True story of ordinary boys who became extraordinary men
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 […]
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 were killed fighting in the Battle of Long Tan: KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS USED IN LIST 1 APC Sqn […]
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 […]
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 […]
**Update: Watch Channel 7’s Sunrise Soapbox discuss this story at the bottom of this post. The man who led Australian soldiers to victory at the bloody Battle of Long Tan 44 years ago is taking his fight for medals justice to the Federal Court. Harry Smith, Lieutenant Colonel retired, today confirmed he will be pursuing […]
A refurbished kindergarten has sprouted on the site where Australasian troops were headquartered for the 10 years of the Vietnam War, following a three year campaign of diplomacy and fundraising by veterans. The new facility will accommodate 50 pre-school children and includes extensions and renovations to the original class rooms built in 2002 for the […]
Members of the RAR Association need no introduction to the Battle of Long Tan. After all, it?s a Battle Honour on their Colours and its anniversary was selected as Australia’s Vietnam Veterans? Day. And over the years, one of the key resources in describing and explaining the battle has been Dave Sabben, the former platoon […]
There is a great 100% volunteer organisation called the Australian Vietnam Veterans Reconstruction Group (AVVRG) holding an upcoming charity dinner in Sydney at Parliament House on Friday 14th August 2009 to raise money for building a Kindergarten in Nui Dat, South Vietnam. Guests of honour will be: Dave Sabben MG – Commander of 12 Platoon […]