OT- Vietnam era question

[Targan]

Originally Posted by Matt Wiser

There was also a story of an elephant that was following a LRRP Team for several days, and then it charged. One of the guys did get stomped (broken back and clavicle) and the patrol leader had to call in a Dustoff....

I think that incident is described in a book I once read about the SOG forces in the Vietnam War. I may be mistaken though.

[Raellus]

I've read so many books about Vietnam LRRPs, SOG, SEALS, and Marine Recon that I get the stories mixed up sometimes but I remember one about a recon team being charged by an elephant. They used an M79 blooper to fend it off. It took a 40mm HE round (can't remember if it detonated or not; it may have been so close that the grenade didn't arm) and took off back into the jungle.

I'll have to skim through my collection and find that story. I'm sure I got the gist of it right but I'm probably missing some important detail or another.

In that same collection, I've also read about a couple of tiger encounters. I guess that's why they call it the jungle, baby!

Hey, can any of our Australian contingent here recommend a good first hand account of ASAS ops in Nam? I have an Osprey book on their unis, gear, weapons, and such but I'd love to read some eyewitness stuff.

[Legbreaker]

The movie, "The Odd Angry Shot" is worth a look if you can find it. Really shows Australian soliders at their best.

"The Team in Vietnam ....The Lighter Side" by Vic Pennington is a damn fine read. Details many, many (mostly extremely humorous) incidents over the course of a decade + members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV or The Team) experienced while serving throughout the country.

As for books on SAS operations in Vietnam - good luck with that. Unlike many nations, the SAS takes security seriously, even 30+ years later! There are certainly a few about though, but don't expect a lot of detail about events.