 A Company , 7 RAR had already been patrolling in the Hat Dich since 3 August when the orders for the operation were issued . Utilising an insertion technique perfected by the Special Air Service Regiment they were subsequently re @-@ supplied early on the evening of 5 August , with the supplies successfully unloaded and the helicopters departing within three minutes . The covert infiltration of the infantry companies went undetected , and on the morning of 6 August A Company began to patrol towards the intended site of their initial patrol base . Under the command of Major Ewart O 'Donnell , by @-@ mid morning the Australians were approximately 10 kilometres ( 6 @.@ 2 mi ) east of Phu My . At 10 : 40 , moving north @-@ west with 2 Platoon leading , the Australians crossed a creek , the Suoi Chau Pha , and shortly afterwards located a fresh track which had only recently been used . O 'Donnell ordered the lead platoon into ambush positions astride the track , while he moved forward to conduct a reconnaissance . Minutes later two Viet Cong sentries walked into the ambush with their weapons slung , and they were killed instantly by a short burst from an M60 machine @-@ gun , likely surprised by the silent insertion of the Australians . 
