Unfortunately due to the Covid19 lockdown there was no major commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan on Vietnam Veterans Day again in 2021.
A very small group marked the occasion in a wreath laying ceremony.
The Battle of Long Tan took place on 18 August 1966 in Phuoc Tuy Provence, South Vietnam. After attacks at their base in Nui Dat 108 men from D Company, 6RAR were patrolling in a rubber plantation when they encountered a small group of Viet Cong. They pursued them and encountered a major concentration of North Vietnamese Army.
In this encounter 18 Australian Soldiers were killed and 24 were wounded. The Vietnamese Army suffered significant casualties.
Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated to honour all the servicemen and women that fought in this war. Brian Jones (a Vietnam Veteran) and Chris Watson took part in the wreath laying ceremony on behalf of the Rotary Club of Batemans Bay.
