Vietnam Veterans’ Day was marked in Bathurst on the 49th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. 

Bathurst and District Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association president John Murphy described the Battle of Long Tan as one of the most well-known Australian engagements of the Vietnam War.

He said 108 Anzacs were up against a Viet Cong force of between 1500 and 2500 during the battle on August 18, 1966. 

There were 18 Australians killed: 17 from D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and one from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron. Twenty one were wounded. 

Mr Murphy said in later years it was found that D Company had run into a reinforced regiment force waiting to attack Nui Dat.

“The battle was one of the heaviest conflicts of the Vietnam War as well as one of the few battles in the recorded history of the world to be won against such odds,” Mr Murphy said.

He added that a cross was raised on the site of the battle by the men of 6RAR on the third anniversary of Long Tan in 1969 and the day has been commemorated as Long Tan Day ever since.

In 1987, following a successful welcome home parade, Prime Minister Bob Hawke announced Long Tan Day would be known as Vietnam Veterans Day.

“It is an opportunity to remember those who did not come home and those who still face conflict as a result of their involvement,” Mr Murphy said.

“For many, the war did not end with their return home.”