On August 18, 1966, 108 Australian soldiers were ambushed by the Viet Cong in what would become known as the Vietnam War’s Battle of Long Tan. Against all odds, the Aussies won the fight.
Now, the man who led them to victory is fighting to have his troops recognised with the highest honour.
The Battle of Long Tan, in which Aussie troops were outnumbered 20 to one, has gained greater recognition in recent years, but it wasn’t always that way.
The story of that four-hour firefight in a muddy rubber plantation during a torrential downpour will be retold in a new Australian movie, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan. Directed by Kriv Stenders (best known for Red Dog), it will premiere on the battle’s 53rd anniversary, August 18.
