Henry Rifle Forums

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 10:26 am**

My battery was with the Australians for the Battle at Long Tan but it was two years before I arrived in-country. I knew a few that were there at the time. Serving with the diggers (Australians) was very interesting and I'll remember them for the rest of my life.

https://www.facebook.com/battleoflongta ... 251543375/

Today we are honouring 50th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan it was the largest battle that Australian troops fought during the Vietnam war.D Company 6RAR approx strength of 108 men engaged a forced of between 1500 and 2500 Viet cong and north Vietnam regulars. Australia loses were 18 KIA 24 WIA .The battle rage for several hours from late after noon till after last light,this battle was fought in driving rain.The Viet Cong loses ranged from 250 KIA[ battle field body count] and up to 500 but this is open to conjecture with lots of body parts found on the battle field and numinous drag marks found Some say he count could have been much higher.

During this engagement Artillery fired over 3000 rounds and the guns deploy that fired these rounds were from 1 Fd Regt,which consisted of 2 Australian battery's and a New Zealand battery of 105mm L 5 Pack Howitzers and 6 155mm M109 SP from A battery 2/35 attached to Nui Dat.

In 69 6RAR deployed back to NUi Dat and built a memorial in the Long Tan rubber plantation which consisted of a wooden cross with the names of those K.I.A. This cross was later taken down by the Vietnam Government the cross was later found in a catholic school.The cross was later replaced by a cement cross and the Vietnamese Government allowed the Memorial to remain to this day.As far as i can remember Australia is the only to have a Memorial in there country.

After planing for over 12 months over a thousand Australian veterans and there family's were to hold today a Memorial service at the site but at the last minute the Vietnamese Government cancel the service.Our Prime Minister stepped in, and now the Vietnamese at the last minute granted that the veterans can visit the site but no medals and no service and only in groups of one hundred.The Vietnamese government cited concerns about "deep sensitivities" over the battle and the impact the commemorations could have on the local community. Any way mates we have had a win of sorts and we get to honour all our soldiers who died in this battle.

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 1:10 pm**

Quite an interesting story. Definitely glad the Nam war is long over, but sad so much always lingers. No one ever wins in war.
But it's neat to read that the "diggers" have won this memorial day/commemoration skirmish with the current government. Great that the soldiers will be honored.
Thanks for posting, SH.

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 2:20 pm**

PT7 wrote: No one ever wins in war.

I wasn't familiar with the battle and wanted to know more.

Boundaries change, political policies change, people die and people are wounded, and other peoples' day-to-day lives are upended, but go on filled with horrific memories and unsettled feelings. It was a difficult time for everyone. Nonetheless, Harry Smith, the Commander of the Australians at the Long Tan battle was sympathetic to the Vietnamese, comparing this event to an air battle over Australia during WWII.

Harry Smith wrote:If the Japanese wanted a memorial in Darwin for the pilots that they lost in the bombing of Darwin and they sent 3000 people to that monument we'd be up in arms too.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... qwyfr.html"

He spent his time in Viet Nam during the 50th anniversary of Long Tan with Vietnamese veterans, including their Commander. Good for him!

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 4:03 pm**

A btry 2/35th was also attached to the 1ATF for the Battle of Coral-Balmoral. I wasn't in this battle either but since it was less than a year before I arrived I knew a few that were. Our battery arrived the second day and missed the first day. One of our officers first day with the battery was the day they arrived at Coral. I didn't know it at the time but spoke with him a couple years ago and he told me the battle from his point of view.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... 93Balmoral

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 4:44 pm**

Thanks, this is all very interesting and even though I have read books about the war I am always eager to read more. As you can see, I was in from 1965 to 1969 but when you are not directly involved in it, it was not something that I, or even the guys that I was stationed with spent very much time, if any, reading about or watching news reports about the war on TV. Among the numerous books that I have read are also the ones from The Associated Press and Tim Page, who took hundreds of pictures of the war.

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:03 pm**

Being younger, I remember my grandfather watching the news (Cronkite) and every night there was a Vietnam segment of footage. It held my attention then as it still does.

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:31 pm**

Great read, thanks for the post. I served in the USAF 1957 - 1965 but never got sent to Nam.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:28 pm**

Cannot even imagine going through something like that. Just being out in the rain for days at a time would do me in, never mind the artillery shells.
The war and the '60's culture are inseparable. You really can't think of one without the other.

Very interested in watching the entire documentary at first opportunity.

Henry Rifle Forums

50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966

Re: 50th anniversary Long tan battle 1966