The core of this 2016 work by Vietnam Veteran and linguist Ernie Chamberlain is a translation of D445 Battalion’s history – as written by Vietnamese historians in 2004. The Vietnamese account is comprehensively analysed, and an extensive and referenced commentary has been provided.
In order to provide context – and to analyse and comment upon the Vietnamese writings, the book is comprehensively referenced. The comments cite a large number of captured NVA/VC documents – many not previously translated or available to researchers. Additionally, signals intelligence (SIGINT) material related to the Battle of Long Tan – that was only declassified and released to the author in February 2016, is also included.
The work also has 18 annexes covering aspects such as VC personalities, an analysis of casualties at Long Tan, SIGINT, the 275 VC Regiment etc.
While the book is not available commercially, the text of the book has been placed on the Internet here.
Perhaps the sections of most interest to veterans include the Viet Cong’s version of the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 – including the first available VC sketch map of the Battle, and SIGINT aspects.
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