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Lest we forget: Informal group portrait of nine members of 5 Pl B Coy 6RAR during Operation Bribie.
Photo P02452.002 provided by AMW |
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IN THE photos they were young lads in greens, 40 years later they were solemn gentlemen in suits remembering fallen comrades.
Vietnam veterans and the general public commemorated the 40th anniversary of Operation Bribie on February 17.
The balmy conditions on Bribie Island and the threat of rain didn’t deter the 77 members of 6RAR involved in the historic battle.
They came from as far away as Western Australia to attend the service.
Maj Craig Ball, 6RAR, was at the ceremony representing the battalion.
“It’s a great opportunity for the former soldiers of 6RAR to remember their fallen mates and also to pay respects to a slightly lesser known, though no less important battle that took place,” Maj Ball said.
The little known battle of Operation Bribie is rated the third most significant Australian battle of Vietnam and had the highest rate of casualties after Long Tan.
It occurred near the township of Lang Phuoc Hai where the men of 6RAR faced a ferocious enemy with concentrated fire.
Eight Australian soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in the battle that lasted for more than five hours.
John O’Halloran, a former member of B Coy, was awarded a commendation for exemplary service at the day’s ceremony.
He received it graciously and attributed the award to his fallen comrades. “They should have had 27 of them,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Five platoon is the most decorated platoon that ever served in Vietnam and every man should have received an award.”
Official guests at the ceremony included Member for Longman Mal Brough. He presented flags to the next of kin of those killed in action.
TIMELINE
0230: Command is notified that township of Lang Phuoc Hai is under attack from a Vietcong force.
0500: Command receives report that enemy strength is about the size of two companies.
0935: An unidentified Regional Force Coy that was surrounded by the enemy fights its way out as American and South Vietnamese air strikes and artillery are employed to break up the enemy force.
1010: Reports indicate that VC are withdrawing north-east from the battle near Ap Lo Gom.
1130: Verbal orders issued for deployment now known as Operation Bribie.
1235: APC Tp leaves Nui Dat, transporting C Coy to secure landing zone.
1330: A Coy leaves Nui Dat in American helicopters.
1345: A Coy arrives at an unsecured landing zone.
1430 APC Tp begins to arrive and D Coy arrives via helicopters a few minutes later and takes up blocking positions. B Coy receiving sniper fire south-west of A Coy. The company is moved back and artillery is called on the general areas of the enemy’s position.
1515: Orders issued for attack.
1555 B Coy crosses the start line to start the assault and A Coy begins engaging the enemy position.
1715: 6RAR ordered to break contact immediately as the operation needed to conclude before night fall as warnings were received that a VC division may attack the base that night. 5RAR, which were protecting the artillery battery at Dat Do, were needed for another operation. APCs are deployed near the landing zone and attempt to find B Coy.
1815: Carriers find B Coy.
1900: B Coy breaks contact.
1915: B Coy pulled out.
First light: Next morning 6RAR mounts attack, but enemy withdrew. |
