For those aware of the history of Australia and New Zealand in the conflict in Vietnam, the Battle of Long Tan that commenced on 18 August 1966 is a key marker in that conflict.

THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN
by Bob Grandin
Reviewed by Paul Harrison

Softcover 332 pages colour and b/w maps, b/w photographs. Published by Allen & Unwin 2004 ISNB 1 744114 199 0 RRP $42.99

For those aware of the history of Australia and New Zealand in the conflict in Vietnam, the Battle of Long Tan that commenced on 18 August 1966 is a key marker in that conflict.

This very comprehensive account has been drawn together from interviews with some of the key ANZAC players in the battle, and their descriptions of the battle from individual perspectives, almost blow-by-blow, have been skilfully placed into an overall account of this battle.

The odds were stacked against the Australian Infantry Company that found itself in the middle of a large concentration of professional North Vietnamese soldiers. It was only the bravery of the individual soldiers, acting as cohesive sections, and combined with support from Australian and New Zealand Artillery gunfire that eventually resulted in outcome being in the allies favour. Australian armour was deployed to effect an extraction of the forward units with mixed results.

A highly recommended account of a Vietnam Battle for students of modern military history.