When a 700-Man Human Wave Attack Shook Australian Platoon to The Core

It is the late afternoon of August 18, 1966. Within the next few hours D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, will be involved in Australia’s most brutal day of fighting in the Vietnam War, in what will be known as the Battle of Long Tan. The Battle of Long Tan will see approximately 108 young men of D Company in the fight of their lives against over 2,500 battle hardened Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. 11 platoon in particular will experience a multitude of human wave attacks on a scale that rocks them to their very core. Today we take a look at the key events of this battle and attempt to take you on a journey as we shine a light on one of Australia’s most important days in military history.