General News
24 August, 2022
Veterans remembered
AROUND a dozen members of the community braved the elements to pay their respects to fallen Vietnam veterans last week.
AROUND a dozen members of the community braved the elements to pay their respects to fallen Vietnam veterans last week.
A small wreath laying ceremony was held in Terang last Thursday night on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Australia’s most costly battle in Vietnam.
Terang Returned and Services League sub-branch president Terry Fidge recounted the events which had occurred 56 years prior.
“On August 18, 1966, on a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought one of the fiercest battles of the war,” he said.
“Men of Delta Company 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment faced a force of approximately 2000 North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops.
“The battle was fought in wet and muddy conditions during a heavy monsoonal tropical downpour.
“By the end of the day, 17 Australians had been killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died two days later. This was the largest Australian casualty in a single operation during the Vietnam war.”
Mr Fidge, himself a Vietnam veteran, offered commemorations to those who served.
“On this day we commemorate the battle fought by the Australians in Vietnam, from the large scale operations to platoon section encounters,” he said.
“We remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations and members of the Royal Australian Air Force, who served in combat and transport roles.”
