Battle of long tan casualties

The defining battle of the Vietnam war is now the subject of the film Danger Close. Harry Smith recalls the afternoon that changed his life.

Although the Australians were heavily outnumbered and almost overwhelmed by the Viet Cong the battle ended in a decisive victory for them, establishing their dominance over the province. This has included the possibility that the Viet Cong had intended to attack and overwhelm Nui Dat, with the initial plan to mortar the base to draw a response force into an ambush after which the base would be attacked and captured, but that they had been prevented from doing so after clashing with D Company, 6 RAR. A second possibility was that they may have had the more limited aim of drawing D Company into an ambush to destroy it and secure a small victory over an isolated force. Finally, it was possible no ambush was planned at all, and that the Viet Cong had been moving on Nui Dat in regimental strength when they unexpectedly ran into D Company, resulting in an encounter battle. Later interviews conducted by an Australian veteran of the battle Terry Burstall, with commanders of the th Battalion and D Battalion including the battle commander and later Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Thoi Bung indicate that mortaring was intended to draw out the 6 RAR out of their base, in which an ambush was to occur followed by a retreat before artillery and air support can be utilised, typical of the grab-by-the-belt tactic. After two months it had moved beyond the initial requirements of establishing itself and securing its immediate approaches, beginning operations to open the province. For several weeks Australian signals intelligence SIGINT had tracked a radio transmitter moving westwards to a position just north of Long Tan; however, extensive patrolling failed to find the unit.

Battle of long tan casualties

D Company was on a company patrol named "Operation Vendetta" that remained in place until approximately hours 18 August The Task Force then commenced "Operation Smithfield". The Battle of Long Tan occurred in the late afternoon of 18 August in a rubber plantation some metres to the east of the Task Force base at Nui Dat. The events of previous days set the scene. They were trying to locate enemy identified in the latest intelligence reports. Estimates of enemy strengths operating in the area varied from - However the most recent patrols had only fleeting contacts with 3 - 6 man groups. There appeared to be little to add any substance to reports of three enemy Regiments operating in the area. A Coy, 6RAR were also away from the Nui Dat base involved in patrol work, but they were operating to the east and north-east. A Coy had been in three small contacts, killing 2 VC and capturing one. Once again, nothing to indicate a large force. The constant poor conditions while in the field were generally little better than in camp as at this stage there was a lot of work required in the base camp area to build up defences. Compass bearings were taken by various units as to the direction from which the mortars had been fired, and soon the Artillery at the base camp returned counter bombardment fire. The following morning a further patrol - B Coy, 6RAR - was sent from the base to find the firing location of the enemy mortars, and harass the VC responsible. This was considered unlikely, although not impossible, and thus 5RAR were ordered to return to Nui Dat.

Unique memorial - the Long Tan cross, battle of long tan casualties. One of the Australians was immediately shot and killed as he did so, while two more were wounded before they reached a position of temporary safety. Smith kept moving his platoons into strategic positions, lrsd times without radio communication, to within metres of the enemy.

Harry Smith. American intervention Post- Paris Peace Accords — Lists of allied operations. Facing a larger force, D Company called in artillery support. Heavy fighting ensued as the VC attempted to encircle and destroy the Australians, who were resupplied several hours later by two UH-1B Iroquois from No.

On August 18, , in a rubber plantation near the small village of Long Tan, Australian and New Zealand soldiers found themselves encircled by an overwhelming force of over 2, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops. These men, vastly outnumbered, fought for their lives in the face of insurmountable odds. What led to this dramatic confrontation in the jungle? And how did a small contingent of ANZAC troops manage to hold their ground against such a formidable enemy? The Vietnam War , a protracted conflict that lasted from to , had entered one of its most intense phases by the mids. This period saw increased involvement from the United States and its allies, including Australia and New Zealand, in support of South Vietnam against the North Vietnamese forces and their Viet Cong allies. The region, known for its rubber plantations and dense jungle, became a focal point for operations against the Viet Cong. In early August , the Australian forces initiated a series of operations to disrupt the Viet Cong, who were believed to be planning an attack on the Nui Dat base. The Viet Cong, reinforced by units of the North Vietnamese Army, had been preparing for a significant engagement.

Battle of long tan casualties

The battle of Long Tan was fought on 18 August During the battle, 17 Australians were killed and a further 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of wounds. This was the highest number of Australian casualties incurred in any one engagement of the Vietnam War.

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Official war artist Bruce Fletcher compressed some aspects in time and embellished others: the ammunition re-supply was free-dropped from helicopters, not delivered by slung load; and the armoured personnel carriers did not use their headlights in the initial assault. Continuing past D Company the relief force assaulted the Viet Cong, before moving back to the company position at Assessments of VC intentions changed from those of May and June. After two months it had moved beyond the initial requirements of establishing itself and securing its immediate approaches, beginning operations to open the province. Casualties were mounting in 10 pl, but they managed to get to within metres of 11 pl before being halted by intense small arms fire. The rain came down so hard on to the red earth that it kicked up a mist, which helped camouflage them. Company Headquarters was located in the south-west. They just went. In other projects. The enemy were firing with machine guns, the monsoon hit in full force, with thunder and lightning, turning the ground into liquid mud, reducing visibility to almost nothing. The time was now hrs and D Coy reported "Enemy now metres to our direct front, 42 the radio call sign for 11 pl being attacked from north, east and south, 43 the radio call sign for 12 pl pinned down attempting to reach them. Their valiant stand became a defining action of the war.

Pipers flank the men who fought in the battle of Long Tan during the dedication ceremony. Erected in memory of the 18 young men who died in one of the most intense and dramatic actions of the Vietnam War, the cross has been adopted by veterans to symbolise all Australians who died or were wounded in that conflict.

A Coy had been in three small contacts, killing 2 VC and capturing one. Yet the added weight would limit the ability of sub-units to patrol and M grenade launchers were issued instead, while some APCs were modified as mortar carriers. This position would afford greater protection, while the helicopters would be less likely to attract ground fire. Sydney: NewSouth Publishing. They regrouped and continued their revolutionary struggle for nine more years until the armies of North Vietnam defeated the south in The platoon went to ground and began to return fire. The assault companies planned to sweep the area then dismount and commence a detailed search, while the others would clear the surrounding features and begin the follow-up. Meanwhile the soldiers of the besieged D Company fell back on their training and teamwork. Consequently, it took several hours to organise a relief force. With the platoon commander dead, Buick took charge of 11 Platoon, directing the artillery through Stanley.