Long Tan Vietnam Hero on List of Victoria Cross Possibles
The Commander at the helm of the historical and bloody Battle of Long Tan has welcomed the addition of an “unsung hero” of the Vietnam War to the list of candidates for a retrospective Victoria Cross. Lt Colonel (Retired) Harry Smith said it was “only right and proper” that the Defence Honours Awards Tribunal investigate [...]
Coincidence and Fate on a Battlefield called Long Tan
By Tim McCormack “What an extraordinary coincidence that two young McCormack’s, unrelated and from different states, ended up dying next to each other on a battlefield in Vietnam.” A knock at the door….the fateful telegram….and then the 20th August 1966 headlines in that evening’s edition of the Examiner Express – ‘Launceston Boy Killed in Viet. [...]
D Company, 6RAR Manning Details – Battle of Long Tan
From time to time I get emails or requests for more information or a detailed list of names of those who fought in the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966. There were 105 soldiers from D Company, 6RAR and 3 soldiers from 161 Battery RNZA who fought on the battlefield at Long Tan. [...]
Long Wait is Over – 45th Anniversary of Battle of Long Tan
Today, Thursday 18 August 2011 is the 45th Anniversary of the legendary Battle of Long Tan. The long wait for proper recognition of the gallantry of those who fought and died in this battle is almost over. 45 years ago today 105 Australians and 3 New Zealanders fought and defeated an overwhelming enemy force of [...]
A Chance to Walk the Long Tan Battlefield with a Long Tan Veteran – Oct 2011
There is still availability on the 7 day Long Tan Trek Tour departing 12 October 2011, and the follow-on 12 day Decisive Battlefields Tour to Vietnam 18 October 2011, both hosted and guided by Long Tan veteran, former commander of 12 Platoon, D Coy 6RAR 2Lt Dave Sabben. This Tour also makes a donation to [...]
Animated Long Tan Presentation by Dave Sabben
If you’ve ever wanted a more detailed understanding of The Battle of Long Tan, you should check out this fantastic, animated and interactive PowerPoint presentation created by Long Tan veteran Dave Sabben. About Dave: as a 20 year old, Dave registered for national service but his number didn’t come up. Unperturbed, Dave packed his bags, [...]
Jack Kirby – An Unsung Hero of the Battle of Long Tan
Arguably the backbone and discipline of any infantry company is the Company Sergeant Major (CSM). These soldiers of Warrant Officer rank are part father figure, part teacher and part principle / headmaster. Almost all of the CSM’s I’ve come across have had very strong and unique personalities made up of steadiness, humour, discipline but ultimately [...]
Battle of Long Tan – The Fallen
No discussion of the Battle of Long Tan would be complete without remembering the ultimate sacrifice of the Australian’s and Vietnamese who fought and died in the battle. Here is a list of the Australian’s who died fighting in the Battle of Long Tan: KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS USED IN LIST 1 APC Sqn = [...]
Secret Australian Army Intelligence – Battle of Long Tan
One of the little known and fascinating aspects of the Battle of Long Tan is the intelligence that was being collected, analysed and distributed to the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) Commander Brigadier David Jackson and some of his headquarters staff. During the Vietnam War a secret radio intelligence and tracking unit from the Australian [...]
Long Tan – A quest for Honour and Integrity
By David Ellery – Defence Reporter *This article appeared in The Canberra Times on 15 January 2011 but as there is no online version it has been reproduced here. The greatest impediment to an honest assessment of the way honours were allocated after the battle of Long Tan is a concept that dates back to [...]
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