Northam will take part in the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on Thursday, marking the memory of one of the most important Australian conflicts during the Vietnam War and an event which is till felt passionately in the hearts of the area’s diggers.
World War 2, Korea and Vietnam veterans Elton Larsen, Bob McLachlan, Eddie Freeman-Smith, Jim Donovan, Terry Dyer and Russel Couper gathered at Northam RSL to discuss the importance of the commemoration, and to share stories.
“The story’s about the small amount of people who were ambushed in the forest,” Mr Couper, who is a Vietnam Veteran, said.
“I wasn’t there, but it was a story everyone knew. They were set upon in a rough plantation, and managed to stick to their guns.”
The Battle of Long Tan occurred on August 18 1966, when elements of the 1st Australian Task Force were ambushed by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces, not long after their basing in the province of Phuoc Tuy.
The Australian contingent numbered at 108 soldiers, who held their ground against a much bigger force. Estimates put the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong count at 1,500-2,500 men.
The story has gone down as one exemplifying Australian mateship and spirit, with the cooperation between the soldiers on the ground and the two RAAF helicopters being regarded as successes against undeniable pressure.
“They were bogged down, and the RAAF kept flying in and dropping ammunition and support right on them,” Mr Coulter said.
More than this, however, the commemoration is also another chance to remember Australia’s service in war, and the ongoing effects they can have on veterans.
“It’s tough, you know? You’re trained and trained in this specific way, and then you come back to civilian life and it’s very different,” Mr Larsen said.
“You come home, and you can’t deal with things the same way as you would’ve on service,” Mr McLachlan added.
“It’s a completely different world. You’re given all this training, and then you’re pretty much set on your own after.”
The Long Tan anniversary, like other war memorial events, also has the ability to reach out to younger generations, which the veterans said makes it important to keep these stories alive.
"When you’re a soldier, you don’t know too much about what’s going on, and a lot of us had and still have questions about it,” Mr McLachlan said.
“I think its important to share that, the mateship and the memories you’ve made. But also how terrible war can be.”
The 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Long Tan will be held at the Northam War Memorial from 11am on Thursday August 18.
All residents are invited to attend.
