Wikipedia entry on the Battle of Long Tang.
The Situation
A company of Australian Soldiers from Delta Company, 6 Royal Australian Army and Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army units met in a meeting engagement.
Unit Strength
NVA/Viet Cong forces are estimated to have numbered almost 2500 men versus an Australian force of 108
The Outcome
The Australian Army was hardened bush fighters that were extremely comfortable in the jungle environment. Additionally they were seasoned in the type of "fighting style" employed by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese. Allied forces do not have the same level of comfort in this environment today. The Aussies carried the day but the warning is clear to all that want to see. Small units (company sized) are vulnerable to being fixed in place and destroyed.
NOTE: The video starts slow but then zooms along at a breathless pace. The radio calls, the call for fires, the description of the battle by the men that were there. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VID! MUST WATCH!
NOTE 1: I'm really interested to find out how the Australian Army views the decisions of the Battalion Commander in this battle.
The Situation
A company of Australian Soldiers from Delta Company, 6 Royal Australian Army and Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army units met in a meeting engagement.
Unit Strength
NVA/Viet Cong forces are estimated to have numbered almost 2500 men versus an Australian force of 108
The Outcome
The Australian Army was hardened bush fighters that were extremely comfortable in the jungle environment. Additionally they were seasoned in the type of "fighting style" employed by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese. Allied forces do not have the same level of comfort in this environment today. The Aussies carried the day but the warning is clear to all that want to see. Small units (company sized) are vulnerable to being fixed in place and destroyed.
NOTE: The video starts slow but then zooms along at a breathless pace. The radio calls, the call for fires, the description of the battle by the men that were there. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VID! MUST WATCH!
NOTE 1: I'm really interested to find out how the Australian Army views the decisions of the Battalion Commander in this battle.
