The Platoon Commander
John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.

The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.

Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.

"1139226477"
The Platoon Commander
John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.

The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.

Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.

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The Platoon Commander

The Platoon Commander

The Platoon Commander

The Platoon Commander

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Overview

John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.

The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.

Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780733647475
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Publication date: 01/10/2023
Pages: 352
Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

John O’Halloran (Author)
John O'Halloran led 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the toughest conflicts of the Vietnam War, including Operation Hobart, the Battle of Long Tan and Operation Bribie. Now retired, he lives in Perth with his wife, Lesley.

Ric Teague (Author)
Ric Teague is a retired newspaper and television journalist and documentary maker. His career spanned 46 years across Australia, England and South Africa, and he has worked for Ten Network, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Australian, The Age and News Limited. His first book, Born on Anzac Day, was published in 2015.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Part 1

The Office 11

Tamworth Kid 24

Mr Wu's Chinese Restaurant 40

Conscription 45

Basic Training 53

Scheyville 58

On the Move 66

Part 2

Hidden Enemy 79

Destination Vietnam 87

Operation Hobart 104

The Lead-up to Long Tan 116

Under Siege 128

Post-Battle 144

The Aftermath 153

The Fallout 163

Sharpie 169

Water Torture 177

Anger at Home 190

Peace for To Thi Nau 201

The Lure of Vung Tau 207

Phantoms and the Skull Cave 214

Close Call 231

Part 3

The Battle of Bribie 245

The Killing Ground 257

In the Light of Day 273

Battle Weary 288

Back in Oz 301

Return to Nam 313

The Office, Part Two 326

Sources 339

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