Index, ill, maps, p.332.non-fictionThis is the first time that those in direct command of Delta Company have shared their memories of the most significant battle fought by Australians in Vietnam, the Battle of Long Tan. Each of the commanders shares the experiences that brought them to Vietnam, and describes how the company commander, Harry Smith, drove Delta Company to become one of the most outstanding units in the Australian forces. Delta's superb military discipline, and its commanders' ability to think outside the square were decisive in holding a vastly superior number of enemies at bay. Each platoon played a crucial role in Delta Company's survival. The artillery's commitment in providing an unbroken wall of metal through which the enemy had to advance is told from the perspectives of both the forward controller and the gun positions. We fly with the RAAF helicopter pilots whose ammunition resupply was the turning point of the battle, and experience the carnage of the battlefield through the eyes of those in the relieving APCs. Delta Company's trauma on returning to the battlefield to claim their fallen was lightened only by the miraculous survival of two of their wounded. The trauma of the battle did not end with the action, however, as politics began to play their part in the drama. The valour of those directly involved in the battle has never been duly recognised - in some cases it has been belittled, in others denied. The ongoing efforts of the Long Tan commanders to right the many wrongs perpetrated in the wake of the battle, and their own journeys from the events of August 1966 draw the reader into a compelling dialogue on the aftermath of Vietnam. Collapse summary vietnam war 1961-1975 – australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – battles – long tan

White T shirt commemorating 25 Years of RAAF Caribou Service 1964 - 1989. Front has image and emblem, back has overseas operationsraaf, caribou, t-shirt

A pair of brown Leather Gloves size largejohn downing, brown leather gloves

Framed poem about the exploits of 9 SQN bushranger helicopters written by C Bandit on 22/05/1992document, 9 squadron raaf, bushranger, c bandit

Three photos depicting Bushranger minifun ammunition and rockets. Document outlines specs of ammunition options for Bushrangerdocuments, photograph, bushranger, ammunition

A coloured photograph of a soldier in underpants on a balcony of a two storey barracks holding his hand out into the pouring rain. A military truck, RAAF Vung Tav Barracks Store can be seen in the backgroundPortable Watter Vung Tav 1970. Photographed by J.C. Mercielaphotograph, soldier, barracks, raaf, vung tav

Photograph of Meidcal Orderly Slim Wilson in flying ket and helmet standing next to a helicopter. Leading Aircraftman R (Slim) Wilson a medical orderly with No:1 OSU checks his equipment before a mission with 9 Sqn. Wilson was awarded a mention in despatches for his work with 9 SquandronLeading Aircraftman R (Slim) Wilson a medical orderly with No:1 Operation Support Unit checks his equipment before a mission with 9 Squadron. Wilson was awarded a mention in despatches for his work with 9 Squandronphotograph, 9 squadron raaf, medical

Framed coloured photograph of South Vietnamese troops uploading a 35 SQN CaribouRAAF Rondell, A4-21035 squadron, caribou, photograph

Framed coloured photograph taken from an RAAF Caribou of an armed Douglas Skyraider in FlightSkyraider S/N 35352douglas skyraider, caribou, photograph

Photograph of medics and drivers loading medivac patients aboard a C-130 Hercules from 37 Sqn RAAF circa 1967. Flights were staged overnight to Butterworth, Malaysia for assessmentAmbulance Regos 112-240 and 114-1988th field ambulance, 37 sqn raaf, raaf, photograph

RAAF "Slick" - UHIH IROQUOIS Helicopter passes over Australian APC's being refuelled during Operation Matilda.raaf iroquois helicopter, armoured personnel carrier, operation matilda, photograph

Photograph of Iroquois Helicopter Rego A2-1022. Parked at Vung Tau in 1966. Photograph is signed by FLT LT Bob Grandin (RAAF) and CL Laurie Drinkwater D Coy 6rar. Photograph presented to 6RAR by Caloundra RSL. On the back of the photograph there is a printout of :A Real vietnam Veteran - Huey-A2 - 1022As above and RSL logoa2-1022, long tan, vung tau, photograph, iroquois helicopter

Photograph of UH1H Iroquois Bushranger Helicopter Gunship of 9 SQN RAAF firing its minigun.RAAFuh1h iroquois, uh-1h helicopter, bush ranger, 9 squadron raaf, raaf, photograph

White 20cm round plastic disc with information on Weight plus Torque PSI plus Hover Gross Weight and Pressure Altitude for a UH - IH Huey Helicopter for use of The Royal Australian Air Force.UH-IH Performance Computer + Cruise data guide.computer and cruise data guide, uh-1h helicopter, raaf

White Framed Print of an RAAF Helicopter in the middle of an open field with wounded soldier being helped into it and two armed soldiers running to board. Two helicopters shooting into the dense jungle surrounds. Three helicopters in all with twelve visible soldiers.framed print, raaf, helicopter

Two coloured Photograph and one sepia photograph in a black frame with white matting. 1. Camp area following the arrival of the rain 2. Camp at FSB Coral 3. IAFT Underground Headquaters at FSB Coral with RAAF Officer departing.photograph, camp site, battle of balmoral, battle of coral-balmoral

Wooden plaque with gold bordered metal emblem depicting eagle carrying log shaped item in its talons. Brown back ground with gold writing 12th TAC RECON SQ. Small gold plate engraved "To Air Commander Alan R Reed (RAAF). Best wishes 12th TRS 10 OCT 84To Air Commander Alan R Reed (RAAF). Best wishes 12th TRS 10 OCT 84plaque, alan reed, 12th tac recon sqn

Framed Article, Clipping titled "RAAF- Army Co-Operation" clipping has a picture of 3 men from RAAF & Army working on servicing a Sioux helicopter tail rotor. Article identified the men and handover of helicopter maintence from RAAF to Armydocument, australian army reconnaissance sqn, sioux helicpoter, vung tau

Photograph of RAAF Chaplain holding a "Deep and Meaningful" conversation with an elderly Vietnamese gentlemanchaplain, raaf

A black and white photograph of - At 8th Field Ambulace Hospital, Vung Tau two Medics chat to Mrs Pearl Copeland as she waits for he son Pte Russel Copeland to be loaded onto a medivac stretcher for the RAAF C 130 flight back to Australia8th field ambulance, vung tau, pte russel copeland, c130 medivac flight, raaf, gibbons collection catalogue, mrs pearl copeland, medic, medivac

A black and white photograph of staff and patients at the 1st Australian Field Hospita,l watch patients being medivaced loaded into ambulances for the journey to Vung Tau Military Airfield, to be loaded onto an Australian C130medical transport aircraft for the flight back Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, medivac, digger

Yellow card in 3 parts detailing safety procedures for flights. Printed in black ink with diagram of plane. Photograph of a Royal Australian aircraft on front flying above tranquil waters with sailboats.raaf, aircraft safety procedures

RAAF yellow card with blue printing. On the back is hand written information. World map (partial) in blue ink on the back.37 sqn raaf

Two coloured Photograph in a black frame. Photograph 1. RAAF Chinook lifting a load, Photograph 2. RAAF Huey in a jungle clearingRAAF Rondelphotograph, huey helicopter, chinook

Framed Colour Photograph of six Vietnamese children standing in front of a RAAF Caribou. Three RAAF Personnel look on.My Vietnam Collection- Norm Cooperraaf, caribou, vietnamese children

White coloured certificate with the RAAF Squadron 2 insignia on Saturday 9th October 1971 by the Governor General Sir Paul Hasluck.royal australian air force - 2nd squadron

A blue banner edged in gold. top of the banner reads Royal Australian Air Force - No 9 Squadron. In the middle is the Insignai of the Squadron. On both sides of the Insigia are the list of countries. bottom of the banner are two planes and two helicopters.royal australian air force, 9 squadron raaf, banner