Long Tan CrossPrint Page 
A replica of the cross at the Long Tan battlefield in Vietnam commemorates those soldiers who werer killed in action in the Battle of Long Tan.
The Battle of Long Tan (18 August 1966) took place near the village of Long Tan, in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The action was fought between Australian forces and Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units after the 108-man D Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) clashed with a force of between 1,500 to 2,500 men from the Viet Cong 275th Regiment, reinforced by at least one North Vietnamese battalion and D445 Provincial Mobile Battalion.
Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 wounded, while the Viet Cong lost at least 245 dead which were found over the days that followed. A decisive Australian victory, Long Tan proved a major local set back for the Viet Cong.
Note: The Long Tan Cross is a memorial which was erected by the 6th battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on 18 August 1969 to mark the site of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought three years earlier during the Vietnam War. While the cross was removed following the Communist victory in 1975 and used to commemorate a priest, it was recovered by the Dong Nai Province Museum in 1984 and placed on display. A replica cross was also erected on the battlefield during the 1980s, and is frequently visited by Australian Vietnam War veterans.
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.
Location
| Address: | Melton Black Drive, All Saints Chapel, Lavarack Army Barracks, Townsville, 4810 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -19.319923 Long: 146.792811 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Cross |
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| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Vietnam |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 18-August-1966 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 18-August-1966 |
| Link: | http://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/P… |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Monday 18th August, 1997 |
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In memory of those members of D Coy 6 RAR and 3 Troop 1 APC Sqn who gave their lives during the Battle of Long Tan on
the 18 August 1966.
Erected by 1 RAR Assault Pioneers on behalf of 6 RAR Association NQ Coy Townsville on the 18th August 1997
Townsville City Council is proud to be associated with the erection and dedication of this Memorial Cross
In the memory of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966
The Thuringowa City Council is proud to be associated with the erection and dedication of this Memorial Cross
In the memory of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966
