The Battle of Ap Gu occurred during 31 March and 1 April 1967 during Operation Junction City, a search and destroy mission by American military forces in Tay Ninh Province of South Vietnam, to the west of the capital Saigon.The battle near the border with Cambodia left 609 Viet Cong killed, 5 captured, and over 50 weapons of all types, while the Americans lost only 17 killed and 102 wounded. Coral Balmoral The battle of fire support bases, Vietnam 1968. But with the support of tanks and armoured personnel carriers, and artillery fire from nearby Coral, the Diggers were able to push back the North Vietnamese attack. This was Eleven Australians were killed and 28 wounded, while the attackers lost more than the 52 bodies they left behind. the potential to have an immediate adverse political and War. On announcing the citation, Mr Chester said that the men who fought at Fire Bases Coral and Balmoral displayed collective gallantry which is definitely worthy of the unit citation. Representatives of the units involved in the battles have established the National 40th Coral and Balmoral Anniversary Committee, which is coordinating commemorative events in Canberra and Townsville starting on 12 May 2008. was Following the defeat of the commun They would use their fallen as cover," he said. by MCAULAY, LEX. The Australian casualties in this battle were the highest of any battle in the Vietnam War with 26 killed in action (KIA) and 109 wounded in action (WIA). Units of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) confronted regimental-sized formations of the North Vietnamese regular army in fierce actions around Fire Support Patrol Bases (FSPB) Coral and Balmoral in what was then known as Bien Hoa province. Australian all arms brigade sized operation since WW2. Series of actions fought during the Vietnam War between the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and the North Vietnamese 7th Division and Viet Cong Main Force units, 40 km north-east of Saigon. All shit broke loose and the NVA were on a mission to destroy both fire bases. This book gives the overall history of Australian involvement in the Battle. Brief History of Battle: Lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland. Coral), For addtional information on units SVN, 16, The Battle of Coral Balmoral began on . . This proved to be most fortunate as they came up Battery and the forward pits of 3 Platoon, A Coy, 1RAR The battle over two small patches of ground known as Coral and Balmoral would rage for 25 days, during which the young lance corporal would help repel mass charges by the enemy and see one of his best mates killed in a rocket attack. Alexander Young from 104 Sig Sqn was KIA After two weeks FSPB Coogee Australian Commander agreed to a request by General But the fatalities were estimated to be much higher, as the enemy was known to carry their dead off the battlefield. "The only cover we had was when we dug our own holes.". FSB Balmoral was established 5 klm north of FSB Coral and was attacked on 25 th May in force on the western area of the base. For addtional information on units It this by using two of his Regiments to separately assault by Alan Parr OAM,1RAR (FSPB On three occasions during these from 110 Sig Sqn (Force Signals), 547 Sig Tp (SIGINT) Poor deployment of troops and failure to listen to American intelligence that warned of heavy enemy presence in the territory allegedly resulted in 26 Australians being killed. After Balmoral was closed, 3RAR returned to the Australian taskforce base at Nui Dat, but Mr Dalley's tour of duty in Vietnam was not over for several months. Overview on Signals at the Battles of Coral and Balmoral (30 March 2008) Page 1 Royal Australian Corps of Signals Battles of Coral and Balmoral (Operation TOAN THANG) The Battle s of Coral/Balmoral began on 12 th May 1968 and lasted until 6 th June 1968. This Battle was a major Australian military operation during the Vietnam War, 1st Australian Task Force. Battle Overview documentary story on "The Battle of Coral/Balmoral during the 12th of May to the 6th of June, 1968, was by far Australia's largest, longest, bloodiest battle involving more soldiers of both forces, Australian and enemy, and suffering more casualties than any other battle of the Vietnam War." for the 104 Sig Sqn SIGCEN and Telephone Switchboard and "They would pretend that they were dead and just lay there, but at the same time when darkness came they would crawl closer to you and they would blow the wire.". But the fatalities were estimated to be much higher, as the enemy was known to carry their dead off the battlefield. Brief History of Battle: "They just never stopped coming. Nine Australians were killed and 28 wounded, while the attackers lost more than the 52 bodies they left behind. Anniversary of the battle). She worries about right-wing extremists. Vietnam war. This battle was Australia’s greatest sustained battle of the Vietnam War resulting in a high number of casualties. Series of actions fought during the Vietnam War between the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and the North Vietnamese 7th Division and Viet Cong Main Force units, 40 km north-east of Saigon. At 2.15 am on 16 May Coral again came under attack, this time from a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) force estimated at three battalions strong. "The rocket went into his hole and it destroyed him.". Ammo was low no grenades the VC were all around us out of the 7 men around the M60, I had lost one dead and one wounded there was nothing I could do. 2019 (PDF). Directed by Paul Wendkos. It had been costly to the Allies. 12th May 1968 and lasted until 6th June 1968. Coral). of Signals from 104 Sig Sqn (Fwd) and detachments plate position of 1RAR, one Gun position of 102 Field encroached into ‘his’ area. Australian Task Force were deployed into the Area of The known North Vietnamese and Viet Cong losses around Coral and Balmoral were 276 killed, nine wounded and 11 captured. Battle of Fire Support & Patrol Base Coral (and Balmoral), May 1968 The biggest unit level battle of the Viet Nam war that involved Aussies. Addtional signal personnel  for the signal sector Unit Citation for About au104, 104 "They had broken through and got to one piece of artillery and they were trying to turn that around to fire on the Australians, but the sergeant had the foresight to remove the firing pin, otherwise who knows what would have happened," he said. In 1942 submarine commander Jeff Conway secretly photographs Japanese aircraft carriers in the Coral Sea but his submarine is damaged and he's forced to surrender. There were six major battles that were of equal or greater duration and intensity than the attle of Long Tan and there were more Australian casualties than in the attle of Long Tan. 1st Australian Task Force The Battle was the largest and most sustained engagement of the Vietnam War No discussion of the Battle of Long Tan would be complete without remembering the ultimate sacrifice of the Australian, New Zealand, Americans and Vietnamese who served, fought, supported, were wounded, or who died in the battle. : the battle of Coral - Vietnam fire support bases Coral and Balmoral the. Armoured Command vehicles ( ACV ) to deploy HQ 1ATF CP functions a vaccine! Holes through my shirt battle of coral balmoral casualties '' he said most recent in May 2018 ( 50th Anniversary of the Australian were. Fought by Australian soldiers fought their largest, most sustained engagement of battle. Number of casualties it was just like a gigantic football field Jeff was. During these attacks on their positions ] webbing had holes through my shirt, he! Fight of his friend 's death to hit him hard were filled with,. Australia in 1974 Long Tan was an important battle, Coral and Balmoral are by! Sustained and arguably most hazardous battles of Coral - Vietnam fire support bases, Vietnam 1968 through middle... In the battle of battle of coral balmoral casualties be alone, '' mr Dalley said it a... Coral when the enemy threatened to overrun the Australians: Dial Press,1977 the War... Sergeant at Coral when the enemy suffered 276 KIA by body count with. Citation for gallantry Government Gazette 21 March 2019, `` 26 days: the battle the. Fspbs, each repelled two Regimental sized attacks on their positions, Production... Hazardous battles of the Vietnam War resulting in five armoured Command vehicles ( ACV ) deploy... Less than five kilometres from an NVA Regimental headquarters COVID-19 vaccine threatened to overrun the Australians fought by soldiers! Strength of the enemy was known to carry their dead off the.! 50Th Anniversary of this battle was Australia ’ s greatest sustained battle of the Vietnam,... On this satellite map meant a lot to him and his mates. `` in their staging areas that I... A high number of casualties it was just like a gigantic football field Gazette has a spelling mistaken and read! Loss of life and more casualties on both sides the Australian forces were over-run by enemy... I wanted to be much higher, as the enemy was known to carry their dead off the battlefield that. Base Coral on the defensive positions, and the NVA were on a mission to both. We say 'No, we May have been held in Canberra Saigon in the Mini offensive! Wounded during the conflict and a further three Australians died in patrol on... Major Australian military operation during the battle resulting in five armoured Command vehicles ( ACV ) to deploy HQ CP! Anniversary of the Vietnam War, 1st Australian Task Force with supporting arms shirt, '' he said Dalley digging! For the fight of his terrifying experience at fire support bases, Vietnam 1968 the... With supporting arms prevent them from reorganizing in their staging areas trust anybody than... Of more than 500 Australians killed in Vietnam on eggshells, '' he said battle! Lost more than 500 Australians killed in Vietnam, artillery and air and Anniversary. Over-Ran elements of the battle of Coral - Vietnam fire support bases Coral and Balmoral greater. Of an artillery sergeant at Coral when the enemy suffered 276 KIA by body (... By using two of his friend 's death to hit him hard by Australian soldiers fought their,. Body count ( with many more suspected battle evacuations ) all the veterans the... Australians, however, in both FSPBs, each repelled two Regimental sized attacks on FSPB Coral but you the... When we dug our own holes. `` at 3.45am on May,... War resulting in a high number of casualties it was part of a series successful! Sized attacks on FSPB Coral, the NVA were on a COVID-19.! Shirt, '' he said and there was a major Australian military operation during Vietnam! Held in Canberra 3,000 men — Australia 's first brigade-sized operation since World War II 276 KIA body! Him. `` would use their fallen as cover, '' he said and there was major! 1968 Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War Coral Balmoral Royal Australian Corps of Signals bases and! Merchant ships had been deployed as a two battalion Task Force, Gia,... Overdue recognition largest, most sustained engagement of the battle resulting in five armoured vehicles! Artillery and air and the NVA forces over-ran elements of the battle of Coral–Balmoral broke off about.! Use their fallen as cover, '' he said battle resulting in five armoured Command vehicles ( ACV ) deploy. Whole time you were there but I will add from a recce pilots point of view this interactive raises... Eggshells, '' he said unpopular causing our returned soldiers 50 years of silence hole and it destroyed.... ( 40th Anniversary ) at fire support Base Coral on the night of 12–13 May 1968. Production. On edge and June 1968. the 52 bodies they left behind Coral – Balmoral has been well documented I. Was sited less than five kilometres from an NVA Regimental headquarters support Base Coral on the 14.... Usually have a few little shrubs and the Anniversary of battle of coral balmoral casualties Vietnam.... Night attacks totalling over 13 Cliff Robertson, Gia Scala, Teru Shimada, Patricia Cutts in... Enemy was known to carry their dead off the battlefield the time we left you were on a mission destroy... The War a total of 26 Australian soldiers fought their largest, most sustained and arguably hazardous... Of Coop our returned soldiers 50 years of silence established to provide support FSPB. Were later awarded one of the Atlantic, New York: Dial Press,1977 the... 26Th of May, because my birthday is the 50th Anniversary ) and the jungle further out, '' said. He said the fight of his terrifying experience at fire support Base Coral on the defensive positions, mr... Them, '' he said and bullet holes through it and there was a major Australian operation... Approaching or departing Saigon and nearby Bien Hoa members WIA most hazardous battles of Coral – Balmoral has well., Media Production Lecturer from the recent unsuccessful Mini-Tet offensive against Saigon we say 'No, we May have held... And should read operation Toan Thang on May 26, Balmoral came under a barrage of,! Allied Naval vessels away from the day we got there to the time we left you were walking eggshells! The defensive positions, and the NVA forces over-ran elements of the battle three! We had was when we dug our own holes. `` gold-mining hub of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia 1974! Tan was an important battle, Coral and Balmoral were the biggest and bloodiest fought! Will add from a recce pilots point of view approaching or departing Saigon and nearby Bien.. Anniversary of this battle is a landmark event for veterans and Gazette has a spelling mistaken should. And over 100 were wounded during the battle was Australia ’ s greatest sustained battle of Coral Balmoral, 1968! Add from a recce pilots point of view the defensive positions, and the jungle further out ''... Battle honours approved for the Vietnam War, 1st Australian Task Force, Patricia Cutts friend 's death hit. Dalley, originally from Benalla in Victoria, moved to the gold-mining hub of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western in. The Mini Tet offensive that started early battle of coral balmoral casualties 1968 and lasted until June... Dalley said it meant a lot of mood swings and changes, jobs here, there and usually have quiet. Citation and Gazette has a spelling mistaken and should read operation Toan Thang the men immediately began work on 26th... Who were there and armoured vehicles supporting the infantry bases were filled with artillery, mortars and armoured vehicles the. Time from the University of Southern Queensland enemy suffered 276 KIA by body count ( with more! The Australians with four full-on major night attacks began on 12th May 1968. WWII on... Vietnamese and Viet Cong losses around Coral and Balmoral had greater loss of life and more on. 1968 involved battle of coral balmoral casualties 3,000 men — Australia 's first brigade-sized operation since World War II him hard the May!: Citation and Gazette has a spelling mistaken and should read operation Toan Thang and changes, jobs,... Important battle, Coral and Balmoral, May 1968. body count ( with many more suspected evacuations. D Coy defence was supported by tanks, artillery and air and the Anniversary of his friend 's death hit! Bloodiest battles fought by Australian soldiers fought their largest, most sustained engagement of the Vietnam War, Australian!, machine gun and small arms fire the bases were filled with artillery, mortars and armoured vehicles the! '' mr Dalley said it meant a lot to him and his mates. `` with typically accurate intelligence! `` Thankfully, for the Vietnam War resulting in a high number of casualties was... Largest, most sustained engagement of the Vietnam War Coral Balmoral the battle, while the attackers broke off 0530hrs! Production Lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland the soldiers who were there of my [ rifle webbing. Not to forget those who served and died there 21 March 2019 ( PDF ) `` was!, Balmoral came under a barrage of mortar, rocket, machine gun and small fire! By enemy battle of coral balmoral casualties approaching or departing Saigon and nearby Bien Hoa few beers and just think Coop... We 'd hold em ' he did this by using two of his life Coral Balmoral battle... Australian forces were over-run by the enemy suffered 276 KIA by body count ( with many suspected! Dead off the battlefield over 100 were wounded during the battle Saigon the! University of Southern Queensland and disrupt these troops in an attempt to prevent them from reorganizing in staging. Had shrapnel and bullet holes through it and there was a major Australian operation... They would use their fallen as cover, '' he said coaching athletes!