Post 1945, South East Asia, Vietnam, Fire Support Base Horseshoe, 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, 1966
Digital image of photograph of a 105mm L5 Pack Howitzer of 161 Field Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, in action ib Vietnam, 1966
105 mm howitzer, with a two-wheel carriage, split trail folding trail and a splinter-proof shield. Recoil system is hydro-spring controlled. Rate of fire: 5 rounds per minute, with a crew of 7. Breech: Vertically sliding wedge.
he L5 is a pack howitzer designed by OTO Melara of Italy and capable of being broken down into several loads which could be carried on pack mules, man pack or slung from a helicopter. Introduced into service in the Australian Army in 1963 a total of 120 guns were delivered from three purchases. The gun was issued to regular and reserve (CMF) artillery units and saw active service during the Confontation with Indonesia in Malaysia and in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967, including firing support to D Company 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment during the battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966. It was replaced in Vietnam in 1967 due to the stresses imposed on the gun from firing numerous rounds of ammunition. It was withdrawn from service in 1992.
The Horseshoe (also known as Fire Support Base Horseshoe, Horseshoe Hill or Hill 82), is an extinct volcano that was used by the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) as a military base during the Vietnam War. The Horseshoe is located approximately 9 km southeast of Nui Dat, 1 km north of Đất Đỏ and immediately east of Route TI 52 in Phuoc Tuy Province.[1] The Horseshoe is an extinct volcano with its crescent-shaped remaining walls (giving its Horseshoe shape) rising up to 100 feet (30 m) above the surrounding plains, while the southern end is open.The base was first established by the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment who air-assaulted into the area on 6 March 1967 in Operation Leeton. Occupation of the Horseshoe as a fire support base would allow artillery coverage of areas beyond the range of guns at Nui Dat and allow for patrols of the surrounding area.
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The original of this image is in the Collection of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of Western Australia.
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- Post 1945, South East Asia, Vietnam, Fire Support Base Horseshoe, 1967 (0km away)
- Post 1945, South East Asia, Vietnam,Fire Support Base Horseshoe, 1967 (0km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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