CDT3 Vietnam
"Statistics aside, it is impossible to quantify the achievements of CDT3 in South Vietnam 1967 - 71.
There is no doubt this small band of Australians was known and respected for professional ability wherever the men operated.
Man for man, there probably was no more effective unit deployed during the war in Vietnam, on either side."
quote: Lex McAulay's book "In the Ocean's Dark Embrace".
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Honour Roll for CDT3 - Vietnam.
Located at RAN Diving School, HMAS Penguin.
1st Team
Rear: ABCD Peter Magnuson, Lt. Mike Shotter, ABCD Geoff Lassau.
Front: LSCD Phil Kember, POCD Brian Clark, LSCD Peter Boettcher.
Vung Tau 1967.
1st Team
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
2nd Team
rear: Lt. Bob Burns, ABCD Pat Zegenhagen, POCD Ron Donne.
front: ABCD Dave Trompp, LSCD Dik Blake, LSCD Mick Currie.
Vung Tau 1967-1968
2nd Team
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
3rd Team
rear: ABCD John Branch, Lt. David Lees, LSCD Dave Winkle
front: ABCD Ray Cocks, ABCD Jim Henry, POCD Bill Ellery
Vung Tau 1968
3rd Team
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
4th Team
rear: POCD "Blue" Cox, POCD Barry Wilson, Lt. Clem Littleton.
front: ABCD Harry Spicer, LSCD Dave Rhook, ABCD Col Darling.
Vung Tau 1968/69
4th Team
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
5th Team
POCD John Brumley, ABCD Andy Sherlock, ABCD Mick Ey, Lt. Alan Davis, ABCD Jeff Garrett,
CPOCD Vic Rashleigh.
Vung Tau 1969
5th Team
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
6th Team
Rear: ABCD Bob Wojcik, ABCD 'Tex' Bullock, ABCD 'Jock' Kingston, ABCD John Pocklington,
ABCD 'Banga' Barclay.
Front: POCD John Thompson, Lt. Alex Donald, POCD Bill Bailey.
Sydney 1969
7th Team.
Rear: ABCD 'Jock' Kingston, LSCD John Aldenhoven (replacement), LSCD Russ Steer.
Front: CPOCD John Dollar, Lt. Ross Blue, POCD John Kershler.
(inset ABCD Bob Wojcik - killed June '70)
Vung Tau 1970
7th Team.
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
8th Team.
ABCD Brian Furner, ABCD Tony Ey, Lt. Jake Linton, CPOCD John Gilchrist, ABCD Larry Digney,
POCD Phil Narramore - DaNang 1971.
* it is interesting to note that the 6 members of this Team all went on to provide a combined service of over 135 years to the CD Branch,
each serving a minimum of 20 years.
8th Team.
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
A very disappointed 9th Team completed their workup but failed to deploy due to the Australian Government's decision to withdraw all military forces from South Vietnam.
They were:
Lt. Norm Burt
CPOCD 'Sandy' Brennan
POCD 'Paddy' Turley
LSCD Tom McNab (standby from the 8th team)
ABCD Pete Lofts
ABCD Alan Dempster (killed in training - replaced by ABCD Bob Braithwaite)
ABCD John 'Porky' Rees
ABCD Pete Riley
The 9th Team in training, 1971.
Sandy Brennan, Pete Lofts, Paddy Turley, Norm Burt, Porky Rees, Bob Braithwaite.
missing: Tom McNab, Pete Riley.
9th Team.
Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.
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CDT3 Reunion - HMAS Waterhen 23rd April '07
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Duc Tan, South Vietnam 1971.
Probably one of the last photos of ABCD Bob Wojcik - cutting det cord.
(killed in Vietnam June 1970). (AWM)
Empty 50 cal rounds litter the deck. 'Snow' Davis thinks he's on a harbour cruise.
Mekong Delta 1969.
"Gently Digger, gently."
2.75" H.E. rockets - Da Nang 1970.
Ross Blue (OIC 7th Team) & 'Fred'
Vung Tau 1970.
CDT3 4th Team members, Col Darling (left) and Harry Spicer (right) visiting Harry Brankstone in the
after Seamans' mess onboard HMAS Perth when the ship entered Vung Tau for a couple of hours
on Xmas Day 1968.
2.75" rocket. Tony Ey & John Gilchrist.
Da Nang harbour 1971
1st Team.
L-R: Bristles Lassau, Peter Boettcher, Lofty Kember.
Vung Tau 1967.
Checking out a big 'Mutha". 'Lofty' Kember with sidearm.
Peter Boettcher wearing US 'jugs' and protective clothing of the day.
1967.
From left: Kember, Magnuson, ??, Boettcher, Clark, Lassau, ??
1967.
ABCD Geoff (Bristles) Lassau assembling a shot and toggle search line during
CDT3 (1st team) work up in 1966.
3rd Team - heading for Home.
from left: John Branch, Jim Henry, Bill Ellery, David Lees, Dave Winkle & Ray Cocks.
Dave Trompp - 1968.
"His name was Dave and he was big and rugged. The two Australians made a stencil of a kangaroo
and proceeded to spray paint red kangaroos all over (USS) Lipan."
*photo and quote from website:-
'Banger' Barclay giving the 'Royal' wave.
Mick Ey. In the 'Cave', VungTau, 1968.
It's all over - the last Team arrives back in Sydney - 5th May, 1971.
It might surprise some to discover the number of gallantry awards made to the Royal Australian Navy during the Vietnam War.
Based on number of gallantry awards received as a percentage of the number who people who served in those units, the RAN detachment of pilots to 9 SQDN RAAF tops the list with 37.5% receiving gallantry awards (albeit only 8 of them).
The RAN Helicopter Flight received 20.9%.
CDT3 received 14.3%.
By comparison the Australian Army's most decorated unit, the Aust. Army Training Team (AATTV) received 9%.
Receiving Naval board Commendations.
Members of the 1st Team.
l to r: Peter Boettcher, Phil Kember, Pete Magnuson, 'Bristles' Lassau.
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The following cartoons are the work of Pat (Zeke) Zegenhagen - 2nd contingent.
