Long Tan (Khe Sanh) - John Schumann & Hugh McDonald

[@youngbess1]

As a wife of a Vietnam vet, thank you.

[@craigdutton6072]

The chopper that landed and dropped the ammo was situated in Nyngan nsw for many yrs as after its deployment it was used as a rescue chopper and was used to help the people of Nyngan in the floods . Then in 2012 two veterans were travelling through and spotted it and they approched the shire and the chopper is now at a rsl on the Sunshine Coast I now this as I worked on the shire and my supervisor flew up for the opening ! It was awsome to see the men that flew take it home ✌️️👍

[@quilpiegold]

FYI : The brave men who flew that chopper did not land ! To my friends and all others that served in Vietnam I salute you.

[@richychester8219]

@@quilpiegold nope it didnt they tryed to find the smoke to locate the drop zone and were talking a lot fire ,they evently got as close as possable hovered above the tree canopy just long enough to kick out the ammo boxes and take off cooped a few ak47 bullet holes but saved these guys lives and one ammo near took out one of the guys below thats how close to them they got very brave men indeed

[@rubywilson2568]

That's cool gonna have to go see it

[@urffox4136]

Yeah thankyou Jeff an rusty the dog

[@danozdirect3749]

A great tribute to our Aussie Vietnam vets Beautiful guitar work The apeggios in the solo are crisp as Very Nice job lads

[@SuperMarksman33]

As a Kiwi, I saw Redgum twice in the mid 80s in Brissy, So good.I still play my Redgum albums to this day in NZ. Mint.

[@cynicalrendering]

It’s not lost on me mate!

[@youngbess1]

Thank you John, my hubby is a Vietnam veteran, he loved flying in choppers with the door open and him and his mates hanging their feet out.

[@curtist919]

It's so surreal being a US vet of the Afghan war but this Aussie song hits closer to home than any I've ever heard

[@williamryder9785]

did you hear I was only 18, for some reason the US didn't want to talk about it

[@henryfehrman2304]

I hope you’ve heard the original version by Cold Chisel. It’s now basically an Aussie anthem in itself - and a reflection of the difficulties returning warriors face in trying to put meaning to their sacrifices.

[@Cody6918]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmjRgIBtpZWqiqM

[@rtfv35sqn93]

Listen to "I was only 19"

[@delmaclifton9577]

You need to find Dust of Uruzgan by Fred Smith - great CD, all about Afghanistan

[@pfdrtom]

God bless our true allies. From Texas.

[@bradwicenciak6960]

Yes true allies

[@scottypersia5715]

I thought your best ally was Israel mate?

[@pfdrtom]

@@scottypersia5715 Hmmm....can't recall the last time they went to war with us.

[@scottypersia5715]

@@pfdrtom No, they just have us do all their killing for them and then send us the bill, including the one for the body bags. A short excerpt from the book The Bad War. Please read it. www.realhistorychan.com/the-bad-war-ww-2.html

[@topdog5288]

You serious you goose's

[@tsungadog7081]

Brilliant....Thanks Hugh and John....You made me cry.

[@shanejohnson8639]

Please remember the kiwis we sent our best to be with the best oF OZ

[@brendendavis7251]

We never forget over here, across the ditch. We can fight among ourselves in any sporting contest, but put us to war together - we're back to back shoulder to shoulder, Brother. 👋

[@martinwatkins8551]

I was a Royal Engineer, saw service in the first gulf War, bloody red gum went with me bloody brilliant

[@mick00000000002]

I know the song. Before played ( but love it. Ha!!!!!!! Thank you for the upload. ....... A time should not be forgotten.... this should be shared in Australia. You tube. KZbin. ...... lests we no forget. God bless. Mick wollongong. Don't let history be forgotten. KZbin. I get the link one of and im happy to get this link. God bless)

[@mick00000000002]

6 years you tube. KZbin . 6 years. Advertise please. This is Australia's. Don't let history be forgotten. Please share this you tube. KZbin. Anzac time. Don't loss history.............................................. .................

[@wilsonmcphert]

This is the first time I've paid close attention to the lyrics of this song and realised that it is an incredible piece of song writing. Loved this interpretation.

[@sp4nrs]

I used to sing along to the original for years until one day I read the lyrics and realised I’d got about 80% of it completely wrong!

[@pamelahay6242]

Easy to misshear lyrics played as a rock song. This acoustic version lays it all out there for the lustener to hear, feel and contemplate on completion. A modern Australian Folk Song for sure. Means a lot to many. 😔

[@gary1477]

Don Walker regards this song as an early attempt at song writing. He admits that Khe Sanh was a battle between the US Marines and the NVA. He also says that in terms of a composition, the song lacks a chorus, like more conventional songs.

[@youngbess1]

Married to a Vietnam veteran who is fighting DVA for his PTSD. 12 months later, still waiting for a response. Why are our veterans treated so badly? Thank-you for your song.

[@alking7655]

​@@gary1477, Even still, Don did a great job. When you look at it lyrically, it's message is truly beautiful. Sometimes, the most poignant and important songs don't follow a defined structure. It's poetry to music.

[@snowyowlz5992]

From a US Army Vietnam-era veteran to you Mates! 🍻🍻🍻🫡🪖💚🇦🇺🇳🇿

[@davidcoleman757]

The Aussies called down artillery fire on their own position - the fighting was that close. God bless those crazy bloody heroic ANZACS. Dave. UK

[@andrewkitchen8895]

We are Allies and always will be, cheers m8

[@petergraves2085]

It was highly-accurate artillery by New Zealanders - spotted by Major Horrie Stanley 131 Battery RNZA. Who was in the middle of the battle with the Australians.

[@petergraves2085]

Whoops ! As others have said: 161 Battery RNZA.

[@johnseabrook1029]

There was a time when I didn’t care much for John Schumann’s voice. That’s all changed. He’s the real deal. This rendition is just so heartfelt. It’s very impressive.

[@johnworrall2931]

Stunning. An exemplar of the power of an acoustic guitar, an evocative voice and a message that needs to be heard. Thank you John and thank you Hugh. Hugh - rest in peace and the knowledge you shone a light on the many failures we as human beings need to address. John - long may you continue to do so.

[@stuartosten943]

Beautiful version. Love John Schumann's voice. So Aussie.

[@josephwilliams1905]

Our Aussie 'Spirit' and dedication to 'Mateship' is legendary and indescribable to those that aren't of 'the land of the Southern Cross'.

[@nickhancock1594]

Beautiful version. Emotive and powerful.

[@DarrylSullivan]

Visited there in 2014. The heli-pad at nui dat was still there where my old man was posted. Even the bullet holes in the 2 check point cabins are still there. An erie feeling to say the least.

[@rachelhopkins2630]

Hi Darryl. I got to visit there back in 2015. Still remember the feeling.

[@kasbelvoir3846]

Hugh McDonald is the quiet achiever.. brilliant talent very humble .. this combo is such a brilliant union over the the years ..

[@coreyrobinson1510]

Shame Hugh passed away would be good to see them together

[@SafeTrucking]

Just beautiful. The change to the opening line is perfect.

[@Calvingeneering]

Every time I hear John singing about Vietnam and what the Aussie soldiers put up with there, the tears flow freely, I managed to get to the second line of this song before it happened....

[@Loribyn]

An original is not often surpassed ... but that did it.

[@rohanphelan8556]

We still want John Schumann as Prime Minister, who's on board ??

[@viviennemiller474]

So long as he doesn't have to wear a suit!!

[@gary1477]

@@viviennemiller474 Not me. He worked in Canberra for the Australian Democrats after Redgum.

[@petergraves2085]

There were Australians at Khe Sanh - but not at the 1968 siege. There were advisers at the base at about 1963. I lived next door to one of "The Team" who was there.

[@bassytman7852]

...beautiful tribute. Thank you John and Hugh (RIP)

[@jakeshanja]

That's beautiful. Glad Don Walker gave you the green light...you have made it heartbreakingly poignant all over again.

[@robleary3353]

ANZAC legends all of them!. Shame it took Government(s) soo long to appreciate and recognise the service of all those who were sent there!.

[@pats3071]

He says Australians weren’t at Khe Sanh but that’s wrong, there were a number of Canberra Bombers from the RAAF stationed at Khe Sanh that were flying very successful missions bombing the hills around the base. The character in the song Khe Sanh is a pilot so it does make some sense that he might have been a RAAF guy who spent some time at Khe Sanh

[@nathanroberts355]

My uncle ray Howard ward served with d coy 5th royal Australian regiment at battle of Binh ba 1969

[@Paddymayne4738]

Once again three important aspects demonstrated here. (1) The Lads on the ground fight in an overwhelming enemy. (2) The Chopper Lads saying up your nose to Command. (3) Had they not done such a brave selfless act, the situation would have ended very differently. That’s what being an Aussie is all about and hopefully always will be. God bless all past present and future ADF Members.

[@robertmaich9909]

Bravo John. Love your version of this brilliant track! Thank you for letting us hear of the true heroism of our 128 fateful Aussie mates.Each one a hero and a brother.

[@andrewmeintjes4342]

Respect to all Vietnam vets

[@nevadabadger7925]

❤

[@alking7655]

I love the original, but you have made it so much more poignant and heartbreakingly beautiful, with a slower speed and one-line change. Making it feel the sense of a returned vet, who has a longing to find his sense of self. Truly stunning. I think Don, Jimmy, Mossy and the rest of the Chisel guys would be proud.

[@clevelandaugustusdodge5274]

I NEVER CRY BUT WHEN I LISTEN BELOVED HUGH & SUCH A STRONGLY NOSTALGIC GUITAR ! MAY BE PESAJ... 🐰🍒🐰

[@jimclarke1108]

Legends !

[@adrianoverkill]

I had the great joy to meet Hugh McD and have a great chat with him, at Port Fairy one year where I used to volunteer and also performed often in street context, occasional stage appearances ... what a gracious and gentle man he was, and was very gratified at my version of his Diamantina Drover due to I was one fo few who picked up the deeper nuances, sadly with no disrespect JW did not, but I always treasure that day and the time spent with a rare good bloke.

[@CHILDRENofVVFBpage]

I’ve met John or should I say at my age Mr Schumann personally only for a brief moment after he sang at the Canberra 50th anniversary of Long Tan. Mixed emotions that day. And everyday. As a son of a Vietnam Veteran. I cannot express the emotions that evolve through not only A Walk In The Light Green. But this hugely misunderstood song also. Some part of me knows deeply that a part of me belongs in and longs to be in Vietnam. Even though it’s essentially the home of the enemy.

[@shaun2174]

absolute gem

[@steventaylor5283]

POWERFUL

[@brianhoffman4861]

Seriously True story... imagine being there.... surviving and telling the story.... history. Salute

[@red5llaw]

Thank you and thanks to ALL who served or are serving (including by Son who has been in for nearly 10 years now).

[@coreyrobinson1510]

Rip Hugh you will he missed

[@LesFalkai]

caused tears to flow. enough is is enough

[@357HFC]

Tears in my eyes as I type. WE should never have sent any Aussie to that BS. Heroes, all that went, thank You. Shame on the political decision that saw you there (could have been me) Greatest respect. I am sure Don Walker loves this rendition, I think it says what he wanted to say and a whole lot more!

[@pamelahay6242]

I well remember the waiting on tenterhooks to learn what birthdates were pulled out, which randomly consign those young men born on those dates to Conscription and a probable flight to Vietnam several months latter. I remember my mother attrnded The Moratorium March against the war in Vietnam. My Dad, a 15 year Regular in the Australian Army Engineers pulled the pin in 1963. With a young family, I think he saw the lurking menace of Vietnam in the coming years. He had colleagues go to Vietnam as technical training staff and more from the mid 60’s. As far as the Conscription raffle went, my brother was safe, my cousin, an only child, not... lucky for him the ALP got elected on the eve of his departure from Townsville to Saigon. As promised by Gough Whitlam, the day after the Election result posted, he and the other Conscripts were free to walk away...

[@robmorris7128]

I was in the last NS lottery just before Labor won the election. I wasn't going to go if my marble came up and the Libs won. They've got blood on their hands as they have with Afghanistan.

[@357HFC]

@@robmorris7128 err you mean 'We Have'.

[@petew5289]

as brit we were lucky American government asked for troops for Vietnam the pm sent a troop of sas to make a report they reported it couldn't be won unfortunately they were proved right 10 years later

[@Consumerify]

thanks John for you and Hughs work

[@flamingstag2381]

john still holds us together !

[@mehere8-32]

Prayers and THANKS. 👉🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👈

[@neilwhisler7817]

To all veitnam veterans Your blood is worth bottling. LEST WE FORGET.

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

Very well done.

[@kasbelvoir3846]

just gotta love this ..

[@anjaliradhe]

Beautiful

[@bradpamp5699]

ALLTIME

[@Gympiedillons4]

RIP Hugh

[@petej2533]

Perfect

[@davidbrignall4815]

Nothing but respect

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

This tore my fucking heart open. Will we ever see an end to war?

[@scotthendricks5665]

I just hope that Kissinger gets justice for all the pain he caused.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

You know he won't. He's a rich and powerful politician

[@petedog1111]

Ex navy, ex O boats (subs) no one knew what we did. This is me. Thanks guys. The years get better but I still want to slash my wrists regularly,

[@tonyrigby7948]

At language school in 1988 I met the O boat crew members. So many amazing, crazy stories. I also met the crew of OVENS in Bugie St, Singapore in 1979. Glad I was not carrying my camera.

[@biancakhan3542]

Craig that is such a hard comment to read! Although I’m sure you’re not alone with feelings like that! I hope you are mostly well and ok! Navy runs in my family’s veins, including an ex husband!! Take care

[@Debbie-ty2wq]

I wish you to get happy there's only one of you , you're a special creation , you cannot be replaced

[@lesbacon1976]

brilliant

[@kenhall1964]

Me too mate

[@petergraves2085]

And those chopper pilots were Air Force (not the current Army pilots). They disobeyed orders not to fly, took off then flew into an active fire fight and dropped re-supplies of ammunition to the soldiers on the ground. Artillery from New Zealand and the USA were also key inputs - dropping their shells about 20 feet in front of our soldiers. True "danger close".

[@catlee8064]

Heres a fast story of a heli pilot i was ground cover for in '04 Bas'rah....I was on Ambulance protection duty for about 2 months, one of our guys would get hit, out we would go to pick him up and get him back to a aid station, if it was serious, we would go to a preplanned LZ and call in the medi vac chinook. We get the call pick up these guys and get to the nearest LZ and we started taking fire, small arms only. We started returning fire, suppressed most of it, anyways this chinook still came in and you could hear the rounds hitting the bottom armour, She floated this thing in like it was a walk in the park, out jumped the RRT who helped us while the medics from our troop carried the wounded on, took like 2 mins, RRT gets back on and away she flies....very few times ill admit someone has a bigger set than me, but the lady flying certainly did!

[@glynnharnell9042]

108 Australians, not 128. Included a NZ Artillery spotter team.

[@robleary3353]

Jimmy is briĺ; but this version is just chilling. Lest we forget those poor buggers sent off to fight someone elses war!.

[@cynicalrendering]

It’s not lost on me mate!

[@jbw601]

Also go 161 kiwi bat

[@BruceWard-cg9iw]

Australians back home were not aware on 17th August 1966 that the battle of Long Tan in Phuoc Tuy Province involved Australian Forces. History shows us now that D Company from 6RAR numbering 108 men engaged a ground force 275 VC Main Force Regiment and D445 Battalion estimate to be 4,500 in strength in fierce fighting. Nor were they aware an order was given for D Company to leave the battle field and they refused to leave their wounded and dying mates. The Viet Cong withdrew from the battlefield and D Company action ensured that Viet Cong would never to operate as a major force, strength against Australian soldiers afterwards.

[@johnbond1097]

When people talk about the heroics of our boys at Long Tan they always forget to mention that they were supported by 15 Australian and NZ field cannons that were pounding the hell out of the Vietnamese from 15 kilometers away. The odds were not really against the Australians with that artillery back up....Also its an even smaller point but when Don Walkers song mentions his heart going out to the Sappers at Khe Sanh there is nothing out of place to an Australian feeling sorry for American troops at Khe Sanh.

[@douggiedevil]

John Bond feel like danger close did a good job of showing the work the big guns did and the risks they took to help.

[@johnbond1097]

@@dynevor6327 So my numbers were out....the point that you conveniently overlooked it that there WERE Australian and NZ artillery batteries pounding the Vietnamese.The concept of our small band of brave boys beating many more Vietnamese all by themselves is a vile lie...You are the one who lives ins cave if you need to make a mountain out some wrong figures...How do we know that yours are right?...I don't think there were any US artillery units involved for a start.

[@johnbond1097]

@@dynevor6327 Well if you were stupid enough to go over there to murder Vietnamese people for the sicko US government then perhaps I should bow to your superior knowledge. Funny how you didn't know about the Kiwi artillery until I mentioned it....May be you should do some research. There were no US artillery batteries involved. I was told that by one of the guys who helped place the Australian and NZ guns...That guy actually did go to Vietnam...We don't know for sure that you actually did...Although you do sound stupid enough to have gone. I was smart enough to avoid it.

[@scottypersia5715]

STARTS 2:18

[@frankharrison1213]

Battle of Khe Sanh The attack finally came on January 21, 1968, when PAVN forces began a massive artillery bombardment of Khe Sanh, hitting the base’s main store of ammunition and destroying 90 percent of its artillery and mortar rounds. President Lyndon B. Johnson agreed with Westmoreland’s argument that the base should be held at all costs, and U.S. and South Vietnamese forces launched Operation Niagara, a major artillery bombardment of suspected locations of North Vietnamese artillery in the hills surrounding Khe Sanh. As Johnson, Westmoreland and other officials considered Khe Sanh to be the primary target of the North Vietnamese, they largely ignored signs of a Communist buildup in more urban areas of South Vietnam.

[@jantrieger4500]

my friend,GILBERT E. MERCADO was there, all 77 days, Kco. 3/4th. USMC. RIP

[@RobertSmith-pt7gl]

I wouldn't have a clue but I read some were that a huwi got shot down and crashed into the am o dump and it all blew up.

[@17peaceavenue]

Don't forget New Zealand Artillery (161 RNZA) Observers were there attached to D Coy that day at Long Tan calling in the shells thus protecting the living diggers (They have never forgotten those Kiwi soldiers accurately bringing the shells metres away them to wipe out the NVA) It time to correct history than spouting crap out an insulting our fellow ANZAC Brothers there that day.

[@pamelahay6242]

If the Kiwi’s called in the shells that saved then they certainly deserve great heaps of gratitude and recognition, for sure. I was at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day 2019 and have to say the spirit of unity and mutual between both Aussies and Kiwi’s in attendance was pretty wonderful. I attended the NZ Memorial Service as well as the shared Dawn and the Aussie Lone Pine ceremonies. Quite a day, leavened by Kiwi Haka’s and Maori Song. 💖

[@pamelahay6242]

“ unity and mutual respect...” above. 🙄

[@petergraves2085]

@@pamelahay6242 It's not "if the Kiwis called in the shells" they did. "For more than three and a half hours, in the pouring rain amid the shattered trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tan, Morrie Stanley radioed in more than 61 artillery fire missions and corrections in support of the 108 besieged soldiers of D Company 6RAR. Unable to see in the rain and murk exactly where the 3,500+ rounds of high explosive rounds were falling, working entirely by radio communication with the forward platoons and the artillery units back at Nui Dat, from a folded map held in his hand, constantly wiping off the mud and running rainwater, this New Zealand officer was calling in every ounce of his experience and training".ba ttleoflongtan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Morrie-Stanley-Biography.pdf

[@R00RAL]

Has Hugh died ?

[@countryboyvic]

Spartan Mechanical Services yes, he died in November 2016

[@hdconyers]

I was there in the audience the day that was recorded, Hugh McDonald (a good friend) passed away from cancer la few months after that day

[@brianhoffman4861]

Mate......it was easy before I got stoned

[@stoneworx09]

i caught some pieces of rock in m back that I could not even feel, im a stonemason so its ok .

[@dennismoore1134]

If you are trying to take the piss out of this great song, which means so much to & has touched so many people, you have failed miserably. Have some respect & humility towards people who have done so much more & have survived so much more than you have. Many of us are still suffering. Dennis Moore.

[@stoneworx09]

you little virtue signaller...

[@dennismoore1134]

@@stoneworx09 ??? I don't know what point you are trying to make, junior, but you are not doing it very well, you're not being very clear. I will always agree that we should not have been in that war, but we were & some of us experienced the worst of it & are still paying for it. Take your hand off it. Dennis Moore.

[@stoneworx09]

@@dennismoore1134 you are making the points ! i am not , im sorry for your deep seated turmoil, that you have somehow taken offence from what i wrote, like a new age precious pup..i have two mates who have served in the sas , so spare me your sitrap . i know all about psd. i love this song and the young aussie faces, lighten up a tab please

[@dennismoore1134]

@@stoneworx09 To begin with, andrew c., I am hardly a 'new age precious pup', at the age of 73. I lived through the so-called 'new age' but never became part of it. You are right on one point though, I do have deep seated turmoil. I spent 6 years in the Australian Regular Army, as an Infantry soldier & served two twelve-month tours of south Vietnam in a rifle company with 3RAR & was in quite a few contacts (fire-fights) with the enemy. My platoon commander & a couple of attached field engineers were killed by mines, in the Long Hai Hills, in March,1968. A few more of our Diggers lost limbs, to mines, on the same Operation (Pinnaroo). I was also at Fire Support Base Balmoral, which along with Fire Support Base Coral, constituted the series of largest battles of the Vietnam war, for us Australians. What, you don't know about it? Get the book, written by Lex MacCaulay & read about it. I wish I didn't suffer this turmoil. but my mind can't forget. So, you have two mates who served in 'the sas', so that means because you know them you suffer from their problems too? "Spare me your sitrap". What is 'sitrap'? I don't know that one. You claim that you know 'all about 'psd'. I am assuming that you mean PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Unless you suffer from PTSD you most certainly do not 'know all about it'. I have been diagnosed with it & so have my mates who fought alongside of me, a few of whom have committed suicide since our return to Australia; others have died from their wounds, or from the chemicals they sprayed on us, or which we ingested with our food. They have different symptoms from me, in some respects, but I would not claim to 'know all about it' as you do. Lighten up a tab? I would like to; I try to. Maybe I need your 'expert' help. Do you make house calls? Dennis Moore.

[@themillwall442]

Kiwi gun batteries were picture perfect putting shells up to "danger close". Respect The Kiwi forward officer or whatever the hell he was called was a legend. Think it was apt that the Kiwis and Aussies combined. Actually everything somehow clicked on the day even through D Coy had the shit cos they had to leave a Col Joye and Little Patti gig at Nui Dat. True. Ha ha ha.