D Coy 6RAR OC is still fighting to have the VC awarded to some of his Diggers.
Story here: Fight for Victoria Cross for Battle of Long Tan troops | The New Daily
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D Coy 6RAR OC is still fighting to have the VC awarded to some of his Diggers.
Story here: Fight for Victoria Cross for Battle of Long Tan troops | The New Daily
I reckon the whole lot that were in that saga in the rubber plantation should all get VC's including the KIA's they were all in a desperate fight for survival against a superior force of unknown numbers and fire power, the gunners that fired continuously the danger close rounds should get the DCM's as should the crews of the APC's that went across that flooded river with only inches of free board before being swamped.
The only battle that would come close in modern times was Hal Moores effort in the La Drang valley.
Its so easy for those in neon offices to say yay or nay to present the VC's as they were not there in that bloody saga give it to them I say they earned it over and above what the official criteria was they witnessed each other (those that survived) and they sure as hell cannot fudge the figures as there were to many witnesses just the round count out of the 105's was staggering.
Paul,
Sad to hear these stories, we have ours after the Falklands too.
The Ceremonial Office won't be moved, and of course blame the most senior officer in charge at the time for not submitting the paperwork correctly.
Well Lt Col Hew Pike, 3 PARA CO at the time, a General when he retired, stated he had submitted the paperwork correctly and now leads the campaign to get a VC for one of his 3 PARA soldiers.
The talk then was, "The Parachute Regiment have been awarded enough VC's".................... well hello...........if men commit to the highest bravery to save their fellow men, they deserve it in my book.
Anyway,don't hold your breath, because if they give it to one, there's a lot more to follow and they know it in all Commonwealth Forces!
Sad to have it turn political like that. We had a couple acts in Afghanistan over the years and I firmly believe the reason CDN VC #1 is still in a display window in the CDN mint is because a young officer HAS to be the first... Can't have a lowly OR winning #1...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
Not wrong there Mate. Part of it is those who do the heavy lifting are the ones who carry the biggest weight, and those who are on the pointy end are the ones who take the greatest risks. Unfortunately, red tabs and in particular, the politicians seem to have a penchant for 'sharing the wealth' - or not giving what's due to those who deserve it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
We pay the price everytime for being "the tip of the spear" for the British Army and doing Politicians dirty work, look whats happening currently in Northern Ireland after 45 years?