Battle of Nui Le

Part of the Vietnam War

Date	21 September 1971
Location	Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam (now Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam)
Result	ANZAC tactical victory, headquarters bunker system destroyed, North Vietnamese forces disengage and retreat

Belligerents

Australia

New Zealand

Units involved

Strength

2 infantry companies
Artillery
U.S. air support

600+ infantry

Casualties and losses

5 killed
30 wounded

14 bodies recovered

The Battle of Nui Le (21 September 1971) was the last major battle fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in South Vietnam. The battle was fought between 'B' and 'D' Companies of the 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion (4 RAR/NZ) and elements of the 33rd Regiment of the North Vietnamese Army in Phuoc Tuy Province during Operation Ivanhoe.

The decision for the Australian withdrawal from Vietnam, was made by the Australian Government and commenced in November 1970, and combat forces were to be reduced gradually during 1971. Intelligence pointed towards a major buildup of Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army forces in the north of Phuoc Tuy Province and abductions and assassinations had increased in the adjacent Long Khanh Province. The Vietcong and North Vietnamese were preparing for the withdrawal of the 1st Australian Task Force from Phuoc Tuy Province, which was gradually being withdrawn from August 1971, and were hoping to defeat the Australians.

4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion (4 RAR/NZ), consisting of two companies of Australian infantry (B and D Companies) and one company of New Zealand infantry (V Company), was committed to a reconnaissance in force operation, named Operation Ivanhoe against any North Vietnamese or Viet Cong forces in the north of Phuoc Tuy Province. D Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1st Troop, A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Troop, C Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 2 Troop, 104th Field Battery, elements of 104th Signal Squadron and 161st (Independent) Recce Squadron were also committed to the operation.

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