11.30 TUE NI 4

APR

My Darling Neisi
And little princesses Just back from S W/OUT J. We've been up there for two days - very little contact. Came back by Junk fleet that wooden deck gets harder every time - must be getting old.

Nice letter waiting for me (22 MAR) Glad your hair came out so nicely - you know I'm all in favour of you getting it done my darling - and of getting yourself a few cosmetics etc - you don't exactly squander money on yourself my pet - get out and buy yourself a few little treats - that's a Petie order. Isn't Kim a funny little sweetie with her insects. K.As dress for the wedding sounds jolly nice I bet she looks lovely in it. When did you start this 2 CAMP HOSP visiting I'll bring home some V.C. plastic explosive for the mower and we'll send it off in style! I think its time we gave the old beast away - particularly after the battles you've had with it my poor little darling. Some of the Camel have been gift ones and are already marked as such - we've got a carton a month roughly from the U.S. RSL. I'm going down to DANANG on FRI to pick up a new pistol - when my radio operator was killed at PHU THU on the 11th he was carrying my .45 pistol - and the grenade blast and frags damaged the pistol so the adm officer is sending one up a replacement Browning with the courier on FRI also I want to chase the phantom kitbag We weren't really surprised to see them back at PHU THU. They said they were coming back to drive out the Govt troops and the adv. They told the villagers the US Maj and his team who were due to go out there Are NOT going. They went out and had a look and refused to occupy it which gave the VC a complete psychological victory. I don't like the new Colonel nearly as much as old Graeser. Bit of a bull at the gate job and not terribly bright but we'll cope with him. I think I'll close now little sweetie I'm pretty beat. I'll finish this in the morning to catch the 12.30 mail. Sleep tight my lovely wife I adore you.
7 am

Another busy night VC hit both sides of HUE at 0200. They hit LONG THO centre where WO2 SIZELAND works so we took out the reaction force. We didn't take any cas but Long Tho lost 7 dead 11 wounded including 2 officers dead 3 offr wounded.
[Piece missing] The first
Mortar rounds fell on a hut where the officers were sleeping

They also hit 1st Bn 3 Regt on the other side of 1 am We had Puff the Magic dragon up and he broke up the attack. We got back in at 6 and I've cleaned up and eaten - now off for another day at the office. I'll be very glad to see 23 JULY my darling. Amongst many other things I want to snuggle down with a lovely Neisi tucked into my shoulder late and go to sleep with no telephone NO alarm bells just a lovely young wife cuddled next to me - I like Better close now and get to work. Take care of yourselves my darlings I love you so very very much.

Petie