The original was held by 8/12 Medium Regiment in Darwin but sadly the appropriate preservation environment could not be provided and the document began to deteriorate. Discussions about display and presentation of the scroll were started with the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and although the AWM cannot display the scroll they have agreed to hold and preserve it for two years. The scroll will be held in the Research Centre and, on request, will be available for viewing by members of 102 (CORAL) Field Battery RRAA and for research purposes. The Research Centre can be accessed with the assistance of the AWM staff.

The RAARC is disappointed that the scroll cannot be displayed but the loan to the AWM will guarantee its preservation and conservation in the short term. The AWM has also offered to provide advice regarding appropriate storage and display needs for the scroll to ensure its long term preservation. Responsibility for providing the long term display environment and its location will need to be determined.

During Operation Toan Thang 102^nd Field Battery deployed to Fire Support Patrol Base Coral in support of 1^st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Early morning on 13^th May an intense enemy barrage of rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire was directed into Coral. This barrage was the prelude to an assault by 2^nd Battalion, 141^st Regiment, 7^th North Vietnamese Army Division, against the Battery and the 1st Battalion’s Mortar Platoon (minus). The Battery engaged the assault waves with small arms and Delta Gun firing anti-personnel rounds over open-sights. The enemy overran Foxtrot Gun and the Mortar Platoon; Bravo Gun was hit by a rocket propelled grenade; and Alpha Gun’s ammunition bay caught fire. At the request of the Mortar Platoon’s Second-In-Command, the Battery engaged the mortar position with anti-personnel rounds. Throughout the assault Echo Gun was laid onto Foxtrot Gun with orders to destroy the equipment if the enemy attempted to move or fire it. The Battalion Fire Support Coordination Centre directed and controlled close air and artillery support during the attack. At dawn two Gunner patrols cleared the position, recaptured Foxtrot Gun and gave assistance to the Mortar Platoon. The enemy left 52 dead and evidence of a significantly higher number of casualties.

The gun position defence was a close quarter infantry battle fought by Gunners and Mortarmen to defeat a conventional North Vietnam Army battalion (plus) assault. Whilst fighting against a sustained ground attack, three Battery guns remained in support of the 1^st Battalion’s companies deployed in ambush positions away from Coral. On at least three occasions the Battery responded to calls for fire from the Battery’s forward observers.

On 16^th May another major enemy assault was launched against Coral. Whilst the brunt of the attack was directed at 1^st Battalion’s Alpha and Bravo Companies, a heavy mortar and rocket barrage was directed at the Battery and ‘A’ Battery 2^nd/35^th United States Artillery. The Companies repulsed the attack supported by fire support from the Battery and other gun batteries, mortars and close air support. Throughout the attack the Battalion Fire Support Coordination Centre coordinated close fire support from field, medium and heavy artillery, and close air support.

Although Fire Support Patrol Base Coral was never seriously threatened after the second attack, the Battery continued to support the 1^st Australian Task Force until 6^th June 1968 when it redeployed to Phuoc Tuy Province. These operations encountered heavy resistance and required Battery fire support of the highest calibre.

There were many acts of bravery accompanying the exceptional set of circumstances that the Gunners of 102^nd Field Battery confronted. The Battery displayed professionalism, dedication and courage under extremely dangerous and confusing conditions at Coral.