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SNNEWS SHEPPARTON NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2019 5 Time for laughs: A scene from Danger Close in which performers entertain Aussie troops at Nui Action: Travis Fimmel (left) as Australian company commander Major Harry Smith in a tense battle Dat Vietnam. Shepparton RSL president Bob Wilkie remembers being in exactly the same place scene from Danger Close. three years later — but without benches. Reeling from the old scars FILM BRINGS BACK OLD MEMORIES FOR SHEPPARTON VIETNAM WAR VETERANS By John Lewis Shepparton Vietnam War veterans have said a new Australian film about the ferocious battle of Long Tang is highly realistic and confronting. More than 150 Sheppar- ton district Vietnam veter- ans with family members and friends packed out an advanced screening of Danger Close at Village Cinemas in Shepparton last Back there: Shepparton’s week before the movie went Brian McInneny, who served on general release. with the 1st Battalion The film depicts the Australian Infantry at the intense fighting that took Battle of Coral-Balmoral in History relived: Like other Shepparton veterans, Shepparton place across 31⁄2 hours dur- Vietnam. RSL president Bob Wilkie now talks to school students about his ing a monsoon downpour in war experience as part of the I Wish I’d Asked program. a rubber plantation in the forces in Vietnam. late afternoon of August 18, Five Australians died and 1966, when a single infantry 30 were wounded at Nui Le company of 108 mostly when ANZAC forces inexperienced Australian engaged a large enemy force and New Zealand soldiers in a well-defended bunker engagedwitharegimentof system to the north of 2500 battle-hardened Viet Phuoc Tuy province. Cong and North Vietnam Mr Wilkie said the battle army troops. scenes depicted in the film The battle had the largest were close to the reality he Australian losses on a single remembered. day in the Vietnam War — ‘‘It’s pretty scary and very Close to heart: Danger Close — the Battle of Long Tan is 18 dead and 24 wounded. intense,’’ he said. showing at Shepparton’s Village Cinemas. Viet Cong casualty numbers He said after the film fin- were officially recorded as ished, he did not hang Looking back: Shepparton’s Ron Thorp, who was a gunner with 245, although this number around to talk to other the 4th Field Regiment in Vietnam, takes part in the I Wish I’d has subsequently been veterans. Asked schools program. REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT disputed as too low. ‘‘I just went straight home Danger Close was filmed withmywife—Ididn’t Goulburn Valley Vietnam were wounded — the in Queensland, directed by really want to talk to any- Veterans Association will greatest Australian loss in Red Dog director Kriv one,’’ he said. have a Vietnam Veterans a single day during the Stenders and features Shepparton’s Brian McIn- Remembrance Day cere- Vietnam War. Echuca’s Vikings star Travis neny was a Private aged 21 mony at the Shepparton The day also comme- Fimmel as Major Harry in the 1st Battalion Royal Cenotaph on Sunday from morates the 521 Austra- Smith, and Rake star Rich- Australian Infantry Regi- 11 am. lians who died and the ard Roxburgh as Brigadier ment when he was cut off The day marks the 53rd more than 3000 people David Jackson. behind enemy lines with fel- anniversary of the Battle of who were wounded or suf- Shepparton RSL president low diggers during the Battle Long Tan in which 18 Aus- fered illness as a result of Bob Wilkie said the film of Coral-Balmoral in May tralian soldiers died and 24 the conflict. brought back a lot of mem- 1968. Time off: Private Bob Wilkie, now Shepparton RSL President, ories. ‘‘Eighteen of us were over- (centre) watching entertainment at Aussie army base Nui Dat in ‘‘It was personally very run in the early morning. 1971. homework. Mr Thorp, who attended confronting to watch. It was Three were killed and eight ‘‘I thought they did a really last week’s advance screen- very realistic,’’ he said. wounded,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s the best film I’ve down, but it’s become a lot good job — the gun posi- ing with his son, said he Mr Wilkie served in Viet- ‘‘We had our artillery seen presenting the Aussies easier. Speaking to schools tions were as I remember would recommend the film nam with the 4th Royal Aus- behind us and they lowered in Vietnam — there’s no has helped me confront them—itwaswhatI to anyone as an accurate tralian Infantry from April to their guns and we were told gung-ho stuff, but it’s war at what happened,’’ he said. expected to see. The most record of the Aussies in Viet- December, 1971, based at to get our heads down while its rawest, and it also shows Shepparton’s Ron Thorp dramatic thing was the artil- nam. Nui Dat — the same army they fired over us.’’ the Aussie larrikin spirit,’’ he was a gunner in the 4th lery falling—Ihadseenit ‘‘It shows the nitty-gritty base where the film was set. Over three intense weeks, said. Field Regiment and took fall on the ground during of what it was like to be ‘‘I was in a very similar sit- 26 Australians were killed Although it has taken him part in the Tet Offensive training and the film felt like there — it’s a good depic- uation,’’ he said. and 100 were wounded at years to deal with the mem- when the Viet Cong orche- that.Therewereafewlittle tion of what happened,’’ he Mr Wilkie took part in the Coral-Balmoral. ories of war, Mr McInneny strated a series of surprise things I didn’t feel were qu- said. Battle of Nui Le on Septem- Mr McInneny agreed the talks to classes of school attacks from January to Sep- ite right, like the fire orders, ● Danger Close — The ber 21, 1971 — the last ma- action depicted in Danger students about his experi- tember 1968. but overall they did an Battle of Long Tan is jor battle fought by Close was confronting and ence. He said the the film’s excellent job,’’ Mr Thorp showing at Shepparton Australian and New Zealand realistic. ‘‘The first time I broke researchers had done their said. Village Cinemas..

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