The Battle of Coral: Vietnam Fire Suppport Bases

A detailed and masterly account of the biggest unit level battle involving Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War. The Battle: For twenty-six days during May and June 1968 the 1st Australian Task Force fought a series of actions around Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral, northeastof Saigon. The Scenario: An overnight switch in war tactics, from patrolling and ambushing to close combat action, where, for the first time in a long while, tanks and artillery support came into their own. The Men: A trained fighting force with more than their share of bravery, whose skills and sacrifice stopped the North Vietnamese in their tracks. Lex McAulay’s brilliant account of reconstruction is one of the most important books on the Australian soldiers’ involvement in the Vietnam War.