FRI MORN 6.30

28

My Darling Neisi,

As I told you on wed we were off to Danang to brief Gen Westmoreland on the RD defence plan we went out to PHU BAI, at 2 PM WED and waited - freezing until 7 to catch a plane with all our charts etc. We got to Danang at 8. - without dinner - went straight to I Corps and did a rehearsal of the briefing and we'd just finished our rehearsal at 10 - and were about to commence 2 DIV's rehearsal when a phone call came that he would only be in Danang for an hour so no RD brief - yetch! We packed up and flew back up yesterday morning and Colonel Berenzweij stayed down to see Westmoreland and was to fly back up yesterday at 2 to be here for his farewell dinner at the big new hotel at 7 last night - 150 officers from 1 DIV (US & Viet) and 3rd Marine DIV - and he got fogged in at DANANG - so we had the farewell dinner without the guest of honour, it was an absolute scream - they played Auld Lang Syne etc - while he was 80 miles away - probably a much better party without him. I got in a replacement yesterday for Cope a WO2 CHURCHIN he's been down VING TAN for 6 months an older WO seems O.K. I didn't see Ross in Danang as we were there such a short time. The replacement for Maj Aspinall has arrived - in May an Enginer. I don't think I know him. Col Kelly the new DIV Senior Adv is due in today - Graeser says he's OK and old airbourne CO - last posting ETHOPIA. I feeling a bit better now the docs taking blood tests again. I've been getting a lot of ulcers in my mouth and tongue and he reckons my bloods out of order. He's got me on the traditional iron pills - yetch!

We are going back into DIHN MOHN again in a couple of days VC have built up about 2 companies in there. I'm sure we are going to have a major attack somewhere in the next few days before TET (8 FEB). They hit his bridges last night we lost 8 dead. I think they are working on cutting the highway. Nasty morning yesterday just outside of town Civilian bus hit a mine. 5 dead 15 wounded - some very badly. One of our L19s was over head on ? it went up 20 feet in the air and just burst and fell burning - I hate it when civilians get hit, its just so wrong.

Must close now my pretty darling. I'm definitely on the downhill run now - I like all these people getting replacements it means I'm getting closer to going home and snuggling into the arms of my wonderful Niesi and that I like. Take care of yourselves my four wonderful girls.

I love you

Petie