Three Zero Alpha

Three Zero Alpha is the story of 3 Troop, an armoured cavalry unit (Armoured Personnel Carriers) APC and its Troop Leader, Ray De Vere, during the Vietnam War. Three Zero Alpha was Ray’s radio call sign.
Arriving in Vietnam, the men are rapidly introduced to the taking of human life and the horror of dealing with it. There is a tragic tale of a river ambush, and the impact that it had on many members of the troop.
Vietnam was not a war with declared front lines, and the enemy was everywhere. The farmer with a hoe in his hand, who waved to armoured vehicles going down a track, might put down the hoe and pick up a rocket propelled grenade to fire at a passing APC.
In June 1969, the troop was involved in one of the most significant battles of the Vietnam War. The Battle of Binh Ba was fought in a built-up area against two battalions of a North Vietnamese Army regiment. Supporting the troop, tanks and an under strength infantry company made up the Australian component.
The battle was fierce. Infantry soldiers found themselves in a building facing the enemy and throwing hand grenades back and forth. Ray gives credit to his troop for the way in which they maintained their drills, discipline and courage which led to success on the day.
An important part of the success of 3 Troop during its time in Vietnam was the bond and camaraderie that was developed amongst its members. In a lengthy epilogue Ray provides anecdotes of how this camaraderie has continued to this very day.