Walking the Long Tan Battlefield

Historian Mat McLachlan explores the battlefield of Long Tan, scene of Australia's most famous battle of the Vietnam War.

[@petedudson6671]

Danger Close is a very good recent movie on this. The artillery support was mainly 161 Battery Royal New Zealand Artillery Regiment.

[@memoresto3480]

At the very start yes! but 2 ozzie Batteries & 1 US battery joined

[@johnnichol9412]

6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers of 161 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) 6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers of 103 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) 6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers 105 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) 6 x M109 Self Propelled 155mm guns of A Battery, 2/35th Artillery Regiment, US Army

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Thank you Australian soldiers who fought with both my Uncle's generation of Vietnam!! Australian soldiers have a reputation of one of the world's finest infantrymen. Thank you guys!!!

[@jasminemadden4138]

dont forget kiwis but you are most welcome

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@jasminemadden4138 Indeed you Kiwis are also the finest soldiers too.

[@kirowww]

Thank you for what? For kill them?

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@kirowww Are you even or was a soldier?

[@BelindaPearson-f2e]

Just recently had the chance to visit the long tan battle field. The cross and memorial site is simple and well done. Being an ex militarily person. I found this to be a very emotional ...and quiet ...peaceful. Our Vietnamese guide was very passionate about the the entire battle zone....I take my hat off to him. He is trying very hard to preserve what little remains of the nui dat base. Sad to see its almost all gone. Lets not forget a very important australian battle site.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Well said.

[@chrislex2838]

I can see tears in your eyes. I feel your heart breaking. It's very emotional walking through the battlefield.

[@iainmacmillan5997]

My knowledge of Vietnam War is poor but watching this video has enhanced my knowledge, thanks Mat !!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

My pleasure!

[@patriciarose6371]

Neigbour in Penrith area was Long Tan suvivor .Terry Ryan was a character who always found humour in most things. He made light of his involvement but we knew better, Terry was a reluctent hero. Brave as were all Australians that day!

[@dougm5341]

Another exceptional video Mat. Keep up the great work.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Doug.

[@Yvetteross1973]

I highly recommend this tour, an amazing experience

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@anaussieinvietnam]

Mate.... Not nitpicking but in Vietnamese the joint is called Long Tan (pronounced Lom T Air N)... So, in English we use the traditional English word, LONG and use the Vietnamese pronunciation TAN not TARN as you are saying... I lived in Vietnam for almost a decade and have explored this area many times, meeting locals and talking about what they know.. Its a special area.

[@daocana8200]

Nice vid mate. My mates in vt keep to the up keep of the memorial there.. Brad.. Charlie.. And a few more the aussie boys.. Respect brothers

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@timabbott3858]

Currently reading Peter Fitzsimmons book and being able to see the battlefield has helped a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnnichol9412]

Peter Fitzsimmons is principally a writer of novels loosely based on fact.

[@adriang6259]

Christ, this took me by surprise. How chilling it would be to walk there.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

It sure is Adrian. It’s a haunting battlefield.

[@adriang6259]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory And Gallipoli dust in the same boots? Awesome.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate. I’m a lucky bloke!

[@hendrikalbertusjanssens7933]

My grandfather is in the battle of long tan

[@matthewemery4205]

my son has trained with the auzzies excellent soldiers matt from canada

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate.

[@noraleeable]

Appreciate & enjoyed this video, would liked to have visited this historical sight of The battlefield of Long Tan, unfortunately Covid 19 prevents that happening! Thankyou for sharing.

[@SurvivalAussie]

Great video, thank you very much.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@XpertNinjaHD]

I went there in April a lot different looking now there taking down the hill for a bypass to go through apparently very sad

[@davidsherry2755]

My partner and I had the honour and privilege to have a private visit to Nui Dat and Long Tan in 2018. Our guide was a most informed, interesting, insightful and respectful Vietnamese man. We could understand if he held an unconscious and subtle bias against Australians visiting but alas he had no such demeanour. Before leaving for Nui Dat, we observed him making any number of planning phone calls prior to our departure for Long Tan and on arriving at the local Long Tan People's Committee Office, he asked for our passports so that he could obtain the necessary permits for us to visit the cross. Local authority permission must be obtained to visit the cross and that is what all the phone calls were seeking to achieve. As he left the People's Committee Office and was returning to our vehicle, i could see he was holding some papers and a bouquet of yellow flowers. As he rejoined us he informed that the papers were the necessary permission and that the flowers were for my partner and i to place at the cross. What i never anticipated or expected was for him to hand to me the brass memorial plaque, which we would hang on the cross on our arrival. I will never forget driving from the Long Tan People's Committee Office to the cross with the brass plaque sitting on my lap. I felt a great sense of duty, responsibility, humility and respect. The local Peoples Committee do not allow the plaque to be fixed to the cross so that it is held safely, respectfully and securely. Respect to all on both sides of this battle, may we be friends evermore. Lest We Forget 💐

[@deanmcallister6923]

hi Mat. i live in VT. who is the guide you had with you? i would like to get in touch with him, to learn of local history of that battle. cheers

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

He's a local guide called Tuan who we use on lots of our tours.

[@stuartclements9290]

Nice video. Much respect to all. I must point out 2 things. It was not the VC but som did take part but most were regular NVA battalions 3 in all. Nui Dat 2 was some 1000 mtrs from the battle

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Sorry Stuart, that’s incorrect. The enemy at Long Tan we predominantly Viet Cong 5th Div, mostly 275 Main Force and D445 battalions. And Nui Dat 2 overlooks the battlefield. Elements of 275 Btn attacked from its southern shoulder.

[@stuartclements9290]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory yes Nui Dat overlooks the area. VC and Nva were involved. It was a planned battle to draw the Aussies out. The NVA commader explained this well in person and in documents captured. We should not argue . I have met Harry Smith and Buddy Lee. RIP. Both stated NVA regulars were in the attacks. So i believe what they told me. The VC did not carry heavy wepons to that extent ... it was a planned ambush sir.

[@johnnichol9412]

@@stuartclements9290 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong from the Battle of Long Tan website 1,400-1,500 soldiers from 275 Viet Cong Main Force Regiment and Support Companies 400-500 soldiers from D445 Viet Cong Mobile Provincial Battalion 200-500 soldiers from other 5th Viet Cong Division Elements

[@keithTCU]

Great video. Would love to metal detect there.

[@swcarp]

I found it a very sad place , could not get away rom the overriding feeling of gloom . I had a similar experience a week later when our tour group stopped at the scene of the My Lai massacre. Odd

[@davidgreer8385]

So the cross will be removed once they built the new airport there?

[@skipdude37]

Poor terrain for a head to head fight. Both sides would take lots of casualties. The defenders actually have the advantage if dug in securely.

[@tometiger47]

RIP all you brave souls

[@Wolfsschanze99]

Rubber trees have about a 20 year life span, I was there in 93 & surrounded by heavy rubber trees, Visited again in 2003 & it was all saplings, wanted to climb the Horseshoe in 93 but Army engineers had it all red taped as they were clearing mines & UBX's from the area, tried again in 2003 & again off limits as they were blowing it up to use as road fill.

[@alexlanning712]

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away

[@brianford8493]

The dust on your shoes was very profound.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Brian. A special moment.

[@brianford8493]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory yes mate it really resonated here ✌️

[@Jay-ro2vn]

Is it safe to walk around there? I would imagine the have unexploded ordnance?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

It’s no problem. The battlefield is a working rubber plantation.

[@OzBloke]

From my knowledge ( I may be wrong) Nui Dat 2 was actually the location of the Australian Task Force Base. The other Mountains look more like the Long Hai’s to me. The VC/NVA we’re operating from relatively flat ground, not from a hill. I will stand corrected of course. 😎

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comment, but you are not quite right. The Aussie base was Nui Dat. Nui Dat 2 was the hill next to the Long Tan battlefield. The Long Hais were the range of hills in the southern sector of the Australian area of operations. Lots of fighting occurred there, but it was separate from Nui Dat/Long Tan.

[@dennismoore1134]

If you are going to do a commentary & a guided tour of the battlefield & especially if you are going to make money from it, please pronounce the name correctly. It is Long Tan, not Long Tarn, as you incorrectly pronounce it. I spent six years in the Australian Regular Army, as an Infantry soldier. I did two tours of South Vietnam with 3 RAR & in my time in country did quite a few TAOR patrols to Long Tan. Up until this video which you have uploaded, I have never heard it mis-pronounced as Long Tarn. Out of respect to the soldiers on both sides & out of respect for your viewers, please get it right. Dennis Moore, 3RAR Vietnam: 1967 1968; 1971.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Apologies Dennis, I certainly meant no disrespect.

[@dennismoore1134]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory Thank you Mat, for your prompt response & for your apology, it is appreciated. Thank you also for doing your tours & alerting other people to Australians' history & participation in that war. We should not have been there, but we fought with pride & acquitted ourselves with honour & dignity. Respect, Dennis Moore.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for your service and sacrifice Dennis, and to all the blokes you fought alongside.

[@SteveMack]

I did a few videos of the old memorial, before they moved it (I know one of the guys that helped, as he'd served there);kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHvOhaCAZahqmqs

[@Mikedadof2]

Thanks I'm a kiwi 🥝 and great video

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers Mike. 👍🏼

[@andersonsroad5161]

Its surprising that the VC soldiers would set up positions on a small raised area like you show. That's the first place you'd expect enemy artillery to shred. The kiwi and Australian artillery would of already been ranged on all places like that within the range of their guns.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Good point. I suspect it was constructed later in the war.

[@andersonsroad5161]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory I had it in my mind there were NVA regulars in the enemy forces, mixed VC and NVA but you were correct to only speak of VC as apparently that is all there was albeit VC VC organised like a regular army unit.

[@jasminemadden4138]

vc were probably bait nva were the threat

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

@Andersons Road That’s true. The Vietnamese soldiers at Long Tan were a mix of VC Main Force and local guerrillas. Of course the Australians did come up against the NVA in later battles.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

@jasmine madden Not at this stage of the war. The VC were a real and active threat in Phuoc Touy.

[@Frogstomp_actual]

Been listening to your podcasts. Question (and I have so many). The viet forces were well armed maybe better so than the AU forces plus so many more soldiers. Why did they not just change tactics away from narrow focus wave after wave and simply spread the 100 or so diggers, which would have rendered artillery useless and possibly spread the Aussies so thin, they would regroup back to back? Second question, at that point, why not just charge the base 5km ahead? Was Long Tan poorly executed by the Viet forces or did the diggers simply pull off the impossible? Keen to do a battlefield visit with you to appreciate this topic more. Great podcasts.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Johnathon. Good questions. It’s open to discussion, but my simple take on it was that Long Tan was a classic contact battle - both sides ran into each other without expecting it, and without knowing how many enemy they were facing. The Vietnamese didn’t realise they were facing only 100 or so men until years later. And once they were engaged, they had to either deal with the enemy force in front of them, or disengage. They chose to take them on, and paid the price.

[@Frogstomp_actual]

Living History thanks mate , sounds the only likely explanation. Keep these coming can’t tell you how much I appreciate your Vietnam series.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate. 👍🏼

[@jasminemadden4138]

slr was a good weapon like kiwis aussies were trained in gorrilla tactics they could and still can change according to the field

[@Frogstomp_actual]

Gday, reading “Through Enemy Eyes” by Dave Sabben, giving an interesting perspective of the months leading to the battle including maps with grid references. It is “faction” but a great read.

[@glenchapman3899]

Is there any sort of monument to the North Vietnam soldiers that fought there that day?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Not on the battlefield itself but there is a big memorial in a nearby village.

[@glenchapman3899]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory Thanks!!. Although they were the enemy that day, they still deserve to be remembered

[@jasminemadden4138]

@@glenchapman3899 yes they do all soldiers serve their nations enemy or not honor is what they earned

[@chrislex2838]

Does anyone know why metal helmets weren't used in this battle instead of cotton made?

[@johnmcmahon1843]

metal helmets were too noisy in jungle what with tight vegetatation scraping on metal .anzacs were used to wearing giggle hats for no noise

[@OzBloke]

Also, too hot, heavy and uncomfortable - would not stop a bullet in most cases anyway. Good for cooking in though 😎

[@johnnichol9412]

@@OzBloke Correct, designed in WW1 to stop falling debris from shelling, not to stop bullets.

[@shanecahill4381]

Very nice been there a few times but please even the locals don’t call it tarn it’s tan(kiwi shell fire brother as with Kapyong Korea)but thank you regardless

[@stoneworx09]

did you happen to find out where the Aussies involved in the battle buried their enemy fighters? psd in the making .

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

IIRC, they buried them in a mass grave, which was cleared after the war.

[@Wolfsschanze99]

Aussies respected the enemy dead & would bury them in marked graves so they later could be taken home & buried in their home towns, this is very important to the Vietnamese, unlike the US who would throw them all into a shell crater & cremate them, I think it is the respect shown by the Aussies that allow us to have the only Allied war memorial in the country.

[@stoneworx09]

@@Wolfsschanze99 i don't know if the guys who fought in the battle should of had anything to do with ii, how traumatising , thanks for the reply

[@domenicozagari2443]

The first battery where New Zealand with they 155 mm howitzers.

[@dennismoore1134]

Actually, both the NZ & Australian Artillery used 105 mm Howitzers. only the US Artillery had 155 mm Howitzers also 175 mm Howitzers. I know, I was there, twice.

[@domenicozagari2443]

@@dennismoore1134 You are right :)

[@johnnichol9412]

​@@dennismoore1134 The US 1/83rd Field Artillery Regiment had not only self propelled M107s (175mm) but also self propelled M110s (8"), 2 off of each. They were located just south of 1ATF perimeter on the western side of Route 2 in their own compound. I was stationed with them for 5 months the first half of 1968. That is I know, I was there. Long Tan 6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers of 161 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) 6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers of 103 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) 6 x 105mm L5 pack howitzers 105 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) 6 x M109 Self Propelled 155mm guns of A Battery, 2/35th Artillery Regiment, US Army

[@dennismoore1134]

@@johnnichol9412 So, what did I say that was incorrect? It looks to me as if you are studiously trawling through every comment I have made on KZbin about Vietnam & are trying to find something I have written that wasn't 100 per cent correct, you are like a dog with a bone, aren't you? It doesn't bother me, go for your life, I can handle it. As I said before, I experienced & survived far more than you did in Vietnam. While you are hounding me, you are leaving someone else alone.

[@MickeyGooner]

Interesting video, skip the background music when you’re talking.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Cheers mate.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Yep. It's pointless and irritating. Ding, ding, Doo,Doo, ding, ding.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

You might have missed the message about a pretty important battle amongst your comments about the music, but I’ll bear it in mind next time I walk a battlefield.

[@erdnusse277]

Pointless loss of life. It's good to remember their bravery but still be angry that they were thrown away like that. Good men, too good to die far from home.

[@aussieadventura775]

May be you should have read a history book or 2 before making this video. The dam shown at the beginning of the video was, at the time of the battle a river that the troops, and latter the APCs had to cross. The other thing before turning this off is that the forces the Australians and New Zealander fought were NVA regulars, NOT Viet Cong.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks for the comments, but they need some clarification. Yes, there was always a river there, but the dam wasn't built until the 1990s. And the troops faced by the Australians at Long Tan were definitely Viet Cong, not NVA. See www.awm.gov.au/wartime/55/long-tan

[@Jay-ro2vn]

They were Vietcong soliders, D455 battalion and the 275th regiment. Most definitely some of the officers in these units were NVA. But most were Vietcong.

[@SurvivalAussie]

Do you have a history channel, where people can watch your videos? Or do you just like to comment on other people work?

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

We should care mate - it’s a pretty important distinction!

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

I certainly appreciate that, but this is a history video. The facts of the story are important.

[@gerardtalbot6244]

Whats with the annoying "on hold" phone music ?

[@jasminemadden4138]

static? well a bullet to a radio pretty much fucks coms

[@rickwilkins3055]

"Tan" not "Tarn"

[@boss330young]

rick wilkins mat is saying it like the Vietnamese would

[@tomtom2356]

🙏🙏🙏