Big Sky Publishing
The 50th Anniversary of Operation Bribie, one of Australia’s worst days in Vietnam, will be commemorated this Friday 17 February, at the Vietnam Veterans Park, Bribie Island, Queensland.
Ian Mackay lives in Sydney. He will be attending the commemoration events from 16 to 18 February at Bribie, Qld.
“It’s a day when we share with all present the deep sorrow for all those who did not survive the horror of that desperate, long battle on 17th February 1967, which will forever remain in our memories. We remember with shared emotions, intensity and camaraderie the fine brave men of B Company and our supporting troops.” – Ian Mackay
Fifty years ago on the afternoon of 17 February 1967, an Australian force found itself facing defeat in a thick patch of jungle near the coast of Phuoc Tuy province. In just over five hours of fighting eight Australian soldiers were killed and another 27 wounded. This battle become known as Operation Bribie, one of Australia’s worst days in the Vietnam War.
Major Ian Mackay (Rtd), was the Officer Commanding on that fateful, hot, February afternoon, when his outnumbered ‘B’ company’ were primed for a quick short attack on a company-sized Viet Cong force – they would instead face the nightmare of a viscous battle fought at close quarters with a battalion-sized force battened down in in well prepared positions.
Operation Bribie tested the professionalism and discipline of soldiers and commanders alike and ended with a neutral result with substantial casualties. Mackay remembers the chaos of a battle fought at close-quarters , “The conditions were appalling, in stinking heat with many almost blinded by the smoke from fires, in a fight to the death against a determined, efficient enemy near the village of Hoi My in Phuoc Tuy Province. The action was so close at times that any attempt at movement meant that you were shot or shot at. Although neither side could claim victory we could both be proud of our strong and very brave soldiers.”
It took Mackay 40 years ‘to consider even talking about the subject in public, let alone contemplate writing about Operation Bribie’, a battle that he feels has largely been forgotten. Operation Bribie was fought six months after the well-known battle of Long Tan commemorated on Vietnam Veterans Day; the bravery of the soldiers at both battles is one that he feels should be given equal recognition.
Mackay remarked, “I started giving talks on the battle ten years ago, mainly to give credit to the marvelous tenacity, courage and camaraderie of the brilliant young soldiers who fought so bravely on that hot Friday afternoon in Vietnam.”
Fifty years on from Operation Bribie the surviving veterans will stand together and reflect on those lives lost, those who still suffer and those since departed this life.
Mackay, has a number of strings to his bow, battlefield commander, international sportsman, a successful businessman and author however as noted in the foreword of his book Phantoms of Bribie his service in Vietnam as a company commander of B Company 6 RAR was a highlight of his adventurous life.
Commemoration Event Details – 50th Year Anniversary Operation Bribie
Bravo Company, 6 RAR
Operation Bribie – South Vietnam
2.pm – 17th February 2017
Vietnam Veterans Park, Bribie Island, Queensland
Catafalque Parties will be in attendance from the Battalion
Foreword by Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC AO(Mil) CVO MC (Retd)
Phantoms of Bribie, Ian Mackay, Big Sky Publishing, PB, RRP $29.99
