On this day, thanks to adf-serials and the RAAF Museum. On 18th August 1966, two helicopters of No 9 Squadron were involved in the most significant Australian action of the Vietnam War. After a heavy mortar attack on the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat on 17-18 August, Army elements, including D Company of the 6th Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) were tasked with sweeping the surrounding area to locate this strong enemy force. Heading east towards the small derelict village of Long Tan just 4000 metres from the base, a small group of Viet Cong troops was pursued into the rubber plantation adjacent to the village. Soon after entering the plantation, 11 Platoon of D Company encountered heavy machine gun fire, taking up a defensive position and suffering heavy casualties. Soon over 2500 enemy troops had enveloped the 108 soldiers of D Company, and the Australians faced being over-run if they could be isolated overnight. Initial contacts were so fierce that the unit was critically low on ammunition, and only helicopters could effect a resupply. RAAF Iroquois A2-1020 and A2-1022 were assigned to the task, and loaded 520 kg of ammunition at Nui Dat. Due to a severe tropical storm in the area, the two aircraft were forced to fly at treetop height over hundreds of enemy troops to locate the Australian position. After a smoke signal from the ground, the two aircraft were able to drop the ammunition right on target, enabling the force to defend their position. After the resupply, artillery barrages and an armoured vehicle convoy forced the enemy force to retreat from the battlefield, suffering 245 killed and hundreds more wounded, while the Australian force lost 18 killed and 21 wounded. A2-1020 Crew; Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Frank Riley, Flight Lieutenant (Co-pilot) Bob Grandin, Leading Aircraftmen (LAC) Blue Collins, Leading Aircraftmen (LAC) George Stirling. A2-1022 Crew; Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Cliff Dohle, Flight Lieutenant (Co-pilot) Bruce Lane , Corporal W.R. Harrington, Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Brian Hill The Regimental Sergeant Major of 6RAR, Warrant Officer George Chinn, helped organise the loading from the Army side and then climbed on board when the helicopters took off at 1800 hours. (It is not clear on which of the two aircraft WO Chinn was riding) A2-1020 is displayed at RAAF Museum Point Cook (RAAF Photo) A2-1022 is displayed at Caloundra RSL (Mick Raftery Photo)
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:58:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015