Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

The year is 1966, and the Vietnam War is unfolding with intense ferocity. The conflict has dragged in multiple nations, with the United States and South Vietnam fighting against the communist North. Australia and New Zealand have chosen to support their American ally, dispatching troops to the war-torn region. Among these young men are the soldiers of Delta Company, a small contingent of barely a hundred Australian soldiers who will soon face the ultimate test of their mettle. The Delta Company, led by Lieutenant Harry Smith, a grizzled Australian veteran of several battles, is comprised of young, inexperienced recruits and volunteers who have been thrust into the unforgiving environment of jungle warfare. These soldiers hail from diverse backgrounds, united solely by their national pride and a sense of duty to their country. The company's diverse skillset and battle-hardened leaders would be essential in the chaos that lies ahead. As the Australian forces dig in across the Vietnamese terrain, intelligence suggests that the enemy is planning a massive assault on the nearby Long Tân village. The village lies in close proximity to the Australian lines, its strategic location making it a crucial battleground. The Australian commanders believe a strong Australian presence in the village will protect the nearby American and New Zealand forces from the potential threat of the enemy forces, who have been quietly gathering in the area. As the battle-scarred Australians, including Private Jim Martin, Lieutenant Smith, and Sergeant Norman Barrington – along with hundreds of other new volunteers – prepare to face the enemy at Long Tân, they realize that their inexperience and lack of combat training may not be enough to counter the sheer might of the enemy forces who seek to destroy them. The Australian forces will soon discover that the enemy numbers in the thousands, with the enemy army seemingly having every advantage on their side in the treacherous and unfamiliar terrain. The stage is set for the climactic battle that will determine the destiny of Long Tân and ultimately influence the course of the war in Vietnam. On August 18, 1966, Delta Company readies themselves for battle, unaware of the gruesome reality that awaits them. The soldiers of the enemy forces, fueled by fervor and a deep-seated animosity toward their foes, prepare to unleash a ferocious onslaught on the Australian troops. Lieutenant Harry Smith rallies his troops for the grueling battle ahead. However, even his battle-hardened instincts and military background cannot prepare him for the scale of the enemy onslaught. The Australian forces will soon face a merciless and relentless enemy assault that threatens to engulf them. In a bid to protect the soldiers' lives, Smith and other senior commanders devise a cunning battle plan designed to counter the human wave tactics employed by the enemy. However, it may not be enough. The true test of courage, loyalty, and resolve begins as the Australian forces face their greatest challenge yet – one in which they must put aside their fear and rely on their trust in each other to survive against overwhelming odds. The young men who arrived in Vietnam with great idealism and expectations will be forced to confront the dark reality of war – brutal, unforgiving, and often inexplicable. Delta Company will face a desperate fight for survival amidst the dense undergrowth of the rubber plantation. Despite the Australian forces' bravery, it becomes apparent that a significant loss is inevitable. Many young lives will be lost in the battle, a sobering reminder of the true cost of war – lives that could have been otherwise lived. The ferocity of the battle and subsequent loss will resonate far beyond the confines of Long Tân, leaving a profound impact on the soldiers' families, friends, and their country as a whole. On that fateful day at Long Tân, Delta Company will be forced to confront the unforgiving and merciless nature of war head-on. Their courage under fire will be tested, and they will emerge forever changed by the harrowing experience. The legacy of the young Australian and New Zealand soldiers will live on, their stories a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.