Last Out (PDF)

'The role of 4RAR is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and hold ground and to repel attack by night and day, regardless of season, weather and terrain.'Extract from 4RAR Standing Orders, 14 January 1970How did infantry and armour attack a Viet Cong bunker system? What was it that persuaded men to go forward to possible death or wounding, when all their instincts told them that safety lay behind them? Who were the aggressive enemy they faced, and how were they organised, armed, equipped and resupplied? And what were the skills, tactics and techniques needed to live, fight and survive on the jungle battlefield of Vietnam?Last Out is the story of the training and preparation for war of 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion and the Australians and New Zealanders who made up this outstanding infantry battalion in 1970-71.Stand beside the commanders and men as they go into battle; toil with them under their loads of weapons and equipment; and experience through their eyes everything from the one-on-one contact between two opposing scouts, to set-piece attacks into enemy bunker systems supported by tanks, armoured personnel carriers, artillery and aircraft.When the Battalion makes contact with the 33 North Vietnamese Army regiment, follow the fourteen-hour action minute-to-minute, and wait in the dark with the surrounded men of ANZAC for the enemy's final attack.Incisive, sensitive and witty, Last Out is a fascinating account of the last battles fought by Australians and New Zealanders in the Vietnam War.'The role of 4RAR is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture him, to seize and hold ground and to repel attack by night and day, regardless of season, weather and terrain.'Extract from 4RAR Standing Orders, 14 January 1970How did infantry and armour attack a Viet Cong bunker system? What was it that persuaded men to go forward to possible death or wounding, when all their instincts told them that safety lay behind them? Who were the aggressive enemy they faced, and how were they organised, armed, equipped and resupplied? And what were the skills, tactics and techniques needed to live, fight and survive on the jungle battlefield of Vietnam?Last Out is the story of the training and preparation for war of 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion and the Australians and New Zealanders who made up this outstanding infantry battalion in 1970-71.Stand beside the commanders and men as they go into battle; toil with them under their loads of weapons and equipment; and experience through their eyes everything from the one-on-one contact between two opposing scouts, to set-piece attacks into enemy bunker systems supported by tanks, armoured personnel carriers, artillery and aircraft.When the Battalion makes contact with the 33 North Vietnamese Army regiment, follow the fourteen-hour action minute-to-minute, and wait in the dark with the surrounded men of ANZAC for the enemy's final attack.Incisive, sensitive and witty, Last Out is a fascinating account of the last battles fought by Australians and New Zealanders in the Vietnam War.