A walk in the light green

On 18 August 1966 D Company of 6RAR was patrolling in the area of the Long Tan rubber plantation when, at about 3.15pm, the lead platoon (11 Platoon, commanded by 2Lt Gordon Sharp, a national serviceman) encountered a small group of Viet Cong who fled leaving one of their number killed by the Australians. The aggressive patrolling continued until, at about 4.08pm, the main body of the Viet Cong 275 Regiment was encountered. The Viet Cong attacked vigorously with mortars, rifle and machine gun fire.

In pouring rain, the Australians returned fire with platoon weapons and artillery which was firing from the Nui Dat base, some five kilometres to the west. Close air support was also called for but couldn't be used because the target was unable to be identified accurately in the conditions.

At 5pm D Company's commander, Major Harry Smith, radioed for ammunition resupply. Two RAAF Iroquois helicopters which happened to be at Nui Dat to transport a concert party were tasked and flew at tree top level into the battle area where they successfully delivered the sorely needed boxes of ammunition.

The combination of aggressive fire from D Company soldiers plus devastating artillery fire from Nui Dat had swung the battle in the Australians' favour but the Viet Cong continued to manoeuvre to gain the upper hand. Meanwhile, A Company of 6RAR had been ordered to move to the support of the beleaguered D Company. They did so mounted in armoured personnel carriers from 1st APC Squadron which forded a flooded stream and then shortly afterward encountered a substantial enemy force. 2 Platoon of A Company dismounted and advanced on the enemy who fled.

Although the Viet Cong could still be seen massing in failing light at 6.55pm as the relief force arrived in the D Company area, the enemy force melted away as darkness descended. The battle of Long Tan was over.The Australians consolidated their position for the night and then commenced evacuation of their wounded using the lights from APCs to guide in helicopters. During the night the Viet Cong cleared many of their wounded and dead from the battle field. A number of the wounded Australians lay there all through the long terrifying night, as the Viet Cong moved around them.

Morning revealed that the Viet Cong force, estimated at 2,500, had been badly mauled. 245 Viet Cong bodies were found in the battle area. It was apparent that the Viet Cong commanders had failed to appreciate the effectiveness of artillery fire and had paid dearly as a result.

The Australians had lost 18 killed, 17 from D Company (including the young platoon commander of 11 platoon) and one from 1st APC Squadron, and 24 wounded.

39 years ago today. Lest we forget.

(Courtesy Anzac Day web site and George Odgers)

Cross posted at A Western Heart

Comments

[Habib]

Fucking brilliant effort, ably assisted by the accuracy of Kiwi gunners, who unfortunately don't exist any more thanks in no small effort to the recently karked and unlamented David Lange and his followers. Did you happen to catch the hatchet job on SBS last night about the ill-starred minefield laid in Phuoc Tuoy in '67? It glossed over the local NVA/VC cadres saying that if it had been done properly it would have totally fucked them, and it was sheer blind luck and a dud grenade that allowed VC sappers to lift part of the field. The topper was some turd at the end snorking on about an "unknown number of Vietnamese liberation fighters" who were croaked by the field or during mine lifting- the same freedom fighters who butchered village elders and their families if they didn't comply and stood over other peasants to extort food, cover and logistic support.
I hate fucking revisionist commies.

[Lisa Gilliam]

My dad was a Marine in Vietnam,and he always spoke highly of the Aussies.Now that I'm an adult I can see why.I've read about your exploits in various history books(the un pc kind)I've seen you all for the type of folks you are,tough,independent,and you now how to laugh as well as fight.I also thank you personally for what you did in WW2,Vietnam,and now in the GWOT.I can't wait to visit your country one day.

[RhikoR]

I heard something about the fact that the noise from our APC's was covered by the pissing down rain, and as a result the Viet Cong had no idea they were coming or where they were.

[D]

The ride of the Cav, just like the film script, in the last nick of time, but then you blokes had a rotten time traversing soaked, boggy country to get there. A fine point in that, fighting down the frustration, at the slow passage.

Considering a tank can be heard miles away, let alone an armour battalion, the noise of the rain must have been tremendous.For the inf., with the clamour of battle and the rain , how in the frig did they hear barked orders?

No finer tribute than the ex Brit.Army R.S.M's attached to D coy paid, `Here were conscripts, and I have had the honour to fight alongside them.' Closest, wouldn't you say, an R.S.M. came to weeping.

In the nick of time, the inf virtually out of ammo for effective fire, facing the unpleasant prospect of the enemy walking over the top of them, and, having pushed their charges though marsh and mire, the Cav rolled in.

No doubt about it, the grit of the officers, n.c.o.s and men both D coy and 1st APC who fought their way through one of the most terrific battles in the history of Australian arms, and won.Ranks as one of the great and terrific battles - certainly stands comparison with, for.e.g. Tobruk and El Alemain.
This chap doffed his lid out of humjble respect.