This recording, made in 1969 during a contact between Australian troops and the enemy, shows how medical evacuation could be quite difficult.

The tape has been edited to compress time - the whole event takes place over about an hour and a half. Despite being made over thirty years ago, it remains a powerful reminder of the dangers faced by Australian soldiers.

Warning
This recording contains graphic descriptions which, together with the actual sounds of battle in the background, may be disturbing to some Vietnam veterans. Those who choose to proceed further and listen to the recording do so at their own risk.

Events begin as 7 Platoon, C Company, whose call sign is Three-One, is about to make a routine report. You will hear in the background the first rifle shots being fired and Three-One reporting 'contact', meaning the platoon has encountered enemy forces.

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Three-One now calls for a 'dustoff'', the codeword for a helicopter medical evacuation.

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Things are not going as smoothly as hoped. Niner, the commanding officer who is overhead in a helicopter, has to leave the area because he is running out of fuel, and Seven-One, the airborne light fire team, is no better off. Unless something can be done quickly, the troops on the ground could be left with no air support.

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While this radio conversation has been going on, the troops have been fighting for their lives. Three-Zero now attempts to call Three-One to pass on Niner's message.

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Bushranger makes a pass at the enemy, firing at them trying to break up the attack. Three-One asks Three-Zero how effective the strafing run had been.

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As it attempts to withdraw to evacuate the wounded, C Company is still pressed hard by the enemy. Three-One asks if the evacuation can be made from the area it has managed to attain.

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For Bushranger Seven-One time has run out - he must return to refuel and rearm - but no replacement light fire team has been arranged. For the present, or at least until Bushranger can come back, the troops are on their own. The recording resumes as Bushranger Seven-One returns.

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At this point the recording tape runs out, however the Dustoff helicopter was eventually able to get in and evacuate the wounded soldiers. They were airlifted to a hospital where they recovered.