Vietnam veterans honoured today, but bitterness stays

Alex Ilyin in Vietnam jungle Source: Supplied

Vietnam Veterans' Day is commemorated annually on 18 August and this year it will the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the costliest single battle for Australian troops during the Vietnam War. Almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops, air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. One of them was Alex Ilyin conscripted when he was just 21. Alex shares his memories of Vietnam, mateship of jungle war and the bitter disappointment with the betrayal of returned servicemen by Australian Government

---

Alex Ilyin (right) with former comrade in arms Don Frohmuller Source: Supplied

Memorial plaque of Hans Muller (mentioned in the interview) Source: Supplied