S. VIETNAM 1968-1969
My curiosity to experience a war, drove me to the war in South Vietnam. Was war like in the Hollywood movies? I walked into Vietnam on February 14, during the Tet Offensive. A month later I had a job as a sound-man for UPI-television news and I got to see war up close. Three months later I made a test film, was hired and became a cameraman. I obtained a Nikon F with 105mm lens from Dana Stone, a photojournalist and good friend. I started to sell my film to ABC TV: combat footage US $75,- non-combat US 50,- still photos to UPI US$ 5,- they bought the film/negatives and no credit as a free-lancer. That was the start of my career as a photojournalist. I preferred still photography over camera work since I think it was more of a challenge and gave me more independence. Different times…Insane times
Still in Cambodia, near Bavet, less than a mile from the border(Taken with Minox-B 8mm)
February 13, 1968. The shrapnel and bullet ridden Cambodian border station. They'd been attacked the night before I arrived. Spent ammo and some dud mortar rounds littered the ground.
February 13, 1968. During the night, the Cambodia border station had been attacked. That morning South Vietnam was closed.
February 13, 1968. The gate to South Vietnam was closed with a big padlock. I tried again the next day.(Taken with Minox-B 8mm)
February 14, 1968. I'd taken a motor cycle taxi to the bridge over the Vam Co Dong River, leading into the town of Go Dau Ha.
February 14, 1968. Vietnam-Cambodia, Mộc Bài-Bavet Border Crossing (Taken with Minox-B 8mm) In the background the South Vietnamese immigration building. I had the equivalent of US $ 0.75 in Cambodian Riel left, which I changed with the immigration official.
I took a motor cycle taxi from the Cambodian-S. Vietnamese border to the bridge. Then a sampan, with some betel nut chewing ladies into Go Dau Ha, where I walked into a small Special Forces base camp.
Saigon had sent a helicopter for me. Some 'people' in Saigon wanted to talk to me. My first ride in a helicopter.
With 16 mm Bell & Howell ©Dana Stone
©Dana Stone
MACV Card
With my first Nikon F with 105 mm lens, I had traded with Dan Stone ©Yvon Cornu
From Right to Left. Dana (American photojournalist) and Louise Stone, Chas G and Ib Heller (Danish camera man for UPI-tn) Ib had hired me as his sound man. ©Unknown
A medevac helicopter landing to pick up wounded.
A raincoat
Moving a village. The area had been declared a 'Free Fire Zone' (=Kill anything that moves)
Moving a village (The area had been declared a 'Free Fire Zone')
Understandably: No smiles
July 1968. Circle Sportive, Saigon, a different life. (Minox-B)
In Saigon life continued as usual. The Circle Sportive, Saigon (Minox-B)
Yes, I got to experience what bombing and strafing a village is like. A selfie with Minox-B camera. Vietnam was insanity! Makes you think of 'Apocalypse Now' ?
Blowing bunkers
Marine Patrol: checking for contraband; soap...,cigarettes....., weapons...They found American soap, washing powder and cigarettes (Marlboro red). They kept the cigarettes and dumped the rest into the river.
The bar of the Military Police, River Patrol.
Patrolling the river with fast speed boats, M60 machine gun mounted on the fore-deck. Checking South Vietnamese boats for contraband and sometimes used for water skiing. It was a game: the MP would ski, Charlie would try to hit the water skier, but only with single shots. "Firing on automatic was not considered sportsman like," I was told. What some people will do when they are really bored....