The 6^th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, served in some of the fiercest fighting in Vietnam in the 1966-67 time frame. D Company was awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation for its actions at Long Tan on August 18, 1966. Here, the company held off an attack by a regiment of NVA troops, supported by VC guerillas, for more than three hours until a relief column made it to the besieged company. Enemy losses were more than 220 killed, and 17 D Company troops killed, with another 21 wounded.
 
 

In order to portray a soldier in the RAR, the following clothing and equipment must be obtained:
 
 

CLOTHING

• Australian Green Vietnam era fatigues (shirt and trousers, recommend two each)

Australian Fatigue Shirt

• Black leather boots (Australian military issue kangaroo hide boots preferred, non cap-toe black combat boots okay)

• Green web waist belt with black open face buckle
• Australian boonie hat (olive drab color, preferred headgear) or M1 Helmet and liner (US okay)
• Tank-top type undershirt (2 required), green in color (can be dyed from white ones)
• ID Tags (as they become available)

FIELD EQUIPMENT

Field equipment was generally either US M-1956 pattern equipment, or British P-58 pattern equipment, with some troops carrying older British P-37 or P-44 pattern gear as well. The British P-58 gear is preferred; it is really a superior field gear arrangement when compared to the U.S. M-1956 pattern equipment. See the photos below for pictures of each equipment set.

                            British P-58 Pattern Web Set                         P-58 Pattern Pack
 
 

WEAPON SYSTEM

Troops generally carried wither the AR-15/M-16 rifle, the M-203 (AR-15/M-16 with grenade launcher attached under the barrel), or the FN/FAL L1A1 Australian manufactured semi-automatic rifle. Machine guns included the L4A4 (Bren gun in 7.62x51mm) and the U.S. M-60 machine gun. Unless prior approval is obtained for a different weapon system, these are the only weapons to be carried by RAR troops. First timers and individuals working on obtaining a suitable rifle may carry US M1 or M1A1 carbines, with 30-round magazines. Magazines for the AR-15/M-16 may be either 20 or 30-round; the L1A1 will use only 20-round magazines.