In the gathering dusk of 18 August 1966, 108 young, inexperienced Australian and NZ soldiers are separated and surrounded, fighting for their lives, holding off an overwhelming force of 2,500 battle-hardened Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. And, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tan, with their ammunition running out and another Vietnamese battalion massing for the final assault, the digger's situation seemed hopeless. Long Tan is the true story of ordinary boys who became extraordinary men.

Australian newsreel, telling of the besieged Australian forces in Tobruk. Coverage shows dawn patrols, wrecks in Tobruk Harbour, tank patrols, anti-aircraft action against German planes, gun barrages, etc. also seen is the grave of first Australian VC (Victoria Cross) Corporal Edmondson and his mother at home holding the award.

A female Australian soldier cut off from her team, lies trapped in a collapsed building behind enemy lines. With a broken leg and minimal supplies, she is on her own until the unlikely arrival of a frightened 10 year old boy wielding a rifle, who helps her maintain survival through their developing friendship.

Four Australian soldiers become compromised when they capture a young Afghani boy spying on their reconnaissance position.