Danger Close (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Harry felt unappreciated among the conscripts in his unit and believed his skills were being underutilized. He sought a more challenging role with a commando unit where he could make a greater impact. However, Brigadier Jackson denied his request, ordering him to remain under Lieutenant Colonel Colin Townsend's command.

Foreshadowing: Harry's desire for more meaningful combat experience foreshadows his later decisive leadership during the battle.

• major harry smith
• transfer request
• commando unit
• brigadier jackson

Sergeant Buick suggested this devastating measure because Delta Company was facing a battalion of 700 to 800 Viet Cong soldiers and was being encircled. With their reconnaissance failing to locate necessary markers and facing overwhelming enemy numbers, calling artillery fire on their own position was the only way to stop the advancing VC forces and prevent complete annihilation of 11 Platoon.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Harry had already authorized risky artillery fire dangerously close to 11 Platoon's position to stall the enemy advance.

• sergeant buick
• artillery fire
• 11 platoon
• encirclement
• viet cong

Jackson was reluctant to send Armored Personnel Carriers because it would leave the base vulnerable to attack, potentially resulting in the loss of the entire 1 ATF base. He eventually agreed to send air support, but reconnaissance efforts failed to locate the necessary markers. Only after the rescue operation found survivors did Jackson reluctantly commit the APCs, accepting the risk to the base.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Harry's urgent requests and Jackson's cautious leadership reflects the broader command decisions that shaped the battle's outcome.

• brigadier jackson
• apc reinforcements
• air support
• base defense

The Australians successfully held off the overwhelming force through a combination of effective artillery fire, superior tactical positioning, and desperate defensive fighting. Major Smith's leadership was crucial in coordinating defenses and calling in supporting fire. The monsoon rain and darkness also worked in their favor, limiting the enemy's ability to maneuver. Despite being outnumbered roughly 20 to 1, the Australians inflicted heavy casualties while suffering relatively low losses themselves.

Foreshadowing: The earlier successful repulsion of the mortar attack demonstrated the effectiveness of counter-battery fire against the VC.

• battle of long tan
• 108 soldiers
• 2000 enemy
• victory
• casualties

11 Platoon was the first to make contact with the Viet Cong patrol and quickly found themselves surrounded and under heavy machine gun fire. They were trapped in a dire position and called for artillery fire dangerously close to their own location. Major Smith then devised a rescue operation to extract the trapped platoon, and against the odds, they managed to locate and save the survivors, bringing hope back to the beleaguered base.

Foreshadowing: The initial engagement with the VC patrol at the rubber plantation area set the stage for 11 Platoon's entrapment.

• 11 platoon
• trapped
• rescue operation
• survivors
• viet cong

Two brave Royal Australian Air Force pilots volunteered to deliver essential supplies and ammunition under enemy fire. With Delta Company running low on ammunition during the monsoon downpours, this resupply was critical to their survival. The pilots' courage in flying into a active combat zone allowed Harry's men to rearm and continue fighting.

Foreshadowing: The desperate ammunition shortage was a direct result of the prolonged engagement and overwhelming enemy numbers.

• raaf pilots
• helicopter resupply
• ammunition
• monsoon rain

Private Paul Large, nicknamed Largie, was killed in action during the final stages of the battle while fighting off Viet Cong forces. Despite the eventual arrival of reinforcements and the tactical victory, Largie's death was one of the significant losses suffered by Delta Company. The film pays tribute to his sacrifice as part of the broader acknowledgment of the battle's human cost.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Harry had reprimanded Large for drinking during patrol duty, showing his reckless nature that persisted even in combat.

• private large
• largie
• killed in action
• death
• delta company

Second Lieutenant Sharp was distracted by playing cards with his men instead of carrying out his assigned task of locating the source of the mortar strike on the base. This decision reflected the casual attitude some soldiers had toward the war, prioritizing leisure over duty. Sergeant Bob Buick had to step in to assist Major Smith in tracking the mortar's origin.

Foreshadowing: Sharp's distraction during the initial attack set the tone for his leadership style throughout the battle.

• second lieutenant sharp
• mortar source
• cards
• sergeant buick
• orders

After Bravo Company found no enemy presence during their scout of the rubber plantation near Long Tân, Delta Company was tasked with replacing them. It was during this replacement that Delta Company discovered fresh enemy footprints, leading to their engagement with a Viet Cong patrol. This seemingly routine rotation became the catalyst for the major battle.

Foreshadowing: The earlier offer for Delta Company to scout the plantation had been rejected, suggesting the enemy's presence was already being detected in the area.

• rubber plantation
• long tan
• bravo company
• replacement
• enemy footprints

The Australians repelled the opening mortar strike through effective counter-battery fire, successfully locating and neutralizing the enemy mortar crew that was targeting the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat. Major Smith's leadership was evident as he directed Delta Company to seek cover while coordinating the counterattack.

Foreshadowing: This successful counter-battery operation demonstrated the Australians' ability to respond to enemy fire, setting a precedent for their tactical approach throughout the battle.

• counter-battery fire
• mortar attack
• 1 atf base
• viet cong
• neutralize