Mike Dakin, RNZA, was a New Zealand artillery forward observer attached to D/16 Armor with the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) during the Vietnam War (1966).
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Straight as an arrow at this point, the North-South main trunk line lies before us - well, sort of. It's in need of some repair.
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Aussie infantry debusses from APCs of D/16 Armor to carry out a local search around the remains of the North-South railway.
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In the first operation in this area since WW2, we cross the Song Be to investigate reported VC activity. (March 1966).
![](songbe2s.jpg) Across the Song Be, bagged rice, a food reserve, also serves as overhead cover for a hidey hole.
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Willie Walker, Mike Dakin and Alastair McKenzie, our padre, take a break on the Song Be operation. |