Changes

| conflict    = [[Vietnam War]]

| conflict    = [[Vietnam War]]

| date        = August 17, 1966-August 19, 1966

| date        = August 17, 1966-August 19, 1966

| location    = Phuoc Toy Province, Republic of Vitnam

| location    = Phuoc Toy Province, Republic of Vietnam

| combatant1  = [[Australian Army]]

| combatant1  = [[Australian Army]]

| combatant2  = [[Viet Cong]]

| combatant2  = [[Viet Cong]]

| commander1  = [[Colin Towsend]]<br/>Lieutenant Colonel, Australian Army

| commander1  = [[Colin Towsend]]<br/>Lieutenant Colonel, Australian Army

| commander2  = [[Nguyen Thanh Hong]]<br/>Colonel, VC

| commander2  = [[Nguyen Thanh Hong]]<br/>Colonel, VC

| strength1  = 700-1,100(including rear-echelon troops)

| strength1  = 1,100 (including rear-echelon troops)

| strength2  = 108 (not including reinforcements)

| strength2  = 108 (not including reinforcements)

| casualties1 = '''42'''<br/>Killed: 18<br/>Wounded: 24<br/>Missing or captured: 2 (recovered)

| casualties1 = '''42'''<br/>Killed: 18<br/>Wounded: 24<br/>Missing or captured: 2 (recovered)

At last light two rifle companies and APCs from 1 APC Squadron arrived under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Townsend and assaulted the Vietnamese flank. In teeming rain, 3 Troop, A Company under Lieutenant Adrian Roberts and 2 Troop, A Company under Lieutenant Peter Dinham, also attacked the forward elements of D445 Battalion, taking them by surprise. A Company dismounted from 10 M-113s and attacked the fleeing enemy, withdrawing to the east. An Australian soldier from one of the rifle companies was killed as they attacked the D445 Battalion position.

At last light two rifle companies and APCs from 1 APC Squadron arrived under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Townsend and assaulted the Vietnamese flank. In teeming rain, 3 Troop, A Company under Lieutenant Adrian Roberts and 2 Troop, A Company under Lieutenant Peter Dinham, also attacked the forward elements of D445 Battalion, taking them by surprise. A Company dismounted from 10 M-113s and attacked the fleeing enemy, withdrawing to the east. An Australian soldier from one of the rifle companies was killed as they attacked the D445 Battalion position.

The fresh reinforcements formed a perimeter around D Company allowing them to treat the wounded and rest. During the night the supporting artillery fired on likely forming-up points of the VC and some wounded were evacuated by helicopter. This was a strong force and should have been able to repulse any night attack. As it was there was no further contact.

The fresh reinforcements formed a perimeter around D Company allowing them to treat the wounded and rest. The supporting artillery repeatedly fired on likely escape routes of the VC and some wounded were evacuated by helicopter. A and B Companies were a strong force and should have been able to repulse any night attack. As it was there was no further contact.

The next day the dead and wounded from 11 Platoon’s position were recovered and 50 enemy dead buried. Australian historians later claimed US forces captured documents indicating 800 killed and 1,000 wounded. They also point out that the VC routinely carried away their dead during a battle, and this would have reduced the body count.

The next day the dead and wounded from 11 Platoon’s position were recovered and 50 enemy dead buried. Australian historians later claimed US forces captured documents indicating 800 killed and 1,000 wounded. They also point out that the VC routinely carried away their dead during a battle, and this would have reduced the body count.

The Australian losses were 18 killed and 21 wounded. According to the 275th Regiment veterans and Vietnamese historians, about 50 Viet Cong soldiers were killed in action and 100 wounded.

The Australian losses were 18 killed and 21 wounded. According to the 275th Regiment and D445 Battalion veterans and Vietnamese historians, forty-seven Viet Cong soldiers were killed in action and 100 wounded.

The author of ''First to Fight'', Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Breen wrote later:{{cquote|A combination of the battle discipline and bravery of the Australians, the cover provided by the torrential rain and the effects of hundreds of artillery and mortar rounds falling among the Viet Cong attackers resulted in a stunning victory for the Australians and a further enhancement for the fighting tradition of Australian infantry.<ref>Duty First: The Royal Australian Regiment in War and Peace, Edited by David Horner, p. 215, Allen & Unwin, 1990)</ref>}}

The author of ''First to Fight'', Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Breen later wrote:{{cquote|A combination of the battle discipline and bravery of the Australians, the cover provided by the torrential rain and the effects of hundreds of artillery and mortar rounds falling among the Viet Cong attackers resulted in a stunning victory for the Australians and a further enhancement for the fighting tradition of Australian infantry.<ref>Duty First: The Royal Australian Regiment in War and Peace, Edited by David Horner, p. 215, Allen & Unwin, 1990)</ref>}}

==Body count==

==Body count==