3 RAR action in Vietnam DPR/TV/853 & 855

Australian troops inflicted heavy casualties on an estimated force of two North Vietnamese battalions early this week when the enemy tried to overrun Australian Fire Support Base Balmoral in Bien Hoa Province, north of Saigon. The film shows Australian troops rendering medical aid to Viet Cong wounded and leading away injured with blindfold on. In this attack, the second on Balmoral, Australian soldiers of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment also suffered heavy casualties; some of the heaviest since the Battle of Long Tan, in August, 1966. Evacuation helicopters were hovering over the battle scene soon after the action took place, and the Australian troops, some of them wounded, were flown out. The action began when a shower of rockets and mortar shells crashed into the wooded area. Although the Australians had less time to take cover, they suffered less casualties than they had on the previous attack, two days before. A large number of enemy weapons were captured in the engagement - many left behind as the North Vietnamese retreated shortly before dawn. Among the weapons were automatic rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, torpedoes and mortars. Six enemy soldiers were captured after the battle. All had been wounded in the fighting...some of them seriously. They were given medical treatment. Then they, too were passengers in the medical evacuation airlift from the area. Identified is 54768 (Temporary) Corporal David Francis Butler shown preparing wound dressing third scene into film.