Conventional military wisdom dictates odds of three to one in favour as being a "good thing"
Fifteen to one against is probably a "bad thing" then.
That`s what they were up against.
Clock this site, there`s lots of info there
http://www.hotkey.net.au/~marshalle/lt/lt.htm
I copy this intro from one of the books that was used to make the movie of the battle which premieres on Fox Wednesday night,
It is often said that truth is stranger than fiction, and this seems to be the case at Long Tan. Any fictional presentation of 100 inexperienced young soldiers fighting at least ten and probably fifteen or twenty times their own number, in a rubber plantation providing little cover, in a blinding rainstorm; then being relieved by a force arriving just as the enemy is massing for the final unstoppable charge--any such scenario would be ridiculed as the worst type of Hollywood glorification of war.
Yet this is what did happen on that August afternoon
Here`s the Coy Cdr, Harry Smith, his book was the first I read about the action after hearing about it from a couple of Viet Vets.
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Major Harry A Smith, Officer Commanding
D Company, 6RAR, awarded the Military Cross.
This geezer was a South Sea Islander in the OZ Army, very prominent in Vet affairs or any thing to do with the Nam. Comes over as a great guy, like most Islanders. Diamond Geezer
Corporal Tom 'Buddy' Lea, D Company,
6RAR, after the battle.
This lad had been in and was discharged, he re-enlisted in order to go back and "do the righty" Bob Buick strives ceaselessly, to see that the record of achievement set by the Diggs, not just at Long Tan, but in all of their involvement in Viet Nam, is not sullied. We have the usual left wing w4nkers who re-write history to denegrate what the lads did.
More power to him I say
Sergeant Robert Buick, 6RAR, is awarded the Military
Medal for his bravery in the Battle of Long Tan.
Here`s Buick`s Viet Nam page, if you`re curious, have a look
http://www.bobbuick.com/viet_nam/index.htm
As a direct result of Long Tan, the VC never directly engaged the RAR again. They thinned out of Nui Dat and the Aussie` TAOR.
The Australian Army were never defeated in Viet Nam, largely because of the way they performed there.
They used British methods learned in Malaya and Borneo, they knew their enemy and fought him on their own terms.
We meet Viet Vets at a couple of gigs each year, ANZAC Day for e.g., some farking good blokes I can tell you
Eventually, this film will turn up on the History Channel up your end.
Do not miss it
