DEALING WITH THE PAST . . . We hired a bus and took along with us some local guides, setting off at 6:30am. One of our guides became sick and we dropped him off in Long Thanh (we had stopped for breakfast). He was going to recover and make his own way back to HCMC (he had come down with acute travel sickness). Severe persecution in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. When we arrived at a Ba Ria farm house, there were a group who had gathered in anticipation of our visit. As we were leaving, One of our guides became afraid when our van refused to start due to a fuel blockage. It didn't take long for us to come under notice as the locals gathered around the bus. We were conscious of the fact that amongst the onlookers would probably be communist sympathizers and our prolonged presence was endangering those we had come to visit. We decided to act the part of dumb tourists who had got themselves lost. At least that provided us with the opportunity for some humour. Bruce (a mechanic by trade) threw himself into the challenge, and between himself and the driver they got the bus going. We all breathed a sigh of relief as we departed, glad that we were on our way, but sad in the aspect of not being able to spend more time here. In a way I felt robbed. I suspect that they were more afraid for us than themselves. We were conscious of our prolonged presence causing them unnecessary exposure to the authorities. We headed for Long Tan, site of 'D' Coy, 6 Battalion/NZ, victory over the VC and NVA, during the period 18th-24th August 1966. …more…