Roos fete vets

Remembrance: Long Tan veterans Peter Ainslie, Ross Smith, Josh Heslewood, Adriam Roberts at Manuka Oval for the Kangaroos vs Port Adelaide game. Photo by Martin Jagodzki

By Cpl Damian Shovell

COMMEMORATIONS have kicked off ahead of the 39th anniversary of Australia’s bloodiest encounter in Vietnam, the battle of Long Tan.

Vietnam and Long Tan veterans took part in pregame celebrations at the Kangaroos vs Port Adelaide AFL match in Canberra on July 31.

The Army Red Beret parachutist team landed with the two match footballs, and the RMC Band lead the veterans in a cavalcade around the ground before the veterans conducted a short observance ceremony in front of the Bradman Stand.

Long Tan veteran Adrian Roberts – who was 3 Tp Ldr, 1 APC Sqn, during the battle on August 18, 1966 – said the event showed an enthusiasm by Australians to remember their war history and the bravery of young Australians.

“The response was tremendous when we were out there driving by – really something special,” he said.

“Its amazing the interest that the young people show.”

Kangaroo team members also visited the Australian War Memorial with the veterans, and Mr Roberts said their genuine interest in learning about the battle of Long Tan was touching.

The Kangaroos also attended a wreath-laying ceremony in the Hall of Memory to honour the 18 Australians killed in the battle, and vice-captain Brent Harvey laid a wreath on behalf of the club and senior player Leigh Colbert read the ode.

Veteran John Hazelwood, 11 Pl D Coy, said he had seen an increase in interest in Vietnam veterans during the past 10 years.

“We’ve been getting more and more people want to get involved – it’s great to see,” he said.

A Kangaroos spokesperson said the club planned to make its involvement in Long Tan commemorations an annual event.

After the game, which the Kangaroos won by a tight four points, the Long Tan Veterans Association made a presentation in the dressing rooms to the best player for the Kangaroos, Corey Jones.

At the battle of Long Tan, 108 men of 6RAR’s Delta Coy – through determination and a thorough understanding of the use of artillery support and small unit tactics – held off a force of close to 2500 enemy from the Viet Cong 275 Regt and elements of D445 Btn. The battle claimed 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese lives. Twenty-two Australians were also wounded.