The Diggers incloved in the incient / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Today, two of those Diggers are back in Vietnam to meet for the first time some of the Vietnamese soldiers they fought 47 years ago.

“It’s funny because the last time we saw each other, we were hell bent on annihilating each other,” said Reg Gillian, a national servicemen with The Royal Australia Regiment’s 2nd Battalion in 1968.

Barry Wallis in Vietnam / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

“This time we hope to put some form of support in place for these guys because the poor old veterans here don’t get the same help that we do in Australia.”

Accompanying him on the trip to Vung Tau in southern Vietnam is fellow 2RAR veteran Barry Wallis, who is looking forward to meeting the commander of the North Vietnamese Army regiment they fought against. “Nothing has been done for them and so it is right we try and see what we can do to help,” he said.

Vietnam veterans Reg Gillian and Barry Wallis / Picture: Richard Gosling Source: News Limited

The meeting was scheduled for the anniversary today but has been moved to Wednesday by the Vietnamese government, which is planning an official dinner with the veterans.

“Australia Day always has a special significance for us — it is a day everyone thinks of as a public holiday but for us has very different memories,” Mr Wallis said.

Graham Laraccy and Barry Wallis in Vietnam / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

“It’s not something you forget. They counter-attacked six times over 17 hours. It was traumatic at night with everyone yelling and screaming.”

The 28 Australian and New Zealand Diggers from 9 Platoon, Charlie Company, had attacked an enemy camp near Bien Hoa, northeast of Saigon.

But what they thought was a company of 100 Vietcong turned out to be the southern flank of the North Vietnamese Army preparing for the Tet offensive.

Barry Wallis in Vietnam / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

“Our spotter plane flew over and told us there were thousands of them swarming towards us,” said platoon commander Barry Corse.

Using rapid fire and movement techniques, the Diggers routed the Vietnamese from their camp and took over the dug-in defences. “The most frightening thing was to see the enemy using the same fire and movement techniques to retreat away from us. Then they started to counter attack,” Mr Corse said.

“They hit us six times, three times on three sides simultaneously. Over 17 hours they tried to annihilate us and we tried to annihilate them.’’

Vietnam veterans Barry Wallis and Reg Gillian / Picture: Richard Gosling Source: News Limited

The men talk of fallen comrades such as Corporal Graham Norley, shot dead as Mr Gillian was talking to him, and medic Jock Davison, who died as he tried to help a wounded comrade.

They also speak of the chopper crews who, under heavy fire, refused to leave until all the wounded had been evacuated.

Mr Corse said one soldier was regularly teased for carrying a 9mm machinegun.

During the course of the battle he fired 972 rounds. Asked if he hit anyone he replied: “I dunno, but I scared the shit out of them.”