Changes

At 16:20 hours, Major Smith called for reinforcements by helicopter, but no ready-reaction company was on standby for operations. He was told that Alpha Company in M-113 [[Armoured Personnel Carriers]] (APCS) would be sent out to reinforce Delta Company, but they took well over an hour to move out. Smith ordered 10 Platoon to moved up to the left of 11 Platoon to relieve pressure on them and allow them to withdraw to the company defensive position out of the heavy machine gun fire. The commander of 11 Platoon, (ex-conscript) Second Lieutenant Gordon Sharp, was killed and Platoon Sergeant [[Bob Buick]] briefly assumed command of the platoon. During this engagement both forward platoons' radios went out. At this point, Lance-Corporal Barry Magnussen claims Sergeant Buick broke and ran while screaming out,''"Every man for himself!"''.<ref>[https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/long-tan-behind-the-smokescreen,9369 Long Tan: Behind the smokescreen]</ref>

At 16:20 hours, Major Smith called for reinforcements by helicopter, but no ready-reaction company was on standby for operations. He was told that Alpha Company in M-113 [[Armoured Personnel Carriers]] (APCS) would be sent out to reinforce Delta Company, but they took well over an hour to move out. Smith ordered 10 Platoon to moved up to the left of 11 Platoon to relieve pressure on them and allow them to withdraw to the company defensive position out of the heavy machine gun fire. The commander of 11 Platoon, (ex-conscript) Second Lieutenant Gordon Sharp, was killed and Platoon Sergeant [[Bob Buick]] briefly assumed command of the platoon. During this engagement both forward platoons' radios went out. At this point, Lance-Corporal Barry Magnussen claims Sergeant Buick broke and ran while screaming out,''"Every man for himself!"''.<ref>[https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/long-tan-behind-the-smokescreen,9369 Long Tan: Behind the smokescreen]</ref>

Heavy monsoon rain began falling, obscuring the battlefield. Corporal Phil Dobson was the combat medic in Delta Company. Despite the confusion of battle and the human wave attacks threatening to overrun the wounded, Dobson moved around the battlefield treating the men and getting them to a safer place.

Heavy monsoon rain began falling, obscuring the battlefield. Corporal Phil Dobson was a combat medic in Delta Company. Despite the confusion of battle and the human wave attacks threatening to overrun the wounded, Dobson moved around the battlefield treating the men and getting them to a safer place.

10 Platoon, under Second Lieutenant [[Geoff Kendall]], also came under fire and went into a defensive position. 12 Platoon, commanded by Second Lieutenant [[Dave Sabben]], had been the reserve platoon, and it was ordered to the right to support 11 Platoon. 12 Platoon left one section behind to support Company HQ.

10 Platoon, under Second Lieutenant [[Geoff Kendall]], also came under fire and went into a defensive position. 12 Platoon, commanded by Second Lieutenant [[Dave Sabben]], had been the reserve platoon, and it was ordered to the right to support 11 Platoon. 12 Platoon left one section behind to support Company HQ.

Stanley called for US air support but when it arrived it was unable to identify targets due to the bad weather. The US warplanes dropped their bombs to the east causing at least some disruption to the VC rear areas.

Stanley called in US air support but when the Phantom fighter-bombers arrived the pilots were unable to identify targets due to the bad weather. The US warplanes dropped their bombs to the east causing at disruption to the VC rear areas.

The Australian soldiers were carrying a light load, approximately 3-5 magazines, and quickly ran low on ammunition. At 5:00pm Smith called for an ammunition resupply. By coincidence, two Iroquois helicopters from 9 Squadron, [[Royal Australian Air Force]] were available at the Nui Dat base, having just been used as transport for a [[Col Joye]] and [[Little Pattie]] concert. One of the Iroquois pilots, Flt Lt [[Bob Grandin]], disobeyed orders by dropping supplies to D Company. He recalled: ''"[i]t did sound extremely bad on the radio. I recall Harry [Smith] saying, 'If you don't do this for us you all might as well start saying your prayers — it's all over'."''

The Australian soldiers were carrying a light load, approximately 3-5 magazines, and quickly ran low on ammunition. At 17:00 hours Smith called for an ammunition resupply. By coincidence, two Iroquois helicopters from 9 Squadron, [[Royal Australian Air Force]] were available at the Nui Dat base, having just been used as transport for a [[Col Joye]] and [[Little Pattie]] concert. One of the Iroquois pilots, Flight Lieutenant [[Bob Grandin]], disobeyed orders by dropping supplies to Delta Company. He recalled: ''"[i]t did sound extremely bad on the radio. I recall Harry [Smith] saying, 'If you don't do this for us you all might as well start saying your prayers — it's all over'."''

The survivors of 11 Platoon withdrew under the cover provided by the torrential rain to the company position. Smith requested reinforcements from 6th RAR. B Company HQ with one platoon had not yet got back to Nui Dat and was ordered back to Long Tan. At Nui Dat, A Company was ordered to ready itself and the M-113 armored personnel carriers of the 1st Armored Personnel Carrier Squadron to transport them.  

The survivors of 11 Platoon withdrew under the cover provided by the torrential rain to the company position. Smith requested reinforcements from 6th RAR. B Company HQ with one platoon had not yet got back to Nui Dat and was ordered back to Long Tan. At Nui Dat, Alpha Company was finally ordered to ready itself and the M-113 armored personnel carriers of the 1st Armored Personnel Carrier Squadron to transport them.  

The reverse slope that D Company used for defense meant that the VC found it difficult to use their heavy calibre weapons effectively; the VC could only engage the Australians at close range. The VC tried to find the Australian flanks but the wide dispersal and excellent defensive position meant the VC thought they were up against a larger enemy.

The reverse slope that Delta Company used for defense meant that the VC found it difficult to use their heavy calibre weapons effectively; the VC could only engage the Australians at close range. The VC tried to find the Australian flanks but the thick mist and excellent defensive position meant the VC thought they were up against a larger enemy.

==Artillery support==

==Artillery support==