THIS REPORT HAS BEEN DELIMW!TED

AND CLEARED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

UNDER DOD DIRECTIVE 5200,20 ANDNO RESTRICTIONS ARE IhPOSED UPON

ITS USE AND DISCLOSUREs

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC HELEASEj

DISTRIB..ION UNL~IIED,

DEPARTMENT OF--. HE ARMYOFFCE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20310

IN Pr.&LY REFER TO

AGDA (H) (5 Feb 70) FOR OT UT 69A251 10 February 1970

P^ SUBJECT: Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 45th Engin,..erGroup, Period Ending 31 October 1969

SEE DISTRIBUTION

1. Subject report is forwarded for review and evaluation in accordapcewith paragraph 4b, AR 525-15. Evaluations and corrective actions shouldbe reported to ACSrOR OT UT, Operational Reports Branch, within 90 daysof receipt of covering letter.

2. Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriatebenefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations andmay be adapted for use in developing training material.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY. OF THE ARMY:

KENNETH G. WICKHAM1 Incl Major General, USAas The Adjutant General

DISTRTBUTION:Commanding GeneralsUS Continental Army CommandUS Army Cpnb3t Developments Command

CommandantsUS Army War CollegeUS Army Command and General Staff College 17 3 r-7r.AUS Army Air Defense SchoolUS Army Armor School MR 0 19US Army Aviation School 7o197US Army Engineer SchoollUS Army Field. Artillery SchoolUS Army Infantry SchoolUS Army Institute for Military AssistanceUS Army Ordnance SchoolUS Army Transportation School

ReproJu.ed by Ih.) UNCLASSIFIE[D PORI-

CLEARINGHOUSE DIUTRINuTaON NFOREIGNWITHOUT APPROVALOFfor F. deral Scienliic & Technic3Informjton Springfield Va 22151 ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF FOR FORCE DEVELOPMENT

(ARMY) ArN FOR oT UT. WAHINGTON@ D.C. 20310

ti(

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYHEADQUARTERS 45T1! ENGINEER GROUP (CONSTRUCTION)

APO 96308

EGD-3 31 October 1969

bUBJECT: Operational Report of the 45th Engineer Groitp (Construction)

for kericd Ending 31 Octobej 1969, RCS CSFOR-65 (RI)

ThRU: Commanding General

18th Engineer BrigadeATTN: AVBCOCSAPO 96377

Commanding GeneralUnited States Army, VietnamA'N: AVHGC-DSTAPO 96375

Commander in ChiefUnited States Arnv, PacificAPO 96558

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Develop.entDepartment of the arWY (GCFOLDA)Washington, D. C. 20310

Section 1. Operations: Significant Activities

1. The 45th -igineer Group (Construction) is located in the I CorpsTactical Zone, the Republic ofVietnam. During this reporting periodthe group headquarters remained at Phu Bai. The battalions and separ-ate coipanies of the 45th Fogineer. Group (Construction) are located inthe general vicinity of Liuang Tri, Hue-Phu Sai, and Chu Lai, RVN.Inclosure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting the organizational struc-ture of the 45th ingineer Group (Construction) at the end of the report-ing period. Inclosure 2 is a listing of units and commanders comprisingthe 45th 6ngineer Group (Construction).

2. The'mis.ion of the 45th Engineer Group (Construction) is to providenon-divisional engineer support throughout I Corps Tactical Zone in gen-ergl support of III Marine Amphibious Force. Specific tasks undertakenin anccmplishing the mission were minesweeps, combat enigineer constructionin support of tactical operations, LOG construction and cantonment con-struction for U.S. Forces in Northern I Corps.

Inc losure I

EGD-3 31 October 1969SMJECT: Operational Report of the 45th ELngineer Group (Construetion)

for Period Ending 31 October 1969, ROS CSFOR-65 (RI)

3. The following is a list by unit of the significant aocomilish-ments of the 45th Engineer Group for this reporting period;

a. 14,th iEngineer Battalion (Combat)

I) 5260 LF of rovetments were erected in the Phu Bai area forpr lt-aotion of helicopters and billets.

(2) 54&,W!0 SF of ftSil mtting was emplaced for helipad/taxiwayconstruction and erosion damage repair in Phu Bai.

(3) Extensive combat support construction at Camp Carroll, FSB A-1,FSB A-2., F C-i, and FM C-2 produced the construction of 49 living bunkers, 5 fighting bunkers, 3 each propellant and powier bunkers, 2 FDC bun-kers and.6 heavy gunpads.

(4) 7 km of Rte 555A were upgraded by installing 300 LF of culvert,hauling 3500 CY of fill, constructing a 20 ft, single lane, class 50bridge and graded and compacted roadway.

(5) 8 kma cf Rte 547A "ewre upgraded. This was a joint US ARVNproject and proved that the AiVN engineer elementsare both qualifiedand capable.

(6) A new 4 span, class 50 tidber trestle bridge was constructed onRte 550,

b. 27th -ngieer Battalion (Combat)

(1) Operation Horace Greeley terminated on 29 Sep. Significantaccomrlishments were:

a . Roadpionoored to PFsB itendezvous - 72 km in lengthb Construction of FbB Blaze.o Tank trail out to A Shau Valley.d Constraction of F8B Rendezicus.e Produced 75,819 CYS of crushed rock.f Cut/flU - 1,554,371 CYS.

(2) On 19 October construction began on an 8 km road in the Phu ThuDistrict Area. 35,120 Cubic meters of fill has been hauled and placed

* and 13,600 linear metersof roads graded ana shaped. A land clearingAproject in conjwictio. with the construction has resulted in 1500 acrds

being cleared.

2

31 Octobor 1969WMA)Is Operuional A&port of the 45th fdineer Group (Construction)

for Peried FAding 31 October 1969, ACb CFO"-65 (RI)

o. 39th Lngineer B ttalion (Coubat)

(1) All base-ourse work was oomeleted on 4L1 frora wwuag igal(A3642745) to Duo kho (B66o63%~).

(2) The ompleted portions of 4.1 from ICTZ/II CTI border to D~oI'-u '30 kin) -nd from uvng hgai to Mo Duo (24 km) were tumael over to theMinistry cf kublio hork, on 14 Oct ...nd 25 bep respectively.

(3) Uonstruction of. a 50 foot , class 60, timber pile briage ( S71461)o

(4) Construction of 4 14,000 bY rotary wing parking akrcn atD 1owas ooqUlvted on 19 Septebor.

4. Major civio action .roJects undertaken by units of the Group were3

a. The constn.ct-on .f an irrig.tiop canal system in the vioiniiqof LZ Gole..

b. The orphaiage at vang Algai (IiS645728) stsartod last qu. rter wascompleted.

o. Construction hs betu taken omr from )M .62 cf a children'&hospital in atng Tri consisting of 6 buildings (25,626 SF).

5. nflV!, anginer units worked with 45th P. units on the followingprojoctso

.i. Upgrading of h1560.

b. Upgrading of ItL 547-.

o. Constructionaf Caqp C,,rroll

d.. Construction jf Ulj! Bladu Bunkers at Fod A-2 and C-1.

-3. ki-oraor rood to F ,8 T.Bone.

f. ku Thu- Th, 'uRo.d

6. Voluntary Inform.tl Program (VIP) activitics continued. The 39thEiginoor dattalimc (Conbat-) wzs tJi forefunner in t'o progrm. A totalof %Vb 95,300 was spent in ruturn fcr 74 rounds of &a*munition, 4Caum andlarger, 8 r-.;okts, 74 gront dos andother misceLareou3 item.

3

GD-.3 31 Octobejr 1969bUJgJjT. Op&r,.nal Aeport of the /,6th inginear Group (Construction)

for keriod kbding 31 0cto),w 1969, AtCb CbFCk-65 (RI)

7. Under the MIDC. krogr,m 645 patients were trec ted.

8, 'e thor gener,:..y favorod conAruction in the 45th hngr Gp eroaduring Agust. j-verse conditions inhiLited constr Ltion efforts duringbeptember and October.

Aug Total 0.05 0.71 0.1124 hr high 0.01 0.18 0.05

bep Total 21.60 21+.40 24.2024 hr high 2.90 7.17 6.32

%t Total 51.40 25.90 75.06*'4 hr high 8.00 10.23 21.65*

* Record r.tinfall fcr Vietnam

9. knen aotivity in thc I Ccrps Tactical lone affucting units of the45th gaginer Group (Construction) decreased in august, Seplcoxr andOotob ,. Tablo II lists enomW init:,ted incidents.

hug

Min s/Booby Traps Found 27 11 17

,iinea/Booby Traps Detonated 10 3 38

Nortcr/Accket Attacks 9 1 :,' 11

Sniper Fire/a&*ushes 14 17 3

Bridgus Damaged/Destroyed 3 O 0

Culvert. D maged/Destroyed 5 0 1

Other 38 12 11

'UTAL 113 57 82

4

9ML-3 • .331 October "1969bUdJhCT: Operational geport of the 45,h Enginepr Group (Construction)

for reriod Ending 31 October 1969, RCS CSFOR-65 (RI)

10. The following significant enemr initiated incidents occurred:

a. B Company, 39.jh .ngr Bn (C) on' 1 August roccived 50-75 rdundcof mortar, RPG and a, followed by a" three prong ground attack by estimatedcom.. ay size enemr force. Aewults were 18 hVA/VC KIA, 2 cal.turod AK-47s,200-300 ChiCom grenadqs, 1 &G launcher, 9 APG rounds, and 10 bangalore'torpedoes. Comgany B 3affer..d 2 USWIA (M) (B56288543.

b. -.C Company,.39th Engr Bn (9) on,.12 Aug'st while on miesweop wasanbushed fro,, botn -sides of the road receiving heavy .A/V and 8-10 roundsof RG. Onoe.woufided.VC was captured..,ne US was KIA (C/39). 10 US WIA(3h), 1 ea 5 ton ano 1 ea ton trucks destroyed. (BS758489 )

c. On 19 August the 73d EngineerC (S) paving-'teft received 4.RPGand numerous M-79 rounds, Ind 800-1000 roounds o AW hioe. 1 US KIA and1 US WIA. The paving machine was..a total lops (468892-79).

d. On 23 August 1st platoon, D Company, 19th 1B0 receivod heavySAF from ambush. A reaction forcG comA.risod of C CompanY -4d 3 dusterswhile mcving to assist the platoon.Waq aqbgshod also receiving 4-5 roundsof 60mm mortar, 200 rounds ok SAP, ind 20-25 rounds of IeG fire. Contactbroke at 1630. The retction force while returing to its brse camp ro-cei .d 4 rounds of 60tmmortar, '15 IVA were KIk, 1 RG launcher, 1 AK 47,1 AK 50 and 1 Y-16 captured. US caaalties wore 1 US KIA (4P/19),) 8-US-Ii (2-HHc/45, 1-0/19, 5-ID/19), 1-2 ton (aciis lab) truck destroyed, and2 (infantWr) dusters 4estroyed (Bb823340).

0. On 22 October 1st platoon, C Company, 14th EdC while returningfrom its work site was ambushed by pn USEF with SAF and RPG. US caaualtieswore 2 US KIA (9/14) and 1 dozer destroyed (YD356355).

11. 45th .4gineer Group personnel casualties during tho reporting periodare sui:marized in Table III.

TA&L III.-: A p L jTY U= _

KHA 2' 0 1 0 4

Non-battlo doaths 1 1 2 0 0

WHh 8 1 25 2 3

Von-battle wounds 2 17 8 .0 6

5

kLD-331 Octobur 1969

bUtiJrGT- Optrational iAe, o.t of tne 45th ±lginetr Group (Construction)fcr keriod anding 31 Octobur 1969, 43Cb CaE0-65 (RI)

12. The 45th Lnginuir Groul. (Construcluion) authorized persozxnel strengthas recently cut by 294.spaces to 3056. kresent atwength is 97 percentolf the readjusted stz..ith' bhortages In apecifio areas continue to becriticaCl 'itin thio ialluwin,6, litted belm~ av oie 1 Novy 69.

05bi20 Radio Operttor 3'5 21 6012k40 Cbt 4i~gr bquzid .dr 226 152 7051h50 Const Foramen- 1 . .50

621)20 Asphalt tqpt Opturator 12 7 5862G30 'wirry 11an :.16 8 5062G40 Awwxry Kmq.. bupurvisor 8 4 50621h5O Const Mach~ buktirvisor 4 .2'~ . 5067?42F Uh-..Ielo Ifepairmn 1 0.' 07TIT20 &H.nt D,ta bk 1 cklist 19 . 9 47176Y40 burpJly -Sgt 22 13 5982A10 PRodwu 4 Tapeman ~ 6 .2 33

bilver btar. 0)* 0 *. .0

kogion of Herit 1 ':&j .0 .. 0

Distinguished F:i,,ing 0 .0 .0 0,Cross

bolditirls iMedtlL 0 0 00

Bronze btcar (V-devicu) 1 .2 11 0

Bronze 6'tar 16 18 .10 16

Air rjtidcl (V-devica) 0 11P 0

Air Modal 0 0 2 15

Moda~l (V..dtvioe) 0 2, 13 0

uirqr Comedation Modal 30 35 53 23

6

31 Octobor 1969bULIJzCT, Operational 2Wport of the 45th fagineur Group (Construction)

for leriod k nding 31 Octobur 1969 ztGb CbPW4.3 (RI)

SpeL. Court .rrtiA 0 7 11 0

Atrticle 15 56 72 51 3

bection 2 - L.sons Le-rnodl. ComjAder a Obsurvations, *alua'ios#.cnd Aecozend&tions.

1. kersonol: hne.

2. Opercrtions: t

a. Culvert tlacenxnt by Aircraft (Look)

(1) rwxvA : In tho construction of a pionoer road, repidpl. cing of culvert is us.. ..tial in aiintaining cone truction progress.On mny occsions culvert pke.cment is required ahe-.d of complLted rs.itdwway making trmsportton of mterials &'fficult.

(2) lyl"= Culvrt m-terials m-¥ b. jre suenbled ar4 airliftedto the job site.

(3) _&aa,wiaWAu: k"rg" culverts (40 ,., and 72") may be y.r-as. .obled and strutted at the rear work site ,.nd hocked to the work siteby Ch47. r norning schoduling of circrz.ft cliruiLr.ted hover problemspilots exkoriunced during tho hMttor portion of thu diq.

b. Protection ,f 6ridge %butmonts

(I) .W1 dLU,* #ridgo abutmints washing out during heavy reins.

(2) Evaluation: If a by-pass is constructed upstream from the bridgewith insufficient culvert to allow passage of increased stream flowcaused by heavy rains, the by-pass tends to act as a diversion walland the stream flow is diverted to the lowest or weakest point in theby-pass. In one case the lowest point corresponded with one of thebridge abutments and the flow was diverted against the abutments.

(3) h a tcA. be~.ign by-pass structur.s to aocowodate antic-ip -tud flood f.ows or ingure thtt the olcvatio, of tic centor of tho by-pxss is low Qnough so that increased flood flow will not bo diverted againstaoutmulits.

7

PZD-331 Octobcr 19oW~Jt CT: 01ur t~oiL1 AIt.ort of th~e 45th x~ginuer Group (Constrction)

for furiod L-nding 31 Octobur 1969, ,,Cb GCJ'OEL65 (Ii)

o. blinu rrobius:

(1) Qhnx~ja Coristent, bunding and stoofaWn while probing leadsto fatigue on long imiflobvuL;ps.

k2) ,jijn: tPine probos should be imide of a light, hc.xd matorialsuch as fin. h.-rd,,nvd bamboo with sufficiont longth to aliminate the tire-somu stooping anid bonding at eaoh oat-iblo, site. *rrobes of this typO havebt..cn in ust; for a considerable a*mount of time A'th exc.Lent rusults.

(3) ~~nnLtig:A lighter, stronger, a-nd .oger krobc be made,;vaiLblu fo~r mino obe teams.

3. Trjajnins: Noine

4. into.LJiganoo: hone

5. Logistics;

a.Opa~n During the monsoon season r.-id build-up of mtA onthe Fowor thaiia and clus~is cozi-ononts has beeon as. oocatod with le.akingoil a±nd gro so sools.

b. ~ ho accu.,u.ltion of mud on the under ci~rriage clogsbroathur vants and forms an intiaLation shiold .-.round _t. czses. Tho 7jictiuns causes the locking of so. Is.

a. ~ t)ortors siiould pa~y spocial att-ontion to wash-ing and chip~4ng -.wty of r414 from the under oc-rri,-ge to ai'low heat todissiju to from go,-r c.:.es and insure o, 6n bro.athur vents.

6. Org:niz.ation: ionu.

2 Incl U OLL N. Ielt"UEtasCooeCIncl I. 1d HQ, DA Cowx-nding

3..CGP Ub~4.C,~ AI'ru tVG-UT.I/.- CC*, 18th Igr iBde, j AVCJo

15 - File

8

AVBC-CG (31 Gctober 1969) 1st IndSUBJECT: Operational Repor of the 45th Engineer Group (Construction)

for the Period ding 31 October 1969, ICS CSFOR-65 (R2)

SA, H10)(UXRTXS, 18TH ENGINE MBiGA1r, Apo 96377 15~ DEC MS

TOt Ccmmaing General, U.S. Ar Vietnam# ATTN: AVHGC-DST, APO 96375

1, The Operational Report - eusons Learned for the 45th Rgineer Group(Construction) has been reviewed by this Headquarters and is considers"to be an excellent account of the Group's acti'vitien during the reportingperiod.

2. Thi3 Head4uarters concurs Ath the observations and reccumendationsof the Group Commander.

Brigadier Genral, USACommanding

CF:2 - AC of S for Force Development, DAI - CO, 45th &igr Gp

AVHGC-DST (31 Oct 69) 2d IndSUBJECT: Operational Report of the 45th Engineer Group (Construction)

HEADQUARTERS. UNITED STATES ARMY, VIETNAM, APO SF 96375

31 DEC 69TO: Commander in Chief, United States Army. Pacific, ATTN: GPOP-DT,

APO 96558

This headquarters has reviewed the O)perational Report-Lessons Learnedfor the quarterly period ending 31 October 1969 from Headquarters. 45thEngineer Group (Construction) and concurs with the report as indorsed.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

I,/

JOHN A. O'BRIENColontl, AGCAdjutai't General

Cy Furn:45th Engr Gp18th Engr Bde

/C)

GPOP-DT (31 Oct 69) 3d IndSUBJECT: Operational Report of HQ, 45th Engineer Group (Construction)

for Period Ending 31 October 1969, RCS CSFOR-65 (RI)

HQ, US Army, Pacific, APO San Francisco 96558 ' 6 JAN "'

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development, Departmerat of the

This headquarters concurs in subject report as indorsed.

FOR THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF:

JON F. DoColonel, AG0Deputy AdJutant UegraT

11

,WD-3 31 Ctdbor 1969bbUT : Ojur.at)on.' --4 o0t of the 45th inainocr Group (Construction)

for kuriod xnding 31 Octobur 1969, zhCb CbFOA-65 (l)

45th Engiiiwr Group (Construction)Commu ding Officur - COL C,-.. roll Ni. koTollior 1 Aug to 31 (et

14th Lni;inucir B -ttalion (Comb.A)Commuidinxg Officer - IXC Drcako 4ilson, 4 Aug to 31 Oct

12C Tod L. Bishop, 1 Aug to 4 Aug

27th aiginai.r B ttc-lion (Cobt)Commnding Officer - LTC StucAr 'Juod, Jr., 1 " ug to 31 Oct

39th zcgintur B.ttalion (Combat)Coiamiiding Ofdciur - MfC Tiiow.s A. Ghoriulay, 1 Aug to 31 Oct

511th k&ginou.r Conviv (k B~cl~ridgo)Conwmiding Oflicor - Cfl ktoburt J. ktu11)y

591st iniginoer CoWau-ny (Light Equipznunt)Ccnu-ning Ofiicor - Wr incvxmiijcun Took

63Mh Lnginaur Comp wi (Light kKiprnnt)Conu..riing Ot leer - CkT Ik-.vid R. b~rown

5Mt l'cin,r CvW-p..y (A-md Cie-.ring)Oom4nding Ofilcer - CkT LIdonol ktoech

Incl 2 2

ltNCIASSI F.I ED)

DOCMAENT CONTROL DATA.- R & D

I ORIGINA -1MtG AC TtV I $-o .Ce..e %#1A1 1. m., "o c I

HIQ, OACSFOR, DA, Washington, D.C. 20310 IRA. GREU

2 REPORT 1111.1

Operational Report - Lessons Learned, HQ, 45th Engineer Group

Evveric~e:,s of unit enitayed in counterinsurgeniy~fferati ns. I Aug 69 to 31 Oct 69.4 AU HORMI (ICI ~ Z. M-d.* 100#00. e

CO, 45th Engineer C aup

I U P O : 0aI - I' V K O T & L MN O O e ' P A S O w . v g r

31 Otober 1969 1. a"O I PAC I all 4 001" 140 to 411014.0A TOWS REPO"I MUl** Mill

a. PUOJCC T MO 694251

C. NASO 0 tICA mt PONT MOMh (Any 00WI mmommofo Iftoo "ry S. di

W1. #*#Met)

it SUPPL11,IM00aSY MOTCO i 11PO045"O W IT 1*5 AChivilrv

N/A OASODA, Washington, D.C. 20310111 ASSIYACI

13

DD, .. 1473 UNCLASSIFI EDreunty C'asiicetion

CU. S. ooVnpMXET ?SflITobO oVrtZ 197 Y91-0)6 (0572)