4 Suoi Chau Pha 'A Broad and Noble Stream'
For this was guerilla warfare, this was Vietnam, weeks of trudging and then a contact of a few seconds, over almost before it began. Lieutenant N. J. Clark, RAA OPERATION BALLARAT AND THE BATTLE OF SUOI CHAU PHA OPERATION BALLARAT WAS planned as a battalion–sized search and destroy operation between 4 and 16 August in an area of operations north–west of Nui Dat called LION. The Commanding Officer's concept called for a 'covert' move by foot into the area by companies so that the element of surprise would be preserved much more than if insertion were to be made by helicopters. Corporal Bill Fogarty of the Fire Assault Platoon wrote to his father: 'We set off with 5 days rations much to the consternation of the [Vietnamese Army attached] interpreters who think we are a bit simple to carry so much when there are choppers on call'. The operation was to be supported from a Fire Support Base (GIRAFFE) with the 106th Field Battery and the battalion mortars with protection provided by the 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit. Companies were firstly to gain knowledge of the enemy dispositions, strengths and tracks and then to capitalise on this knowledge by ambushing. When the ambush phase had been completed, enemy camps and installations were to be destroyed. Battalion Headquarters was located on Nui Nghe throughout the operation. Private Barleif 'Leif' Harstad of A Company wrote to his parents on 2 August: Anyway, tomorrow we have to go out again. This time we will be heading further north to where B Company has had several contacts with the enemy in the past week. That is not all!! Gabby [Hayes], our Section Commander, is in Saigon on 55