Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu

Remembering The Heroes Of Long Tan

Victor P Taffa

Premier Ted Baillieu has marked the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan today by laying a wreath and speaking at the Shrine of Remembrance to honour the Australian infantry soldiers who fought at Long Tan.

“Today we honour the valour of the heroes of Long Tan, where 108 brave infantry soldiers from D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment with artillery and armoured support fought a successful battle against enemy forces estimated to number between 2000 and 3000 soldiers.” Mr. Baillieu said.

“The Battle of Long Tan is the most recognised land battle conducted by Australian forces in Vietnam and the heroism of the soldiers who fought at Long Tan stopped the enemy attacking the nearby Australian Task Force Base.”

“I am privileged today to commemorate this occasion by laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans’ Association Australia 2011 Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Shrine.”

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support Victorian veterans through the Veterans Unit within the Department of Planning and Community Development and also supports the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Phillip Island.” Mr. Baillieu said.

The keynote address at the Shrine, on the topic of Australian Helicopter Operations, was given by Mr. John “Snow” Coughlan CGM who completed an operational tour in Vietnam as a helicopter crewman with No 9 Squadron.

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum will shortly take delivery of a Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, which gave faithful service to the Australian Army during the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony is an annual event arranged by the Vietnam Veterans Association Australia (VVAA). Next year is the 50^th anniversary of the first deployment to Vietnam, and VVAA is planning for a number of major events to mark the milestone.