Australia's Battle of Long Tan
*Images courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
The Battle of Long Tan has come to be known as one of the most famous and defining battles fought by Australian forces during the Vietnam War.
In August 1966, the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) was newly established at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. On the night of 17 August, the base came under mortar, recoilless rifle and artillery fire from Viet Cong (VC) forces. Early the next morning, patrols from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), were sent out to locate the enemy firing positions.
On 18 August, Delta Company, commanded by Major Harry Smith, moved into the Long Tan rubber plantation, approximately four kilometres east of Nui Dat. Numbering 108 men, the company made contact with a small VC force, which quickly escalated into a major engagement. Unbeknown to the Australians, they had encountered a much larger enemy force – later estimated at over 2,000 troops from the VC 275th Regiment and D445 Battalion.
The battle began in the late afternoon and was fought in driving rain, which limited visibility but also prevented effective air support. D Company established defensive positions and, over the next three hours, fought off repeated frontal assaults and flanking attacks. The Australians relied heavily on precise and sustained artillery fire from Nui Dat, provided by 103 and 105 Field Batteries, Royal Australian Artillery, and supported by New Zealand’s 161 Battery.
As ammunition ran dangerously low, two resupply missions were carried out by RAAF No. 9 Squadron Iroquois helicopters under fire. Late in the battle, Armoured Personnel Carriers from A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, carrying reinforcements from A Coy, 6 RAR, broke through to D Coy’s position, forcing the enemy to withdraw.
By the time the fighting ended, 18 Australians were killed and 24 wounded. The VC left at least 245 bodies on the battlefield, with many more estimated to have been wounded or killed. The courage, endurance, and teamwork shown by Delta Company and the supporting elements ensured the survival of the outnumbered Australians and cemented Long Tan’s place in Australian military history.
For their actions, Delta Company, 6 RAR, was awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation, and the battle honour ‘LONG TAN’ – proudly carried on the unit’s colours to this day.
The Cove proudly brings to you the latest instalment in our Australian Army Battle Honours Series – the history of the Battle of Long Tan.
This video has been a collaboration between The Cove, Australian Army History Unit, Interserv, and Effective Animations.
Contemporary Tactical Companion
What lessons can we draw from the Battle of Long Tan? Despite taking place during the Vietnam War, there are many lessons still of relevance to the Profession of Arms. Watch our Battle of Long Tan Contemporary Tactical Companion video below for more.
*Images courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
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