Vietnam Veterans Day

Today is Vietnam Veterans Day. August 18 was picked because it is the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

"The battle of Long Tan was the largest single unit battle fought in Vietnam by Australian troops. It began on the afternoon of August 18th and went right through the night until the morning of the 19th. The reason why is was looked on as decisive and significant was because the Australians had only been there a few months - it was the first major conflict involving Australian troops in Vietnam. The Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army were aware that the Australians were there to secure the province and decided that they would take them on. That was the fate that befell a company of men - Delta company, from the 6th Batallion, Royal Australian Regiment - who were on patrol that particular day. The enemy lay in wait for them - a huge ambush in a rubber plantation called Long Tan. The Australians held off thousands of enemy troops for the duration of that battle. Eighteen Australian troops were killed - up to a thousand of the enemy. The skills of artillery men and arrival of armoured carriers with more men saved the day. The 6th Batallion was called the "Baby Batallion" as it was made up largely of national servicemen - and they certainly underwent a baptism by fire". (RSL, WA Branch)

We grumpy post 50 wargamers were too young for Vietnam by about 10 years. Thankfully, just boardgames for us. I still remember a school class mate who had an older brother killed in Vietnam, and I remember the fall of Saigon on TV.

I commend a wonderful poem:  Long Tan by Gary Jacobson

At least we made it to 50. And we remember them.

Marching bravely into Long Tan, diggers do as they were told
Sadly, some will never have a bloody chance of ever growing old

Comments

[Thygocanberra]

Buried not far from my Mum's relatives in Helidon Qld is the grave of Pte Francis Topp who was killed at Long Tan that day.

[Thygocanberra]

Yes. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.

I was reading a bit about this battle today. There is a fellow who attends Mass who was in the artillery there. That is what saved the day I think - continous and accuate shelling from Australian, New Zealand and US batteries.

We are lucky generation, not having had to face the prospect of being sent to fight.

[PythonMagus]

I remember as a little boy in USA, one of the distant neighbours was a young man who came back from Vietnam. Lots of us gathered around as he told stories. All I can remember was him singing some soldier songs. And I thought he looked too young to be a soldier.

I am pleased to hear that veterans can now go on tours of Vietnam and meet some of their erstwhile enemies. I believe that would help put doubts to rest that some good has come out of the war.