A forgotten episode of Australian military history has finally been recognised 50 years after it occurred in the jungles of Vietnam.
For Penshurst RSL Sub-branch members, Vietnam veterans, Keith Pratt, 71, and Michael Lane, 73, it was the end of a 50 year wait for official recognition of the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral and Balmoral, fought between May 12 to June 6, 1968.
Both Keith and Michael were young national servicemen in their early 20s who found themselves thrown into the thick of jungle fighting only a few weeks after arriving in Vietnam.
They were serving in the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), part of the 1st Australian Task Force (Forward) - the 1 ATF - when they were engaged, along with American troops in a series of actions some 20 kilometres north of Dien Hoa, South Vietnam.
The Ist Australian Task Force deployed the 1st and 3rd RAR Battalions to occupy a route used by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces approaching and departing Saigon.
This was where Australians troops set up Fire Station Patrol Bases Coral and Balmoral from which to mount patrols to intercept and prevent enemy infiltration and supply routes between the war zone and Saigon.
The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched several strong attacks in an attempt to drive the Australians from these bases.
The Australians also initiated battles during their many patrols into the jungle outside these bases.
The Australians were heavily outnumbered and over a 25 day period there were 57 registered contracts and fire fights between Australian patrols and enemy forces.
Over this period, 26 Australians were killed in action and about 65 wounded.
This month the veterans of the 1st Australian Task Force including those of 1RAR finally received a Unit Citation for Gallantry for their efforts.
Keith and Michael travelled to Townsville for a Battalion reunion in early May where it was announced by the Federal Government that all members of the 1st Australian Task Force present at the Coral/Balmoral Battle would receive a Unit Citation for Gallantry.
Fifty years later, the battle is still vivid in the memories of the veterans.
Michael said he had only been in Vietnam for six weeks when they were shifted to the jungle north of Bien Hoa on May 12, 1968.
Shortly after they arrived, enemy forces fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the Australians, wounding one soldier.
At 2am the next morning enemy movement was detected long the track. The Australians opened fire and it was returned with the North Vietnamese firing three rocket-propelled grenades.
Two Australians were killed and 11 wounded. They had trouble getting the wounded out by helicopter because the base had not been secured but eventually an American helicopter was able to come in and get the wounded out.
Michael said the initial contact with the enemy was devastating.
They were isolated in the jungle from Battalion Headquarters which was also under attack about two-kilometres away.
“We just sat there and listened to the attack on the radio,” Michael said. “Battalion HQ was isolated. We couldn’t reach them through the jungle. They had to fight their way out. As it turned out they survived and repelled the attack.”
Keith was in C Company about three-kilometres away patrolling in the jungle when the attack occurred.
“I didn’t know about the battle until the next morning. We came back in early in the morning and put into a defensive position and as a medic we were dispatched to assist with the burial of the enemy dead,” he said.
“This was horrendous. They were bringing in the dead on an armoured personnel carrier. Official documentations was 56 dead but I dispute that. It was well over 100. We buried them in the jungle. Somewhere over there are many Vietnamese lost souls. That was my initial involvement.”
The next big engagement was on May 16 at 2am.
“The second attack was just as bad,” Keith said. “It was a planned attack to force us out but the Australians held out.”
Michael said that when the second attack was over he was physically and mentally exhausted. “I was so exhausted I could sleep,” he said.
“I just wanted to live through our tour and get home,” he said.
Keith said, “It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life.”
After this, there were a number of contacts with the enemy over the next three weeks.
Michael said after the battle was over no one spoke about it . It was never publicly discussed.
There was talk of a citation but it didn’t happen.
“When I got home, Mum had kept newspaper reports of the battle but there was not much written,” Michael said.
“I believe it was repressed by the government because of the 26 killed and at least 65 wounded.
“No unit should have to wait 50 bloody years for recognition,” Michael said.
“It got to the point in the end I wouldn’t have cared because we have been knocked back so many times for a citation.
Keith added, “It is good for the members of the unit, particularly the men who gave their lives, that their bravery is now recognised.”
