MEN OF THE AUSTRALIAN BATTALION IN SOUTH VIETNAM SHARED IN A THREE-DAY OPERATION AGAINST THE VIETCONG WITH AMERICAN PARATROOPS AND SOUTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS LAST WEEK. HELICOPTERS CARRIED THEM INTO ZONE D, 30 MILES NORTH OF SAIGON, STRONGHOLD OF AN ESTIMATED 8,000 VIETCONG. AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS CLAIM 150 VIETCONG KILLED AND 10 CAPTURED DURING THE OPERATION.

THE AUSTRALIAN BATTALION REPORTED ONLY ONE CASUALTY, A MAN WOUNDED BY SNIPER FIRE DURING THE LANDING. THE "SWEEP AND DESTROY" OPERATION TOOK THEM INTO HEAVY JUNGLE WHERE THERE WAS CONSTANT DANGER FROM CONCEALED VIETCONG GUERILLAS. HIDDEN STORES OF RICE WERE DISCOVERED AND BURNED.

THE AUSTRALIANS AND AMERICANS WERE IN ALMOST CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH THE VIETCONG FOR ABOUT 14 H OURS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE OPERATION. ALTOGETHER, THERE WERE 2,500 AMERICAN, AUSTRALIAN AND SOUTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS INVOLVED.