A
Artemis258
Guest
Just came across this - very interesting documentary about Long Tan.
Overview: After beginning operations independently of US command, 1 ATF (Australian Task Force) began operating out of a new base in Nui Dat, Phuc Tuy Province. The area was known to have a heavy VC presence and during the establishment of the base SIGINT and RDF had been tracking a radio trransmitter from local hostiles (later confirmed the VC 275th Regiment, reinforced by D445 mobile battalion, a lighter 'irregular' VC force ). Patrols in force were sent out to locate the transmitter. On the night of the 16th of August the base at Nui Dat came under fire from mortars and other weapons before being suppressed by counter battery fire, and the following morning B Company 6RAR was sent to locate the firing positions, conduct an assessment and if possible track the enemy withdrawal. D company was deployed to follow up the pursuit, making contact with a squad sized force in the early afternoon. The company gave chase to the withdrawing squad, with the leading platoon coming under flanking fire sometime later in the midst of a rubber plantation, losing the left flank section almost immediately. The platoon dug in, while the rest of D company moved up to support. In the meantime, the VC 275th advanced battalions consolidated and an intense lasting firefight developed as each side attempted limited maneuvers in the rubber plantation as monsoon rains set in. With ammunition resupply by helicopter and artillery screening from New Zealand Artillery D company was able to hold off regimental assault from 275 until nightfall, when reinforcements in the form of A company, 6 RAR mounted in M113 APCs. By 7:15 the VC 275th retreated and the battle drew to the close.
By the end of the battle D Company suffered 18 KIA, 23 WIA. 245 Vietnamese bodies were recovered in follow up sweeps of the battlefield, with an unknown number of enemy wounded (estimated around 300).
EDIT: And a forewarning, documentary may contain scenes uncomfortable or disturbing to some.
Overview: After beginning operations independently of US command, 1 ATF (Australian Task Force) began operating out of a new base in Nui Dat, Phuc Tuy Province. The area was known to have a heavy VC presence and during the establishment of the base SIGINT and RDF had been tracking a radio trransmitter from local hostiles (later confirmed the VC 275th Regiment, reinforced by D445 mobile battalion, a lighter 'irregular' VC force ). Patrols in force were sent out to locate the transmitter. On the night of the 16th of August the base at Nui Dat came under fire from mortars and other weapons before being suppressed by counter battery fire, and the following morning B Company 6RAR was sent to locate the firing positions, conduct an assessment and if possible track the enemy withdrawal. D company was deployed to follow up the pursuit, making contact with a squad sized force in the early afternoon. The company gave chase to the withdrawing squad, with the leading platoon coming under flanking fire sometime later in the midst of a rubber plantation, losing the left flank section almost immediately. The platoon dug in, while the rest of D company moved up to support. In the meantime, the VC 275th advanced battalions consolidated and an intense lasting firefight developed as each side attempted limited maneuvers in the rubber plantation as monsoon rains set in. With ammunition resupply by helicopter and artillery screening from New Zealand Artillery D company was able to hold off regimental assault from 275 until nightfall, when reinforcements in the form of A company, 6 RAR mounted in M113 APCs. By 7:15 the VC 275th retreated and the battle drew to the close.
By the end of the battle D Company suffered 18 KIA, 23 WIA. 245 Vietnamese bodies were recovered in follow up sweeps of the battlefield, with an unknown number of enemy wounded (estimated around 300).
EDIT: And a forewarning, documentary may contain scenes uncomfortable or disturbing to some.
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