Battle Of Long Tan Essay

Q. Explain how the significance of the Battle of Long Tan and how the Australians won.

The Battle of Long Tan, which took place on 18th August 1966, was a highly symbolic battle for not only the Australian troops and as a country, but also for the Viet-Cong and the communists trying to take over Vietnam. Due to the fact of an outnumbered Australian troop force, this battle seemed to be nearly impossible to come out on top off, where roughly Two Thousand to Three Thousand Vietnamese troops, against a force of 108 Australian troops. Under normal circumstance, it could be expected that such an unequal battle might have gone against the Australians, yet research by many seems to indicate that the training of the Australians kept their spirits

With the circumstances of this battle being under, where 108 troops of D-Coy were doing patrolling duties, stumbling upon a Viet-Cong tunnel system. Moreover, the Australian troops were found themselves in a rough gun fight in the middle of a rubber plantation. As part of the Australians success in Long Tan was the use of artillery, mainly supplied by a special artillery force, covering for the gunmen in close-fire. In the tough times when back-up and ammunition was desperately needed, soldiers had to rely on one another to keep their hopes up high. Due to their intense and highly trained nature, these conditions were expected for the Australian troops. Several times throughout the duration of Long Tan, the Australians had to wait a long time for reinforcements and ammunition as when they would call up base, helicopters couldn't not be sent as it was a rubber plantation, with trees scattered everywhere. It was these times when the troops had to be at their highest in terms of helping others and looking after themselves. Without the troops having high hopes in themselves, their comrades and for reinforcement to arrive, the success in Long Tan would not have been made

But it is the aftermath of the battle that is important. The Viet Cong no longer held sway in the province. The people of Ba Ria erected a banner honouring the Australians, saying that they appreciate the work done by the Australian force. This new earnt respect and relationship gained if reflectiveNo serious threat ever re-emerged for the Task Force. The North Vietnamese found a new and healthy respect for the Australians. The very act of survival by D Coy confirmed the validity of the training Australians received. It was a concrete validation that the Australian tactics were effective, life-saving and not as familiar to the North Vietnamese as some had thought. Although there were a number of Australian casualties, in relation to the Viet-Cong troops, Australia had a lot less. “There were 18 Australians killed - 17 from D Company and one from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron - and 21 wounded.”

As seen through source B, the efforts of the Australian troops are reflective of the number of casualties, in relation to the number they were fighting against, being up to two thousand, five hundred