Changes

Unfortunately, the Australian commander Brigadier David Jackson was undecided. Eventually, he told Mollison he could go to the assistance of Major Smith.

Unfortunately, the Australian commander Brigadier David Jackson was undecided. Eventually, he told Mollison he could go to the assistance of Major Smith.

Close to 19:00 hours, two rifle companies and APCs from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron (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. Earlier on, Lieutenant Roberts had not been eager to get into contact with the enemy, suspecting superior numbers. It took threats of court-martial and pistol waving from Major Mollison to keep his platoon in place.<ref>[https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/long-tan-behind-the-smokescreen,9369 Long Tan: Behind the smokescreen]</ref>

Close to 19:00 hours, two rifle companies and APCs from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron (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. Earlier on, Lieutenant Roberts had been reluctant to reinforce Delta Company, suspecting superior numbers. It took threats of court-martial and pistol waving from Major Mollison to keep him in place.<ref>[https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/long-tan-behind-the-smokescreen,9369 Long Tan: Behind the smokescreen]</ref>

A Company dismounted from 10 M-113s and attacked the fleeing enemy, withdrawing to the east. One Australian NCO (Corporal Peter Clements) soldier from the APC Squadron was mortally wounded as they attacked the D445 Battalion position.

A Company dismounted from 10 M-113s and attacked the fleeing enemy, withdrawing to the east. One Australian NCO (Corporal Peter Clements) from the APC Squadron was mortally wounded as they attacked the D445 Battalion anti-tank position.

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 Australian 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 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 Australian 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.