Long Tan 50th Anniversary
18th August 1966-2016
On 17 August 1966 at about 2:40am the Australian operations base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy province came under fire by the Viet Cong with mortar and shell.
50 years to this day on the 18th August, the 105 men of D Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and a three-man New Zealand artillery team, were sent into the Long Tan rubber plantation to relieve B Company who had been on patrol in search for the enemy.
D Company came under heavy machine-gun fire and mortar attacks from a force of between 1,500 and 2,500 men from the Viet Cong 275th Regiment, possibly reinforced by at least one North Vietnamese battalion, and D445 Provincial Mobile Battalion Viet Cong.
In pouring rain the battle raged.
Company commander, Major Harry Smith, requested resupply of ammunition and troop reinforcements by helicopter, which was supplied.
After almost three hours of intense fighting by D Company, reinforcements from A Company arrived in armoured personnel carriers (APC).
Ammunition was distributed and the wounded were tended. Early in the evening, B Company also arrived and engaged the Viet Cong. Soon after that, seven APCs arrived, having risked skirmishes with the Viet Cong along the way. The extra fire-power finally stopped the Viet Cong, and all firing ceased.
When the fighting ceased 18 Australians had been killed – 17 from D Company and one from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, there were a further 21 wounded.
The Viet Cong insurgents left 245 dead and many more wounded.
The 18th of August is now known as Long Tan Day and Vietnam Veterans day to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those that served in Vietnam and on this day 50yrs ago at Long Tan.
For a more detailed timeline of events you can visit http://battleoflongtan.com/timeline/
Feature image “Long Tan Action” a painting by Bruce Fletcher
You can purchase limited edition 50th Anniversary Port and 50th Anniversary Long Tan Lapel pins available for to commemorate this milestone, with all profits assisting the orphans and impoverished in areas Australians served during the Viet Nam War.
Order for yourself or great for a gift for a Veteran friend or family member.
Long Tan 50th Anniversary Lapel Pin
Now Available! $5ea + P&H
This special 27mm limited edition gold plate and white enamel 50th Anniversary pin honours the fallen at Long Tan and is tribute to the courage, mateship and determination of D Coy 6RAR, and all who rallied to their support on 18 August 1966.
Battle of Long Tan
50th Anniversary Commemorative Port
from $20ea* inc P&H
With the blessing of the 6RAR Association, we offer this delicious Tawny Port which will help us raise much needed funds to assist orphans and impoverished in areas where Australians served during the Viet Nam war