Description
The fifth and final release in this commemorative series features the battle of Long Tan (1966).
One of the heaviest actions of the Vietnam War occurred between the Australian Army and Viet Cong forces on 18 August 1966. The engagement occurred when part of the 1st Australian Task Force (D Company) encountered the Viet Cong and local forces in a rubber plantation, near the village of Long Tan.
Other Australian units, as well as New Zealand and United States personnel supported D Company. In all, 108 soldiers held off the enemy force, estimated at over 2,000, for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour.
The Australian’s were greatly assisted by a timely ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from Australian artillery, and the arrival of reinforcements in armoured personnel carriers as night fell.