The Battle of Long Tan was one of the most well-known battles Australia committed to, during the Vietnam war. The battle occurred on 18th August 1966, in the Phuoc Toy province in South Vietnam. It took place in an area which was dominated by rubber plantations and paddy fields between Nui Dat and Nui Dat East. It was a relentless intense battle for all the men involved.
Nature of the battle
The soldiers who took part of the Battle of Long Tan had to overcome the wet weather and muddy terrain through the rubber plantations, paddy fields and forest of Vietnam. Amid these harsh conditions, Australia returned fire with platoon weapons and artillery which was firing from the Nui Dat base, some five kilometres to the west. The continuous aggressive fire from the Australians towards the Nui Dat swung the battle in Australia’s favour. This contributed to Australia’s overall win over the Viet Cong.
The Battle of Long Tan was a hard-fought battle between Australians and the Viet Cong. There is an estimate that 108 Australian soldiers faced 1500 to 2500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers in this battle. This battle was a bloody battle, costing many lives especially those from the Vietnamese side. According to source 2, an extract from the Official History of Australia in the Vietnam War, ‘the confirmed result of the Battle of Long Tan was 245 enemy left dead on the battlefield and three enemy captured. … The Australians suffered seventeen killed in action, one died of wounds, and 24 wounded. … An extensive array of enemy weapons and ammunition was captured. … possible results for the enemy included a further 150 killed and 500 wounded.’ These numbers are approximately correct however they have been controversial, such as the announcement from Radio Hanoi on the 27th August 1966 stating ‘On 18 August [they] wiped out almost completely one Battalion [1000 men] of Australian mercenaries in an ambush in Long Tan village.’ These numbers showed significant difference between the statistical data of the number of casualties and wounded between the Australian side and Vietnamese side.
Significance of the battle
The Battle of Long Tan is considered one of the most significant battles in Australia’s history due to the bravery and heroism shown throughout the battle. The soldiers heroism were displayed during the battle when they kept fighting even through a lightning storm that hit just as the battle began. The Battle of Long Tan is also considered one of the most significant battles in Australia’s history due to mere 105 Australian troops and a few New Zealanders facing 1,500 to 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces yet Australia able to take the win. This showed Australia’s courageousness to fight for their lives even though they were outnumbered by approximately 20:1. In memory of these soldiers, an Australian memorial was erected in Long Tan, as was a Vietnamese one. In Australia’s memorial, it was dedicated to remembering the Australian lives lost during the Battle of Long Tan, stating “In memory of those members … who gave their lives near this spot during the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966 …”. On the Vietnamese memorial, they decided to go with a different approach, instead remembering the battlefield was a historic place rather than a grave for the lost soldiers. This shows the different significance of the battle to Australia and Vietnam.
The Battle of Long Tan was also significant because it was part of the Vietnam war where the wars was televised to the public. More than 30 Australian Broadcasting Commission correspondents and camera crew were accredited to cover the Vietnam War from 1965 onwards.
The way the soldiers kept fighting for their country even though they were outnumbered and during conditions of lightning storms, indicated why the Battle of Long Tan was considered such a significant battle in Australia’s history.
Are there any areas of disputed knowledge?
The Battle of Long Tan was considered of much significance to both Australia as well as the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese but in different aspects. To many Australians, the Battle of Long Tan was widely considered as a significant victory especially because of the win against such odds, making headlines all over Australia and even the US. In Source 8, three assessments of the battle, under assessment 2, Helen Simmelhaig and Geoff Spenceley wrote, “… town of Ba Ria … erected a huge banner across the road. It read: ‘The people of Phuoc Tuy applaud the victory of the Royal Australian Forces and the destruction of the Viet Cong Regiment’.” This shows that the victory of the Australian Force was welcomed by the people of Phuoc Tuy. However, many Vietnamese viewed the battle as a military failure, as militarily, the Vietnamese did not achieve their aim of wiping out the Australian unit. In source 8, under assessment 3, Terry Burstall, wrote about Hai, a Viet Cong officer and participant in the battle, and his observations on the battle. Hai thought that the Battle of Long Tan gained “good political victory in that it won them much support from the people of Phuoc Tuy, especially those displaced from their villages.” This is ironic because it contradicts the claims made by both parties.
The battle of Long Tan has been chosen as the ‘iconic’ event to represent the War because of Australia’s win against such odds.