Battle of Long Tan (2006)

The Battle of Long Tan is a 2006 ABC documentary made by Red Dune Films. Narrated by Sam Worthington of Avatar fame, and employing a mixture of veteran interviews, archival footage and dramatic reenactments, it tells the story of the events of 18 August 1966, when D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment fought a fierce battle with local Vietcong forces at the Long Tan Rubber Plantation in the Phuoc Tuy province of the Republican of Vietnam. Despite being a documentary, it employs actors using uniforms and weapons correct for the period, making it eligible for inclusion.

Not to be confused with the similarly named action film, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, which dramatises the same historical battle.

The following weapons were used in the documentary The Battle of Long Tan:

Rifles

L1A1

The L1A1 is the main weapon of 6RAR in the film, not surprising it was the standard-issue Australian Defence Force rifle during the Vietnam War.

Australian L1A1 with rounded vent hole handguards - 7.62x51mm NATO

An Australian soldier on watch with his L1A1.

A Digger crawls forward under heavy enemy fire with his SLR.

Pte. Jim Richmond fires his L1A1.

A soldier from 10 Platoon advances with his SLR.

Two Australian Diggers fire their L1A1 rifles.

A soldier reloads his L1A1.

M16

The M16 also appears fairly regularly in the documentary, carried mostly by officers and scouts. Sergeant Bob Buick (11 Platoon) recalls using the Armalite AR-15 in both the film and his memoirs; the AR-15 was in fact the basis for the M16 rifle, but it was possibly referred to as the Armalite by Australian and New Zealand troops in-country.

The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

A scout from B Company with his M16.

The same scout as he finds abandoned Vietcong gear.

2Lt Gordon Sharp with his M16.

An Australian scout opens up with his M16.

Another scout dives for cover.

2Lt Geoff Kendall holds his M16 as he uses the platoon radio.

M16A1

The M16A1 appears amongst Australians in a couple of scenes. It can be identified by the forward reciever pins and the "birdcage" flash hider. This is anachronistic, since the M16A1 was introduced amongst U.S. troops in 1967, and would have hardly reached Australians by that time.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward Receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver.

An Australian soldier fires his M16A1. Note the A1-stype reciever pin and "birdcage" flash hider.

A Digger crawls through the mud with his M16A1.

AK-47

The AK-47 is carried by Vietcong troops. In one scene, when 11 Platoon first makes contact with the enemy, 2Lt Gordon Sharp can be seen removing/pocketing the sole magazine and clearing the chamber of rounds to prevent immedtiate enemy re-usage.

Final Production version of the III AK-47 - 7.62x39mm

An AK-47 dropped by a dead Vietcong. Notice the blood stains on the forward grip.

2Lt Gordon Sharp removes and inspects the magazine from an abandoned AK-47.

Clearing the chamber.

A Vietcong soldier fires his AK-47.

SKS

Vietcong troops in the film also carry SKS rifles with underfolding bayonets.

Russian Simonov Type 45 aka the Russian SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Russian SKS has a milled receiver and a blade bayonet. The rifles were issued with hardwood or laminated stocks. This example has a hardwood stock.

Two Vietcong from D445 Battalion, armed with SKS rifles, move through the jungle. Note the underfold "pigsticker" bayonets.

A VC soldier lies in wait for 11 Platoon with his SKS.

A VC fires his SKS as an artillery shell explodes nearby. Note the forward receiver and "banana" magazine of the AK-47 besides him.

A VC fires his SKS.

Submachine Guns

Owen Submachine Gun

Australian Radio Telephone Operators (RTO's) carry the Owen Submachine Gun, probably due to it's light weight and reliability in jungle combat. Indeed, the Owen was in service in Vietnam until 1966, when it was replaced by the similar F1 Submachine Gun.