This following verse is a composite of three trips that I did in early 1966,
to Viet Nam, Malaysia and Borneo during the Viet Nam conflict. I was a
Loadmaster for over 3 years with 36 squadron. In those earlier days we only
had 36 Squadron operational, there was no 37 Squadron at the time, time as
they were just starting to get formed up and were still in America.
The earthly remains of all Australian servicemen killed in Viet Nam were to
be transported home to Australia for internment. The Hercules of 36 squadron
was used on their weekly trips to Viet Nam. All Australian servicemen killed
in that area of Viet Nam were transported by what ever means was available
to a very large Mortuary run by the Americans in Saigon. This establishment
on Tan Sun Nut Airport, was a very morbid place as can be imagined. There
were around 1000 aluminium transportation boxes in the yard at any given
time. It was here that the remains of our servicemen were kept until we
arrived to transport them home. Later on when I did my tour of duty in Viet
Nam the remains were placed on the weekly Qantas charter.
When we started we used to keep the remains on the ramp of the aircraft, as
much of the flying was over water and it was thought that if any emergency
occurred we would be able to jettison the remains first. later this was
thought to be unacceptable so we then positioned them just forward of the
ramp. Then another time we used to position them up forward. But this was
not very acceptable when we were also carrying stretcher and walking wounded
at the same time. On top of that we could have up to 15000 pounds of
miscellaneous freight on board as well. In these days the trips were not
very comfortable and were quiet cramped with the variety of load that we
carried. This of course changed when 37 Squadron came on line and took over
the responsibility of hauling the wounded. Also with their greater capacity
for load and fuel, they were able to overfly Indonesia and fly direct from
Butterworth to Richmond. This was also a long flight I believe around 13
hours non stop but they had the added advantage of having extra crew to make
it a little more bearable.
In those days of Viet Nam we used to work a slip crew system. A crew would
take an aircraft up to Butterworth. There would be a spare crew waiting to
man the aircraft on a one day on one off system. The crew that brought the
aircraft up from Australia would rest on their first day and the slip crew
would take over, so then we would take turns at doing whatever tasks were
required for that trip. On the return trip the slip crew would man the
aircraft and the original crew would wait for the next aircraft to come up
from Australia. This was usually only 2 or 3 days but because of the amount
of tasks required we could stay a lot longer. Then there was the
unserviceability factor, which would occasionally plague the fleet I
remember once there was more than half the C130A fleet at Butterworth at the
same time. This was not all due to unserviceability with our aircraft but a
combination of extra tasks and other special requirements. As well..
In those days of the Viet Nam conflict we tasked into Thailand, Borneo,
Singapore and anywhere else that was required. Sometimes we would be aware
of these requirements before we left Australia and at others we would be
notified on our arrival in Butterworth.
I have put these few thoughts together as these days you do not see much
about the Hercules in the press and for that matter there were not a lot
about this magnificent aircraft in the 75th. Anniversary celebrations. In
fact in the programe I had I think it only featured as an advertisement for
some avaicinics firm and maybe one picture.
In my day there was very little aircraft movement that did not require the
back up support that the C130 was able to provide. Not only did we provide
this back up but we were checked out on heavy drops, A22, Compacts and
Paratrooping and in our spare time we were also sent out on SAR and all
other sorts of emergency work.
We also had some very interesting times as well, I remember one such time:
We were transporting Bloodhound Missiles back to Darwin after they had been
overhauled and checked in Williamstown, I'm not sure now but I think we did
a change over every week or two.
We were nearing Darwin somewhere around 1am. and I had just did a run around
to make sure the aircraft was clean and tidy and everything was secured The
Pilot just started his descent into Darwin and was up near the wheel well
when all I could smell was Kerosene. I called it in to the Pilot and started
looking around and to my amazement I found Kerosene! dribbling out of the
Bloodhound missile. It was pouring down in front of the alternators, etc.
located under the flight deck. For awhile you can guess what turned up
trumps we aborted the decent and mopped up as best we could the spilt
kerosene. The Co Pilot put out a pan call
We found one of the Bloodhound servicing crew who was travelling with us.
But there was nothing he could do. So after a bit of a discussion ,we
decided that I would stand at the front of the missile and, notify the pilot
when the kerosene started to run out into a couple of sick bags. In this
manner we descended into Darwin it took a long time but in the end we made a
very successful landing and taxied in to dispersal.
We had only just set the park brake when the Crew entrance door crashed
open. In charged one of the biggest Santa Claus I have ever seen. (I was
about to give Santa a piece of my mind as the crew entrance door was only
supposed to be opened by the crew. But I stopped just in time. You see that
big jolly chap in his bright red suit and helmet was coming in to see that
we were all OK and to give us what ever assistance we needed). After that I
never growled at a fireman again.
Bill Ross....
THREE ALUMINIUM BOXES
We set on out from Richmond field, aboard our Hercy Bird
To start our trip to Viet Nam, so early one fine morn.
The Bird we took was a well tried Hack
It was the Flag of 36, wearing a great big one and six
There proudly on its tail, it would see us safely through.
We went on first to Laverton, then said "Hello" at Adelaide
Finished up at Pearce Field, it was a long monotonous trip,
We had our tea a beer or two, then off to bed we went,
For at 6 AM the very next day, was the start of a very long leg.
We called on in at Cocos, for our Bird was rather Dry,
It had been a darn long leg and our load, it was not light
So we let her down, and had a chat and talked of happy things,
Then off we went, another long leg, on our way to Butterworth.
Now when we reached Sumartra Tip and turned to run the leg,
It did seem strange, with rockets pointing at our tail,
For it was a time of confrontation, when Sakano beat his drum,
It was a cheery feeling, to have a Lightning near at hand.
We made it up to Butterworth just as the first red light blinked on,
Then number two it flashed, just as we cleared the fence,
So we taxied in, about to stop, just as the third red light lit up,
But, our heavy load was safe and sound.
We made the Mess, me Mate was hurt
This meant his shift was mine, so my rest went by the board
Now his trip, it was a tour of Viet Nam
So we set on out to Bien Hoa, to help the training Team.
We unloaded all our heavy load, beside the taxiway
Box by box we pushed it out, as we were fitted out real well,
With eight skate Wheel rollers and, a bloody great big Pry Bar.
In that stinking Viet Nam heat, My God!! We looked a sorry sight.
When half way through a "SALVO" said,
"Come have a cuppa and a chat, or you'll surely melt away"
So out we got and had a cup, with a little cheery chatter,
Refreshed we started back again, and cleared that great big load.
After this we put half back again, as all our load was on the floor,
Yes you guessed it, the heaviest up the front
To help our Bird fly flat and level,
So off we went for our next stop, the lovely town,Vung Tau.
"The Riveriera of the Orient" they said, just a mess of gear from end to
end,
My God! What a mess! we stopped twice while taxiing,
So the Loady. could clear loose stores, from the Taxi edge,
But here there was an Air Move Gang, so a rest was all the go.
The next leg then was Ton Son Nut,
This was the worst part of the trip
To pick up young men who had fallen,
All packed, in Aluminium Boxes.
This day we picked up the first NASHO, lost in Nam
We could not stay, as a fire fight was on,
Not three miles from the end of strip,
So traffic it was quiet heavy, as we left with three aluminium boxes.
Back to Vung Tau, then next we went
To load our freight right up the front,
With walking wounded down the side,
The stretchers next went down the back,
With three aluminium boxes on the ramp.
"O Jesus, save me " one young man cried,
As he held a bible to his chest, a very frightened cry!
From start to finish of that leg, that's all the boy could say,
A haunting cry I hear it still, Will it never leave?
We made it back to Butterworth, two hours after sunset,
To the happiest smiling face you've ever seen
With big broad smile, and nice white teeth
"You're on again tomorrow, you leave at 7 am."
The next day it was a Boomer, as our first stop was Bangkok,
Where we off loaded Pax and 7000 pounds of freight,
Then we were off to Vientiane, to leave the Kids 10,000 pounds of milk;
With hope they would get well again,
A deathly silent place it was, it was good to be away from there.
Away we flew it was to Ubon, where we scored a trip to town
We brought some silk and lovely bronze,
Then back to base to leave on time, but got caught in taxi traffic
Then Control did say "Just hold position, we have incoming traffic".
Now would you believe 70 Phantoms crossed the fence,
When that little mob got in,
About 20 assorted transports, brought in all their extra gear,
A sight to see, as we waited there, on that Ubon afternoon.
We spent so much time in taxi traffic,
At the next cross over, we had to leave
To top up fuel and change our load,
Then back to base three hours late.
Well two days later Kuching was ours,
To change over 90 Gurka troops,
We laughed and joked a lot with them
Especially, when the change over troops
Brought Monkeys, Snakes and Birds on board
Their pets they said, they had to go.
.
With lots of very careful steps
I moved around the back that day,
A happy little group they were,
With them around the 8 stone top
And me; a hefty 13 plus.
Next day we started off for home
We had our wounded and our freight,
With three aluminium boxes on the ramp.
We run the leg to Sumatra tip, then straight on down to Cocos Isle,
We called the local Doctor, for one young lad, who was so white
We thought he'd call it quits right there,
An extra hour we just sat, but he was as tough as nails,
The Doctor said "Just keep on going, you'll never get him home alive"
So we cranked up our trusty Hercy. Bird,
and made our dash for home,
If he was going to give up the ghost,
we'd see he did in Aussie land.
Now in all this time our special nursing Sister,
She never left his side, now that's a real mean feat,
With freight and wounded all around,
And near on 13 hours in the air.
When Pearce lights they did show up,
We called for help, we thought him gone,
They raced him off to Perth that night,
And drained that head wound clean.
The grape vine said he would pull through,
What a gutsy kind of lad.
Next morn one aluminium box was gone
"Where is our third" I asked
"We have sent our first NASHO home by Dakota flight,
There could be trouble when you land at Adelaide,
So we hope we've spoiled their little plot".
And when at Adelaide, we did arrive
A crowd of people there surely was,
All quiet and hushed, they just looked on,
As no aluminium box came off.
We dragged on home to Richmond Base,
Where somehow, we tried to act like normal men,
To do our work as best we could,
Until our next trip, come round again.
Bill Ross 1996
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