Australia honours Kiwi veteran

SYDNEY - A New Zealand soldier has been honoured by the Australian Army as it prepares to commemorate the 40th anniversary of one of its most famous battles in Vietnam.

Auckland-based Morrie Stanley, credited with playing a vital part in the battle of Long Tan, was flown to Canberra by the Australian War Memorial to record his role for an upcoming exhibition.

Mr Stanley, 75, was pictured with his war medals in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald, alongside a photo of him surveying the scene in 1966 under the headline: "Australia accords new honour to the Kiwi hero of Long Tan."

Mr Stanley was one of three New Zealanders who helped 105 Australian soldiers thwart 2500 Viet Cong regulars at Long Tan, in South Vietnam, on August 18, 1966.

Then a captain and later promoted to major and awarded the MBE, Mr Stanley was with the Australian regiment's D company as a forward observer for the New Zealand Army's 161st Battery when they encountered Viet Cong at Long Tan.

What resulted, in Mr Stanley's words, was an "extraordinary battle".

"They weren't ready for us and we weren't expecting such opposition," he said.

Eighteen Australian soldiers were killed but the Viet Cong casualty list was much higher, with 250 bodies discovered.

It was later recognised that Mr Stanley's work with his radio operator compatriot, Willie Walker, in directing backup artillery fire from support batteries, was instrumental in saving most of those on the ground at Long Tan.

Another New Zealand radio operator with D Company, Murray Broomhall, was also involved.

Mr Stanley admits confusion played its part as he directed a heavy artillery barrage.

"Some people believe we knew what we were doing all the time, but the more the battle went on, the less certain it was.

"I often use the word 'chaos'; total shambles, to be honest."

The battle is the subject of a feature film in production, with Australian producer Martin Walsh.

- NZPA