"The Battle of Long Tan and the Vietnam War" Topic
6 Posts
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Tango01 | 17 Aug 2016 12:28 p.m. PST |
"One of the most well-known Australian engagements of the Vietnam War was the Battle of Long Tan, 18 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. Vietnam Veterans' Day, celebrated in Australia on 18 August each year, commemorates the Battle of Long Tan and those Australians who served during the Vietnam War and is an opportunity to remember those who did not come home. The Vietnam War was the longest war Australia was ever involved in. Australian involvement in the Vietnam War was marked by controversy and significant levels of public opposition to conscription and concern about casualties. The Vietnam War was also the first war witnessed 'live' on television. In the late 1960s, the escalation of the Vietnam War coincided with the hippy movement and music as the chosen vehicle for an alternative lifestyle. It also was a period when Australians reflected on their relationships with the United States of America (USA) and with Asia…" More here link Amicalement Armand |
emckinney | 18 Aug 2016 10:10 a.m. PST |
OK, so it was initially 108, but reinforcements took the Australians to over 300, including light armored vehicles. Still heavy numerical odds against. I was doubtful about the estimated size of the VC force, but the 245 dead and more wounded VC left on the battlefield is very large when compared to 39 Australian casualties. |
Tango01 | 18 Aug 2016 11:05 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the info!. Amicalement Armand |
frostydog | 19 Aug 2016 2:27 a.m. PST |
Mmm reinforcements arrived right at the end of the battle just as the Vietnamese were about to launch an attack that would likely have overrun then D Company position. As for 300 I doubt it. You are certainly not going to get 200 reinforcements into 7 M113 APCs. |
frostydog | 19 Aug 2016 5:50 a.m. PST |
Estimated size of Vietnamese force was over 2500 and included North Vietnamese regulars as well as local troops. Most accounts especially in the media talk about 108 Australians and forget it included a 3 man Kiwi forward artillery observer team. Their role was crucial in coordinating the fire of at times 22 guns in support of D Company. Should mention the RAAF helicopter pilots who flew a resupply mission in monsoon rain at tree top level. The pilots didn't ask for orders just in case they were told "no". 17 from D Company were killed and 1 APC crew member mortally wounded and died 9 days later. 24 wounded including 2 that spent the night alone on the battlefield and were found next morning. 245 enemy dead was what they could find one the battlefield. It maybe much higher will never know 105 and 155mm rounds don't leave much behind to recover. |
Part time gamer | 20 Aug 2016 3:56 a.m. PST |
Frostydog is right.. turn loose a 105, especially a 1-5-5 and there really isnt much left of any body thats remotely close. Its great that you mentioned the pilots. I would say the number of men that survived that war JUST because of the courage/ sacrafice of chopper pilots, cant be counted. Also, IIRC both the VC and the North Vietnamese Regulars made it a point to carry off their dead whenever possible, making it difficult for the enemy to get accurate casualty count. |
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