Battle of Long Tan | Air Force

Summary

Key Points:

1. The battle of Long Tan was a significant engagement for the Australian Army in the Vietnam War.
2. D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) fought against a much larger enemy force.
3. The Australian group of 108 men was outnumbered by an estimated 2500 enemy troops.
4. RAAF helicopters from No. 9 Squadron played a crucial role in supporting D Company.
5. Major Harry Smith, the D Company commander, requested combat air support and ammunition resupply.
6. Initially, the weather conditions prevented immediate air support and resupply.
7. Group Captain Peter Raw, the Task Force Air Support Commander, hesitated due to the severe conditions.
8. Flight Lieutenant Bruce Lane advised that the mission should be attempted despite the risks involved.
9. Two Iroquois helicopters were loaded with ammunition and guided by another Iroquois.
10. The helicopters successfully delivered the ammunition to D Company's position, aiding their survival in the battle.

References

• VIETNAM AIR WAR COLLECTION | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• MILITARY HISTORY GENERAL ARTICLES | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• Air Power and the Ground War in Vietnam: Ideas and Actions (af.edu)
• The Limits of Airpower or the Limits of Strategy: The Air Wars in Vietnam and Their Legacies > National Defense University Press > Publications | NDU Press
• A very close thing indeed | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
• Battle of Long Tan - Official Website
• Battle of Long Tan - Anzac Portal (dva.gov.au)

Source Information:

• Article Source: The National Interest: Defense, National Security, Politics and More
• Media Check:       National Interest - Media Bias/Fact Check (HIGH CREDIBILITY)
• RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC