Battle of Suoi Chau Pha
The Battle of Suoi Chau Pha (6 August 1967) was fought during the Vietnam War between Australian troops and the Viet Cong. The battle took place during Operation Ballarat, an Australian search and destroy operation in the eastern Hat Dich area, north-west of Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy province. Following a covert insertion the day before which had caught a number of Viet Cong sentries by surprise, A Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) had patrolled forward unaware of the presence of a large Viet Cong main force unit nearby. Clashing with a reinforced company from the Viet Cong 3rd Battalion, 274th Regiment, a classic encounter battle ensued between two forces of roughly equal size. Fought at close quarters in dense jungle amid a heavy monsoon rain, both sides suffered heavy casualties as neither was able to gain an advantage. Finally, after a battle lasting several hours, the Australian artillery proved decisive and the Viet Cong were forced to withdraw, dragging many of their dead from the battlefield after having suffered crippling losses.
Burmese–Siamese War (1809–1812)
In June 1809, Burmese king Bodawpaya received information concerning the serious illness of the Siamese king Rama I, plans were then made regarding the invasion of the tin rich Siamese Junk Ceylon province. In October 1809, Bodawpaya's chamberlain assembled a force of 30,000 soldiers, 60 war ships and 200 swivel guns in Dawei. The troops were then divided into two columns, the first seized Ranong and Na Toei, moving further into Chumphon where it was defeated an pushed back. The second column embarked on ships and after capturing Takua Pa continued its journey along the coast to Junk Ceylon the countryside of which was seized, with the "Mueang" Thalang citadel under siege. On 7 August 1809, the Burmese launched their assault on the citadel, storming it six days later, plundering the city and slaughtering the inhabitants. Boats were then loaded with plundered goods and sent to Dawei, part of the fleet was hit by a tempest, enabling a small group of Siamese soldiers to recapture many war boats as well as the Burmese general Chik-ke. The governor of Thalang was replaced for his failure to adequately defend the island and preparation were started in anticipation of new raids.