Veterans will mark battle

Two busloads of local veterans of the Vietnam War and their partners will travel to Melbourne for major commemorations of 50th anniversary of the Battle Of Long Tan this month.

August 18, 1966, the day the battle started, is officially declared Vietnam Veterans’ Day in Australia.

President of the West Gippsland branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association Mike Latimer said more than 30 district veterans had already booked for the bus trip to Melbourne.

Thousands of veterans from across the state are expected in Melbourne to take part in a march along St Kilda Rd to the Shrine of Remembrance for a commemoration service, laying of wreaths and a re-enactment of the siting of the Long Tan Cross that has been installed where the battle occurred.

Long Tan was the biggest single engagement by Australian troops in Vietnam.

Heavily outnumbered Australian infantrymen from C Company 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment came into contact with Viet Cong units in a rubber plantation where they fought fiercely until late in the day when a relief force of cavalry and infantry arrived and helped forced enemy troops to withdraw.

The fighting claimed the lives of 18 Australians and another 24 were wounded. Enemy dead numbered at least 245. The anniversary will be marked locally with a breakfast for veterans and partners at the Warragul RSL clubrooms on Tuesday, August 16.

On the following day veterans will staff the community kiosk is Palmerston St, Warragul, where they will sell commemorative badges and memorabilia.