We stood to while Bravo Company checked the area of the contact. They found blood trails and drag marks. We sent out our own clearing patrols, had breakfast and packed up our camp. The morning briefing advised that the contact last night appeared to have been with a large force of enemy that had been moving east of Nui Dat between Duc Thanh to the North and the populated areas around Dat Do and Long Dien to the South. The enemy would need to stay close to the creeks and river systems, as this was the dry season.

Charlie Company was to search along the Suoi Lo Nho creek, North of the contact. The Company would split up into Platoons and operate at Platoon level. We saddled up and moved out.

Second Lieutenant David Paterson's took one half of 8 Platoon and moved out to start patrolling the creeks in his search area. Sgt Claude Hoppe commanded the other half-Platoon patrol. Almost immediately they entered their patrol area the forward scout of 2Lt Paterson's patrol sighted an armed Viet Cong walking down the dry creek bed. The scout opened fire and the Viet Cong ran off into the Jungle. The patrol followed the tracks until they ran out.

Shortly after 8 Platoons contact the forward scout from Second Lieutenant Tyson's half-Platoon patrol sighted a group of armed enemy in the bush. The enemy ran off as soon as they saw the Aussies. 2Lt Tyson's half-Platoon patrol tracked them throught the Jungle. Later that morning they caught up with them again. In opening exchange of fire one enemy was killed but the rest escaped into the Jungle. We were starting to learn how good the Viet Cong were at escaping into the jungle.

Sgt Dogs Kearney commanded the other half-Platoon patrol from 7 Platoon. During their search Woody, who was scouting, broke out of the Jungle into what looked like a desert area. All the vegetation had been scorched and there was no cover anywhere. Woody was having second thoughts about being a forward scout at this time. There was a little bamboo covered knoll in the middle and the Dogs wanted it checked out. It was a nerve wracking experience crossing to this barren knoll, you continually felt as if someone might be drawing a bead on you. Woody, Boodgie and Dixie were very relieved soldiers when they reached the knoll. Dixie decided that there was no point searching any further through this wasteland and they should return back to the creek. Woody and Boodgie agreed with enthusiasm and they hot footed it back into the jungle around the creek.

The Company continued to patrol the Suoi Lo Nho creek complex from 3 March to 6 March 1971, and although there were lot of tracks found within the creek complex area, we were unable to make contact with the enemy again.
On 6 March 1971 we commenced Operation Briar Patch I ... little did we know what was still in store for us.