At times, "freedom" is ambiguously defined. In 1951, the Menzies Government tried to defend Australia's "freedoms" by having a referendum to criminalise communism. The referendum was defeated not because Australians were communists, but because they believed in freedom of choice. In 1962, the Menzies Government again tried to defend "freedom" by committing Australians to support the American invasion of Vietnam. Obviously, invading a foreign country to suppress a political system that was legal in Australia didn't inspire great patriotism. As few Australians put up their hands to serve their country, the government decided "freedom" could best be defended by introducing conscription. As is to be expected, such a defence of "freedom" sparked massive protests and thousands of Australians were arrested and thrown in jail.
Losing the war on the home front, the government needed some positive news and in 1966, a heroic victory at the Long Tan rubber plantation made headlines across Australia and America. A newspaper editorial even said:"it ranks with some of the great stands in military history."
The Americans subsequently awarded the company the Presidential Unit Citation for "extraordinary heroism in operations against an opposing armed force." Fifteen Commonwealth decorations were awarded to individual soldiers.
Even though newspaper editors and military chiefs were very impressed with the Diggers, exactly what happened at Long Tan is an issue of contention. According to an account endorsed by the Australian Defence Force, the Viet Cong were planning to ambush Australians, inflict massive casualties and subsequently use the victory to help win the propaganda war. However, as a result of Viet Cong stupidity in the face of Australian courage and mateship, 108 Diggers were able to defeat 2500 Viet Cong.
As is to be expected, the Viet Cong promoted a different account. They broadcast the news that 700 Australians were killed and two squadron of tanks were destroyed. The entire Viet Cong regiment was awarded a Heroic Unit Citation.
Even the Australian soldiers in the battle gave different accounts of what happened. Long Tan vet Bob Buick in his book "All Guts and No Glory" is adamant that there was no ambush.
The Details
A brief account sourced from "George Odgers, Diggers. The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force in Eleven Wars. Sydney 2000." The book is endorsed by the Australian Defence Force.
The Vietcong plan
An Australian task force set up a strongly defended base at Nui Dat in the heart of the Viet Cong province of Phuoc Tuy. This location angered the VC and they reacted with a intention to inflict a quick defeat on the "arrogant" Australians. The VC planed to approach the base undetected and subsequently fire mortars. When the Australians left their strongly defended positions to look for the VC mortar bases, they would be ambushed and quickly eliminated.
The battle
D company of the 6th Battalion was sent to search for the mortar bases. As they entered the Long Tan rubber plantation, the Diggers found themselves under intense fire from mortars, rifles and machine guns. They tried to withdraw but they were pinned by hostile fire and menaced by constant enemy assaults. Even though the Vietcong had the upper hand, they made a fatal mistake by attacking the Diggers while they were still in range of artillery stationed at Nui Dat. The artillery support provided the company with valuable firepower, allowing them to hold their ground until reinforcements arrived three hours later.
The analysis
D company was composed of 108 men of which 18 were killed and 24 were wounded. After the VC retreat, a search of the jungle discovered 245 VC bodies. Questioning of prisoners ascertained that the offensive force comprised the Viet Cong 275 regiment and the D445 Battalion. A total force of 2500 men.
