ANZAC immersion: Journal 14 and the movie “Danger Close”

[Andrew Rogers]

To my Doughboy cousins, now that July 4 festivities are over, can I suggest you put down your hot-dogs and indulge in a little bit of cultural exposure of an ANZAC flavor over the weekend! This shout-out or "coo-ee" also goes to my Euro-buddies.

To those that have purchased the "Aussie" Journal 14, please have a read of some of the articles and maybe break out one of the scenarios from the Sparrow Force mini-CG. See the attached image below of a scenario at play, "Aussie Spirit", cross-posted from FB. A big thank you to the support from MMP in producing this Journal, the mini-CG and map.

More particularly, I would like to strongly recommend the following well-rated Vietnam war-movie “Danger Close”. After a little bit of an awkward start, this movie is a solid depiction of a desperate struggle by ANZACs against a much larger VC force at Long Tan. This 1966 battle, as reflected in the movie, is not dissimilar to many Aussie WW2 PTO engagements. If you can’t stream it via your chosen provider, it can be rented here or here.

 

[gorkowskij]

I second the recommendation for Danger Close. It offered very compelling, in fact terrifying, depictions of what it's like to receive fire from "somewhere" out there in the bush. And, it serves to remind us that several nations joined the United States in defending South Vietnam. There were many hardships shared by all...

 

[johnl]

Indeed. I think many Americans are of the opinion that it was strictly an America vs South North Vietnam war. The list of nations from Wikipedia.



Working my way thru Journal 14 now. Great articles, Great scenarios.

 

[Tom Morin]

I second the recommendation for Danger Close. It offered very compelling, in fact terrifying, depictions of what it's like to receive fire from "somewhere" out there in the bush. And, it serves to remind us that several nations joined the United States in defending South Vietnam. There were many hardships shared by all...

I watched this today (thanks on your recommendation!) on Amazon Prime.....fantastic movie!!!!

Very gripping and tense, well done movie.

 

[John Fedoriw]

I agree with the recommendation, Danger Close is a really good movie.

 

[olli]

I watched this today (thanks on your recommendation!) on Amazon Prime.....fantastic movie!!!!

Very gripping and tense, well done movie.

Great movie and shows how incompetent senior officers can be !

 

[Gordon]

Well they say that you rise to your level of incompetence ...

 

[Eagle4ty]

Read "Platoon Leader". It was required reading for my OCS/ROTC classes I helped teach. A bit of "I done that right" but good leadership principles overall.

 

[JoeArthur]

The list of nations from Wikipedia

You will note the UK is missing from that list as the Labour Government under Harold Wilson kept us out of it.

One take on it:

Harold Wilson: The Man Who Kept Us Out Of Vietnam

With the Iraq Inquiry's findings having finally been published, it's a good opportunity to compare today’s Middle East with Vietnam...

www.forces.net

 

[lluis61]

To my Doughboy cousins, now that July 4 festivities are over, can I suggest you put down your hot-dogs and indulge in a little bit of cultural exposure of an ANZAC flavor over the weekend! This shout-out or "coo-ee" also goes to my Euro-buddies.

To those that have purchased the "Aussie" Journal 14, please have a read of some of the articles and maybe break out one of the scenarios from the Sparrow Force mini-CG. See the attached image below of a scenario at play, "Aussie Spirit", cross-posted from FB. A big thank you to the support from MMP in producing this Journal, the mini-CG and map.

More particularly, I would like to strongly recommend the following well-rated Vietnam war-movie “Danger Close”. After a little bit of an awkward start, this movie is a solid depiction of a desperate struggle by ANZACs against a much larger VC force at Long Tan. This 1966 battle, as reflected in the movie, is not dissimilar to many Aussie WW2 PTO engagements. If you can’t stream it via your chosen provider, it can be rented here or here.
View attachment 26306

Just seen the film. It's great and impressive. Thank you for pointing it.

 

[Andrew Rogers]

You will note the UK is missing from that list as the Labour Government under Harold Wilson kept us out of it.

One take on it:

Harold Wilson: The Man Who Kept Us Out Of Vietnam

With the Iraq Inquiry's findings having finally been published, it's a good opportunity to compare today’s Middle East with Vietnam...

www.forces.net

There was a lot going on for the old empire - Africa, the Irish etc. Also, I suspect the Brits did their bit in Malaysia, rather successfully. It remains one of the few successful counter-insurgency campaigns.

 

[JoeArthur]

Malaysia, rather successfully. It remains one of the few successful counter-insurgency campaigns

There's a coincidence - "War of the Running Dogs" is sitting on my floor waiting to be read:

SWJ Book Review: The War of the Running Dogs: How Malaya Defeated the Communist Guerillas 1948-60 | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University

Noel Barber’s The War of the Running Dogs: How Malaya Defeated the Communist Guerillas 1948-60 is a gripping history that reads like a novel. Barber tells the story of courageous British and Malayan men and women who fought the guerillas—as well as the story of the rise and fall of communist...

smallwarsjournal.com

 

[Andrew Rogers]

There's a coincidence - "War of the Running Dogs" is sitting on my floor waiting to be read:

SWJ Book Review: The War of the Running Dogs: How Malaya Defeated the Communist Guerillas 1948-60 | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University

Noel Barber’s The War of the Running Dogs: How Malaya Defeated the Communist Guerillas 1948-60 is a gripping history that reads like a novel. Barber tells the story of courageous British and Malayan men and women who fought the guerillas—as well as the story of the rise and fall of communist...

smallwarsjournal.com

My counter-insurgency book on the subject was the (equally coolly) titled "Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife" (LTC John A Nagl)

 

[Eagle4ty]

My counter-insurgency book on the subject was the (equally coolly) titled "Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife" (LTC John A Nagl)

Now that's a too cool title. I've never eaten soup with a knife but do eat peas that way. I also eat my peas with honey, done it all my life, it makes the peas taste funny but keeps 'em on my knife.

 

[Gordon]

Now that's a too cool title. I've never eaten soup with a knife but do eat peas that way. I also eat my peas with honey, done it all my life, it makes the peas taste funny but keeps 'em on my knife.

So will super glue, but I ain't gonna eat my peas with that either. btw, what's up with using a knife to eat peas with anyway? Seems inefficient.

 

[GeorgeBates]

I also eat my peas with honey, done it all my life, it makes the peas taste funny but keeps 'em on my knife.

And I thought my Dad was the only old man to walk around repeating that limerick...

 

[Stewart]

UGH, playing with uncircumcised counters....Dirty ANZAC game.