 A classic encounter battle , the action had been fought between two forces of roughly equal size in the heavy monsoon rain at close quarters . Both companies had deployed to the high ground at around the same time in a bid to outflank the other , with the Australian infantry skilfully using their supporting artillery while the Viet Cong had attempted to nullify the Australian tactics by remaining in close contact . Ultimately , the artillery had decided the outcome in favour of the Australians however , and the Viet Cong had been forced to withdraw with heavy casualties . In this way the fighting bore many similarities to the victory twelve months earlier at Long Tan , yet it remained largely unheralded in Australia . Eight Australian soldiers received gallantry awards for their actions , including Military Crosses to O 'Donnell , Ross and Clark , while Sutherland was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal . A number of awards were also made to the RAAF pilots and aircrew , including Cox who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross . Meanwhile , the bravery evident by the Viet Cong during the battle had also made an impression on the Australians , who later acknowledged their tight fire discipline and the skilfulness of their battle drills and tactics which they found to be similar to those used by the Australians themselves . 
