Battle of Long TanPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates Long Tan Day and the Battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War.
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.
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: | Beattie & Darling Streets, Loyalty Square, Balmain, 2041 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.857669 Long: 151.181264 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Vietnam |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 18-August-1966 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 18-August-1966 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Sunday 3rd September, 2006 |
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Long Tan Day
18th August 2006
On this day we commemorate this battle in 1966.
Which is remembered as Long Tan Day
During the 18th August 1966, "D" Company 6 RAR encountered an enemy force of 2500 NVA regular and Viet Cong guerillas in a region known as Long Tan rubber plantation just south east of Nui Dat Australian Base Camp. Gretaly outnumbered 104 soldiers of "D" more than held their own. Sadly 18 soldiers lost their lives that day.
Since that battle, Vietnam veterans have come together to commemorate those heroic deeds & today the 18th August has become our National Day of Remembrance for all Vietnam veterans.
Lest We Forget
Placed by the
Balmain / Rozelle RSL Sub-Branch
3rd September 2006
