The decision for the Australian withdrawal from Vietnam, was made by the Australian Government and commenced in November 1970 and combat forces were to be reduced gradually during 1971. Intelligence pointed towards a major buildup of Vietcong (VC) and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces in the north of Phước Tuy Province and abductions and assassinations had increased in the adjacent Long Khanh Province.Ham 2008, p. 552. The VC/PAVN were preparing for the withdrawal of the 1st Australian Task Force from Phước Tuy Province, which was gradually being withdrawn from August 1971, and were hoping to defeat the Australians.
