108 Field Battery in action

In the recent 'Operation Paddington' in Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam, the 105 millimetre towed howitzers gave invaluable artillery support. Officers and troops of Australia's 108th Field Battery, 4th Field Regiment, were kept busy in their command post, plotting targets - and the gun crews were quick to respond. The howitzers were elevated to engage their targets, in one of the biggest offensives yet mounted by the Allies in the Province. Loading of the big howiters went ahead with speed and precision an indication of the intensive training these Australian gunners have received. Sights had been laid ammunition was quickly manhandled into position and with the order to fire the howitzers thundered out their lethal charges of artillery support. The firing continued with incessant regularity. The troops who took part in 'Operation Paddington' helped tp clear an area that had previously been dominated by the Viet Cong for more than seven years.