Danger Close (2019) - full transcript

Late afternoon August 18, 1966 South Vietnam - for three and a half hours, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tan, Major Harry Smith and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their lives, holding off an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 battle hardened Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. With their ammunition running out, their casualties mounting and the enemy massing for a final assault each man begins to search for his own answer - and the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage. The Battle of Long Tan is one of the most savage and decisive engagements in ANZAC history, earning both the United States and South Vietnamese Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry along with many individual awards. But not before 18 Australians and more than 500 enemies are killed.

Take cover, gentlemen!

Now!

- Where's your weapon?

- Getting it now, sir!

Shit.

I want all three platoon leaders

to get me bearings

on where those mortars

are coming from.

Roger that.

HQ says they're 61s

coming in from Long Phuoc.

Well, tell HQ they're wrong.

They're 82s and they're

coming in from Long Tan.

Yes, sir. I shall inform HQ

of the error of their ways.

Hmm.

Four call signs, this is 4.

Request urgent sitrep

on mortar bearings. Over.

We're under attack,

and your first instinct

is to get me a cup of tea?

Get the hell out.

Leave that!

See you brought

your tortoise, Morrie.

He's a turtle. He's my mate.

Your only mate.

- Come on, Murray!

- Oh, fucking hell!

Is it incoming or outgoing?

Platoon leaders are working

on the bearings now, sir.

Three minutes.

Maybe tell them to hurry

the fuck up. How about that?

All four call signs, this is 4.

We need those bearings now!

Over.

I fold, boss.

All right?

I'll see your two.

And I'll raise you five.

That fire is incoming,

Lieutenant Sharp.

Keep your pants on, Sarge.

Can't you see

we're in the middle of a game?

Fuck!

Private Grice,

call Major Smith.

Tell him we have a bearing

of 54 degrees

from 11 Platoon HQ

on those mortars.

Right away, Sarge.

Lieutenant,

we are under enemy attack.

This could well be a move

to take the base.

I suggest you order

11 Platoon to stand to.

Just give us a minute, Bob.

I'm cleaning up here!

All of you!

Get your weapons, man your

positions, and stand fucking to!

That means you, Lieutenant!

Repeat.

Need accurate

triangulated bearings

on incoming mortar rounds to

be able to direct return fire.

Who keeps leaving the pins

in my map?

I mean, honestly,

is it that hard to clean up

after a briefing?

Any soldier not manning a radio,

out now!

Senior officers excepted,

Colonel.

♪ No, I wouldn't tell a story ♪

♪ No, I wouldn't lie ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

We're all good, mate.

You know, the Kiwi artillery

is going to light up

the jack bastards

as soon as they get

a fix on 'em.

No. We're under attack.

Not here, we're not.

Go on.

Besides, if your number is up...

may as well get a buzz on.

♪ Uh-huh... ♪

Sir! I have a bearing

for those mortars.

Congratulations, Dave.

You're the last platoon leader

to get it done.

Take a bow.

Triangulate those bearings,

then call it in.

Isn't that

the base gunner's job?

No, Morrie, it's yours.

You find the enemy and you

direct the artillery onto them.

Yes, sir.

You going to

the concert tomorrow?

Maybe. Who's playing again?

Cole Joye and the Joy Boys.

They're flying in

tomorrow morning.

- You like Cole Joye, don't you?

- Not really.

Hey, what about Little Pattie?

You've got to like

Little Pattie.

Yeah, she's an angel.

The way she sings

that "Surfer Boy" song.

God, she's flying in tomorrow.

- Little Pattie is?

- Yeah, you wanna meet her?

- What, you know Little Pattie?

- We're like this.

He's just running

through the bush! Over there!

Find out what idiot did that.

Yes, sir!

3, this is 3-4.

Fire Mission Battery.

Read you, 4-5-9.

It's 6-7-1. Over.

Gotcha!

Fire Mission Battery.

Bearing: 1-9-1-0.

Range: 2-9-0-5.

Bearing: 1-9-1-0.

Range: 2-9-0-5.

Ready!

Have some of this, you bastards.

Fire!

It appears the enemy

knows exactly what he's doing.

He's targeted our guns,

our task force headquarters.

The count is one dead,

23 wounded.

However, artillery

have driven him back,

and now we're going after him.

One Company will move out

beyond the wire

and they'll patrol east

into the rubber plantation

at Long Tan

where the enemy mortars

came from.

We're calling it

Operation Vendetta.

Delta Company volunteers

to go, sir.

Yes, thank you, Harry.

This will be Bravo.

Noel, you leave in an hour,

so prepare to stay overnight.

Colonel, I've got 48 men

due for leave tomorrow.

Well, just send them back

in the morning.

That will cut our strength

down to 32, sir.

Yes!

Thank you, Noel. I can count.

Got 108 men prepared

to stay out there all week, sir.

There are other companies in the

battalion besides yours, Harry.

Not trained by me, though, sir.

As commanding officer

of this battalion,

it is my decision

whose mission this is.

Understood?

♪ You keep sayin'

You got something for me ♪

♪ Something you call love

But confess ♪

♪ You've been a-messin' ♪

♪ Where you shouldn't

Have been a-messin' ♪

♪ And now someone else... ♪

- Private Whiston?

- Yes, Sarge.

- That makes you Private Topp.

- Yes, Sergeant.

You blokes are with me

in 11 Platoon.

♪ One of these days

These boots ♪

♪ Are gonna walk

All over you ♪

Delta is the best

company in the battalion.

We work harder, march further

and shoot straighter

than anybody else.

We're proud of that fact.

Major Smith as tough

as they say?

Tougher. The Ratcatcher fought

Communist and guerrilla forces

in Malaya in '56,

so he knows this brand of stink.

Trained with the commandos

in Melbourne,

now he runs Delta

to commando standards.

That means you'll have

your shirts on at all times,

your sleeves rolled down,

your fronts buttoned up.

Silence your dog tags

with electrical tape.

Put your kit bag where the book

says it should go.

And no coughing

or farting before breakfast.

Serious?

Welcome to Hotel Nui Dat.

Private Large, sir.

Ah! Come in, Private.

Mind if I take a look?

Hmm.

You prefer this over the SLR?

She's lighter than the SLR.

Doesn't hit as hard, though.

She jams a lot.

- You a good shot?

- Real good.

Yeah, I grew up hunting rabbits

out the back of me house.

The back of your house?

- Where are you from?

- Coolah.

- New South Wales.

- Yeah, I know where it is.

There's good farm country,

right?

Yeah.

Well, how come, then,

if you're such a good shot,

how did you miss

that enemy soldier last night?

Well, it was dark.

And he was running...

really fast.

You think this is funny,

don't you?

Huh?

What kind of funny?

Funny like, eh,

Bugs Bunny funny?

Fart funny?

Or more like

Lucille Ball funny?

I think you're funny.

Tell you the truth...

I think you're a fucking joke.

- Sir, I can't breathe.

- That's because I'm choking you.

I'm cutting off all the air

to your worthless lungs,

doing everyone a favor.

You see, there's a thousand ways

to die in a war zone.

Nobody asks too many questions

when another grunt gets listed

killed in action.

Now, funnyman,

tell me the truth.

And if I hear

one more bullshit lie

about you shooting

at enemy soldiers,

I'll send you back to Coolah

in a wooden fucking box.

I fucked up.

Private, what do you think

is the most important element

in a firefight?

Killing the enemy, sir.

Trust.

You have to trust the man beside

you and he has to trust you.

My mates trust me.

Well, when you fire your weapon

off without meaning to,

they don't.

Now, do you think you can pick

that up without shooting me?

Dismissed.

Reckon they'll try us

again, Paddy?

They were probing us.

Testing our reaction.

It's what you do before

you launch a full-scale attack.

Can't overrun the base,

can they?

Ever heard of Dien Bien Phu?

No.

Good.

Thirteen years in the army,

I've never seen any company

trained half as hard as Delta.

You really put these boys

through it,

and you're still pushing them

to the point of punishment.

I've gone along with it

because I've seen this shit.

I know it could save

their lives one day.

But I'm not sure

that's why you're doing it.

They're not commandos,

but they are your men.

They've done everything

you've asked of them and more.

They deserve

your respect.

Sir.

Zero 1, this is Bravo 1.

Have completed our search

of the Long Tan area.

Located six mortar base plates,

22 recoilless rifle

shell cases, and body parts.

Enemy is Kilo India Alpha.

Say again.

All enemy is Kilo India Alpha.

There's nothing out here.

Bravo 1 out.

Copy that, Bravo.

Sending Delta out

in the morning to relieve you.

Over.

A word please, sir.

Keep the mosquitoes out,

would you?

Water?

No, thank you, sir.

The place is like

a bloody furnace.

You get used to it.

Is that how it was

for you blokes in Malaya?

Wish I'd been able

to join you for that one.

Heard it was

a helluva good show.

You've got two minutes,

Harry.

Sir, I'm a soldier.

My father was a soldier.

And it is a profession

that I hold dear.

It is sacred.

I should be in command

of other professionals,

yet I find myself here,

breast-feeding a bunch of kids,

conscripts.

Frankly, sir, it's a waste

of my experience and my skills.

I need to be elsewhere.

You were a conscript yourself,

weren't you?

I did my 90 days. But then I

signed up for the regular army.

Duntroon?

Portsea.

Didn't you want

to go to Duntroon?

Not all of us have the, eh,

educational requirements

to get into Duntroon, sir.

And yet somehow you still feel

that you have the right

to come in here

and ask for a transfer.

To what? Something better?

Nothing personal, sir.

Where do you want to go?

Special forces, commandos.

Back with your old unit?

Back with commanding officers

that understand and appreciate

the services I provide.

Unlike, say,

Colonel Townsend?

You don't like

Colonel Townsend.

Ask me if I give a shit.

He's your commanding officer

and you will follow his orders,

just like he follows mine,

because that's the way

the army works,

in case you haven't noticed.

Was there anything else,

Major?

Zero 1,

this is Albatross 1,

on approach with

the special package.

Copy that, Albatross 1.

Clear to land. Over.

What's your name?

David.

Thanks so much, David.

- What's your name?

- Mark Walsh. Thank you.

Thanks so much.

- See you.

- Cheers.

- Miss Pattie!

- No talking to the talent.

I'm Private Large.

This is Private Grimes.

We've been assigned

to base entertainment liaison.

Brigadier's orders.

Priority Alpha.

Go and help the Joy Boys unload.

What the hell is Priority Alpha?

Did you hear me,

Private? Go!

No Priority Alpha,

is there?

Imagine his face

when he realizes that.

This is, eh, Private Grimes.

He's probably your biggest fan.

Oh, so sweet!

Coming to the concert?

Wouldn't miss it.

He's, eh, been struggling

to find enough motivation

to do his duties

for Queen and country.

Just wondering

if you'd be able to...

help him?

- One kiss.

- Oh!

One kiss, cheeks acceptable.

Mwah!

- Motivated now?

- Very motivated.

Thanks, Miss.

Uh, Pattie, this has been...

this has been fun.

Good luck with the show.

Maybe give us a wave.

We'll be down the front.

Hooroo!

Attention!

We're heading to Long Tan.

We'll be relieving Bravo,

who's been out there all night

with exactly zero enemy contact.

Now, we're a day late

and a dollar short.

But if there is something

out there, we will find it.

We move out at 1100 hours.

Questions, queries,

doubtful points?

Guess we're not going

to the concert.

Looks like we'll be missing it.

Yeah, looks like we'll be

the only ones missing it.

Colonel's got the shits

with the major

- and we copped the short end of the stick.

- Oi!

We're not here to fuck spiders.

We're here to fight a war.

♪ If you wanna be happy ♪

♪ Come along with me ♪

♪ Oh yeah, uh huh ♪

♪ I wanna hold you close

Beneath the bamboo tree ♪

♪ Oh yeah, uh huh ♪

♪ We'll take a vacation ♪

♪ Go away to stay ♪

♪ Where there'll be no work ♪

♪ There'll be nothin' but play ♪

♪ Walk down to the river

To a baby nook ♪

♪ Make love like they do

In the storybooks ♪

♪ Well, I... ♪

Why do they call the major

the Ratcatcher?

Because when the rations

get scarce,

that's what he fucking eats.

Language, Paddy.

I heard that he burrows out

the innards of enemy KIA,

then lays traps inside

all the blood and the guts

and the intestines.

Thank you, Sergeant.

That'll do.

He doesn't give two shits

about us, does he?

That's not his job, Private.

It's ours.

What's out there, Mr. Sharp?

Maybe a VC platoon.

Oh, it's all right.

Just your typical

shoot and scoot.

We're not gonna find anything.

With any luck, Lieutenant.

Looks like artillery

was spot-on.

Where do those blood trails go?

North towards the hills

and east towards Long Tan.

North has footprints,

but east has bullock cart tracks.

You want a fight, sir?

Catch up to that bullock cart.

Typical. You blokes can go

home and enjoy the music,

while we have to stay out here

and face it.

Lieutenant Sharp.

You're the new lead platoon.

Gonna keep heading east.

There's bullock cart tracks.

Follow any trails.

Yes, Jack.

11 Platoon! Form up on me!

Pull your head in.

Show me you're a leader.

Cocky little prick,

isn't he?

If he listens to me,

he'll be all right.

Keep your eye out

for wascally wabbits.

4. This is 4-2.

Contact! Contact! Contact!

Six enemy. Green uniforms.

100 meters to the right.

They've retreated east. Over.

4-2, this is 4.

Chase them.

Keep me advised. Over.

4-2. 4-2 out.

Lucky 11?

- We're going after them.

- 11! Extended line.

Eyes open. Move fast!

♪ Come on, little Sandy

Get goin' ♪

♪ Come on, little Sandy

Get movin' ♪

♪ Well, I got my beach towel ♪

♪ And I'm headin' down

To the sur-ur-ur-urf ♪

♪ Gonna see my Johnny ♪

♪ Gonna meet him down

At the sur-ur-ur-urf ♪

♪ We're gonna

Shoot the breakers ♪

♪ Gonna stomp in the sand ♪

♪ I'll look in his eyes while

He holds my han-an-an-an-and ♪

♪ 'Cause he's my blond-headed

Stompy-wompy ♪

♪ Real gone surfer boy ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Oh, the gang from the club ♪

♪ Will be surfing and stomping

Too-oo-oo-oo ♪

♪ Riding their boards out on

That sea of blue-ue-ue-ue ♪

♪ While the summer sun

Is beating on down ♪

♪ I'll be stompin' and a-surfin'

All arou-ou-ou-ou-ound ♪

♪ Oh, with my blond-headed

Stompy-wompy ♪

♪ Real gone surfer boy ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Whoo!

- Contact front!

- Contact front!

- Everyone down!

- Down!

Agh!

Gricey, radio!

4! This is 4-2.

Heavy contact.

Count...

- Three!

- Three.

Three machine guns!

Put Delta 1

on the speaker.

Enemy strength,

my call sign. Over!

We have a fight.

4-1, this is 4.

Move to support 4-2. Over.

Roger. Move to support 4-2.

Over.

10 Platoon!

Drop packs and move out.

11 needs help.

Sounds big.

11 Platoon is in the shit.

12 Platoon!

We're pushing up

to reinforce HQ!

Let's move!

Get me the Brigadier.

Bing! Eggie!

Get that bloody thing

on the right flank!

Yaaaa!

4. This is 4-2.

Fetch Sheldrake. Over.

Call it in.

3. This is 3-4.

Fire Mission Battery. Over.

Fire Mission Battery. Over.

Stand by

for grid reference. Over.

Grid reference:

4-8-4-6-7-2. Over.

I read 4-8-4-6-7-2.

Five rounds, fire for effect.

Over.

Fire Mission Battery.

Stand by for coordinates.

Fire Mission Battery!

Number 1, move!

Bearing: 1-7-2-0.

Range: 4-7-5-0.

Bearing: 1-7-2-0.

Range: 4-7-5-0.

Bearing: 1-7-2-0. Set!

Range: 4-7-5-0. Set.

- Aim!

- Fire!

Arggh!

4-2!

Drop 50!

- Drop 50.

- Aim!

- Set.

- Aim!

Fire!

Thank you so much, guys.

Hurry up.

Come on, move it.

We just wanted to thank you for

the job you're doing here, guys.

Please know that all of us

back at home are...

- Hurry up.

- Come on, mate. Let's go.

Boys, boys,

move, move, move!

Bugger me.

These blokes don't take a hint.

Stay down!

I've got to see

where the shells land.

You won't see anything without

a fucking head! Now, stay down!

- Get me up to speed, Colonel.

- Sir.

Delta Company is here,

about five kilometers away

in the rubber.

11 Platoon

are 400 meters forward

of the rest of the company.

And they're pinned down

and they're taking casualties.

10 Platoon is here,

and they're trying to get to 11.

Company HQ...

and 12...

are about 200 meters

behind 10.

The enemy is here and here.

And they're flanking 11

on all sides.

Enemy strength estimates?

Uh, Major Smith says

it might be a platoon, sir.

Well, Delta can handle

a platoon.

Suppressing fire! 2 o'clock!

80 meters!

I've been shot!

- Agh!

- Eggie!

You good?

4, this is 4-2.

Enemy strength much bigger

than I thought it was.

4-2, this is 4.

Be advised, help is coming.

Sit tight. Over.

4-2 here.

We're not going anywhere.

4-1, this is 4.

How close are you to 4-2? Over.

4, this is 4-1.

Gunfire is close.

100 meters. Over.

Fight through!

Fight through!

Rifle group, go!

Whoa!

Front group!

Scout group, go!

Get me HQ.

It's buggered, sir!

Now we hold here.

We can't move without comms.

Buddy, sort the wounded.

Yes, Mr. Kendall.

Watch your back!

- This is 3-4, 1.

- Oh, shit.

Stop dicking about. Get up.

I can't plot artillery strikes

while we're moving.

We have to get to them.

I've got to control the arty.

Major, if I make one mistake,

you will lose men.

Stop here.

You happy now?

3, this is 3-4.

Fire Mission Battery. Over.

Fire Mission Battery.

Over.

Grid reference:

4-8-7-6-7-6.

Over.

I read 4-8-7-6-7-6. Over.

3-4!

This is 4-2.

Walk shells closer

to my position. Bye.

Just stay down!

Grice!

4, this is 4-2.

Boss.

- This is 4.

- Running low on ammo.

At half strength.

Need more artillery.

Gordon Sharp's dead. Over.

Get 11 more artillery.

3, this is 3-4.

Fire Mission Regiment. Over.

Fire!

Fire!

Everybody in.

Keep your heads down.

Let's go.

This is Albatross 1.

Evacuating special package

to Vung Tau. Back in one hour.

Radio, Grice.

4, this is 4-2.

Sheldrake did the job. Over.

Roger that. Over.

12's here.

- What's the plan, boss?

- Set up base here.

Movement front!

Don't shoot. Don't shoot.

It's Hornung from 10.

I couldn't raise you, sir.

Radio is buggered.

We were taking wounded

by the second.

Is 10 withdrawing?

Too much fire.

Can't move without comms.

You'll be right.

There's hundreds of them.

Hey.

You get any of them, mate?

We got a lot of them.

Before we got hit,

we got a lot of the bastards.

- You all right here?

- Yeah.

No news from 10.

Must be copping it

as bad as 11.

Where you going?

I'm going to find a way through

to 11 Platoon, OK?

- What?

- Just cover me.

But, Largie...

Largie, get back!

- You wanted to see me, sir?

- Delta is in trouble.

How many APCs

have you got available?

12, sir. But the tracks on two

of them aren't operational.

- Prepare to move out.

- Very good, sir.

Wait one on that order,

Lieutenant.

Bravo!

Bravo! Where's the rest

of your section?

They're all gone, sir!

Halls,

go give Robbo a hand.

Yes, Sergeant.

Get onto the right flank.

Ainslie, get a head count

on the wounded.

Contact rear!

Sniper in the hut!

Eggie! Rake the hut!

Rake the hut!

Arggh!

James!

They're all around us!

4, this is 4-2.

Boss!

Enemy attacking

from three sides!

Estimate enemy strength much

greater than your call sign!

Repeat, enemy strength

much greater

than your call sign!

Over!

Zero 1. This is Delta 1.

New enemy size estimate.

Greater than your call sign.

I repeat, enemy size

greater than your call sign.

A battalion.

That's 700 or 800 men.

We need reinforcements.

Send out the APCs. Over.

Also request

Uniform Sierra air support.

Over.

Captain?

The Americans should have

something up nearby.

Well, you're in charge

of air support. It's your call.

Get me US Group Command.

Agh!

Cease fire!

All guns cease fire.

Cease fire! Cease fire!

There!

Smoke grenade!

Who's got smoke?

Justin? Richmond?

McCormack's got one!

Tell them to throw smoke.

4-2, this is 4. Throw smoke.

Throw the smoke!

Throw it now!

Fuck!

This is Blue Leader.

I've got nothing up here.

No visual on smoke.

Blue Leader, acknowledge.

I've got

to bail out, guys.

I'm being called

to another contact. Sorry.

That's... That's all the air

we have available?

Unload east of Long Tan Road.

Over.

Will do, buddy.

Dropping one. Heads down.

Rock 'n' roll.

Hope that spooked them.

Good luck down there.

Fuck!

Cease fire!

Boys, boys!

11! Behind me!

Sound off. Ammo count.

Heslewood. Out!

Magnussen. One round!

Eglinton. About 10 rounds!

Meller. I have one shot!

We're not going to make it!

3-4, this is 4-2.

We cannot move.

Almost out of ammo.

Request target on my location.

Over.

This is 3-4. Say again. Over.

I need Sheldrake

to drop on my position.

Over.

He wants me to target

his position.

This is 4. Say again. Over.

4, this is 4-2.

We are being flanked

on all sides.

About to be overrun.

Target my location. Over.

This is 3-4. Negative.

I can't do it. Over.

If you don't drop in the next

30 seconds, we'll all be dead!

Do you understand me? Over!

Sir, we can't allow this.

Major's the commanding officer in

the field. He'll make the call.

Call it in.

Boss...

I am not taking

the responsibility.

I'll take the bloody

responsibility.

Now, call it in.

Fire!

4-2, this is 4. Over.

4-2, this is 4. Over.

4-2. Acknowledge. Over.

4-2. Acknowledge. Over.

Bob, can you hear me, mate?

Doc?

- He stabilized?

- Yeah.

I'm more worried

about the ones still out there.

That last drop sounded close.

Yeah, the major brought it down

right on top of 11.

I've found a way

through to 11 Platoon.

There is no 11 Platoon.

Major Smith called in artillery

on their position.

You fucking prick!

- Private!

- You fucking bastard!

You don't give a shit

about any of us, do you?

Just say it!

Just fucking say it!

What about trust?

What about all that shit

you told me

about your mates

trusting you?

Stand down, Private.

How can we trust you now?

I said stand down.

- Ugh!

- Arggh!

- Get down!

- Contact right! Contact right!

Keep an eye out for invaders.

12 o'clock.

Morrie, radio!

Zero 1, this is Delta 1.

Enemy fire on my location.

Where are your reinforcements?

Over.

Sir, I can have Alpha Company

loaded onto my APCs in 15 minutes.

No. They're up against an entire

battalion out there, maybe more.

It's a trap.

They're luring us out

so they can attack the base.

What about 11 Platoon, sir?

11 Platoon is dead.

Delta 1, this is Zero 1.

No reinforcements available

at this time.

The mission has changed, Major.

Return to the base

immediately. Over.

Delta 1, this is Zero 1.

Confirm new mission orders.

Over.

Do you read, Delta 1?

Withdraw at once

and fall back to base.

Those are my orders. Over.

Zero 1, this is Delta 1.

You can go

and fuck your orders.

Say again, Delta 1. Say again.

We all come back,

or no one does.

Delta 1 out.

Get control of

your man, Colonel.

Delta 1, this is Zero 1.

You are ordered

to return to the base.

What are you

smiling about?

I'm always smiling, sir.

New plan?

Find 11.

Rescue any survivors.

And hope to hell

there are some.

I found a way through to 11.

- What are you talking about?

- I can show you.

Dave!

Dave!

Sir?

Private Large is gonna take you

to 11 Platoon's location.

Leave one section here.

Go, boys!

Paddy! 12 is moving out.

On me. Let's go.

Miller,

keep your section here.

We need to know what's happening

with 10 Platoon.

They still have no radio.

Akell! Get here.

Here.

I need you to get that radio

to 10 Platoon.

You reckon you can

do that for me?

- Yes, sir.

- Attaboy.

Good man.

All right.

Run as fast as you bloody can.

Go, lads! Go on! Go!

Run like hell!

Let's go and see

what's happening, eh?

Zero 1, this is Delta 1.

Request ammo resupply. Over.

Delta 1, you are again ordered

to return to base. Over.

Zero 1,

if you do not send ammo,

you will lose

the bloody lot of us.

It's that simple.

In this weather,

with no secure LZ,

I'm afraid

I can't authorize that.

You don't have to

authorize it, Captain.

I'll go on my own accord.

Nobody's leaving the base.

I'm in charge of air support,

sir. It's my call.

It's mine.

I'm the commander

of my aircraft.

I have the right to make

tactical decisions in the field.

You're not in the field.

In 10 minutes,

I will be.

Lieutenant! Lieutenant!

Mr. Kendall! Mr. Kendall!

Over here!

I've got a radio

for you, sir.

Where the hell

did you come from?

- Company HQ, sir.

- Good one, Yank!

4, this is 4-1.

10 Platoon's back on air, sir!

The kid made it!

4-1, this is 4. Sitrep.

We're pinned down

by enemy fire on three sides.

Taking casualties.

Running low on ammo.

We can't proceed to 4-2. Over.

All right, withdraw with your

wounded to my location. Over.

Roger. Withdraw.

Over.

10 Platoon! Withdraw to HQ!

Fire and move!

First section!

Rifle group, move!

- Move!

- Let's go, let's go.

Scout group! Scout group!

Go! Go!

Let's go, boys!

Let's get this ammo

on the choppers, now!

Come on, let's go!

- It's a suicide mission.

- Yeah, well, nobody has to go.

Volunteers only.

Answer me honestly.

Do you reckon we're gonna get shot down?

Honestly? Yep.

Jesus, mate.

You could've at least

lied to me.

This is Albatross 1.

Clear for departure.

Delta 1, this is Albatross 1.

Ammo is on its way.

Ammo's coming!

- Grab a section!

- Yes, boss.

Cease fire! Cease fire!

Cease fire! Cease fire!

Large, how much further?

200 meters.

- Contact right!

- Contact right!

100 meters!

12 o'clock!

- Pick your shots!

- 80 meters!

Jesus Christ!

Albatross 1,

this is Delta 1.

In position. Over.

Delta 1, this is Albatross 1.

Throw smoke. Over.

Roger that.

Popping smoke now. Over.

Shit!

10 o'clock!

Delta 1, this is Albatross 1.

I see red smoke. Over.

Affirmative! Affirmative! Over!

Approaching drop zone now.

Copy that, Albatross 1.

Rolling...

now!

Jack, get out of there!

Albatross 2, you're on.

Copy that, Albatross 1.

Albatross 1,

you bloody beauty.

- Spot-on, mate.

- Good luck, Delta 1.

Zero 1, this is Albatross 1.

Ammo drop complete.

Returning to base.

Separate 5.56

from the 7.62.

Let's get these first-aid kits

and the blankets to the wounded.

Double time, gents. Let's keep

our boys in the fight!

Make sure everyone gets ammo.

Everyone!

Get the artillery back up. Go.

Yes.

Willy, on me!

Don't shoot the hut.

11's up there somewhere!

Arggh! Arggh!

Oh, shit!

Kev, mate, can you crawl

back to HQ?

Ha! Crawl? I'll fucking run!

Paddy!

Come on.

Come on. Head out.

Double time, boys.

Three mags each,

then we're on our feet.

Large!

Sir?

You got a smoke grenade?

Yes, sir!

Where do you want it?

Up towards 11.

If any one of them

are still alive up there,

they'll... they'll know it's us,

they'll know where to come.

Private!

I'll need this to be a bloody

long throw, you hear me?

Mr. Sabben, I reckon that's the

first time I've ever heard you swear!

Not the last.

Cease fire!

Cease fire!

I reckon they've gone, Skip.

Wave your hats

if you're Australian!

Bobby!

Bobby!

Bobby!

Mate...

How are you, mate?

How are you?

Give us a smoke, Paddy.

Thanks, mate.

What about the others?

Contact left! Contact!

Contact!

Contact!

Left!

Give me the radio.

4, this is 4-3.

We've got 11. We have 'em.

Good work, Lieutenant.

Bring them on back.

Zero 1, this is Delta 1.

11 Platoon is secure.

I say again, 11 is secure.

Request you send APCs

to our position immediately.

Over.

Sir, request permission to lead

the APCs out to Delta Company.

If I lose my APCs,

I will have

one infantry company left

to protect

this entire base.

That's 100 men

defending 300 support staff.

And my intel reports tell me

there is a second,

full-sized enemy regiment

moving in on us

from the west.

Sir, there's a chance

to save Delta now.

Delta is down to

less than half strength.

Delta is finished.

I'm sorry, sir,

but you're wrong.

If Major Smith can hold

and the APCs

can break up the attack,

then I can secure the base

by taking the fight

to the enemy.

History will judge us,

gentlemen.

- Send out the APCs.

- Yes, sir.

You put on

a good show, don't you?

A show?

Do you think I'm going to let

you duck the fallout from this?

Sir, I'm needed in the field.

You are needed

where I say you are needed.

And right now,

that is here by my side...

as we lose

an entire company of men.

Withdraw to HQ!

11, on me, go!

- 11, go!

- 11, go!

12, go!

12, go!

12, go!

Fire and move!

12, go!

3 Troop! Start up!

- Sarge! Get it moving!

- Yes, boss.

Oi!

Doc!

Thank God you're alive.

That would've been

bloody embarrassing.

Thanks for doing

what I asked.

If you hadn't,

none of us would be here.

Boss.

My blokes can still fight.

We're gonna need them to.

The enemy's

gonna come for us,

and they're gonna come hard.

We killed a lot

of their mates today

and they're gonna want revenge.

We can't travel our wounded,

so we're gonna

have to hold tight.

Conserve your ammo.

Make sure your men are focused.

Questions?

Where's Gordon Sharp?

He's dead.

Let's make sure

we don't lose any more.

- Let's go.

- Sir.

This is 3-9 Alpha.

We are leaving

the base perimeter.

Copy that, 3-9 Alpha.

Delta 1, this is Zero 1.

APCs are on the way.

ETA one hour.

Can you hold?

We don't have a choice, do we?

Delta 1 will hold.

Gentlemen, listen up.

I want every rifleman,

clerk, cook, pilot and engineer

in a defensive position

around this base.

And I want them there now.

All units stand to.

Repeat, all units stand to.

Prepare for enemy attack.

Private Large.

Sit down.

So what do you reckon's going

on back home, back in Coolah?

Wh-What? My place?

What time do you reckon

it is there?

I don't know.

It's late.

Mum and Dad would be

just watching telly,

you know, like always.

Having a smoke and a beer.

And maybe my sisters

are home for dinner,

their little kids running

around, causing strife.

Maybe...

maybe Noelene's there.

Who's Noelene?

Fiancée.

Getting married, huh?

I just want to get out of here

and go home,

get married,

and forget all this.

Come on. Back to your post.

There! 1 o'clock!

- No, wait! Cease fire!

- Don't shoot, you bastards!

Paddy?

Buddy?

- Is that you, mate?

- Cover me.

Me ankles are buggered.

Why didn't you tell the others?

They would've carried you back.

Ah, I didn't want

to be any trouble.

- Oh, you silly galah.

- Hey, Buddy.

Have a look there.

Oh, that's Bravo Company boys.

Don't worry about it.

Well, they must've changed

their uniforms, mate,

because they're

all in black.

Oh, shit.

Jack!

You'll be right, mate.

Hang in there, OK?

Under his shoulders,

on three.

One, two, three!

Down, down. Gently down.

Thanks, Jack.

Oh, blood.

Oh, bugger. I'm shot.

Bastards got me.

Ugh!

Get off my fucking legs! Jesus!

Some bloody rescuer you are!

Jack!

This is 3-9 Alpha.

Crossing the field now.

ETA at Delta, 45 minutes.

Roger that, 3-9 Alpha.

Permission to check

on base defenses, sir.

If you must, Colonel.

Private, you're with me.

Get me 3-9 Alpha.

3-9 Alpha,

this is Zero 1 Sunray.

Return to base and pick up

Colonel Townsend. Over.

Negative, Zero 1 Sunray.

Have to relieve Delta.

Time is critical.

Lieutenant, you will

turn around.

And you will come

and pick me up right now. Out.

Roger that, Zero 1 Sunray.

Sending one transport back.

Gary, return to base.

Pick up Colonel Townsend.

Copy that.

See you in the rubber.

Here they come, boys.

Add 400, right 200. Over.

Wait for the arty. Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

Fire!

Fire!

Cover me, boys.

Don't fucking shoot me.

All call

signs, watch your spacing.

This is gonna be tight!

Correction. Drop 100.

Right 200. Over.

It's been over an hour.

Where the hell are the APCs?

I don't know.

3-9 Alpha, this is

Zero 1 Sunray. Sitrep. Over.

Just reached the northeast

bullock cart track. Over.

Tell them to wait for me

at the track.

And do not go without me.

3-9 Alpha, you are ordered

to hold at the track

and wait for the Colonel.

- Confirm. Over.

- Driver, halt.

Fuck!

Joey, stay here

and wait for the Colonel.

Catch up to us later.

Driver, advance.

Forget the bloody map!

We know where they fucking are!

Bring it in, quickly.

It's only 100 meters out.

And them bastards

are closer than that.

3-4. Drop 50.

Danger close! Over.

Negative. Unsafe. Over.

Give us the fucking guns

where we want them

or you'll lose

the lot of us!

Drop 50.

Danger close. Danger close.

Fire for effect!

Fuck! Everyone load!

- Drop this thing!

- Load!

Come on! Fire!

No! Wait! Stop!

Too close! Cease fire!

Cease fire!

Fuck.

Cease fire. Cease fire.

Cease fire! Cease fire!

- Cease fire!

- Cease fire!

- - Christ.

What's going on?

- Anyone hurt?

- Good, boss.

We're good, Major.

Few brown trousers, but we're good!

- Shrink the perimeter!

- Shrink the perimeter!

Shrink the perimeter!

- Shrink the perimeter!

- This line.

Contact front!

Agh!

Fuck!

Why is it so quiet?

Fuck, I hate it when it's quiet.

- How you going, sheilas?

- Hanging in there.

Reckon you got enough in you

to fend off one more wave?

Yeah, I reckon so.

They're not getting through us.

So when's the wedding?

Fishing for an invite,

Major Smith?

Maybe I am.

Hey, you... you've got

to bring somebody.

Just to prove

that you're human.

That's Kath.

And the little rats.

The Ratcatcher has a heart.

I accept your invite.

Speech time.

Listen up, fellas.

You've trained for this.

You've sweated for this.

You've bled for it.

Remember who you are.

You're Delta Company.

Now stay strong.

Protect your mates.

Make every shot count.

Yes, boss!

We're not

gonna make it, are we?

3, this is 3-4.

Fire Mission Regiment. Over.

3...

I've got Delta

back online, sir.

This is 3-4.

3! This is 3-4! Over!

Send coordinates. Over.

Grid reference: 4-8-4-6-7-5.

Over.

Number 1, load!

Bearing:

1-8-5-0-8-5-5-0-0.

1-8-5-0. Set!

8-5-5-0-0. Set! Aim!

Fire!

Arggh!

Agh!

Arggh!

Grant, help Magnussen!

Aim, breathe.

Aim, breathe.

Largie!

All call signs, cease fire!

All call signs,

cease fire!

Cease fire!

Zero 1, this is Delta 1.

The battlefield is secured.

I think God was shining

brightly on us here, Harry.

I really do.

So will the history books.

Well done us, eh?

Private Ainslie.

Sarge.

- Private Branch.

- Sarge.

- Private Carne.

- Sarge.

Private Drabble.

Drabble?

- Private Drinkwater.

- Sergeant.

Private K. Gant.

K. Gant.

Private E. Grant.

E. Grant.

Private Grice.

Grice.

Private Halls.

Private Heslewood.

Private Houston.

Private Jameson.

Private A. McCormack.

Private D. McCormack.

Private Meller.

Meller! Meller!

Private Mitchell.

Private Richmond.

Doc! Doc!

Hey, mate. Come on.

Doc!

- On his side!

- Got an entry wound.

Back's a mess.

Hey, mate. How are you?

Private Salveron.

Private Thomas.

Private Topp.

Private Whiston.

Second Lieutenant

Gordon Sharp.

I'm sure the brass will

want a debrief, sir.

Why don't you head back?

We'll handle this.

I'm staying right here.

♪ Mum and Dad and Denny ♪

♪ Saw the passing-out parade

At Puckapunyal ♪

♪ It was a long march

From cadets ♪

♪ And the 6th Battalion

Was the next to tour ♪

♪ And it was me

Who drew the card ♪

♪ We did Canungra

And Shoalwater ♪

♪ Before we left ♪

♪ And Townsville

Lined the footpaths ♪

♪ As we marched down

To the quay ♪

♪ This clipping

From the paper ♪

♪ Shows us young ♪

♪ And strong and clean ♪

♪ And there's me ♪

♪ In my slouch hat ♪

♪ With my SLR and greens ♪

♪ God help me ♪

♪ I was only 19 ♪

♪ From Vung Tau

Riding Chinooks ♪

♪ To the dust at Nui Dat ♪

♪ I'd been in and out ♪

♪ Of choppers now

For months ♪

♪ And we made our tents

A home ♪

♪ VB and pin-ups

On the lockers ♪

♪ And an agent orange sunset ♪

♪ Through the scrub ♪

♪ And can you tell me

Doctor ♪

♪ Why I still ♪

♪ Can't get to sleep? ♪

♪ And nighttime's ♪

♪ Just a jungle dark ♪

♪ And a barking M16? ♪

♪ And what's this rash ♪

♪ That comes and goes? ♪

♪ Can you tell me

What it means? ♪

♪ God help me ♪

♪ I was only 19 ♪

♪ On a four-week operation ♪

♪ When each step could mean ♪

♪ Your last one on two legs ♪

♪ It was a war

Within yourself ♪

♪ But you wouldn't let ♪

♪ Your mates down ♪

♪ Till they had you

Dusted off ♪

♪ So you closed your eyes ♪

♪ And you thought about ♪

♪ Something else ♪

♪ And then someone yelled out ♪

♪ "Contact front!" ♪

♪ And the bloke

Behind me swore ♪

♪ We hooked in there

For hours ♪

♪ Then a God almighty roar ♪

♪ Frankie kicked a mine the day

That mankind kicked the moon ♪

♪ God help me ♪

♪ He was going home in June ♪

♪ And I can still see Frankie ♪

♪ Drinking tinnies

In the Grand Hotel ♪

♪ On a 36-hour rec leave

In Vung Tau ♪

♪ And I can still hear Frankie ♪

♪ Lying screaming

In the jungle ♪

♪ Till the morphine came ♪

♪ And killed the bloody row ♪

♪ And the Anzac legends

Didn't mention ♪

♪ Mud and blood and tears ♪

♪ And the stories

That my father told me ♪

♪ Never seemed quite real ♪

♪ I caught some pieces

In my back ♪

♪ That I didn't even feel ♪

♪ God help me ♪

♪ I was only 19 ♪

♪ And can you tell me

Doctor ♪

♪ Why I still

Can't get to sleep? ♪

♪ And why

The Channel Seven chopper ♪

♪ Chills me to my feet? ♪

♪ And what's this rash

That comes and goes? ♪

♪ Can you tell me

What it means? ♪

♪ God help me ♪

♪ I was only 19 ♪