WngO 17 Aug 2012

WARNING ORDER FOR 161 BATTERY VIETNAM VETERANS
I have had a note from Harry Smith, OC D Company 6RAR at the Battle of Long Tan, that the original
Long Tan Cross will be on loan to the Australian War Memorial Museum in Canberra over the period
of the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August this year.
The original cross, which was erected on the battle site in 1969, was removed by the Vietnamese
some time after 1976 and taken to a museum near Bien Hao in Dong Ngai Province. Since visits to
the Long Tan site have been permitted, the cross at the Memorial has been a replica.
Although it has all yet to be confirmed, the intention is that there will be a special display on Long
Tan at the Australian War Memorial Museum with an opening on 17 August this year. This will
include displays of the original captured weapons and equipment to go with the original Cross.
The Australians will be gathering in numbers and have an expectation that New Zealanders will be
there as well, particularly those that served in 161 Battery at the time of the battle. The expectation
is that those that attend the opening on 17 August will also participate in Vietnam's Veterans Day,
the following day, in Canberra, on 18 August.

Please regard this as a warning order. We will keep you informed as we get more detail.
Ubique
Barry Dreyer
Colonel Commandant