I say that movie … pretty good.
the Aussies were fighting a different kind of war to the US
Yes, more CG/COIN than the US in many cases using larger attacks supported with a lot of firepower, etc.,. Some US units like Spec Ops, LRRPs, RANGERs, etc., types fought as the Aussies did or similar.
As the article says:
US style was considered loud, noisy and reliant on tactical mobility and fire support. In contrast the Australian method was to disperse over a wider area and patrol silently and cautiously. The Americans were conducting a conventional ‘big war' and the Australians were conducting counter-insurgency, patrol war. The Australian army was not reliant on the same tactical mobility used by the Americans, and reducing the ‘soldiers load' was a priority. Extra weight reduced the soldier's mobility, energy and reaction time. The Australian report ‘Infantry Battle Lesson from Vietnam' notes: "Carrying a heavy load used energy that should have been available for fighting." This is an effect of the type of ‘patrol war' the Australians were engaged in. The steel helmet in this case, had more drawbacks than positives.
But let there be no doubt, the US troops were well trained in all forms of patrolling. That is what RANGER School is pretty much all about. All smaller units did use patrolling and in many cases very effectively.
When I started ROTC in '75, then on Active Duty,'79 with the many Vets in our ranks as well as instructors. We learned how to fight the small unit war from those that did it along with the lessons learned, etc.
When I got to the 101 in '80, we were trained at patrolling, COIN, etc. It was like we were training to refight the War in SE Asia at times. Along with the war in Europe. But those lessons learned in Vietnam from experiences vs. the VC/NVA, etc. Could also be used in a conventional war even in Europe. If done properly.
Of course the US had SF troops in Central and South America at that time as well. We were deployed to Panama, the CZ, 3 times when I was with the 101, '80-'83. So once again the experiences of SE Asia were very much applicable.
Either way just kick ass troops.
I had read/heard the same …