 By 14 : 30 the Viet Cong commander finally made the decision to withdraw , with the artillery deciding the battle in favour of the Australians . O 'Donnell had commanded the battle with cool resolve under constant fire throughout , setting the standard for his men and on one occasion he had run 30 metres ( 33 yd ) through heavy fire to drag a wounded medic to safety . Withdrawing through the barrage and a number of airstrikes called in to pursue them , the Viet Cong proceeded to drag their dead from the battlefield , having suffered crippling casualties . B Company , 7 RAR was subsequently inserted by helicopter into blocking positions to the north , however they made no contact and were unable to prevent the withdrawal . Numerous blood trails were later found as the Australians attempted to follow up the Viet Cong . 
