40th Anniversary of the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral & BalmoralPrint Page

The monument commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral during the Vietnam War. 

Australian, New Zealand and United States forces were involved in a series of actions between May and June 1968 at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral some 20 kilometres north of Bien Hoa city.  Sitting astride a route used by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces approaching or departing Saigon and nearby Bien Hoa, the bases comprised defended positions for artillery, mortars and armoured vehicles which in turn supported infantry patrols of the area.

The North Vietnamese launched several strong attacks in an attempt to drive the Australians from this important area. The Australians also initiated combat during their many patrols outside the bases. These actions, over a 25-day period, made up Australia's costliest and most protracted battle of the Vietnam War.

Australia's military involvement in the Vietnam War began with the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962.  Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973.

However, the end-date of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War has officially been amended to 29 April 1975 to reflect Australia’s further involvement in the war during the fall of Saigon in 1975.  The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, in Canberra now recognise this new date.

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