Respect earned in blood

Link to Original: http://3degree.cci.ecu.edu.au/articles/view/515

Respect earned in blood
By Glenn Knight
02 June 2006

Too often overshadowed and overlooked, Vietnam Veterans are about to be shown a bit more of the respect they deserve thanks to new government initiatives.

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War will be the focus of the Federal Government’s commemorations program for 2006.

Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Bruce Billson announced a funding boost earlier this month, to commemorate the service of Australians during the war.

"The Australian Government has committed $4.5 million to support a range of special events and initiatives to recognise the contribution of those Australians who served in Vietnam and to increase community awareness of their wartime and post-war experiences," said Billson.

Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18, 2006, will also mark the 40th anniversary of The Battle of Long Tan, arguably the most well-known Australian action of the war.

"This anniversary provides us with an opportunity to recognise and commemorate the service of all Australian servicemen and women in Vietnam,” said Billson.

In 1966, the 1st Australian Task Force established its Phuoc Tuy operations base at Nui Dat - a piece of high ground surrounded by rubber plantations in the midst of a Viet Cong dominated province.

The Viet Cong plan was to lure the Australians from their base with mortar and rifle fire, then ambush them and inflict a politically unacceptable defeat.

On the night of August 16, a barrage of shells was fired by the Viet Cong at the Australian base, wounding 24 Australians.

Australian forces had previously become aware through radio intercepts and sightings that a large enemy force was operating close to their base.

The following afternoon, Australian patrols from D Company encountered the Viet Cong 275 Regiment who attacked them with mortar, rifle and machine gun fire.

In pouring rain the Australians returned fire, supported by artillery support from the Nui Dat base five km away.

In the hours that followed, aggressive tactics and the artillery support would see the battle turn in Australia's favour.

The arrival of reinforcements from A Company would see the Viet Cong force, initially estimated at 2500 soldiers, withdraw from the battlefield.

The Battle of Long Tan saw 17 Australians killed in action, one dieing of inflicted wounds, and 24 personnel wounded.

A commemorative service will be held at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on August 18, as well as a special concert at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to mark the occasion.

States and Territories will also be provided with incentives to hold their own ceremonies and reunions.

This will be in addition to existing grant-opportunities under the current “Saluting Their Service” commemorations program.

Other initiatives will include the establishment of a website focusing on Australia’s involvement in Vietnam and in other South-East Asian conflict.

Grants will also be provided to museums that record Australia’s experiences in Vietnam.