Peter Rogers
DFC
Pilot
161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight - Army Aviation
Nui Dat
Nov 1968 - Nov 1969
I was a Bell Sioux helicopter pilot. The Sioux marked a target for fighter bombers by placing white phosphorous or a smoke grenade onto an actual bunker or weapon pit. This was instead of having the forward air controller (FAC) fire a rocket to mark the target, which could have been 20 metres or more away. The Sioux would retire to a safe distance while bombs dropped, and then go in to mark the target again. Once, a passing American aircraft called the FAC on guard and said agitatedly, ‘Stop bombing, you have a small helicopter in your target area … you’ll blow him up!’
Service No. 1200956