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As an American we are taught that we basically fought in Vietnam alone. All our allies are glazed over. Their battles, their stories, their history needs to be remembered. Thank you.

As an American, I have a huge admiration for our ANZAC brothers across the ocean sticking with us through many conflicts, though I regret that their contributions aren’t as widely known as they should be over here. 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇳🇿

good man for that PTSD shout out, thats admirable stuff.

Very powerful-I was in the US Army 53rd Signal Bn and was stationed at Nui-Dat in support of the 1st ATF 104 sigs in 1968. I lived "in the lines" with my Aussie Cousins for 8 months-supported ops in the filed at various FB's The battle of Long Tan broke the PAVN's back in the area-they never again tried to go head on with the Aussies. I have nothing but respect for the Aussies-"Good on ya" my Aussies mates.

Thank you for mentioning my fellow KIWI mates from 161 Battery and Capt. Stanly the Fwd. observer. I watched the film Danger Close and felt the KIWI contribution was overlooked in that. This documentary seems to have got the story right this time. I know that all of us who have served in the New Zealand Army feel proud that we were there and able to help our fellow ANZACs at a time when they needed us.

My uncle Ian, was a £50 Pound P.O.M that came to Australia in around 1960 and signed up for the Australian Army after being asked to leave Sandhurst a year earlier. So was sent to Nam with the combat engineer's as a junior officer. Being of average height and build he was given the job as a Tunnel Rat. From family folk lore. Now a bloke of 83, he done well to get to this age.

Hello.I AM AN Australian Vietnam Veteran and I am very Proud of my Service. I am Neville Jones. I served just short of three years during Vietnam conflict as we called it. At God help me in my life. nifty j. Neville Jones.

Had a first cousin in Vietnam in 1966. 2 tpt platoon. He was around 20 years my senior. I still remember at my mums funeral she was very proud of my service so I wore my medals. He came up to me tapped my medals and just said "well done lad". He has passed now but this wil stick with me always. Rest easy big AL. Lest We Forget.

Damn, i was hoping I wouldn't cry. The roll call got me. Thank you for remembering the real cost of war. On a less sober note, i did catch the opening of 'I was only 19'. Maybe you should do a video about how Aussie Vietnam vets were treated post war.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." From a humble and grateful PommIe, great video. You packed a hell of a lot into twenty minutes - I laughed out loud hearing about Private Mellor, and I wept with everyone else at the final roll call.

Great use of “I was only 19” in the intro. I was privileged enough last year to meet the son of Frankie.

Thank you. I'm currently typing this with very blurry eyes. As the child of a vet (nasho 67-69) I saw my father finally start to deal with his time after the Welcome Home March in Sydney, 1987. We drove over from Adelaide to be there (M, D, 16, 13, 11yo) and is still one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. The respect you have shown in reporting this does you credit. Thank you.

As the proud great-grandson of an American WW2 vet (who sadly passed not long after I was born), I made it my personal mission to speak to every veteran I meet, and became familiar with those that'd come in my work. Sadly, they've all started to lessen and it makes me deeply sad I can't see them again. To our American Vietnam vets, I genuinely respect what you did, I don't care about the politics, you fought and died to try and help South Vietnam, there are a number of refugees that are glad you did as well or else they might not have lived to make it somewhere safe for them to live. Aussie, Kiwi, South Korean, South Vietnamese, and Thai Vietnam vets, I thank you for standing with my countrymen, again I don't care about the politics, I care you fought at their side and they yours. Lastly, my great-grandfather suffered PTSD till his dying days, it hurts we lacked the treatments we have now that might have helped him, don't stay quiet about your struggles, get the help you need.

heck yeah, as a non-aussie, i've wanted a video on this ever since i saw the movie Danger Close. Something about how they handled the cinematography in that film made it feel much more brutal than similar films. If it doesn't get brought up in the video, what are your thoughts on the movie if you've seen it?

I had a lovely short chat with Harry at the 50th Anniversary dinner in Vũng Tàu. His love for 'the boys' (the men of D Coy) was very, very obvious. Have a dig into the bureaucratic battles he fought for them (and on behalf of all ex-ADF) in the years after the war. Amazing man!

Thank you for not just reading out the roll call, but for also putting faces to their names. R.I.P.

I can't thankyou enough for being the only documentarian to recognise the NZ 161 act of gunner valour. I have viewed many long tan docos and while the depth of content is quality they all fail to credit the impact the NZ grounpounders had on this battle. Mateship.. Salute.

Thank you so much, PTSD from service in Afghanistan has cast a long shadow over the period since, it steels my heart to think someone could make such a sensitive, respectful and thoughtful video

As a American I salute you warriors. I love these guys who fought with my cousin in Vietnam. My cousin said they were go warriors professional tough as nails. He would go to Australia on vacation as he got older he loved those guys. Thank you assures your well loved by this American family thank you.

Just moved to Australia a few weeks ago from Ireland and the guy who did my white card course did 20 years in the RAR. He was telling me about the blokes going and visiting Long Tan when the regiment was in Malaysia, he said there wasnt a dry eye in the place, and thats from a guy who was in Somalia, East Timor and Afghanistan

As a Kiwi born Aussie parts of this hit hard. GREAT work calling out to vets and acknowledging PTSD.

Australia has stood with the USA in every war, earlier than their joining in WW1 and WW2. I was told by an American that Australia wasn’t in the Vietnamese war. Then the discussion changed to WW2, when they said they declared war on Germany to help the allies. I had to remind them that the USA did not declare war on Germany. Germany declared war on the USA two weeks after Pearl Harbour. It was only then that the USA was forced into the war in Europe.

Very well done video. The roll call and photos of the Australian KIAs was absolutely heartbreaking. Pte. Meller's story was classic as well.

Great recollection of the war in Vietnam , my father was involved in Long Tan . I have the upmost respect for all those who served our country in a war . ❤

Soldiering is a brutal job 🥺 These guys were bloody incredible… thank you for making this video

My uncle Jason Benjamin Sturgess served in the scorpions 3rd cav but he died in a APC crash in 2002

I was a very young child hanging off my front gate in Yeppoon as APC's and trucks went by on the road from Rocky on the way to Shoalwater Bay for pre deployment training. If I'd only known as a four year old. They all waved back...

The NZ batteries opened up first, they were joined by the 103rd Australian Field Artillery 30 mins later. This is according to a gun layer Kelvin Wormald who was there and who is watching this documentary.

Your right about talking to the vets and telling there story's my dad was in 5 RAR and was in Vietnam in 1966, he like most didn't like talking about the war. When I was younger we had just went to a long tan memorial service I asked him if he was at long tan. Of course he said no but he was at the Col Joy and Little Pati concert. When the boys at Nui Dat could hear how the battle was escalating they wanted to go out and help. It was at about this time they got the order "stand to" so instead of going out to help there mates they had to stand on the perimeter and just listen and wait. He eventually told me other story's when I was older plus other bits I've picked up from the RSL and the odd reunion.

i live for these kinds of videos thank you for making this and helping to immortalize these heros

Thank you for this video mate, bloody awesome!

its great that you gave several ptsd warnings , thank you

Bravo, this was a brilliant piece of work and being a fan of danger close it tied in the ground movements in the movie that never really gave a viewer the angles of the fire fight.

Beautiful video mate, I work at an RSL club so I deal with veterans often, a bunch of some of the most humble and nicest people you can meet.

This is a damn good video, it needs more views than it has! Brilliant work old boy

As an american who grew up hearing about our vietnam story i think its bloody awful you aussies don't get ANY credit here in the states just know some of us yanks care and appreciate the sacrifice made by our friends and allies so thank you boys

I am a very proud 6 RAR digger from 1974 to 1978, my intake were trained by hardened veterans of Vietnam many a few were still in the Battalion that were in that battle Sgt Buick was a great Sgt, hard man but a good fare NCO. God bless them all.

Very well put together. This battle and its significance is lost within the history of the vietnam war. I went to vietnam for 4 days to specifically visit the long tan memorial last year, it was a very emotional and sobering experience that i will never forget. My thoughts and prayers always with 6RAR D Company. ✊️❤️

absolutely stunning video.

Very grateful for your credit to 161 Battery RNZA. I got to shake Morrie Stanley's hand at a RSA event years ago.

This was a great video.

Great video. I have been asking the other day if the Australians wore the M1 helmet or if they had their own? A guy told me that he didn't think they had helmets in Vietnam. Just the flap hats and boonie hats were all they had. I said, "Who the hell goes to war with a helmet? Thank you. This video has answered my question

Great documentary and a superb film,well done veterans should be honoured.

Think I saw a movie about this, absolutely savage engagement. Some incredible bravery

Finally got around to watching this after a busy month, very solemn ending

My eldest brother was born in '51, and he missed the 'Call Up', so he would have not been in Long Tan anyway. Still, I had daydreams of him in uniform during the day at school, he is 9 and half hears my senior. Many Salutes to All who served! Uncle and Great Uncle in the Two Big Ones.

KZfaq is terrible at recommending stuff. I've clicked the damn bell. What more do they want?! Thanks for the amazing inspiring informative educational calming video!

Very nice video about the event, maybe a little difficult to visualize the situation, but very good.

Thanks, mate. Never forget.

Danger close was an amazing movie. These aussies and kiwis are champs..

Great film, I like the message. For all our Diggers, respect - You will never be forgotten.

Oh damn, this one’s gonna be a doozy lol.

Likely your best video.

The Nz artillery were good at shooting close to the Aussies. My dad was stationed at Nui Dat in the 85th transport.. One day driving a squad to an insertion point, the squad leader left his notebook in the truck so my father ran over to give it to him - as he was doing so an artillery barrage came in from Nui Dat and destroyed his truck! The kiwis were shelling the insertion point and not the enemy positions!! lol.. true story.. Needless to say, hearing such praise for the NZ artillery is a new thing for me 😉

Good shit mate if you want to make another australian video from vietnam the battle of coral balmoral is another crazy battle

Hey bro, i went to portsea on the weekend (the officer cedit school smith graduated from) last weekend. Because i was particularly interested in him. He was a good man from most accounts.

Hey mate! You should visit Australian Sig Troop 547. Their story is fantastic. I know a couple 547 vets.

My uncle fought in Vietnam he told me he still has nightmares of running through the jungle where the fire neverver catches him but he never out runs it. My grandfather was in in Korea but was stateside on a missile test range great grandfather fought in the Pacific but didn’t like to talk about it but talked to my uncle about it (I was also a young child). I also new a B24 gunner who was shot down over Yugoslavia and I met a WW2 German vet once.

The best one I read in a book from the kiwis in Vietnam was during a furious first contact once the initial contact died off one of the NZ troops yelled out “half time change sides” 😂 classic ANZAC humour & of all the Vietnam veterans I know I can see anyone of those guys saying something like that 😂

Thank you

Good effort

that line was *GOLD*

Thank you.

Amazing story, absolute heroes the lot of them. And truth be told... "Where the F have you been" gave me a good laugh! Thank you for telling their story

Two of the thoughts I had watching this, one from the beginning and one from the end. I’ll start with the one from the beginning because it makes chronological sense even tho I think the the point from the end is more important. So to begin, I find it interesting how that the two reasons you gave for the Aussie troops being deployed their, albeit with the asterisk that each are debated, both interestingly end up irrelevant to their actions in this battle. The first possibility you gave was they were stationed there because of their experience fighting guerrilla fighters in jungle environments form time in I think you said Malaysia? Second alternative possibility was because the Americans thought it was some backwater area where they could dump the Aussies where they’d see no battle while the Americans went and did the main fighting. Now I should note, the first one makes sense to me, but idk enough about American mentality/ego in Vietnam or their thoughts abt the Aussies, so I could buy that explanation too *if* it lines up with American attitudes. However the results of the battle show the troops going far and beyond either of those two reasons. They were fighting the NVA in this battle, not the VC. Well asides from those 6 they caught that lead to the order to pursue and this resulted in them being positioned just outside of that clearing. And those two that the private ram across after finding First platoon (using this videos nomenclature). However I think everyone can agree they were not the main issue at hand, and that it was their amazing performance against the NVA that lead to this victory. Not the type of troops or warfare they would’ve expected to be engaged in. For the second given reason, it would seem very odd that the US wouldn’t have intelligence of what I’m assuming is a Battalion (forgive me if I messed up the hierarchy, it’s whatever group size is above company since it was states it was obviously more than a platoon, and then obviously more than a single company) operating in that area. Idk maybe the the combined intelligence forces somehow missed that. Again not a VC group but a full NVA battalion, I’d assume that’s hard to not pick up on/track. Either way if they were sent to be backwater troops they obviously showed their skills as soldiers in their tactical conduct. Lacking intelligence they ended up in a horrific position, but managed to somehow get out with some alive and with the battle marked as a victory. Just interesting to me how with either explanation the Aussies and Kiwis (sorry I forgot to include them, bad habit of my dumb American brain forgetting Aussies and Kiwis are from different nations; really good education system here that it took me till 11th grade for a teacher to mention that!) still heavily outperformed their expected duties and went beyond the capabilities responsible for their position. Sorry that was over complicated, brain not working well rn. My second point about the end of the video is that I agree, too many people forget about vets. Like we support them as an idea, in abstract. But I’ve noticed that we (at least in America, tho I feel like generally within “western” cultures as well) when confronted with dealing with them as soldiers, asking about their time participating in war, we start to get squeamish. We like the idea of their sacrifice and what they’ve done for others. But I think for many they don’t like to be reminded what war actually is outside of the an abstract idea of National Defense. Either because someone might be anti-war in general but know it’s a bad look to degrade veterans or it’s someone who is fine with the status quo but gets squirmy when they start learning the realities of what fighting is. We as a culture from my perspective love to glorify the idea of war and violence, through movies and such, or the opposite and vilify or demonize it. However I think both of these perspectives miss the point. War is not desirable but also can not be ignored. The reality is though that there are people with ideas with weapons who want to expand their ideas with those weapons. Peace isn’t an option. But war is inevitable, their are ways to prevent it. But talking to vets requires understanding this idea, and so few do. So people just leave them alone, afraid of their stories and what they can mean. However I agree with you that they need to be heard, and preserved. Both to warn against spuriously going to war, but also to show the horrors that can be endured through prolonged conflict. This part is now my very American based opinion as an American, since Vietnam we’ve been scared to use our forces in places we really should, and use them in places we shouldn’t. I can think of multiple times where US intervention could have saved the lives of many by helping end a war sooner. Yes some Americans might die, but is it not worth some Americans dying fighting to protect others if the result is we save magnitudes more from war? Lebanon is one place that comes to mind for me. However I think we also need to use these stories to know why we shouldn’t go into wars without reasons; going into Iraq in 2003 being the most obvious example. In short I think we need to hear these stories both to honor the people, but also to remind ourselves of the cost of needless war as well as the cost of not engaging in war. Edit: oh also I forgot to mention how I feel we way to often forget about the Korean War, at least here in the U.S.. Its genuinely depressing how many people I’ve mentioned it too who don’t know what I’m talking about. When I ask them how North and South Korea came into existence with such a militarized border and polarized cultures they don’t seem to know, and sometimes are surprised when I tell them about the massive war between the two Korean factions, the west, and China. Oh and of course those strange incredibly experienced white North Korean pilots that kept speaking oddly broken Korean with a super thick and heavy Russian accent and also seemed to be fully fluent in Russian as they’d sometimes swap to it and speak it better than Korean. Odd North Korean pilots they were. Wink wink.

My dad is mate's with the guy who story that is being told. In the song I was only 19. The stories he tells are both pure hell, gruesome and horrifying. He suffers PTSD.. 💔😪😪🇦🇺

…this was very, VERY well done.

I had the honour of having Bill "Yank" Akell as my battalion 2IC. He is amazing man. It's an insane thing he did!

If only we did the same in the UK for the Korean war. My granddad was so proud for the duty he did there (he was enlisted too under national service) - he saw things out there too. He also dealt with the aftermath as well as how to try and save as many as he could from both sides (he finished his tour over there as a Sergeant doing supplies/logistics and found it was much less deadly to local populations health to hire them to move/guard stuff than use UN*cough*US*cough* solders who just shot anyone on sight who got close to any supplies).

I apologize for the ignorance but i was a history major in college even took a course specifically on the Vietnam War and never knew of Australia's involvement. Hats off to these brave heroes

powerful closing

I do wonder why, in the finest traditions of the ANZAC legend, that contribution of the New Zealand military is not so recognised and acclaimed at Long Tan. Two Kiwi SAS fought with the Aussie troops and the Kiwi over-watch battery of 105mm howitzers burnt their barrels out sustaining an impossibly incredible rate of suppressive artillery fire that really hurt the attacking Viets. I later worked with the Kiwi captain who had managed the 105 howitzers fire support, he was a deaf as a rock, invalided out, a sacrifice the Kiwi gunners made to keep the rounds going in, that they got no real credit for but he used to say it was his proudest moments, doing the impossible for their Aussie mates until the other support finally got going.

God bless the very brave men and woman who have put their lives on the line for their fellow Australians ......I really hope Australians appreciate the sacrifice ..... sometimes i wonder ....

Those who have never been to war may never experience PTSD. I was raised with it. My dad returned from WW2 a shattered man. Eventually he died a casualty of the war albeit 40 years later. Without the constant support of my mum who held him together I doubt he'd have lasted 10 years. I have nothing but respect for every serviceman or woman who struggles to return to a 'normal' life after experiecing what no-one should have to experience. To be ignored by the people they served on behalf of heaps travesty on travesty.

18:02 Those 3 hours were probably the longest 3 days of those men's lives.

Tear in my eye watching this. . On a War Service pension now myself and this Gold Card thing. I just wanted to try supporting the Country and doing the Military thing. I cant imagine the absolute horror these men amongst men endured but I guess my War Service might possibly fail in comparison. Afghan, Timor, etcetera etcetera.. These gentleman in Long Tahn set a bar that can never be bettered. Lest we forget our real heroes

My grandpa who was apart of a mechanized division was almost sent to vietnam, and i will always think hes a true badass, told me a story once when were both a bit drunk how when he was training out of California he was in his 113 and dropping off men to secure an objective (apart of his training) and a lieutenant came up and said “hey can i drive this back to the motor pool?” And my grandpa just told him to just fuck off and drove back. Hes still alive and i thank the lord that hes my grandpa.

my mate was there they walked the artillery over the nva positions and escape trails all night next day they collected the remains many blown apart he said to me we counted over 500 pairs of hands of nva dead

Have you ever watched the bush tucker man? He was in Vietnam. Les Hiddins is his name.

First off , I want to say Welcome Home to all our Aussie allies of RVN . I " think " that the " they were put down there because it was safe " BS was because it was not terribly far from Vung Tau , which was a In Country R&R Center for we American's . I actually drove to VT one time to pick up a fellow medic who had done 3 days R&R . It was a beautiful beach. As crazy as this may sound . Other than by air , that was the first time I ever saw the ocean . Of course though , I heard the same shit about Xua Loc . In mid / late 71 we worked for some Aussie troops out of FSB Mace , I THINK . IDT we were at Dui Dat ?! Being a " Blue Team "medic in a Air Cav Unit , and recon . We were so many places I lose track . I remember meeting some Aussie guys off an active some place. They were all sitting together by their trucks drinking beer and playing some drinking game :D They asked me if I wanted to play , which I would have if we weren't there as a QRF at that time . RIP Colonel .. doc 68-71 25ID / 75th and Evac Hospital Tay Ninh ....

Good video, can't wait for the part 4 of the Russian navy series.

We will remember them

You were perfectly correct. The Kiwis stopped at nothing. They were Darn GREAT Soldiers and even today Iam proud of being side by side with the Kiwis. Nifty J.

I’m certainly aware of the Kiwis being beside the Kiwis during our Vietnam Service of Australian. I’m an Aussie and I remember for sure just how C Lose that we as Aussies served side you side y side WITH THE KIWIS. For sure. Nifty J.

I've heard about this battle before but I didn't release how bad it was. Thanks for telling us about this. Long Live the Kangaroo. (When is Russia's Navy Sucks P4 coming out?)

As a combat veteran (Iraq) i want to personally thank all the Vietnam Veterans, thank you and God Bless.

By God, why is it so difficult to recognize and give credit to those who died and sacrifice so bravely for the country. What is the Govt so afraid off? The Australians in Long Tan did their country proud, is that so hard to even say thank you? It is time they are given the true recognition they so rightly deserve by their own country!!

Mate thank you for this wonderful piece and great narrative, we should never forget this crappy war and the scars it left on our boys and the Americans. Again thank you.

shoutout to hometown hero Private Paul Large

My CO (Royal Hampshire Regiment, c.1987) was 22 SAS who served with Australian SAS during the Vietnam War. He was an outstanding commander and soldier.

Lest We Forget.

"Because it's important," yes it is.

id love to hear videos from you about the allied units in Vietnam. the south Koreans were both brutal and ferocious fighters that arent mentioned. id also like an address to the crimes they committed. as a south korean myself i never knew that the government persisted in helping during the war, and the loyalty to the usa after the korean war is still strong to this day. at least from what i have read and heard

I just learned that Australians served in the Vietnam war. Unfortunately in the United States this history is hardly, if ever talked about.

0:37 What song is that?

It's so sad that veterans are blamed instead of their incompetent governments.

Ive just watched the movie of this, as a Brit can the aussies who served there tell me, if "Drop packs" when ordered to assist another platoon, is actually true?, as this seems absolutely crazy to me, and never heard of this before, i mean, i can get Leaving huge bergens as they would impede speed of adding in a relief mission, but waist packs??, isn't that where everything is like ammo,water and bandages, or maybe there is some glaringly obvious bad errors in this film, like i say im a Brit so dont really know how the aussie fighting doctrine works, i always thought it would be very similar to ours, but we would never drop our packs, i doubt if even drop the bergens unless had to run and i mean run as in fast, not jog or speed march...even then thered be wanting to take them as bergens can quickly at the drop of a hat can turn into a bunker as in sand bag and will stop rounds from a distance or atleast drain the sting of one, depending what the projectile hits in the bag...

An honor to the brave. salute 🫡

My father was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, 71-72. He once told me he was a pilot for an Australian captain with the last name of Kiwi. To this day I don’t know if he was pulling my leg, and I will have to wait until I see him again in Heaven to ask.