Long Tan Cross takes pride of place on Vietnam Veterans Day

The Long Tan cross has become an indelible symbol of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The cross was first erected in Vietnam on 18 August 1969 – three years after the seminal engagement between D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and Viet Cong forces.

The battle of Long Tan has assumed a central part in Australian military history and lore. The 108 men from D Company 6 RAR encountered an enemy force at least fifteen times their strength. Supported by artillery and airstrikes, they repelled the North Vietnamese attackers at a cost of 18 men killed and 24 wounded. It is estimated that the North Vietnamese suffered approximately 600 casualties, of which 245 were killed in action. 

The Long Tan memorial cross was first planted at the site of the battle, a rubber plantation, in 1969. The distinctive cross was lowered into position by helicopter. It is constructed of concrete, reaches almost 2 metres high and weighs around 100 kilograms. Following the withdrawal of US and Australian forces in 1975, the cross was removed and repurposed by the North Vietnamese, but not destroyed. A replica of the cross was erected on the battlefield by local Vietnamese authorities in 1989. The original cross was loaned to the Australian War Memorial by the Dong Nai Museum between 17 August 2012 and April 2013. In 2017, the cross was secretly returned to Australia and installed at the AWM.

In 2018 the Australian War Memorial announced that the Long Tan cross will form part of a permanent display commemorating Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The new exhibit was officially opened on Friday 17 August, ahead of Vietnam Veterans Day.