It will be shown on the History Channel this Friday (November 11) Check your local TV guides for viewing times.
A documentary created by USQ Lecturer (Media Production) Leonie Jones about Australia’s largest battle in the Vietnam War will premiere on the History Channel on Remembrance Day this Friday (November 11).
The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral chronicles the largely untold story of the biggest and most sustained battle Australian forces had been involved in since World War II.
Ms Jones said she wanted to make sure as many people as possible know about the three-week battle, where 25 Australians lost their lives and more than 100 were wounded.
“I wanted the story to be told to give a sense of closure to the soldiers because they have never been publicly acknowledged for their sacrifice,” she said.
“There is a lot of focus on the Battle of Long Tan, but there were a lot of other battles that were fought in Vietnam by Australian soldiers.
“I am very happy the veterans have finally been able to find a voice and get their story out to the general public.”
Ms Jones travelled across Australia and Vietnam to interview more than 150 veterans of the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral as part of her PhD research.
The documentary, which has been seven years in the making, uncovers how the 1st and 3rd battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment fought courageously hand-to-hand against overwhelming Vietnamese forces.
It is believed that if Australian forces hadn’t won at Fire Support Base Coral, Australia would have pulled out of Vietnam in 1968.
Highly-acclaimed Australian actor William McInnes tells the important story, which includes actual footage, photos and artefacts from the battle, as well as interviews with surviving soldiers.
Mr McInnes’ voice-over narration for the documentary was recorded at USQ Springfield’s state-of-the-art media centre.
