August 18 commemorated the 40th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan an event which saw 108 members of D Company, 6th battalion encounter a force of over 2,000 Viet Cong soldiers in a rubber plantation.
Over 3 hours and supported by deadly artillery fire, a daring RAAF helicopter ammunition resupply, and a relief force brought in by armoured personnel carrier, the men of D Company prevailed over the much larger force with 18 soldiers being killed and 24 wounded.
Long Tan was the first time the Australians had encountered such a large force of enemy soldiers. Three years after the battle a cross was raised and dedicated on the site where the battle took place and the day was dedicated as Long Tan Day.
Today it has come to represent all Australians who served and died or were wounded in Vietnam and is now known simply as Vietnam Veteran's Day.
"Like many Australians I was opposed to our involvement in the Vietnam War, in particular the decision by the then government to send National Servicemen to the conflict" Mary said.
"In total we lost over 500 soldiers, a large number of whom were conscripts during the 11 years of our involvement in the war, however whilst I was then and remain now convinced that our troops should not have been there it is important that we recognise those who served."
Gallery 2006 Image 32
