Long Tan Commemorative Dinner at Kyneton

I seem to be getting behind in my posts. Vietnam Veterans Badge Week Appeal was a big drain on my time. I spent five full days collecting. Then followed Vietnam Veterans Day and the Long Tan Commemorative Dinner on Friday 17 August 2007.

The picture on the left was taken at the dinner on Friday night of the 17 August 2007. Dave Sabben was the guest speaker. Dave was the 12 Platoon Commander of 'D' Company 6RAR at the Battle of Long Tan that occurred on Thursday 18 August 1968 in South Vietnam. It was an important battle for Australia because if 'D' company, under the command of then Major Harry Smith, had not stood firm against odds of twenty to one the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province would surely have been wiped out. That would have been disastrous for Australia.

Dave Sabben is signing a copy of his book for former Victorian State Labor MP Bruce Mildenhall. The book is titled "Through Enemy Eyes" and is an book of "faction" about the battle as seen by the enemy. The book is published by Allen and Unwin and is available in most bookshops.

Dave spoke about the battle after dinner. Dave's account of the battle is different to the official one at the Australian War Memorial. The official account says that 'D' Company was ambushed. Dave said that was not the case and gave a list of reasons why it was not an ambush. The official story was one made up by the Australian Military Command to protect politicians and generals at the time that had made several bad decisions. The talk covered the military and political aspects of the battle and the aftermath. Dave took all questions. Ninety percent of people atending the dinner were Vietnam veterans.