Posted on 05/18/2008 4:24:56 AM PDT by naturalman1975
In a moving ceremony on Mount Pleasant in Canberra, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey, AC, CVO, MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, presented Army’s 102 Field Battery with the Australian Military’s first ever Honour Title. His Excellency the Governor General Michael Jeffery presents Lieutenant Colonel Craig Furini, the 102nd Field Battey RAA Honour title.
The Honour Title 'Coral' was awarded to 102 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, in recognition of its actions during the Vietnam War. Head of Regiment, Brigadier Phil Winter CSC, welcomed the award on behalf of the Army and gave credit to the outstanding actions of the unit during the long battle.
“This is an important day for the Australian Defence Force, and brings deserved recognition to the Gunners who fought so valiantly to hold their position in Vietnam 40 years ago,” Brigadier Winter said.
“I welcome the title Coral on behalf of the Australian Army, and hope that the story of this battle provides inspiration to our current Diggers who are serving on operations today.”
Today’s ceremony forms part of a series of activities to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the battles of Coral and Balmoral, which took place in South Vietnam during May and June of 1968 and played a significant role in securing Saigon from further attack.
“The battles were the largest and most sustained engagements of the Vietnam War involving Australian troops, and were the first Australian all arms brigade-sized operation since World War II,” Brigadier Winter said.
“Approximately 2,500 Australians participated in the battles and this is an opportunity to thank them for their service, and remember those who did not return home.”
A National Commemoration Ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial yesterday, and on Monday a reception was hosted by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, at Parliament House and attended by veterans, dignitaries and guests. Group commemorations in Townsville and Canberra are planned over the coming weeks.
An Honour Title is something slightly different. It changes the name of the unit that is awarded it - and this is the first time it has been done in the history of the Australian Defence Force.
102 Field Battery becomes 102 (Coral) Field Battery.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Tet offensive - one of the pivotal campaigns and a turning point psychologically in the Vietnam War.
And today we specifically mark 40 years since the heavy and sustained battles at and around the Fire Support Base known as Coral.
Some history:
At the end of January 1968, communist forces in South Vietnam launched concentrated attacks against most major cities and regional centres.
The 1st Australian Task Force deployed two battalions twenty kilometres northeast of Bien Hoa city to intercept and disrupt the approach of enemy forces towards Saigon and possible attacks on the US base complex at Long Binh - Bien Hoa.
Several fire support bases were established to provide flexible, defended firing points for artillery and mortars, in support of our infantry, armoured and cavalry forces.
Occupation of fire support base Coral began on 12 May 1968, however the defences were still incomplete when at about 3.30 am the next morning, a brief but intense rocket and mortar barrage preceded a violent assault on Coral by North Vietnamese Army regular forces.
The ensuing battle was fierce; genuine close-quarter fighting, with guns firing splintex rounds over open sights, and at one point Tony Hammett, Commanding D Company 1RAR, ordering his company to ‘fix bayonets’.
The 1RAR mortar platoon position was over-run, along with one of 102 Field Battery's six 105 mm howitzers.
However by 6.30am and with the aid of extensive air support the attack was finally beaten off and the gun pit and howitzer retaken.
Eleven Australians were killed and 28 wounded, whilst a further three died in patrol clashes on 14 May. At least 52 of the enemy were killed.
At 2.15 am on 16 May Coral again came under attack, this time from a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at three battalions.
The base was now defended by armoured personnel carriers of A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and 1RAR's rifle companies, all of which were heavily engaged.
Part of the A Company position was occupied for a period, but the enemy was forced to withdraw.
The attack was repelled after four hours of fighting, with the Australians having suffered five men killed and nineteen wounded.
Two members of an American battery which had reinforced the base were also wounded.
Some 34 enemy bodies were recovered, but blood trails and drag marks indicated that many more casualties had been removed.
On 22 May Coral was subjected to yet another rocket and mortar barrage, but this time the North Vietnamese Army troops were dispersed by return fire from 1RAR's mortars as they formed up to attack.
Although there were further bombardments on 26 and 28 May, and patrols sent out from the base came into contact with the enemy, Coral was not seriously threatened again.
During fighting on 26 May the base's defenders even turned the tables on the enemy by sending a troop of Centurion tanks from C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment outside the perimeter wire with infantry support.
These engaged and destroyed most of an enemy bunker system that had been discovered.
God bless the tanks; they saved all our bacon on so many separate occasions throughout the Vietnam War.
Between 26 and 31 May further fighting continued at Coral and its surrounding patrol zone, before operations were terminated on 6 June 1968.
During this period, at least 45 of the enemy were accounted for, for the loss of one Australian with seven wounded.
So why do we specifically recognise 102 Field Battery through the award of the ‘Coral’ Honour title today?
Essentially it is because in all the battles and clashes that took place in that three weeks of sustained and heavy fighting, the guns were always there, invariably providing close, accurate and immediate support to their infantry, armoured, engineer and cavalry colleagues in need.
Secondly, we honour the Battery because it itself was assaulted and bombarded and temporarily lost a gun, yet in these hectic and very tough battle conditions, the gun crews stuck brilliantly and bravely to their task of supporting their infantry, armour and cavalry comrades, even though at times they were firing over open sights at a determined enemy assault force closing on their own gun lines.
And thirdly, it is totally fitting and appropriate that with the award of the battle honour ‘Coral Balmoral’ to the Royal Australian Regiment, that the Battery which shared the same dangers and experiences should also share in battle honour recognition.
And so it is that on this 40th anniversary, we remember and honour the Australian servicemen who acquitted themselves so supremely well in these fierce encounters, and in particular the gallant gunners of 102 Field Battery.
We remember with sadness, pride and gratitude, the 25 Australians killed and 100 wounded at Coral and Balmoral, and those wives, children, brothers, sisters and mums and dads left to mourn the loss of a loved one; many of whom it was Marlena’s and my privilege to meet at the Vietnam Memorial Service yesterday.
Today we can also extend our sympathy to the families of our adversaries who perished in these attacks, because generosity of spirit is part and parcel of the Australian ethos and Vietnam and Australia are now good friends.
Ladies and gentlemen
Over 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam. Of that number, 520 died and over 3000 were wounded or injured.
While the Tet offensive cost our adversaries 45-50,000 troops, and was a decisive tactical defeat for them, the propaganda effect of the offensive caused huge consternation in the minds of the Australian and American people.
It led to a major change in government policy in both countries towards the conflict in South Vietnam.
Decades of downplaying the achievements of our Australian forces in Vietnam then followed.
As a former serving officer and now as your Commander-in-Chief, it is therefore a particular privilege and pleasure to see put to right another part of our gallant historical Vietnam record by recognising the professionalism, the valour and the indomitable spirit of all members of 102 Field Battery of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
In honouring their service and sacrifice, we should remember that the Vietnam War - like any other war - was not pleasant.
It was dirty, frightening at times, boring in part for some and, for short periods, exhilarating, but certainly not glorious.
What was glorious was that our gunners did what was asked of them by their country and their mates in dire need, and did it magnificently.
A number of them still suffer from personal, health and relationship difficulties because of these experiences and perhaps because of an unsatisfactory homecoming.
For them, the Vietnam Veterans’ Association together with our magnificent Service and Unit Associations, including the Returned and Services League, offer vital assistance and I encourage veterans to support these organisations, through membership and committee work.
And so it is we come together today to commemorate and honour those who served the guns and their country at Coral.
We honour them all; those who did not return, those who returned hurt in body or mind and those who have passed on since.
None should ever be forgotten and none will.
Congratulations 102 Field Battery and God bless you all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.