It appears that the Mission placed considerable store on the two leads mentioned below even though the locations involved appear to be some 38 to 40 km northeast of the Last Known Position (LKP) of the aircraft. Here is a diagram that shows the relative locations. Copies of the source documents will be sought to ascertain why they were given so much weight.
The maps referred to on the diagram have been examined and a "Hill 1062" has been located. Hill 45 and Hoa Huu Hamlet cannot be found. To be investigated further.
SUMMARY
The summary of the Herbert
/ Carver investigation as stated in the report by the above-mention mission
is as follows:
“All available leads on the
missing Canberra bomber were discussed with the Vietnamese as were Vietnamese
anti-aircraft capabilities in the area in 1970. Only two leads were then
followed up on the ground:
Both locations were in Quang Nam Da Nang Province. At Hoa Huu Hamlet the mission was informed by local officials that there had been a complete change of population since 1971 and that no villagers had knowledge of crashed aircraft, graves or missing airmen.
The mission climbed as close to Hill 1062 (a very large densely covered mountain) as possible before being prevented by our military escort from progressing as they claimed that Hill 1062 was still heavily mined and even local inhabitants do not climb it. As the mission could not give a precise location on Hill 1062, a path could not be cut and cleared of mines.
The mission concluded that
no further investigation was possible until the mountains in the area were
cleared of mines. This will not occur in the foreseeable future as area
does not have apparent economic value.”
DISCUSSIONS IN DA NANG
“Courtesy call on Chairman of Ouang Nam Da Nang Provincial People's Committee, Mr Pham Duc Nam, Colonel Le Hai Ly, Deputy Commander Military Forces Da Nang area; Mr Tran Cong Cuong, Chief of Committee Secretariat; Mr Pham Duy Hien, Deputy Chairman representing Dai Loc District, Major Nguyen Van Than, Commander Military Forces Dai Loc District.
The Chairman, Mr Nam, described the problems the Mission would face in its task of investigating Hill 1062, pointing out that the terrain was rough, that if had been a "disputed zone", and that both sides had laid mines in these areas. Since the areas the Mission wished to look at had marginal economic importance, the mines had not been cleared and the areas were thus inaccessible. Turning to the proposed visit to Hoa Huu village, the Chairman said that ;here would be no problems with this and that local inhabitants were prepared to cooperate. In this regard, the Chairman displayed considerable knowledge of current Australian Government policies and developments In the bilateral relations and linked the cooperation given with the Improved state of relations.
Meeting with Colonel Le Hai Ly, Deputy Commander Military Forces Da Nang Area.
The purpose of the meeting was to confirm the types of antiaircraft weapons which were deployed in the Da Nang area during 1970 (a number of questions had been put to him at a previous meeting). Colonel Le advised that air defence weapons had been deployed in the area of Da Nang but these did not include surface to air missiles (SAMs). Nor were SAMs deployed at that time along the Ho Chl Minh Trail. Colonel Le went on to explain that the largest calibre anti-aircraft artillery deployed in the Da Nang area at that time were 57mm and 37mm guns. The capabilities of these weapons were enhanced by deploying them on high points where possible.
The Mission concluded that given the last reported altitude of the aircraft (22,000 feet), and the Information provided by Colonel Le, it was unlikely the aircraft was shot down unless It had, for some reason, descended to a lower altitude.”
SITE VISIT
“Visit to Dai Loc District
of Ouang Nam Da Nang Province to investigate Incident involving Flying
Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver -12 May 1984.
The Mission arrived in the vicinity of Hill 1062 at 0900 hours. The hill and associated ranges had been a 'disputed zone' and the scene of heavy wartime activity. The area contained mines and unexploded ordnance and these had not been cleared due to the area's marginal economic value. The Vietnamese had cleared a path to the summit of one of the foothills, Hill 45, containing old trenching and discarded military equipment which gave a view of the range and Hill 1062. Movement on the vantage point was restricted by the Vietnamese as the area had not been completely cleared of mines, and Hill 1062 was rugged, densely covered by trees and low scrub. On one hill smoke was seen and the Mission asked why this could be If the area was closed. The Vietnamese explained that it was probably a woodcutter's fire. Although the area was closed because of civilian casualties In recent years some people entered the area without authority and several were still being killed and maimed. It was apparent from observation that the nature of the terrain and safety aspects would make the search for a crash site, itself the subject of an unsubstantiated report, quite impractical.
The party then traveled to where a motorised sampan had been provided to continue the journey to Hoa Huu Village on the Vu Gia River. At Hoa Huu the party was met by officials of the village administration. They informed the Mission that there were no known witnesses, nor any knowledge of any crash site or human remains. The hinterland of Hoa Huu was steep, rugged and difficult country to move in. The Mission was informed that the population of the modern Hoa Huu village had moved to the area after 1975 and the population pre-1975 .had been subjected to relocation (which meant only daytime visits to the area for agricultural purposes). The Vietnamese were uncertain as to the present location of the pre-1975 population.
The Mission was unable to
draw any conclusion from the visit to Hoa Huu and returned to Da Nang.”