| Place | Asia: Vietnam, Phuoc Tuy Province, Long Tan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | F10635 |
| Collection type | Film |
| Measurement | 12 min 6 sec |
| Object type | To be confirmed |
| Physical description | 16mm/colour (Eastman)/sound |
| Maker |
The Notion Picture Company Pty Limited Kendall, Geoffrey Martin Swanborough, Greg |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, Brisbane |
| Date made | 1 June 1992 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Period 1990-1999 Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright restrictions apply. Permission of copyright holder required for any use and/or reproduction. |
Geoff Martin Kendall as a Lieutenant D Coy 6 RAR interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'
Description
Lieutenant D Coy, 6RAR 8 June 1966 to 5 July 1967. Scene 19, Take 1: Describes first contact with Vietcong at Long Tan – moved forward to join 11 Platoon heavily engaged with enemy. Advancing Vietcong didn’t see Australians pass on their flank. Engaged with Vietcong who they dispersed. After they’d gone, Australians came under heavy fire from another Vietcong force. Describes the ‘fire and movement’ manoeuvre in torrential rain and under heavy fire; could only see tracers of bullets, not at what they were shooting. First casualty in early part of engagement was the signaller and the radio set – it was one of the worst things that could have happened. Take 2: Under heavy fire and with no radio, wounded are sent back to report what was going on. Harry Smith said to go back to the Company – never made it to 11 Platoon. About this stage, hit by enemy mortars. Neil Rankin was fifteen to twenty meters back with the stretcher bearers when a mortar landed right next to him. He was lifted into the air but incredibly, didn’t get a scratch. Take 3: Describes pulling back and seeing Vietcong forming up and advancing. Australian artillery came down behind the enemy’s front assault wave which was then repelled by rifle fire. Take 4: Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) arrived on the right and the enemy faded off into the distance. Tried to establish who was wounded. A Company came to relieve; wounded and dead taken back. Next morning found Private Barry ‘Custard’ Meller from 11 Platoon wounded and propped up against a rubber tree – he’d been out there all night. The enemy dead were everywhere. Australian dead found together still in formation. Intelligence search enemy dead. Kendall wrote to next of kin. Gordon Sharp (National Service Officer, ex TV cameraman) killed. Take 5: Long Tan was first operation for three reinforcements. One named Webb. Back in Australia, others tell stories that they were in D Company 6RAR – met ‘Geoff Kendall’.