Friday, August 17, 2018

LGT (SGT):  In the early days of August exactly 50 years ago, ordered the Central Southern Department (alias Anh Trong, Brother Chin Nam or R), Tran Minh Tam, Deputy Division 5th Infantry Division VC, in collaboration with Dang Huu Thuan, provincial captain of the Ba Ria VC, prepared the ambush force from Nui Dat base, following the tactic of " . Results pm August 18, 1966, a fierce battle took place at the Long Tan Commune, Ba Ria,  108 soldiers of Company D  Battalion 6  Task Force 1 Australia  defeated War Military personnel on the 2,000 VC gunmen , causing the VC to die on 300 names and over 500 wounded; while Australia has only 18 people killed and 24 injured. Since then, the battle of Long Tan has become a great symbol of Australian military victory in the war against communist invaders, defending South Vietnam; and on August 18 the official Australian Government was chosen as Vietnam Veterans Day. On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Long Tan Victory, we would like to introduce an interview with Mr. Huynh Ba Phung, former President of the Australian Association of Colleges of Administration, Chairman of the Association of the Fraternity, (the official mouthpiece of CQN / ARVN Australia) in 2016, and he made further revisions to August 2, 2016. as the interview too long, so we c hia  do  3 parts:  part 1, Long Tan Victory and Historical Significance; Part 2 , Task Force 1 in Australia; Part 3 , Vietnamese-Australian friendship after 1975 .
LGT (Swords): Lieutenant Huynh Ba Phung was a soldier who had a very close and deep relationship with the Australian military in Vietnam before 1975, as well as in Australia after 1975. Major General Tran Thanh Phong, Chief of the General Staff, Appointed as commanding officer of the 10th ARVN Detachment from the year 1968 to 1972, Huynh Ba Phung has regularly and continuously worked with the Australian 1st Air Force Commander, Colonel Jack L'Epagniol (1968), Major Alan Cunningham (1969 - 1971), Lt. Col. Bryant (1970). In 1982, Huynh Ba Phung passed the successful refugee boat, arriving in Brisbane, married Colonel Jack L'Epagniol, Major Alan Cunningham and Lieutenant Colonel Bryant (Western Australia), with the former crown. Australian warriors who had visited Vietnam, had rushed to visit Huynh Ba Phung's Chancellor in Brisbane. Since then,
Recognizing the theme of the "50th Anniversary of Long Tan Victory" by the Sword Specialist, the official spokesman for the Australian Federation of Small Businesses (ARVN), in 2016, has a particular value for comradeship. We would like to send to you and your compatriot, interview Huynh Ba Phung, former CT / TH / CQN / ARV (2012-2013), CT / HCQN / ARVN / QLD ( 1992-2016). The interview was divided  into  three parts:  Part 1 , Long Tan Victory and Historical Significance; Part 2 , Task Force 1 in Australia; Part 3 , Vietnamese-Australian friendship after 1975 .
PART 1: LONG TIN AND THE HISTORY OF HISTORY
The Australian military is solemnly celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. From 1962 to 1972, more than 50,000 Australian troops participated in the war in Vietnam, of whom 521 were killed and more than 3,000 wounded.
Q:  President, in 2016, Australia will solemnly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory of Long Tan. Realizing that this is a very important and meaningful event, the General Association decided to win the title of Long Tan for Specialist Thuan Published in the end of this year. So, how long did the battle take place in Long Tan, and what are some important special meanings?
HB / HB: First of all, about the situation, as we have seen, the Australian military has been present in Vietnam since 1962, but there were only 30 advisers, with the responsibility of training the ARVN against VC rebels. By March 1966, due to the increasing level of aggression of Hanoi communist, then Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt decided to increase troops in Vietnam. Two months later, two newly formed Australian battalions were ordered to Vietnam and the 1st Australian Task Force (1st ATF), including Australia and New Zealand, was formed by General Oliver Jackson commanded. In addition to two new infantry battalions, the 1st Australian 1st Infantry Battalion also had four infantry battalions, two 105 mm single-battalion battalions, a 155 mm tank battalion on US M-109 tanks, New Zealand Artillery Brigade, One M-113 armored company and two unmanned missions were the 35th Caribou and the UH-1B. With the increase in military numbers, and the experience of fighting CS guerrilla war in Malaysia successfully, the Australian military has been The US and MACV agreed to grant  anti-VC responsibility in Phuoc Tuy & Vung Tau and Long Khanh. This area is now a strategic location so the VC has harassed, raided for a long time. So, in the presence of the extremely dangerous presence of the Australian military, the VC rushed to launch a pre-emptive strike at the Australian 1st Task Force headquarters in Nui Dat in mid-August 1966, and the battle The most important battle has been reported in English, Vietnamese, radio, television, newspapers, as well as the internet. So, given the interview here, we do not want to report on the battle, but just want to emphasize the historical significance of the battle of Long Tan. In Nui Dat, US tanks were converted into Australian sweepers, mines
Q: What is the meaning of Long Tan battle, Ch? 
HBP:  I think the battle of Long Tan has five meanings. The first meaning  Long Tan is an important  battle a glorious victory of the Australian military  In this battle  only 108 men of Company D  of the 6th Battalion  the 1st Australian Task Force  defeated the sea tactics of over 2,000 VC fighters  killing more than 300 VCs and over 500 men. injured; while Australia has only 18 people killed and 24 injured .
Q:  24 people injured? But some Australian recordings injured 26 people? ...
HBP:  I know there is a difference  But the number 24 I mentioned was based on a speech by Lieutenant General Michael Jeffery  the Governor General of Australia  on August 18, 2006  on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Long Tan victory .
Q.  And the second meaning  sir Ch / h?
HBP: Second meaning  the battle of Long Tan is a great symbol of the courageous fighting spirit and ability to fight the effective communists of the Australian military in Vietnam  whether new Company D Phuoc Tuy has 4 months  General William Westmoreland  Commanding General of the United States Military Advisory Command (MACV)  from 1964 to 1968  Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972  in the memoir  "A Soldier Reports"  his  published less than a year after CS accounted Saigon  also wrote the praise of Australian troops in the battle of Long Tan:  "This is the most intense battles of Australian troops [in VN]  in late summer 1966  when the great Australian team clash with an enemy force of about 1500 VC  in a rubber plantation  During three hours under the tropical rain that made the airstrikes suppressed  more than 100 Australian soldiers had defeated several waves of VC attacks  When the ammunition was nearly dry  the Australian helicopter pilots had the courage to cross the enemy's supply net  Thanks to the sound of the rain falling over the engine , Company A with armored vehicles can approach the besieged Company D before VC can detect it  After that the reinforcements had attacked enemy forces were scattered  leaving 265 corpses "
Meaning Tuesday  besides courage, warlike  through the battle of Long Tan  Australian troops also shows clearly they are professional soldiers of a civilized country  of the world Freedom  always rich in humanity  have self-respect  to fight against the VC a great clarity  and after the battle  was treated kindly with each VC prison  This is very significant and necessary to be applied in all wars; Left VC  cunning terrorists  use the old man Women  children ...  as human shields  or pretend to civilians  the shadow of temples  churches  schools  hospitals ...  to commit crimes .
Meaning Wednesday  from the important points mentioned  in 1987  when the witness 25 000 veterans Australia fought against VC in VN  attended the parade Home Welcome Parade on the streets of Sydney  Prime Minister Bob Hawke solemnly declare:  To always remember the noble sacrifice  of 50 000 troops Australians and 3 500 army and people of New Zealand  in the fight against the VC  defending Freedom in VN  special At the Battle of Long Tan  Australia was officially selected August 18 as the annual Vietnam Veterans' Day.
The fifth meaning , the  Battle of Long Tan and the engagement of Australia in Vietnam  helped the Allied nations  especially the United States  gain important lessons in the fight against terrorism in Iraq  A Phu Syria and Syria  Main Colonel Jack L'Epagniol  Company Commander Australian Special Report Troop VN 1968  in the article  "VN in my heart"  posted on railways Sacred Sword 2014  has said  the lightning military operation  " Acorn Ops "  by the Australian Army Corps and the 10th Military Corps Destruction of the VC's infrastructure in Phuoc Tuy  which he presented in his dissertation  "Not By Arms Alone"  and published in the  Australian Army Journal has been distributed to member countries of the Inter-Organist Organization Southeast Asia SEATO  and was applied by the United States in the war on terrorism in Iraq  Afghanistan  and especially in the raid of the killing of Bin Laden not long ago . 
Q:  Mr. Chh., In the light of the important meanings as mentioned above, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Long Tan battle on August 18, 2016, what will the Australian and Vietnamese community do?
HB / HB: On the VN side, as usual every year, CQN brothers and sisters will surely attend the celebrations, parades with Australian veterans throughout Australia. We hope the federal SSR community and states will also have special events on this occasion. On the part of Australia, it is certain that the federal government and states, the veterans associations of Australia (RSL), especially the Australian Veterans of War Organization (VVAA), have a solemn program, In order to once again, Australia honors the cause of the war against the Communist invaders, defending South Vietnam. In QLD state, we know that the VVAA / QLD will hold the 50th anniversary of Long Tan, with the participation of many Australian and Vietnamese guests, and of course, there will be The participation of the members of the Association.  At the end of July 2016, Mr. Darryl Shipp TTK / VVAA contacted me to provide them with the VNCH.
Q:  What is VVAA? When was the association established?
HBP:  VVAA stands for  Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, we called the Veterans Association of Australia to Vietnam. The association was formed around 1978 to support and assist veterans of the war in Vietnam to resolve the difficulties of the war. Initially known as the Vietnam Veterans Action Group, it was changed to VVAA. It has executive committees at the federal and state levels in Australia. By the same token, we would like to announce the good news to you and fellow countrymen, according to a letter from former Colonel Arthur Burke to us in September 2015, after 45 years of unremitting struggle, the former The Australian warriors succeeded in demanding the Australian Government, formally accepting the 105th Battalion of the 1st Australian Royal Artillery Regiment, to be awarded the Medal of Honor given by Vietnam during the Vietnam War. (Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation) which was awarded by the Republic of Vietnam in 1972 to recognize the important contributions of the Battalion during the Vietnam War in two years (the first 1965-66 and the second from 4.2.1969), including the Battle of Long New. The ceremony was held solemnly at Gallipoli, Enoggera, Brisbane. Unfortunately, when former Colonel Arthur Burke sent us invitations and awards for the Battalion, we were unable to attend. By the way, we also talked about this issue. After the Battle of Long Tan, President Johnson and President Nguyen Van Thieu decided to award the Medal of Honor and Medal to the units and soldiers of Australia. However, the Australian government at that time only accepted the US reward, but declined the reward of the Republic of Vietnam. It was not until 2004, after many campaigns, the struggle of veterans Australia, the Australian Government has recently enacted a law recognizing the recognition of foreign nationals for Australian individuals; and in 2008 it recognized the recognition of foreign honors for units in the Australian military. At that time, Company D and 13 soldiers, fighting in the Battle of Long Tan, officially received the reward of the Republic. Former Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith (Major General Company D Company in Long Tan battle), was honored to receive the National Medal of the Five Distinguished Privileges, Mr. Dung King with the Golden Star and British Heroes with Pearl Willow, the government of Vietnam.
Q: It is known that to eliminate war crimes, the VC is plotting to lure some Australian veterans to Vung Tau, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan. What do you think about this? 
HB / HB: In fact, conspiracy to halt reconciliation, to eliminate war crimes, the VC has done over the past few decades, but they still fail. Typical of the most recent fiasco, the Australian veterans organization RSL has decided to cancel the MOU they have signed with the VC. However, the VC still find ways to make a conspiracy to join hands with veterans Australia on the 50th anniversary of Long Tan. Specifically, the VC intends to hold many celebrations in Vung Tau and Ba Ria; and a dinner at the Pullman Hotel, Vung Tau on the evening of August 18, 2016, with the participation of about 40 VC names and a dozen Australians including former Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith (Maj. Battle of Long Tan). Therefore, we think the federal and state police, as well as the General Chapter and the Associations, should take necessary and timely measures to denounce this conspiracy.
PART 2: THE UNION OF AUSTRALIA IN VIETNAM
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Captain Huynh Ba Phung, Commander of the 10th Armored Corps of the Republic of Vietnam, and Captain Jack L'Epagniol, Commander of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat base in 1968.
Q:  Among ARVN veterans who settled in Australia, Chh. Was the one who worked most closely with the 1st Australian Task Force, when this Task Force was engaged in the Vietnam War. So, how do you start working with the Australian military ever, under what circumstances? 
HBP:  Australian Royal Navy 1st Task Force is based at Nui Dat - Ba Ria. In 1968, the Second Division was nominated, and Major General Tran Thanh Phong, Chief of the General Staff, appointed me as the 10th Task Force commander in charge of the Australian 1st Infantry Task Force. The replacement of Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Trung to Commune Headquarters in Hue. In early 1972, when Task Force 1 was about to leave, I returned to the original unit of the Second Division until April 30, 1975. I also add here, the Second Division / Department of the Navy has 15 Allied Forces, operating alongside the Allies, such as the United States, Australia & New Zealand, Korea, the Philippines, etc.
Q:  During my time with the 1st Royal Australian Task Force, what was the main task of the Chhon and the 10th Guards?
HBP:  The main duty of the 10th Company is to provide Australian Intelligence information  on active VC in Ba Ria & Vung Tau and Long Khanh Provinces so that the Task Force knows where the enemy is and in time. Have a plan to marinate them.
Q: The Royal Australian 1st Task Force has a base at Nui Dat - Ba Ria. What is this terrain like? 
HBP:  Nui Dat, about 9 km from Ba Ria Town. This is a fruit garden of all kinds such as breast repair, custard soda, jackfruit ... but almost the most. Especially a pepper garden, but abandoned because the order of the task force is not Australian troops eat, the reason is that these fruits have not been sterilized. As far as I know, the Australian army has to pay damages to the owner of the orchard up to several hundred thousand dollars annually.
Luscombe Airport at Mount Dat, the main base of the 1st Australian Task Force
Q:  Does Nui Dat have no stones?
HBP:  As for names, other mountains have rock and soil, Nui Dat is almost more than rock, a peak but not very high, the Australian Task Force used to be the place. To set up the Observatory and the Ebony 199 telephone exchange on it. There is also an airport for Caribou and a helicopter called Luscombe Airfield. This airport was officially put into operation on December 5, 1966; and Luscombe was the name of an Australian airman, Bryan Luscombe, who died in the Korean War on June 5, 1952.
Q: What  is the location of Nui Dat, and how are Australian military activities there?
HB / HB: Roads in the base are spacious plastic, along the road are mostly bananas. The troops in the base from the officers to the HSQ and soldiers live in large tents under the rubber trees and fruit trees, surrounded by tents surrounded by anti-shelling sandbags are very safe. The Task Force's offices and clubs were built of wood and steel roofs. The interior is fully equipped with amenities such as fans, air conditioner, etc. ... look very clean and spacious. The dining hall of the club is for SQ, while the HSQ and the soldiers eat at the club for them. Each Battalion had its own club selling from spirits to beer, soft drinks and cigarettes. There is also a full line of machines such as TVs, refrigerators and so on. There is no shortage of something that the American PX has. Every month there are ships from Australia to provide the task force with all needs of life.
Q:  Why did the Australian Task Force camp in Ba Ria?
HBP:  Ba Ria is a province that has been frequently invaded by the VC so the Australian Task Force chose to be the place to be a security guard for the Saigon Capital.
Q:  VC in Ba Ria is free, and how did the VC get involved?
HBP:  VC forces in Ba Ria at that time consisted of two Provincial Mobile Battalions, D.445 and D.440. Also, in every District, VCs have 3 to 5 Company Locations, but each company has between 60 and 80 employees. We also added that the Battalion D.445 of the VC encountered the Delta Company / Battalion 6 on August 18, 1966 and the VC suffered heavy casualties. New delegates carry the secret number D.440. At that time, the VC frequently shelled Ba Ria Town, the Van Kiep National Training Center and occasionally at Nui Dat.
Q: What tactics have you had to deal with the VC's turmoil? 
HB / HB: In order to avoid damage to the Nui Dat base, the Australian Task Force applied aggressive search and destroy tactics beyond the artillery range, making the VC unable to place artillery, shelling go to Nui Dat. I remember that time, in the evening, the GMC carried Australian troops along the roads around Nui Dat. These Australian soldiers, their face smeared to camouflage and sit there waiting for darkness will all disappear in the dark. Each soldier was equipped from submachine guns to medium guns, cord wrapped around him. They did not ambush at a certain location, and lay there if nothing came the next morning. Conversely, if something is suspicious, they will quietly patrol all night. Hit the enemy, they will attack lightning, and if necessary, they will call support guns. Without seeing the enemy, The next morning they gathered in another place, waiting for the GMC to pick up. Because they were always so active and unexpected, they were never attacked by VC. And thanks to the broader Australian ambush circle, the VC rarely attacked Nui Dat.
An Australian girl waved goodbye to her relatives on Sydney's flagship airport leaving Brisbane, Vietnam only in May 1967. During the period from May 1965 to November 1972, the HQ conducted a series of 25 transports of Australian troops from Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Townsville to Vietnam, helping the South Vietnamese fight against North Vietnam. invade
Q:  During the Vietnam War, how many Australian soldiers died, Mr.
HBP:  About the number of Australian soldiers sacrificed in Vietnam, there are many different numbers, 504, 508, 520, 521 ... According to official Australian government documents, is published on the  Australian War Memorial website , also On   the Australian Government's Archive Archives , a total of 521 Australian soldiers died in Vietnam. Of those, 496 were from the army, 17 were from the air force, and 8 were from the navy. This includes six Australian soldiers who were previously thought to be missing (MIA), but so far the remains have been found and returned to Australia. It should be added here, besides 521 Australian soldiers also have seven civilian Australians sacrificed in Vietnam.
Q: During the long time of fighting with the Australian military, what have you commented on the morale of the Australian soldiers and their relationship with the ARVN and the people of Vietnam? 
HB / HB: For many years working closely with the Australian Task Force on Mount Nui, we have to acknowledge that Australian soldiers are highly committed to teamwork and discipline, from working, walking or communicating. in addition to the population. They never walk alone one by one, and hang out in nightclubs as we often see in allied soldiers. They won a lot of sympathy from local people in Civil Affairs activities. I take, for example, the 10th Army and the Australian Task Force together with intelligence services to purge the VC in a certain commune. Early in the morning, the Australian Task Force was carrying large tents in a communal area. The outer ring was, of course, covered by the Task Force, at the same time the aircraft was flying in the loudspeaker area calling on the people to focus on. The place where the tent was set up for medical examination, dental treatment, Drugs and gifts for children. When the floodplain arrives in the compound, they will pass through the tents to the Puritan Detachment 10, when they reach the final tent, they will be examined by a doctor, dentist, dentist and dispenser. drugs, children are given candy, toys. Those who are suspected of being in the record of the Battle of the Company and being tracked beforehand, are automatically detained and will be finally dealt with. And the local people honestly do not stick to the VC, they are very happy to get medical examination, dental and drug free. Those who are suspected of being in the record of the Battle of the Company and being tracked beforehand, are automatically detained and will be finally dealt with. And the local people honestly do not stick to the VC, they are very happy to get medical examination, dental and drug free. Those who are suspected of being in the record of the Battle of the Company and being tracked beforehand, are automatically detained and will be finally dealt with. And the local people honestly do not stick to the VC, they are very happy to get medical examination, dental and drug free.
PART 3: THE AUSTRALIAN ARTS PERFORMANCE AFTER 1975
From the left,  Figure 1:  Colonel Jack L'Epagniol, Commander of the Australian 1st Task Force (1968) and Commander Huynh Ba Phung; Picture 2:  Major Alan Cunningham, Commander of the Australian 1st International War Corps (1969 and 1971); Cj / h Huynh Ba Phung; Figure 3:  Colonel Jack L'Epagniol, Alan Cunningham and O. Huynh Ba Phung, celebrate the reunion in Australia.
HUYNH BA PHUNG 11
Picture above: HBC Huynh Ba Phung, Colonel Bryant and Major Alan Cunningham, celebrate the reunion in Australia.
Q: After 1975  the Comrades between Ch / h and Australian soldiers who fought in VN  has continued to maintain and develop like? 
HBP:  In 1982, when I arrived in Australia, I met friends who had fought before 1975 in Nui Dat  although they lived scattered in the States but within the first year I met almost all of them.  Among them are two best friends  The first was Colonel Jack L'Epagniol  working at the ACT Police Command  He retired and is now living in Canberra  The second was Major Alan Cunningham  He also retired at QLD . 
Another friend, Lieutenant Colonel Bryant, lived in Western Australia  When my Australian friends told me I was still alive and now living in QLD, he came to visit me  In summary  during the long life and living fight here  friends in Australia who fought with me in VN  always side by side and sharing as well as wholeheartedly help  support those when I needed  Especially the building of the Australian War Memorial  we have been helped by many veterans of Australia who participated in the war in Vietnam with us . 
Question:  Before the sacrifices and contributions of Australia in the war before 1975 and the settlement of Vietnamese in Australia after 1975, he found the Vietnamese community we have been grateful for Australia?
HBP:  In the face of the great sacrifices of the Australian troops in the struggle against Communist North Vietnam invading South Vietnam, the Vietnamese love our freedom, especially the Vietnamese Communist Party In Australia, there is always the duty of gratitude to Australia, gratitude to the Australian military, especially the Australian soldiers who have deserted in Vietnam. We must honor them, inscribe their names on the stone, in mind, to comfort some of the families who gave their lives, husband, father, son, brother, brother ... in the war. Over the past several years, most Australian states, including the QLD, have built the Vietnam-Australia Veterans Memorial. The construction of the Statue is grateful to the Australian Government and the Australian Army, who fought to help South Vietnam fight the invasion of the communists. By the way, we also would like to announce the good news, in late October, Tran Huong Thuy, Chairman of Wollongong Communications announced, Hall of Honor and Memorial to the Republican Army of Vietnam Republican and Australian Dr. Born in the National War in Vietnam was approved by the City Council at Mac Cabe Park, downtown Wollongong. In addition to the construction of the Statue, the Vietnamese community and the Federation of National Fraternities in the states have also celebrated the gratitude of Australia during 2012, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Australian Army's invasion of Vietnam. freedom for the South.
On Saturday, June 23, 2012, the Association honors Australia and Australia in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Australia's invasion of Ha Noi. Do. Top 5 Australian Married Companions in Vietnam Who Receive Diplomas of the Vietnam Association of Government / Army / QLD
Q:  As mentioned above, each year VVAA / QLD celebrates the anniversary of Long Tan Anniversary, with the participation of many members of the Association. So, through interviews with Australian veterans, what do they think about the Vietnamese community in Australia, and the future of freedom and democracy in Vietnam when communism is absent?
HBP:  This is an overwhelming question, to answer fully must take time and require specialized knowledge. That goes beyond the capabilities of an older combat soldier like me. So I would like to briefly answer in personal thought. First of all, I see that the veterans of Australia who have participated in the war in Vietnam are proud of being fought alongside South Vietnamese soldiers to defend South Vietnam. They also acknowledge that thanks to that struggle, the South was free for 20 years, and after 1975, the Vietnamese community in Australia was formed and developed today. They also believe that only a few decades later, the contribution of the Vietnamese community to Australian society will not be lost to any other community, including the mainstream. As for the  "free future, democracy in Vietnam once the CS"Many Australian veterans also believe that day is not far off. Therefore, they also long for us, the Vietnamese refugees, especially the ARVN / ARVN, should uphold their beliefs and persistently fight against communism until the day the Communists are completely collapsed in Vietnam. . They also affirmed, if in the past, the Australian soldier has joined forces with us in the fight against communism, now and in the future, when the Communists still exist, that day they will continue in the war. We have  comrade-in-arms  with us to fight CS. END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT.VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.17/8/2018.

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