clarke brought fire from 106 Bty within 50 m, causing the VC to break contact. Six Australians were killed and 14 wounded but it was estimated that up to 200 VC were killed or wounded. Clark and the company commander were awarded MCs. On 13 September during Op Ainslie (the resettling of the Xa Bang villagers to Ap Suoi
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