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 18th of August, 1966 - The Battle of Long TanModerators: Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] | |
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Blue from West Oz |
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Master and Commander Posts: 2357 | Subject: 18th of August, 1966 - The Battle of Long Tan One of the most well-known Australian engagements of the Vietnam War was the Battle of Long Tan, 17-20 August 1966. The battle saw the action of 108 ANZACS against a Viet Cong (North Vietnamese) force estimated between 1,500 and 2,500. The Battle was one of the heaviest conflicts of the Vietnam War as well as one the few battles in the recorded history of the world to be won against such odds. The Australian operations base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy province was fired upon by the Viet Cong with mortar and shell at about 2 am on 17 August 1966. On 18 August, D Company, 6 RAR Battalion, numbering 105 Australians and a three-man New Zealand artillery team, was sent into the Long Tan rubber plantation, all coming under heavy machine-gun fire and mortar attacks from Viet Cong - estimated to be at least 1,500 and possibly 2,500 troops. D Company commander, Major Harry Smith, requested resupply of ammunition and troop reinforcements by helicopter, which was supplied. After almost three hours of intense fighting by D Company, reinforcements from A Company arrived in armoured personnel carriers (APC). Ammunition was distributed and the wounded were tended. Early in the evening, B Company also arrived and engaged the Viet Cong. Soon after that, seven APCs arrived, having risked skirmishes with the Viet Cong along the way. The extra fire-power finally stopped the Viet Cong, and all firing ceased. There were 18 Australians killed - 17 from D Company and one from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron - and 21 wounded. The Viet Cong insurgents left 245 dead and many more wounded. In later years, it was found out that D Company had run into a reinforced regimental force waiting to attack Nui Dat. Australia also celebrates today as Vietnam Veterans Day. Bravo Zulu to ALL that served.  Blue *_* | ||
| Blue from West Oz |
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Master and Commander Posts: 2357 | |||
| Ralph Luther |
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| Subject: RE: 18th of August, 1966 - The Battle of Long Tan Oz has been a great Allie to the US for many decades. There aren't words to express the thanks and appreciation. What is truely a shame is the lives lost by Oz and the US. Thank you, Australia, for all that you do. | |||
| Ric |
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Plankowner Posts: 9165 Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | |||
| MAD DOG |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1262 Location: Va.Beach,Va. | Subject: RE: 18th of August, 1966 - The Battle of Long Tan I know where I was that day.How 'bout you,Flapper? Edited by MAD DOG 2009-08-17 8:56 PM | ||
| Doc Gardner |
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Master and Commander Posts: 2253 Location: Foothills of the Ozarks | |||
| Ralph Luther |
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| Park Dallis |
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Old Salt Posts: 419 Location: Anchorage, Alaska | |||
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