Battle of Long Tan - Vietnam War - 18 August 1966

Battle of Long Tan - Vietnam War. The following information came from Wikipedia... The Battle of Long Tan (18 August 1966) was fought between the Australian Army and Viet Cong forces in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, about 27 kilometres north east of Vung Tàu, South Vietnam. The action occurred when D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF), encountered the Viet Cong 275th Regiment and elements of the D445 Local Forces Battalion. D Company was supported by other Australian units, as well as New Zealand and United States artillery. During the battle D Company 6 RAR, despite being heavily outnumbered, fought off a large Viet Cong assault of regimental strength. Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 wounded, while at least 245 Viet Cong were killed. It was a decisive Australian victory and is often cited as an example of the importance of combining and coordinating infantry, artillery, armour and military aviation. The battle had considerable tactical implications as well, being significant in allowing the Australians to gain dominance over Phuc Tuy province, and although there were a number of other large-scale encounters in later years, 1 ATF was not fundamentally challenged again. In the years since it was fought the battle has achieved similar symbolic significance for the Australian military in the Vietnam War as battles such as the Gallipoli Campaign have for the First World War, the Kokoda Track Campaign for the Second World War and the Battle of Kapyong for the Korean War. Battle of Long Tan website at http://www.battle-long-tan-vietnam-war.anzac-day.net/ 'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching? is a national war memorial song and a tribute to the ANZAC spirit of mateship, courage and sacrifice. Copyright 2001 - 2018. Battle of Long Tan - Vietnam War