This poster commemorates the Australian personnel and their allies who served during the Battle of Long Tan in August 1966. It commemorates the 60th anniversary of the battle in 2026, but you can use it at any time.
The poster depicts D Company, 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion, during the dedication of the Long Tan Cross on 18 August 1969, photographed by Denis Gibbons at Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province in the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The cross was erected on the site of 11 Platoon's actions in the Long Tan rubber plantation.
Display our poster to help remember and recognise all those who served.
Wartime snapshot
In 2026, Vietnam Veterans’ Day marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Long Tan was one of the most significant battles of Australia’s war in Vietnam. In just a few short hours of fighting, more than a dozen Australians and hundreds of North Vietnamese and Vietcong fighters died.
By August 1966, the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) had been in Vietnam just a few months. Personnel were working to secure control of the areas around their new base near Nui Dat.
Overnight on 16 to 17 August, North Vietnamese troops attacked the 1ATF base with mortar and artillery fire. Troops inside scrambled for cover while the base’s defenders returned fire. The attack was short, but did much damage to the base. More than 20 soldiers were hurt in the attack, and one died from his wounds shortly afterwards. The next day, troops from 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) went looking for the previous night’s attackers. The search led them into the Long Tan rubber plantation. On 18 August, D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) continued the search. The company numbered 105 Australians and 3 New Zealanders from 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery.
On entering the plantation, D Company discovered a small North Vietnamese patrol. They fired, and the patrol fled further into the plantation. D Company set out to follow. Very quickly D Company’s leading platoon came under intense enemy fire. The Australians had stumbled into a much larger group of enemy troops. Two of the company’s platoons were cut off and fought a desperate defence against superior numbers. Supported by artillery and helicopters, the cut-off troops eventually withdrew and linked up with the rest of D Company.
Reinforcements were called in, arriving in armoured personnel carriers around nightfall. With their appearance, the fighting ended. D Company had survived the battle, but at a high cost. Sadly, 17 Australians were killed that day, with a soldier dying of his wounds 9 days later. A further 24 Australians were wounded during the battle. The Australian count recorded some 245 North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops killed at Long Tan.
A powerful memorial to the Australians who died in the battle is the Long Tan Cross. The cross was erected on the battlefield by members of 6RAR in 1969. The photo in the poster is of the commemorative service in front of the cross. The cross is now on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Long Tan was a deadly introduction to the war for the Australians of 1ATF. It has left a major imprint on Australian memory of the Vietnam War.
From 1967, annual commemorations were held on 18 August, giving it the name Long Tan Day. In 1988, it was decided to formally recognise all Vietnam War veterans, officially marking 18 August as Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
On the 60th anniversary of Long Tan, we pay our respects to those who served in the battle. We honour the service and sacrifices of all Vietnam veterans and recognise the vital support of their loved ones.
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