Asian History: The Battle of Long Tan Research Paper

Define the Subject

Period and large-scale conflict

The Australian presence in the Vietnam War was a government’s step to help western nations, specifically the US, in containing the rapid spread of communism and socialism in Asia (Palazzo, 2006).

Primary sources and inherent conflicts

The battle was a product of the long ideological conflict between two schools of thought- capitalism (Australia and America) and Socialism (China and the Soviet Union) (Breen,1988).

The Stage

Strategic operation

The war

The battle involved 108 Australian forces (ANZACS) against North Vietnamese forces, the Viet Cong, estimated between 1500 and 2500.

Overarching campaign

American and USSR were competing for the control of Southeast Asia. America’s campaigns to win over USSR led to the inclusion of Australia her ally. USSR made allies with China.

Principle objectives

Australia was keen in helping contain the rapid Chinese and Soviet influence in Southeast Asia. The insurgent Cong forces were fighting to liberate North Vietnam from South Vietnam.

Area

Impact of Weather conditions

There were heavy rains, with heavy cloud coverage. Heavy rains made the ground muddy, restricted movement by the forces

Terrain analysis (OAKOC)

The battlefield was at a rubber plantation in Lang Tan, a distance of 4.5 Km east of Nui Dat (Grandin, 2004). The terrain at the area was marked by high ground. The area was muddy, which became the main obstacle. The heavy vegetation was also a great obstacle. The only avenue of approach was by clearing bushes or crawling under the vegetation. However, these bushes also acted as a good cover for both forces.

Comparison

1. Size and composition: D company had only 108 troops (with support from New Zealand Artillery). The commander divided his forces so that each ‘Company’ had specific responsibilities. Viet Cong had between 1500 and 2500 troops, composed of 275th and 274th Regiments and the local Provincial mobile Battalion (Buick & McKay, 2000).
2. Impact of Technology: Australians had better facilities than the Viet Cong, Including radio and radar detectors (McKay & Nicholas, 2001). Viet Cong had mortars, rifles, machine guns, and recoilless artillery (Anderson, 2002). The Australians had better artillery, machine guns, and a good supply provided by helicopters (O’Neill, 1968).
3. Training: most of Australia’s 108 men at the Battle were trained but inexperienced. The Cong comprised of 274TH and 275th Battalions based in Mao Taos, where some military training took place.
4. Logistics: Australian forces at Nui Dat had better logistics provided by helicopters and APCs. Helicopters were used to reinforce the forces after the attack. Helicopters brought ammunition when D Company was almost overrun. APCs brought additional soldiers, carried medications, the injured, and the dead.
5. The Cong, mainly on foot and trucks, destroyed and blocked railways and highways to avoid Australian and American invasion.
6. The intelligence at the base primarily depended on radio transmitters, which had actually detected a large number of Cong troops in the area prior to the incident (Woodruff, 1999). The Cong depended on foot scouts to explore the area.
7. Condition/morale: The Australian forces, fearing defeat due to their small size, had almost lost the morale, and some groups had retreated. However, with the support from the base at Nui Dat as well as the presence of better artillery, the troops were encouraged.
8. Mission commands and communication: The 108 ANZACS (D Company) were on a mission to patrol the area around Nui Dat after intelligence reports indicated the presence of a large number of Cong soldiers in the area. They were supposed to report the findings through radio calls (Burstall, 1987).
9. Leadership: The Australian Task Force was under Brigadier David Jackson. D company was under Major Harry Smith. Below him were Colonel John Warr of the 6th Battalion and Colonel Colin Townsend of 6 RAR. The Cong was Senior Colonel Nguyen. The 275th Battalion was under Ut Thoi, while the Mobile battalion was under Bui Chanh.
10. Mission and initial disposition of forces: The Australian mission was to gain control of the Phuoc Tuy Province from the Viet Cong. Initially, 5 RAR and 6 RAR battalions were sent for this mission, and later, the Nui Dat base was established. National servicemen had been deployed in these areas to search and destroy Viet Cong groups.

The action

1. Opening moves: Australian intelligence detected a large number of Viet Cong patrols around Long Tan. The D company was sent on a spy mission, but the Viet Cong Regiment initiated the opening move. The Cong R immediately attacked the Australians with a mortar and heavy machine-guns.
2. Major action: ANZACS fired heavy artillery in response, killing many Cong soldiers. First, Major Smith requested for supply from Nui Dat, which was immediately done via helicopters. After three hours of heavy fighting, A company arrived in APCs, distributing ammunition and attending to the wounded. Later, B Company arrived at Long Tan and immediately placed an assault on the Cong. Soon, seven APCs were sent. On their way, they killed several Cong soldiers moving to attack Nui Dat.
3. The Outcomes: The Viet retreated to the bushes. The following morning, the Australians identified the bodies of more than 225 Viet Cong soldiers and capturing some wounded soldiers, but only 18 Australians had been killed (Coulthard-Clark, 2001).

Significance of the Battle

1. Cause and effect: The Australian troops in Vietnam received recognition for their work. Secondly, the battle triggered protests in Australia and the US, with citizens calling for the withdrawal.
2. Relevance: Studying the event provides the learner with a clear description of what took place, the events at the battle, and the reasons why American and Australia took part in the Vietnam War.
3. Lesson learned: The lethality of the battle was critical in pressing Australia and America to withdraw their troops, as it became evident that the conflict could not be solved through the involvement of foreign militaries. Adaptability to both the weather and terrain is an important factor in military science, given that if the Australians had adapted to the environment, then they would have had a better chance to repel the attacks. Finally, the integration of specialists in different fields of war, including the army, air force, medical experts, and logistic experts, gave Australians an added advantage over the Viet Cong, which made it possible to withstand a large army of Viet Cong.

References

Anderson, P. (2002). When the Scorpion Stings: The History of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam, 1965−1972. NSW: Allen and Unwin.

Breen, B. (1988). First to Fight: Australian Diggers, NZ Kiwis and US Paratroopers in Vietnam, 1965–66. Nashville, TN: The Battery Press.

Buick, B., & McKay, G. (2000). All Guts and No Glory: The Story of a Long Tan Warrior. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.

Burstall, T. (1987). The Soldiers’ Story: The Battle at Xa Long Tan Vietnam, 18 August 1966. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press..

Coulthard-Clark, C. (2001). The Encyclopaedia of Australia’s Battles. NSW: Allen and Unwin.

Grandin, R. (2004). Battle of Long Tan: As Told By The Commanders. Sydney: Allen and Unwin

McKay, G., & Nicholas, G. (2001). Jungle Tracks: Australian Armour in Viet Nam. NSW: Allen and Unwin.

O’Neill, R. (1968). Vietnam Task: The 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 1966/67. Melbourne: Cassell Australia.

Palazzo, A. (2006). Australian Military Operations in Vietnam. Australian Army Campaigns Series. Canberra: Army History Unit.

Woodruff, M. (1999). Unheralded Victory: Who Won the Vietnam War?. London: Harper Collins.