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Group-4 DoDD 5200.10, 26 Jul 1962; OAG, D/A ltr., 29 Apr 1980

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IN "I.JtL,V flEJI'£R TO

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY O~~ICE OF THE ADJIJTANT GENERAL

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20'10

AOAM-P (M) (24 Apr 67~..lQt C1!

~ ~ ' • .....-e::.- La.8ODB Le.rn.d,~OperatiQD A tlebo -.25tb Infantry Division (u)~ •• 'P : ...... __ • ' •

SEE DISTRIBUTI~

Forwarded as Inc!osUn n a 'C'am'5at X'fter Actfon Report for Operation Attleboro. Operation Attleboro was conducted by the 25th Infantry Division during the period 14 Septembe~ - 25 November 1966. Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriate benefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations, . K~d may be adapted for use in developing training material.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

?I/G.~~ I Incl as

KENNETH G. WICKIWf Major General, USA The Adjutant General

DISTRIBUTION: Commanding General

US Aany Combat Development Canmand COllllllandants

US Army Command and General Staff College US Axmy War College US Axmy Air Defense School US Army Artillery and Missile School US Axmy Armor School RmRADBD UlfCIASSD'DD US Axmy Chemical Corps School WBElI SEPARATID nOM \,ofIY US Army Engineer School CLASSD'DD DCLClStJm 'tf>~ ~ US Army Military Police School ~. ~ .... '\~~. :\ US Army Illfantry School \,~~ <t. c 0.' #

cf(,. •• ',<:'- ~. "'<;>. • US Army Intelligence School s,'te ~,;< ",:). (. ~. US Army Medical Field Service School ,p. .. ~f' , .... ' ..... i>.\Y;i ),i)

tIS Army Ordnance School ;,a,; ..... '" '"":~ > ~ .... 1./> ~~ ~ US Army Quartermaster School ..§, ..... "'''',~" ~~ \." \'0'> .... US Army Security Agency School ~ \= .... ~~ S. ~ 0 ;1:0'Co

US Axmy Transportation School tt..fJ.~~ e;,'l..t> '\), :>,..t>\:''''o ,>" ~ US Army Signal School .o9~~.~ .... '0' .",e rcfJ.o~ US Army Special Warfare School ~~ "\1> ~'\,'\.e 'So'> ~ .. ,0 US Army Civil Affairs School .. o~ ...,-y, ••• 't o~ .... :fI> ... e

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~O'TfllO 66')(ot'2.

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Copies furnished: A8siatant Chiet of Ststf for Force Development Research Analysis Corporation (Library) Ofric~ Secretar,y of Detenle, South Ea8t A8ia Forces (SA) Ottice ot the Director of Detense Re8earch & Engineering, ODD(SEAM), ODDR&E

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DEPART1;;~:·IT OF T'rf,~ ARHY HEADQUAn'r.:JlS 25TH IIJFM1I'RY D1 VISION

APO San Francisco 96225

OOMBAT OPffiA'fIQi'lS AFl':;R AGrION REPORT OPTiRATION ATTLEBORO

1. ~iJ' .. HE AND TYPE OF OPB'RATION: Operation ATTLEOORO was a Search and Destroy operation. For thtl purposes of this report, this operation has been broken into four phases.

Phase I: 14 Sep - 2C Oct, a series of 8n operations by the 196th In: Bde (Lt)(Sep).

Pha!3e III 29 Oct - 5 Nov, opel'at:'.on3 leaciing up to and including contact l-!it.h the VC 9th Di v •

Phase III: 5 - 10 rbv, control of operation cha.nged to 1st Inf Div and then II FFOR~V.

Phase IV: 10 rbv - 26 I'bv, 25th In! Div given I!l1ssion to make a reconnaiss.:.nce in force in s~ctor.

Oct.

2. DATES OF OP:!:RATION: 14 September 1966 - 25 rbvGmbl'lr 1966.

3. III CATION: TAY NINH Provincd.

14 Sap - 5 Nov 196th In! Sde (Lt)(Sep)

5 }bv ... 6 Nov

6 thv ... 25 Nov

5. MPORTIID omCZR:

1st In! Div II

II FF\')RGEV.

a. }:Iajor Ganeral Fred<lrick C. Woyand, 14 Sop ... 13 Oct, 25 Oct - 28

b. Brigadii:lr Goneral (},.)or~ G. O'Connor, 13-25 Oct, 28 Oct ... 25 Nov.

6. Tio'S!( Oft}Ml[ZATIor~:

a. Phase I (14 Sop - 31 Oct)

196th InC Bd~ (Lt)(Sep), Cd Bn, 1at Int 3d Bn .. 21st In!' 4th Bn, -l'-at It1t 3d Bn, 82d A.""ty .

Bri,:-;adivr Gtn~r:ll DcSaussUN coJllllNlding:

DOlo'IDR.IDED .:T 3 YEAR INl'ERV:u.s DECL.:.3SIFIm .u.-rER 12 m;JiS 000 DIn S2OO.10

AC'~'1f, - ~I) ~II. ,,1. 1112.

CONFIDENTIAL

b. Pha.se II (31 Oct - 5 r·:ov)

196th Int Bde (Lt)(Sep) 2d Sn, 1 at In! 3d Bn, 21 st Inf 4th Bn, 31st In! 1 st Bn, 27th In! 1 ~'1ov 2d Dn, 27th In! :3 N:lv 3d !In, 82d i..rty A Btry, 1st Bn, Cth :Lrt.~; l'rJinforcing 1 rbv, cttad10d 4 tbv C Bt.ry, 3d Bn, 13th J\rty GS,' relnforqing 2 thv Plt, B 3try, 3d Bn, 1:3ti1 Ar··r.y attached:3 ~bv

.'.

c. Phase III (5-10 Ibv 66)

196th In! l3d.o T<:'.sk Force' att"cht:d to 1 a~ . In! Div 2d Bn, 1 at lni' 3d Bn, 21st Inf 4th Bn, 31st In! 8-10 ~bv I.I.tt:.'.chod to lat Bn (H). 5th In! 1 st Bn, 27th In! nttach<Ju to 1 st In! D1 v 5-11 Nov 2d Bn, 27th In! at.taci1-:d to T;:.l l'iIif.! fuse Crunp cOlllllli:.Jldar 1st Bn 0.1), 5th Inr A.ttn.chdd to 1st In! Div 6-10 Nov

'.

d. Phase IV (lO·ibv - 25 i'bv)

2d Bde T~sk Fbrce 1st Bn (M), 5th Int 10 !bv 1 st Bn, 27th Int 2d Bn, 27th In1' 11 Ibv 2d Bn, 14th In! 2d Bn (1-1), 22d In! 13 !bv (fllOm 3d Bdo, 4th lni' Div) . 1st Bn, 8th l..rty Dt:l

196th In! Bdd T~sk ForCtl 2d Bn, 1St lni' 3d Bn, 21 st Inf 4tJ1 Bn, 31st Inf 3d 3n, B2d :orty

7. §.uPPOlli'Illl FOR CC3:

a. Air 3upport.

(1) ~llercl.: During Ph~sc I &,; II ~r support was provided by fighwr bombers. During PhnsE) 1'1 both ri(~tlJr bomb,;)" nnd heavy bomburs wuro usod. I, total of 1029 sorties w..;re flown in thu crO.:,. of op.;tr:\tions from 16 Sap - 25 i'bv. Eighty-four ilIIoodicta sorties Wyrv flown :lnC. 53 sorti~s W"ro tlown by VNlI.F.

(2) Elwvn B52 strikvs W'-'N f'loun in thu AO during the period 11-23 ~v. They W~N !l8 follotlS:

2

:,11 ';,il 0: i :'f!. J .. r~ :~/f'l."u: ·~·t!"·~:(~~ ,\.l.':A OC V-:R,:.Jl

25-10-1 110,:;'0 i:ov 61: xrJ27~) - 31+0843 )2781) - 340013

f' 71 11710 rbv Xl'305780 - 320780 )0575) - )20753

25-11-1 (1''96) 1307.30 Nov XI'140?87 - 142753 1 58760 - 1 5)7~

(F98) xr)13922 - )2S9~ ,

25-12-1 14 j 1')() !bv 326b'96 - 33890

ialled by 1st Div 161000 Nov :cr')44780 - 3207 in 25tL :>1 v AO ))3752 - )537 (Onnger 6)

25-15-1 (FlO?) 100700 tOY

Fl02 -, 190730 ~bv ~:066S6S - ,317880 ,392851 - 400861

T!~ 30 221800 Nov Xl'14S390 - 173377 25-1G-l 162350 .. 138370

Quickrun 2~ 210500 ~bv Xl'223970 - 223980 A93 243970 .. 243980

25-21-1 2)OGOO :bv JCl'200S20 - 200810 'XV 43 230810 - 2)0820

0) jl'.,lsults of t:',f! L1.l~tical. airstri':cs4i'were:

4 VC KB4'. (UC) 115 VC K~A (poSR) SO buildi:lC~ des::'roj-e;! 17 bu~ ,Ldil16s d,..,la~:etl 14 lmnlNrs destroyed a l>un!1:l r:J r:~~cd 2 3".":I.,(lllS d~str ·;ted I? aC; co:'lCl.:.l\·y explosions 1 0 ~l'::COnd::,I'Y l'ire:J 1 !li1.dgl} :icr.'i..r: ~'ecl 1 !'rid~c d".t.L'l!,'Eld

* l'hi3 include:; the tgeti: Inf nut· f:--om 16 Si:P - 25 ~bv and tho 2d !k!.u, 25th In! 01 V fr':>"! 1;' :bv - 25 iol?v.

b. Artillery Support.

(1 ) During Phase I, the 196th In! lXio was supported by the 3d Bn, G2d Arty \'Ii th B Btry J 3d Bn. 13th Arty (-). B Btr:y J 2d En, 13th Arty was in OS from 20.29 Sep.

(2) During Fhasa II & III, 3d Bn, 32d Art:y (+) continutld in support ot 196th In! Bela. On 1 i'klv, A Dtry, 1st Dn, Sth Arty rainforced thdr til-est

(3) DU!'ins Phas\) IV, 3d an, i32d Arty (+) suprortod the 196th In.f Dda. 1 at Bn, 8th Arty t'tith A 3try, 2d Bn, 13th ArtYJ A Dt.ry, 2d Dn, 77th ArtYJ n DtrYJ 3d Dn, 13th lIrty supportvd tho 2d Drigr.do Tnsk Force.

(4) Artillur! .fiN wa.s utilizud to:

(D.) Suppress snip~r fire.

(b) Softtln !ll'..).:'.S in from of ",dv~ncil".g Il\,:.nouvur olomellts.

(c) Fr~pc.ro lal1ding zonas .~d suppress ;jnowy firtls during the .:lsscult ~ oxtraction ph.:\SlilS of nn a.irmobil~ operation.

Cd) Fire fcl.se pNp.'\t'utions to miSle!ld the unanry as to intended or possiblo lending zonus.

(e> Harrnss tl.nd intordict.

(f) Assist p/'.trols n:1.Vig~t,ing '''trough donee terrolin nnd during hours Qf do.rkness by firing hi~h nir burst IVP rounds.

(g) Fire defo;lnsiw conctJl1t~tltions for fOl'W'ard support bases.

(5) Totru. niasions rllld rounds firvd.:

(a) HisoioM: Support.-263J+i I£.:I 10,356.

(b) Ammunition uxp~nd,Jd: HE - 70,470; lIP - 2085, ILL - ).42.

(c) Rusults: 70 va KIi. (nc), 132 VC KIA (pass).

c. Av:I...~tion Support.

(1) Units.

(0.) 25th INn .:3n.

i~ Co nCo

(c)

(d)

(0)

11 t:' "~vn .In

116th Ilvn Co (Lt) 147t~: Avn Co (l.leJ) 17St:l ,~vn Co (aud)

13th Avn Dn

175th Avn Co (Lt)

52d : .. vn an

117th :~Vn Co (Lt)

14St~! Avn Dn

68th Avn Co (Lt) 713t Avn Co (Lt) 11 ath I.vn Co (Lt)

(2) T1J>4;I end numbur ot nirlOObilo, oparr.tions,

~ ~ Co -Oomb-ft.t ".ss~uJ.ts 17 :3 ExtrQ.ctions 12 2 Repoe~_tions 7 1

(3) Hulicopt~r ~ssets Wura utilizod tor commnnd 3nd control, -11rJ!W)bily ~sDl1lts Illld oxtr~ct.i.ons, ruconncissft..nc.l, NSUpply nnd ~dic:u ",v~oua.tion.

a. General: Operation A'r'i' .... ,t.;oRO was initially a 196th Bele operation to the south and west of TAY NINH City. The AO Was expanded to include the DAU TI.:::rli area in oxploitation of VC logistical bases located in this area and subsequently includod ell of Wo.r Zone C. VC units lo~'\ted in the area included o1dllBnts ot the 9th VC Division (271st, 272d and 27.3d Regts4 101Bt NVA Rogt, 70th GUP..rdRa3t, U80 Arty RoJ':;'i:., COSVi~ HQ .:md ossocintud fA.cilities, thll )20th LF an, S LF Corup,...nics, a.nd locn! gtlurrilln o.tlQlIIIJnts. 'l'tta aroc. cont~nud lDrsu supply/~rms/~ eachus, t~ctorio$) ho8plt~s and haSG campa of the., nenr Sorvicu9 Supply r.nd TI'!".!'lsportr.tion s,-,ctions of Group 82 Md 8.3. It W~s nntieipl.\tdCl thZ'.t tho VC would hnvu t.he m'vll. wvll fortifiad :lIZ'.1nat ground Md nirmobile assaults. Thd proxLm:i. t~r of th(3 C.':'J!Ibodir.n border, thtt riwrs tnto thu oren, thu WJll dovlJlopvcl ro.".Cls :lJld trails ~ttesto<.l to thO teet thct tho VC "TuN proG.Jnt ond h~ thiJ tlNn. wc.:ll dvwlopud n.e a di veraitidd military COmplIlX. Theru h:¥l boon 00 significr_nt ARVN/nt,fAF o}Atre.tion in War Zone C sinell April .. Nny 1966. AgC;lnt -reports, PWls, CIUF» HOI '5, n

s

report.s, '/i ~at"l nlJco: .. l·i~~;~).'C ... , ~ : ; .. I~; ':·!.i ::::;~~jo' ~44'f:OZ't.S 'i .r«.: utiliz..:J. to nS:lint in do\· .. lopm .. "t, oJ.' : h~ .,;:i,)/:I:' .:ii tu:"t.lO:1. 40n,:1".'·11y, thtf int. ... lliSunce J'CIcul wd b..troru~.nd durin,,!' ::0 Ot,.:rJ. ;0:1 pmv",d to hu UJd'ul ~Ihon prop'-rly ov'\lu.~.t· ... .:\ ... ,tt<l collnt.::~.

b. Terr:rln: The t.orrrln in the a:'f; .' of oPOJ'~·i.i0110 varied l'rom low flat terra:J.n I'M'U cultivllt'loJ r:elJs to :Jc~'uh br'ulUl :-.00 torocted areas With c:lou:,le ond triple canopy. 'fhe illt-.I.er OftCl'Eld 'Jxce.i.lent C()ncoalmGnt Ani poor obsurv:!.tion. Avttnu.os of n}.'rrov.ch \161'e ,:en,';1":uly 11r.11 ted to deve104'ed~r:u'18 anc:l clu&red :lrer.LS. Tho only kuy torr.lin in t:18 'lrQ ,-=., in the trnd\. tional ndlltery sense, is NUl 9A 01::·: '\lC)\.l!'lt .un, thv t.op COL \ihlch 18 controllud by USSF \'lith conaltior~b1e VC nctivi';;'Y on th" slo~s. ObS·~RCJ.,;,S w.J!. to be tounc:l 1n stNIWI, don3U tONsts, j,nund·.;~\oci nNns .,\:'¥l paddi..::J. Thu low l~d 1n th,J north.;,rn lll',J1l WllS immdllt,jd 1· .. i th ''','It.ur, 'Ill\kirv~ rrilvli:lOOnt of t.rnckIJd v.Jhiclo3 and toot troaps v>.Jry diffi cult.

(1) 14 to 22 Sup: Clout:;· ill thtl ... "rl~r :,lOr.unc hours :lUool~l1ns pertly cloudl' by noon, t,ith :-,lnI)st d."\ily r .. dnt~.J.l.

(2) 2) Sap to 4 Oct: Tha ski"s ".;~'c,) p".rt1~' cloudy throur}lout thd dr.,y' With no rnin or othur i'vstrici..ions to of'IJr~·,tions.

(3) ~ to i3 Oct: Q:)rdi tiOrAS l";m:::1ncd P~""t.l:r cloudy but occ.uion:ll nfturnoon l'ninshow~rs w~r..l p!.'\.::; .. nt in the :'\l"tIu.

(4) 9 to 14 Oct: Condi t.ions "T. N ,~,,'~".in p'U'tly cloudy w.l. th only al1!;ht l'J:Jtrict.iona to ':isi~ilit~· in th(J ...:".rly llO 'r:u'!l~ r.·)ur;:; dUtI to roS or h~",.

(5) 14 to n Oct: Condj .. ;':l..or:s l'.JI!"I:~in ... (! p~tly cloudy, but d:ily r-.ttlJrnoon :',I\L~ .;rvuninr.: !'''.!:lS;lO''I.,;rs ~.nd tr.unc!...:rsiI01·" Jr3 1",-,'U pNs...:nt.

(6) 19 t.o 29 Oct: Cl:.udy ct'!l.iitir.r.3 ' itt. fru,:uc"lt ':,'lrly mrnins fog ~.nd .:!',J ' ,.Jr::l r".in pr .J:; ·!It ovur tLa ...:atiN I'.l' ..,:1'>..

(7) 30 Oct to 8 :bv: C1fi,litlons \"' ~:"v p~:,U~r cloudy \-titl~ no r..,st.roi.ctiC:l13 to :;~r~.'.. t:::lO d~ing t,liu p.:ri'j!l.

(a) 9 to 19 Evv: ~\c~. o.:.ndi .... i,:1~ ooatinu .. ! t.) bu p.".rtly cloudy, ru¥l tl."ra \'11.1]"\.1 ....rt~rno .·:1 i·rj,n:; :~ ·"l'l'; ;-= .j}' i.::u!'.~vrst : -:'"i.19 pNG . ~t in thll ::rl.l~.

:lJT,~: E':'.l"ly I!l"l·~.,r.:: ;i .. lilift "INr~,i ~ ' .. n.J \.[ 'U Nstl'iet"c.:, b)" foS or lcIw clouds until ::dd-n. :':lin~ on th.. .C':: 11,)1·1 r:,~ d~t.;::;: 1/.-1 S Sup, 27-29 Oct. Md 13 tbv.

6

7 (1) During th., i:1i c"'..·~ p:'--.: •.. r t,:,~ ... purAt.Ln 'U'Uund TA! NUff

City, tho vC un1t.~ cJXPUCi;.\!d too W cvnl".ct.",c\ ',.IrQ the C40 c..,q»~, 4 othe .. LF c.x'~uD, 1 pJ4 toon cp;lr:\t.1n·~ :war the 'rAt .:X"" ~I .. t t'ilot1eld, "net ot_ .. local forco;,J Md. suerl'ilJ.l" olemur.ts operoc.ine Within' , 5 'lnlD •• ter. ot 'l'A! NUll. The ... :Uts \'lure p'!'Ohnb~' in 1·he ore:-., !l1.Lt. .~u.e to the intlux ot • lara- US wd.t, tbey evidently prut4tJ'lretl to I,wid cont .. ct Qur1n~ the 1nit.1:-1 .t.... On17 ll{tlt r.nd s):'Or •. dic contA.at w ... ~ encountored \;y thu 196th clur1nc W. phaaCl ot thtJ 0l'.,lr .... Uon.

(2) Thv '96t.h, in Octo':'vr, t'lhilt...,d ita opJ .. ~t.lona to the DAU TL:~ ·U"(Hl. to conCf.lntr~to on ll.:utr::llsinu t.lO IIuR'ly noUviUlJ1 ot Group. 82. I\nCl 63 ot Cl)SVN R"y $...rv.\.c..., Unit:.3. Thi. llhitt "rw pI'OIIpwd br the Il\Im:JI'OU8 NpOrt. or log1st:'.cro.l cOlll'l .... in thi. t\I'OQ I\Ild thIJ location b7 th\l 1st Bclu, 2Sth In! Div ot 279 tons at ricu vic %r48242a. Do~nt. onpturecl in tho =.Nt'. idClntltl<.;d Group 83, ~. ~VN Ru:ll' &.irviOl.l Group, :u'Ml IIlb.t:uaUr.ted oth.Jr rupert. tho:'. t u,,, nl'J ~ W".S " CII".jor VO .uprly ~~ct.\ Vi t7. ~her doc:u8nt. CGpturecl by the 11t Bclo Wal'O VC p1;-na tor politic;'l .':~ctJ.nUw., dlNotive. trol:l h1et'ur h,,~~dqu:'.l'tere ooncorninc t:lX co1J..tction u~:\JC!ul.s 1.Dd ptrlOnDlltl Uata ot ttlCl n.MAGe Section .~d ot .... 1n!r:u.tNctUN ",-cUviti". within TAY fIJi:: ProYin~. The tnet th3t :\ll ot the tood :lOO doCUDlnta W",J"Q found on tho fringue ot th" woods :':ithout " lDD.jor _h'P into tho 1nt"rior IIIo14IJ U. tlI"Ur\ Q vor:l 1ucra,ti w tnrcot tor tutw. .. US oput'''.tiona. D\lrina ~ tir.t hnlt ot Octobur, VC unite in thu :'.1"...,1\, includin3 th ... 9th VC Divisl.on op.t ...... t«l in th~1r no~ .. ~ :\NI1.S ot oJX!rc.tione with r. sr:ldual eouth..;,rl1l1Ow...,nt mtoci tow:.rda th" dnd or tho amt.h. BuC~3U or tho" eouthW:l.I'd lIDy".-nt ot tiN VO unita, it "~.3 :-.nticip~.t..Jd thnt possibl¥ \t11;fJ:Wlnts ot tbo 271.t and 273d au •• would b.: cont~otud in tho; :-.r,!n. Loo:-,! gl.Ldrrill:'.G oj:Ornting in th" ~Q w ...... exp.letud to oftur ~nsi,.".nt. h~ns:sn.:nt t.) US torCll.l ,,:.ich provud to bu ~ 3ccurntCl Clstilll.'\t-J. &.ttw,JUn 20 Oct "00 .3 tbv, th ... '96th BdIJ locn.t",d s.JYoJrnl. larso rico/aupp~ onch~s in v:l.c rI'4342 l'Ihilo 1.l".ktn~ ouly spor:l4ic c\>nt.~ct with the \Jl¥lJ:Q". DoclmIInto c-:-.pt.uNd on 31 Oct l.'T440501 \1urln!: 3 StNep t.hruugh the 'l:~ll CUI rl".rtt3t:iun inc1..ic".t...;d th.:.t. tllu uxtoJ:m'lv .. rico"J1d : . .&pply ef'.chul w ... re l!J..--.int~Ditd by- thtl D160 SoJctinn, GI'I.lUp 82 or CCI~VI..j !W'.',J" ~"ice Dop..'U"tatnt.. 011 3 tbv, 196th Belu ~J.,",r.J.Hlt3 11Ir.(llJ oon ... "ct. \,"!, th · ... n un:'~ln sisu VC torOl Vic %1'415536 ~ Xl'442S18. Thu VC \lS'Jd SA, h".OO C'r.n:\-'!\J~, ritL:: g\)n:-.doJs. c1"". IDJroJ Jlin",a ·-.nd CXJnduct.vd :,\Iv~..;rl.:!.n.:j dof .. .:nN or t:.~ ".:.'l'v~. i:'\l.!1c ... t1ns 0. 1IL.".1n torco .J1oJ11Bnt W".8 inVl.lvllr!. Doeu.: ..... :'ltr: c,"pturull vic Xl'454534 ·n:3 M:Jvldlbor .. st(.bli~,~ ~r.t thu VC \~ni.t c.Jnt",ctu·i W:·.:3 thv C9S R~co:Ai.:l1.s...,.CCJ unit, auboZ"tli."1.. ... t .. to t:lu 9th VC Uivi8ivn. Six i1>~;nto cJnt~in.Jd the d"e1GJl3tlon tor the 273d RlIlgt.. Spor ..... Jic c .,nt"'.ct C):'li..i nl·uJ thr. uj1 . .6t the night ol J...4 lbvJmblr 1966. On 4 N;v .•• nb.:l', ",l\Jla .. n1:.a CJt t.!lo.I 1%tl. Be", W ... N ~:U.n hllr.vUy . 1111(tc.g.xl vic Xl'M7S40. Thruo c.>I·:P:.!l1 aiStl VC :.SS:'lUltD w~re rup"lldd clurillS tho d.."'.y' r~sultine in 40 vc ,aA (BC). Docu::~n7.~ c~t ~'o·,: ,m thd b:\ttl~1'i.,:lcl iclllnUll.Jd ",l",munts ..Jt th... 2; 1 st ".!t1 27.3:~ Rv~·t:.l. St'.·. rtly :-.tWr II1tlni,:1ht un 4 ft,v, t.!KI 2d On, 2"'<~~ Ro~t uX.(.'\ltvd 1\ c".)r.:in·.t. ..... ~~.t:'.ck .n SOl,;1 CAU Of vic XT4»)2a~1 using r.r.rt~!";;, RIl, AW :'.o"'~ :l. v1l'iut.y- of b,"n..:~.lt'N tor~~, .... ~ so.chu1 t'JI~l·!:\JS in ~n :'\t.tCi.l:lpt to bru·,ch thll · .. ·.:ruMd :~r tt. ... C3:~. Th., Iltt:\Ck W:lS r",poll ... H.!. '\n:1 i..hllt VC t~t.·k h..r:'\vy purUt/n:.,;1 ~n~ \lqui~lCIJr.t 1I)s.u. bvtore w1t:;~1.i'r.tI1ng to th., 90 L.'·L Wl.):ls l~"vln" '4'~r 50 VC KIJ.. (DC) "n'thu b:o.ttl.e­tiuli.!. Also on tht: m..rnin~ ot 4 U.v ....... >Elr. b:;t,w ... m 020B-0230, 0540-0550,

7

the VC mortared the 196th Bde case c~np vie XT165515. It is believed that the attacks were designed to relieve the pressure on VC units in the DAU TIENG aroa. On 5 tbvember, vic XI'4154 and n4054 elements of tho 196th Bde again ~de contact with a VC forc0 well fortified in bunkers resulting in 123 VO KIA (BC) and 19 VC KIA (poss). Frontal assaults involving 80-100 VC each WtlN again used by tho VO against US forces. It is believed that the VC force was composed of \lL.m~nt5 of thb 271 st and 273d Regts. After th~ t3ngag.lnlunts with th.l 25th Division on.3-4-5 i'bwmber, the 1st In! Div made contact with th(l VC who W'..l!'tl Withdrawing. The 1 st Inf Division had contact with the VC on s~v~ral occasions and iduntifi~d tho 1st Bn, 2d Bn, and 3d Bn of the 101st NVA Regt and thu 2d 3n, 271 st Rugt and 27.3d R .... gt.

(,) The 25th Dhi.sion main effort was th~n dirl:Jctold north to War Zona C. It was anticipat~d that if h~avy contact w~s madJ, it would bd with m3in forc~ .JldlOOnts, Food, SupFly, n.rInS and ammo cacho;;)s wl:1re expectt:Jd to bv found as US troops mov~d into the ar~a. In order to disrupt op~rations and harass tha US b.'\S.; c'l!np at 'llAY NIi'.1H, th..: VC m:>rtnro;;d th~ c;un~ on th0 night of 11 tbv~mbur and th~ murl'ling 01 the 12th. A st;l['.rch of th<.l rortor position on 12 l'klvcmbur rtlv,;nlad 11 docum...nt th.1.t indic'1.t~d th"tt the C16 Reeon Company, subordinlltu to th~ 271st Rdlt could hw..; h)",n rosponsiblv for tht:i attack. Cont::-.ct with th~ VC WllS sporl".dic until 19 l'klv wh(;Jn cont£1.ct W:l.5 IM.d~ with a VC platoon vic XT216004 tmd XT229811 1.nd a VC comp'1.ny vic xr274956. The CQDlP~ contacted vic Jrr274956 w:\s tho C2 Cb, 1st Bn, 70th Regt. (The S~curity Regt for 003VN) Docum~nts cnptur-:d vic 1..'1278908 disclos{;ld tho 16N 1751B which is the Signn.l. Bn subordinnt.<'l to OOSVN. DocUJn-.;nts CI'lptuNd vic :lIT2.29$11 1ndic~t~d tho unit cont~ct~d w~s n medical unit subordinate to thd 271st Regt With a. collv.:l.LsCdnCa OJntur nnd 0. R~'ll' Scrvi~ S.:lction also m.:ntion,jd. Docu.. mvnts and cnptuN of two 12. 7mm barrels vic Xl'227813 indicated th\J pr-:s~nce of ll1l Anticl.rcrnft B,'1tt:U.ion in tho AO. This is lxlliewd to h:we b:;on the Z43 AA Bn which hOO pruviously b'..l~n Nport<.Jd. COnt .... ct continuud to ru sporadic throughout thu remainder of the oprJration with th..: mrcjority of th~ VC contactad in squad size or Idss. The VC J"e:>.ction ".nticip."tt~d by US forcus bacnusu of the intrusion into Wnr Zorw C did not mn.turiuizd. It is b.,lidvd tho.t due to th,;, lossds suffuNd !l.S ~ N5Ult of cunt .... cts with th,j 25tha.nd 1st In! Dive " Mnin Fbrcu units wi thdrvw to ~void l1k'ljor contact ".nd ~gin rtltrnining nnd rusupply ~ctivitids. Loc~l foroes were to continue to hnrass US forces and It>oi tor our mov\:I~nt in tho "'.NCl.. During the -:;perc.tion, it is b(;llieved that the 2d 80, 70th Regt <)Per.~.t",d uvng R;;ute 4 nnd h::ui full rusponsibility far the r",n.(~. The 3d Bn, 70th Regt hr.d control rl.nd o~rnted on Route 22. The VC controlled roM running i'rl"Jm vic XT396632 to XT380858 is now bdieved to b:. t'. prir.lo.ry LOC f.;;r rcsup.ly ".ctiviti..:s in W.'ll' Z.:,m<3 C. T} d 1st Division found tho lI':l.jority of thd Cllch.;s in tho !".!'.;c rU..)ng thu c.mtrolll.ld !'Ued. Thtl routo runs both ll(,rth ~d Sl.:'uth, nnd it :.ppu:'.rs thr.t thu VC utilize thu BOl LOI Wm.-ds, the JAIGON RivJr .~"ld thu c.mtnli.::d rl.;n.d. to fl.ccc.ap1ish IIt)st ;;f thoir Illt\jur trnnsp.;rt of supp1i<Js. Th~re 2l'1:l !l;) fridndly units to harass the VC in th.J nrea. It is b,Jli~wd that lllIljc.r b;p.stict:!.l c-.1lIr';l\l-'Ws are still loc8wd !\long tho ro,'lu. nod tho.t thtt 2,th Division did JX)t locate ~ major cnchiJs in th",ir ::l.Ne of op;lr.'ltiJns in the h,,'1.rt of Wnr Zol')d C because the USSF C'lmps nt TRAI B1 .<md SOU! DA ".N in .:ut uxccl1\lnt position from which to hm-nss th" VC logistical I"'jutes, Tho VC pr-efl:lr to havd a .

a

'f oontrol.l.tild r ·)uta thl".)ugh lvnr Zon .. C frm \/hich they c.'ln supJX)rt op:.r.:l.tlons 1n ar.y direction with relatively no harassment. Indications are that A'l'TlEOORO completely di~rupted VC plans for a major winter offensive by the 9th VC Div and the 101st NVA Regt. Rice caches (1 ton or over), base camps, supply caches, 8lIII1O caches, and Oll:1tacts of estimated pJa toon size or larger: (Ref: 25th Division INSUkS)

15 Sep XI'079559 17 Sap XT068543 25 Sep XT496418-501417 25 Sap 7:r487424 25 Sap XT400427 26 Sap Xl'488425-482425 26 Sop XI'486421 29 Sap Xf484426 29 Sap Xl' 520363 9 Oct XT073545 20 Oct 1..'1487424 21 Oct 7:r484425 22. Oct XT 49041,3 24 Oct XT509~1 29 Oct XT438500 30 Oct :0'433496 30 Oct XT441499 ,30 Oct XT4.35501 30 Oct XT445506 31 Oct Xi'440501 31 Oct XT440501 31 Oct XT438503 1 rbv XT443501 2 rbv XT436501 2 Nbv XT445493-445506 3 thv :IT41 5536 .3 rbv 7.T442518 .3 rbv XT448518 4 rbv :r:r417540 4 Nov JCr417540 4 Nov JCr436541 4 lbv XT408543 5 Nov 1cr4154-4054 10 lIbv 7:r270755 12 rbv 1cr)03777 14 }bv :lcr'25 5807 14 rlov XT263757 17 rbv XT285$97 18 Nov 11361462 19 lbv 13274956 1 9 NOv ;cr216B04...22381 1 19 Nbv X'l'144496 20 Nbv XT206812

2.5 tons rice 1 .25 tons rice Base camp Base C<!Jllp 1 .75 tons rice 279 tons riot'! 2 tons rice & 1.5 tons peanuts 1.25 tons aalt 6 tons rice 1.7 tons rice 680 sh~cts of tin 13 tons rice - supply cnche 1.65 tons CIJ~nt 1 ton rico 420 tons rice, 25 tOi lS salt, supj.ly cachtl 60 tons ricE:l 32.5 tons rice AllIno cache 4.5 tons ric~ 23.7 tons rice, sup. ly cache 59.8 tons ri~, 3/4 ton ~ans, 4.5 tons ti)bacco 187.5 tons rica 55 tons rice, 15 tons beans, supply cache Supply cach~ 28 pil~s of lat~rit~ Unkno\<!n nurn1:Nr of VC Unknown nwn~r of VC Bast:! ca:.,p Elcm.;'lnts 271 at t 273d Regt El~m~nts 271st & 273d Rugt 215 tons ric.;) 1st Bn of 273d Rugt 273d R~gt (el~munt) 1 ton ric\;l-sup:, 1y cacho; 20 tons ric...: 20 tuns ric~ 1.25 tons ric.;:

. Basu c".r.l}·' VC platoon VC com~. 3ny VC platoon VC pl,.toon VC platoon

21 tbv XT349940 i3'.'.st! c:liap Ie 22 rbv 1:£30377 5 12.4 t.)nr. ric ... & '0:.:>.:) I'l.N:t

25 N::Iv rI'130)S4 va phtoon

ve U;j~ OF .('rtl'AR .- LOCATIO~1 ;'Ul~R OF ~OUNDS

9 Oct XT298564 15 4lbv XT165515 150 11 lbv XTt65518 5 12 Nov )Q'1675H3 84 22 Nov Xl'269859 ~ 22 Nov XT3h1581 20

9. (c) MISSIOt~. Th<.: 25th In! D1 v conduct..:d s",:~rch and d\Jstroy oINr~.tions in TAl NIiJH Provinco t.o loc.'lt.J I.md destroy tlnv~ forcuo l.md 3upplius.

10. (e) ~FT OF o}-·,:.;llATIO,~.

:1. Ph~se I. 196th Int Bde corx!ucts s:;~rch ::mti d"stroy o~rn.tions . to dostrr..y VC b"1.s,,;s, supph __ s and intIJrdict VC LOG1s n::.::.r the T.~.Y NINH B,"'.s~

CIlIIIP.

b. Phnst-: II. 196th Inf Bela c;;ndl.1cts s.;;;:J.rch and dttstroy op.:rnti •• ns in vic of DAU TIEID to l()c:J.t() :md dtlstroy VC £orc.)s, sup lLs and b:'.su C.':lllPS.

c. Phn.su III. 19(:th Inf Sciu is un."1",r tho;: contrnl of thu 1st Int Div.

d. Phas~ IV. 25th In! Div (-), conducts r. Nzonno.iss;'ncv uf forc .. oporntion in nss1ell\ld l'.r~~ of opur."'.ti,m.

t 1. (C) mctJTIOr~:

~. Phase I (14 Sept.;mbcr - 28 Octobvr).

(1) 14 .. 21 Sljp1.t:tmbvr. B Co" 2d Bn, 1st In! o.·nduct-.:d nn nir­Ja)bilo ,".Sscu1t to o)st~b ... ish bbcking positi()n vic XT071534. A Co, 2d Bn, fst Int ,'\l'Id C (l), 2d l3n, 1st In! dr,:va 5.nt • .l tho block :lnd th~n hl:llpo.:d .-::.blieh a basc.t C1llJlP vic 1'1'073546. During tho n .. xt 6 d'lYs,t light ~ntl!Ct w~s JIL"\r:1.: With t.}w ve. On 2f Saptembvr, th~ b~tta.lLm clt.lso,;d TAY !nm b~.so c:unp.

(2) 18·~ 2S 5dpt.&m~r. Thl:l 4th Bn, 31st In! c'Jl'JiucttJd :'.n :dr­Ja)bilo :l.ssnult t,,: ust .... blish ~ r· ·rt":".rd bAS\.: vic XT19139J. On th~ nvxt d~.y thu b~ttcJ.ion :dr llss!\ultod in vic Xl'f 01468 h:~vinc Ught ~n':Jny c"nt cct. On 20-21 Sopt,~Ulbcr Ill, clJnt~.ct W'.s mn.du ',d th th., "l1I.!f;ty. On 22 Sopt .. :nbvr Uw b· ... tt:-.lion loc..1.tod 1.\ VC b.~Stl ~(;"\ Vic XT165490. Fr"m 22-25 ;3..:pr.vmb.Jr n ... · .lu"'th..,r cvnt~ct was modIJ with th..J ..,n.::J.\y. Thv Bn cll..sJd 'l'AY m:mi b·".sc cDJJP·,n 25 s.:,ptuJllb.Jr.

() 6 - 14 Oct· .. bvr. Th;.: J~th 13n, 31:Jt Illl' c"nduct",d s&D opurntiuns vic lT09S4. LictLt I;:lldCIY ccnt~ct ''',,\:3 :,i.1.d...: with nvg".tivtl Nsults. On 70ctob.>r, A Cv m'\dt:l contllct With) VC vic A'T07J51~7, Nsulting in 2 VC KIA (Be) ::'.nd 1 VC

10

/' KIA (poss). On 8 October, Cn D d\Jstr .'~'l.:d 250 lbs of ricu vic XT062543 Mod 4 bQvby traps vic XT069546. On 9 Octobdr, thi: b~tt~i':.n ~wd its b'\su Cf"Jli>

vic XT06654r;. On 10 October no cont~,ct \,1:".:3 rJ.ud. On 11 October, Co A .w Co B discovvI'\;ld:un dostroyud 0. tun.'1dl c mplr.lx vic rr055554. On 14 October, th ... Bn was 0xtr['.~ted to Ti.Y NINH bnstl cnmp.

(4) 15 - 2:3 OctAJoor. On 15 Octobdr, the 3d Bn, 21st Int waa m.rliftdd tv TRAl BI vic XT120686. All uni ta W":l"Et clvsed by' 1710 hours. On 16 Octob~r. Co A ccnduct~d an S&D op~r~t1~n ~~st of TRAI BI With ~8ntiV8 cunt~ct. C:.;ntinudd opd:!'~tions tij the eMt run w~st t')f TRiU BI rusulted in ndgntivu c;..ntnct. On 22 OctolNr, thij Bn conduct~d M S&D op..:ro.tion wlc.rd 'fAY NWi! bnse ct'mpvrivi:1g on 23. Oct.

(5) 18 - 28 Octob~r.

(0.) 18 Octeoor. Due to increased reports ot va caches in the area, an operation was directed toward the west side of the SAIGON River vic Jcr'4842. The 2d Bn, 1st In! cOJllll8nced air IOOvsment or troops and suppliea to DAU TU~.

(b) 19 October. The 2d Bn, . 1st Int completed their air IOOvGlOOnt to DAU TIEtG.

(c) 20 October. The 2d Bn, 1st In! conductEld an airmobUe assault vic rI'483438 with Co A and Co C, am vic XT455436 with Co B. Co B sat up a block while Co A and Co C drov~ a.;ainst it.

(d) 21 Od,ober. B Co, 2d Bn, 1st In! diSCOWNd 13 tons of rice~ 500 cans of milk, 1000 lbs of salt and 2500 lbs of pvanuts vic rrJ.h0420~

(e) 22 Octooor. C Co, 2d Bn, 1st In! diSCOWNd 3630lbs of c"m\;nt a..!'ld 20 1 "x12" planks vic Xl'4S1427.

(f) 23 October. B Co, 2d Bn, 1st Inf conductJd an S&eD oplration from vic XT483421 to vic x:r4S9400, Nsulting in 2 tons of rice, 15 lbs of sulfa drU&s and 150 lbs of ~psom. salts captUNd and 6 vc structures, 10 l~s TNT and 7200 lbs of fish destroyed.

(g) 24 Octobur. A Co, 2d Bn, 1st Inf and B Co, 2d Bn, 1st Inf conduct..;d an op.;;rntion vic XX4542, Nsu::.ting in 1 VC KIA (BC) and 3 vc structur..;s, 2 !'oxholds, 2 undurgJ'Ou.;.1d fortific~tions, 2 tunnels, 1.58 tons of ricd and 400 lbs of whoat d\;str<-y,.jo:A. In addition, 1! lbs of docum:tnts Md 400 lbs of VC clothing ":I1I"a capturod.

(h) 25 Octobur. Th~ 2d Bn, 1st lni' conductdd o~rntions vic X1'4542 "'i th n~3:,,·ti V;j cont::".ct.

(i) 26 OctobJr. 2d Bn, 1st Inf conducto:lCl operlltione in vic of >:r4B5414 with light co:rt.:.wt. R05ults W,,;!'V 2 VC KIA (poss).

11

(j) 27 October. 2d Bn, 1 st In! conducted operations frM I'j., vic XT4514Jl to vic XT747456, resulting in 1 VC KIA (BC), 0 VC KIA (poss) and a VGS apprehended.

(k) 28 Oct.ober. 2d Bn, 1 at In! conducted operations from vic: x:£h784'37 to vic: X1442448, resulting in J4 VCS apprehended and 200 punji s':JaJros dest.royed.

b. Phase II (29 October - 5 NoveTilber) (Diagram 16). On reports of a p:issibla VC hospital in the a!',a vic XT4.34a, attention was directed to that are Ci. .

(1) 29 October. 2d En, 1st Inf conducted an airI;;obile ~ operG.tion vic XT430488 resulting i.n 1 vee, 420 Lons of rice and 15 tons of salt c5pt.ured. In addition, 440 g,ls of t.ar, 450g::J.ls of gO-soline, 5 ox carts, 2 VC st.ructures· and 4 h3.nd grenades w..:re dOGtroyad.

(2) .30 October. On this d~, the 196th In! Bdc direct~d the 4th Bn, 31 st In! into ~!,dll Ilnd thtl Bel", CP displnced to DAU TIENG and was reinforced

. by G2 1:Il'ld G3 persorm;;l from division. 4th Bn" 31st In! conducted o.n ru.nnobile assC'.ult to vic tr45506 rt:lsulting in 4.5 tons of rico, 3 bicyc1<':1s and 1001bs of clot~ling captured. The 2d En, 1st Inf conducted an S&D op.:Jration vic xr4lt0490 r ,sult:i.ng in 1 VC KIA (BC), 4 VC KIA (poss) nnd 92.5 tons of rice, 1 CHICOH rifle, 91 hand gNn::t.dvs, 26 ri1'1l: granad..:s I'..lld 2 bic~rcl.,)s c3ptured.

(3) 31 Octo'oor. The 196th Inf Bde dirdct.:;ld 2d Bn, 1st Int to conduct an S&D oper:'l.tion vic Xl'455500 and thtl 4th Bn, 31st In! to conduct M

S&D oJ).Jrntion vic XT441498. At 0900, 2d 8n, 1st Inf Nc~ivod sniper fir~ and one claYJOOre at xr43S498 which ro13ult.ld in 2 woundud and 1 Idlloo. The bl'..ttalion continu~d on its mission l\nd discoViJrod 83.5 tons of rice, 9000 lbs of tobMOO, 1 · c:U:(Xm rifle, JOO "0" h:mdlu shov.;)15, 600 g.~~s of cooking oil, nnd 1500 lbs of 1:N.:'.!ls. M.;l~lhil.;l, 4th Bn, 31st In! st~rt~·d their operation h:-.ving no vtlVmY cont<1.ct until t600 hrs, W!1iJn C Co, 4th Bn, 31 at In! discovored 1a7.5 tons of riO:t vic )(7430503 •

. (4) 1 N::>vumbvr. Du~ to finding .:>.dditionru. foodstuffs, the COlIlllll.11cling Genwr.:ll, 25th In! Div phc~d the 1st Bn" 27th In! undtdr OPCON of t~ 196th Inf Bdu. Th~ 1st Bn, 27th In! w~s gi~~n tho mission ot s~curing thu 196th Int' Bdu Hq ~t Dil.U TI::mJ and conducting d:''f:~l(;l flights owr the rice c!\che ,':!.Nc.~ Th" 2d En, 1 at In! au cur~d th~ 1"iol;l cl'.chu a .:md conducwd ao.turll.tion p~trolling within 1000 m.;turs of rr441491, . tho b·~ttnlion b~se. C Co, 2d Bn, 1st In! ctl.pturod 55 tons of rice .'Uld 15 tons of b..('.ns vic lX4450. The 4th BIl, 31st Int corrluctud sntur:-.tion pntrolling vic XT441491 resulting in neg.:>..tive cont:l.ct.

(5) 2 N:>vumbt:r. A total of 8J~3 tons of rico h'l.d belln CAptured to d".te vic XT4450. The 2d Bn" 1st Inf r.nd. 4th 8n, 31st In! continued con­ducting saturo.tian patr;jlling whilu tha 1 st En, 27th In! c:.mduct~d aagle flights vic XT425458 and rI'425530. Tho 4th Bn, 31st Int discovared 6 bicye!.3s, assorted JDijdical sUPVl1.tlS ~d i lb of dcCiumtnts vic r1440496. In addition, they searched

12

I~ an ox t~a:l.1. ftO XT445505. On either sid", ot the trnl wQ%'e fomoles and trenche8~ Twonty-eight piles ot le.torite wero discovered from X7445493 to XT445S06.

(6) 3 November. The 196th Bie plAmed to se:ll"ch tor cache craM to the north. In order to do th1B. they had ,ba.ttaliCiD8; 2d Bn, 1st IntI 4th Bn, 31st IntI am lit. Bnt 27th Int (-).. (Oi3gr~ 1) The plan was to block with the .1st la" 2?t.h Int (-J trOLl Xl'423547 to r!450538, on the general lina of provincicl. route 19. (OiDgrnc1 2) The 2d Bn, let Int (-) would atta.ck: on i.nS BED from vic of the rice co.che are:l lcr4450 to the north_t 1000 metera, then guide on a. trail as it €pes to the northwest 1000 J:leters, then guide. cn a trail as it goea to the northao.st. i. coordinating point. Was established at X1'434S38. Co i •• 2d. Bn, 1st Int' was to att~ck oorth on . .xIS arm: which wae on the west. side ot LTL 19 frOJ:1 the SO o~""'West grid line to Xl'443538. A Q), 4th Bn, 31st Int would attack an :.XIS \'IHITE which WM on the east side of LTL 19. the 4th 80, 31st lnt (-) would att~ck on ;JCIS PURPIE northeast from the rice cache area wrt.il they reached a trnil Vic XT461507 and would then guide. on the trll11 until reo.ching a coordinating point at n'450,38. The opert'.tion kicked ott at 0900 hours when 2d Bn, Ist Int (-) and 4th Bn, 3Ist In1' (-) attacked along ;.XIS RED, BLUE, WHITE and PURPIE. :~t 0922, B Co .. 1st Bn, 27th Int landed at LZ 112 Vic XT46l,29. The LZ was cold. The company then moved north and at l207 discovered a VO fortified village at lcr4S15)8 which had. new CHIOOH tools (axes, hoes, and shovels). Meanwhile at 0950, 0 Co, 1st Bn, 27th In1' landed on LZ IfJ. vic XT4lO533. The LZ was cold. The company mOved north fer 1200 meters, through elephant grass to vic n'411S38. :.t. that t.ime the GOq)~ ClOCIIllarlI1ar aseut '0. po1Dt forward to discover the trail the comp~ hed to guide CD. tJpOIl moving 40 meters north int.o the l«JOd, the point cnma um .. IIJII8l.l azma SId l!Dt.omat.io weapons the. The comp~ in the elephant. grass alae came under fire f100m the tront. both sides and the . rear which cut otf any aecape . l"OUta. (See Diagram IfJ for disposiUan of the unit.) The compan;y had . COIDB upon a fortified position at the Reean Company at the 9th VO D1 vision. Upon com1ng under tire, the company- BUtfered c2.SUaltie s :l.Dmecliate~. B:r l2lD hours the 00IIIpCl17 had 6 KI:. nm. 6 lII;,. One of the cc..suc.lties was the commanding officer. J.t. ll20 hours, B Q), 2d an, 1st Inf' on :.XIS BLUE ran into an eiIerDT poSition on the 52 east-1feat grid line. The fight; lasted a ahort whUa and the VO withdrew. '!he 2d. Bn, 1st Int (-) continued on its mission. B,. l230 hours, CO 0, 1st an, 27th In! had 3D KL and 14 ill;.. ~~t tha.t. timB, i. Co, 1st Bn, 27th Int which WIl8 nt O:.U TIEIG was comnitted to reinforce C Co, lst Bn, 27th Int. At l248, the let litt. of £. Ch, 1st Bn. 27th Int :landed vic rI'4lOS)4.. .\t lJ06, ' the 2d l1.ft arrived lUll the ex>mpen:r wns ordered to attack west ~ C Co,. 1st Bn, ~h :rm.a t.o roll. up t.he VC flank. i.t 13~, 0 Co, 3d Bn, 21st Int wu moved to DAU mm- and 2d &1, lat In! (-) was alerted to reinforce 1st. en, 27th Int. At l42S the 1st 11ft ot 0 Co., 3d ]hI 21st In1' landed at LZ Ifl. At ~~ the2d. l..1tt. l.anded. C (h" 3d &1, 2l.et In! W88 then ordered to attack east d 0 Co, let &1, 21th Int. (Sea DiagraDl 114) i.t ~515 lfOurs i. Co, 18t Bn, 27th Int married 'lp with 0 Co, 1st &1, 27th Inf' vic rr4ll537 •. ;.t lS!n hours, 0 Co, 3d an, 21st Inf married up with lilt Bn, 27th tnt (-). I ... t l600 hours, 2d ]h, 1st lnt (-) W88

crdared to reinforce the lat Btl" 2?t.h Inf (-). l~t 1800 hours :2d Bn1 1st. Int (-) landed and a ~ter wa.efolUd vic n'4lO537.·. (See Diagram #5) EVacuation crt

13

the dead and wounded then began and lasted into tb! night. bra were 6 I r l1&ht va probes on the per1meter that night. Late that eveningLthe 196tb ]30 published orders tor 4 Nov. (See Diagram 116) h lstBn, 27th Int (-) 'MOuld attack northeast &U1d.ing on the same trail that 0 Co, lat Un, 27th Int 1IU supposed to pide on thI!t dq betore and set up a pcud.t.1on 'fio rl424544. B 00, 1st In, 27th Int VA to attack weISt along tTL 19 and. l.idc up with lst BIl, 27th Int (-). • 2d BIl, lst Int' (-) ... to attaok eat II1d esubl~ IIh a posUion at IT443S17. A Co, 2d Bn. let Int 1I'Ould attack _lit _ l1nk up with 24 !ft, 1st Int (.). !he 4th !a, 3lat Int' would at_. no~st to a bloct:l.nc poS1tion T.10 U43"1SS,. Dle purpose ot the operation vas to pl'8ftllt the 9th VC D:I.'9'1Uon t.rom Jlr)v.l.nc to the southeast and at the NIle t:lM to OCID8ol1date aU nbo1"dinate oomunda.

('1) 4 NOWIIlbel". At 0800, the 4~ Btl, ~t lnt departed their battal10n bu. '910 I!4.50S38 tor a bloald.Dg posit1DD at %1'439"3. !be7 enoount­ered 110 oppoe1t1on. BOo, 1st BIl, 2?th lnt (-) began mont'll _at to link up with 1st Bn, 27th Iut ( .. ). A Co 2d Bn., let Int also be,en their IIIOW .st to l.:lZIk up w.Lth 2cl Bn, 1st ,;rn.t. The lst Bn, 21th Int (.) did not belin their 110_ untU their nisht kite had been ,vacuated. 1'he 2d !In, 1st lht ( .. ) began b1r 110118 on the east at 1045. At 1140 bra, tba let &1, 271Ih Int (.) began lIlOTiac to till northeaat vJ.th A 00, 1st Bu, 27th Int lead:1ng, the Bn Oand GpJ o 00, 3d BIl, 21st Int. m:l a 00, 1st at, 27th lilt tollOldng 1n that order. Tha lead ~ was in a oolumn ot two with each co111111 20 mete" apart •. There va DO actnnoe guardJ bowe'V8r, the 1st sqd, 2d nt V88 leading ~n libe toraat1.on _ spread between the . two 001'111n8. 1he lead element lDD'I8d appraE­iJiatel¥ 200 lIletel'll northeaat .wben all ot A 00, ],at In, 27th Iat MIle under ...u -=a, autcmatio weapons, and machine gun tire vio %1'41"41. Co 0, 3d Btl; . 2lat Int vas' ordered to establish ~ position on the lett; tlank ot A Co, 1st Bn, 27th Int. In dol", this, two p1ts went to the lett flank a4 one plt went to the r1aht.f".l.aD1c. h 1st Bn, 2?th lnt (-) was st1ll ~r he8V7 tire frail both trent and t'lanka with sniper tire t;'ca the .rear even though tbe va positLon was liDear. . (~1I7) . b 00. l§t an, 27gt Int- ordered Co 0, lst Bn, 27thInt to .,.... two plts to the lett; flank of a 00. 3d BIl, 2l.8't Int aDd -one to the right. ot 400, let BIl, 27th Int. By this t:bae the misplaced plt ot 0 00, 3d Bn, ast Int' hacl retul"Ded to ita CCIIDpaIV position. 1he p1.t of 0 Co, lat Btl, 27th lnt which was.to t1a in with the right tlanlc ot A. Co, 1st Bn, 27th lnt vas not able to. 8Ccalpl:1Bh this because ot th8 hea:vy tire. The 00 ot A 00, lst Bo, 2?th Int !'r.It1oed this and ordered his right f'laak plt to curve back and l1nk up with the plt b'<IIl 0 00, ].at Bn, 2?th Int. nLagr_ #6) tis was 1mmadlatel;7 dene. On:Q' about 30 lllinutes had elap.Je4 since the. beginning ot the :fire f':l8ht. .All ~enta ot tile· ht Bn, 2?th Int were COIIIIId.tted. 1'he battal10n had no direct .do coatact.V1th the 196tb Bde. Hoinrfer, contact was estabUabed through a

1D who re1a.Jed the situation to the 196tb lnf' Me. At 1246 0 00,2:1 In, 2'1t.h IDt .. 8J.ert,ed £0-1" poss1ble IIIOftIIlent to l'8:ln.force the 1st Bo, 27th Int. 1be fX)r 24 Bn, 27th lilt requested that be CO into action' 111 th 00 A. and 00' C, wt th. ~ vu 6snied because ot the time WEnt. At l31S, tbe CO, 1st Bn, 2'hh :nt vaa am. to contact the ~3, 2d BIl, lst tnt and request his aasiatanoe. ~;:: :ad Bn, let Int1Daacl1ateq started going tQ the aid ot tbs lst Bn, 27th Int. 2h:I.s.was later approved by the COIIIIland1ng General, 196t.h Intantry Brigade. At 1320, the 00, lst Bn, 27th lot vas wunded hi JIIOrtal- trapente.

14

I~ The tire in the area. cont.1nuod to bo intenle. At 143S, B Co, W 1111, 27th Int waa locatM • %f~, and qOll hoac11n& aouthveet to attaempt to aid the battalion . Itt UI.O, C 00, as 1m, 27th tnt with th" 00, al _, 2?tb Int lanSld At lt408!\3S. ~y then mewed. to the Q.38t 1n 1ft attempt. to mU up the VO laft fl.mIIc. At 1451, the W Plat ot A. Co, lat Bn, 2?t.h Int wu &tteckdcS b7 III est.1mated. 100 VO,,* ·ctlIIIa at tho pl.'\tOOD 1n nlJm ot 1IId.ltIUft.... 'IN. ...... t1rat \ of thfte bont.al. uault. aao1Dlt .\ 00, 1M. 111, 21th Int. I. Co, lat.., . : 2'/t.h ~iiCt arti11GT ItrF ~ the at.t_. 11l • ..t~ .. t1rilW traa Di.U . 'rlltO at. 010 .. to mazia. rBnI" at. th!a. ti_. A_ l4IIO, o 00, a:l\Bl, 27th lnt .wit.h a Battalion CblmS¥1 Orau.p clapart.ocl t~ 411 LZ .­B'-'l'1D8. lbu7 lL\Ddad on a cold LZ. 'lbo CIOq)GftJ iIIIIled1atel7 mYOd to tb .• ... (See .Diagr:a H)- A~ l.5l' hoUl"8, t.ho 00, 1ft 1m, 27th Int am (I), as.., 27tJl InS QP'Oecl 't.!w.t 0 CO, 24 at, %1th Int lhoWl1 I.'Qll .up the wet tlaDk of the· ve. It. took the cotJp8l'l1' 2houra t.o rot\ch vic 11411".,. clue to tho'd.anae juD&l4. At 1$15 bGlu-e, a eeooncl rrontiJl. .. emit was launched qo.inat. A Co, l& ., a'lth Int _ e 00,. 3d 81, 2l* Int" At 1s.30 hours C Co, at an, J,at. Int hGc1 8IT1'hcl in th. vt01D1t.,. ~ m.l6539 aft .. h:l.v1na trnvo1ed. throU&b the M.,. 3unale. C 00, at ., lat . tnt came uru:tw hM91 tiN .fl"CIIIL an _...son ot tl» tart,1t1eat1cae lIb:lIb ,.... p1grtna dow the. la Btl, 2?tb lDt (-). 0 Co, 2d an, 1st Int vu -.t 300 .tva from A Co, lat Brl, ZIth Int at th1a time. The 00, 1& at, 21th Int' .• :. . arclered a Co, 2d &1, l.at. IDt to 1m tht lap butwen th. riaht tlank of I .. CO, W . lb_ 2?t.b Int am. the laft tlD.nk of , 00, at In. let Int. .., 160) bra, A Cb, at, lb, lot lD! had broken 0CII1t.aat. a:r.l waa then ordered to .r1D& to the' eo~ md. aovor the aauthaaat plrt,l011 of tho por1mate.r. (Sea. DiQll'tIIl 19) a 0,,, al ., lA . IDt then 1mAI JIklvC .. ths the CCClpOD7 va. oriemed to the eut.. IU.8o at lBD .. A Co, at JIl, 27th lilt landed tLt rllPl'l1. A 0" a1 8n. 2'1Ul lILt thon'IlD'V8Cl up' _ aniatod. l8t 1m. 27th lnt in securing 3 PZ ad &TOAlo.t1n& oaaalt1_. At. th1a 8t11D8·t1D:J a.'third tront.al. uS3Ult hit the poll1tiODB ot A 0" lA BID, 27th Iar IIIl C Co" 3d at, 2lA Int. At. 1700 houre, it 1rn8 determ1ned tha.t C (be 2cl lID, 27th 1"

lilt had com too t.tlZ' ·to the north 'aDd wa _~ behind the.' VCpo81tlOne lGiliii lilt &1. 27th Int (-). At 1715 hours. C (h, 2d. an, Z7th Int D.'lI:IO \1111 .. hel\y'v -.all. .... and :mt.ometic 'W4pU1KI tire. The 00, C 00, 2I:i Em, 27th Int waa 1DDcl:lat,~ IrIll«1. The rank:lns pl.o.toon letldw tCXIk ooama.rxl at 1745 haVe. C Co, !!4 Ib, 2'/t.h lnt aasCDlted the poaltloD in an m:.teapt to 0'VVComia the VC. 11l.,.'W" UDIIIl ____

atul. It 1ftUI dote1'lllined thnt the Ie Ete1t1ona CgD!iat,d 0' A 'mU 9' PRo.ale! l:auIkA- 1 nt;anpnneat.ed ~ tl"Qlloh!tLr e&ttni troa tho bUnker. Wr& claand JLr:w.a which a.n:r Jlb():1So aot~ra troll the. bun)cqra. Theee lanes bad 0Dl¥ the UIXlorbrush cl.ee:red frou thea nn.i en m:.t!1Clcor could not aea them unla_ he .. IItDn~ in ODe. At. th1a t.i.a.l t.be 00, al an, a?t.h Int threw c. IDOka 1"I\D4a, and a PAC ctiiliiirl""·~ C Cb, 21 BIl, 27th Int we Dpprox1mtoq lQ) .... tr.aa let Blf 27th. Int (-). At 1730 hours; reaupplJ Md .. cliv~c be8~ in 1st Eft, 21th Int ( ... ) tlI"83e J.~ l'l34·thc 00, a1 Bn" 27th Int took one equM and ~ to liDk up with the. 1st BIl, 27th Int. He croasfld 0. tire 1.."\00 rm wu killed. lJ.a6 b.1 tbia t1mB, the 1& Sgt., a platoon lander t'.ftd. a plQtoon Sgt. hod been k11W. 'h 0QI:Ip8Il7 tormed a t1&trt par1ater. C Ch" as 8n .. a'lth Inf W~ oompletelT iaolAted. hom the ~ ot ... wd.te on the b~ttla.ti.eld" /,t 1941 boun" C Co, at 81. In lnt 1mB ordRed b7 00, 1st fb, 2?t;1\ In1' to conduct. t\ n:1&ht ~teck .in _ stq>t t.o ":lch C Ch, at fb, 27th InC. C' Co, 2tl Ill; lst lnf 1lItended to .. t_ DDl'th sad then voat. t\) relieve C Co, 2d !lol, 27th Int. 'lb87 0t!IIIfl lmd .. ~YJ' aa

1I.noci1 toJ.y ~m wre unable to link up with' 0 Co, 2cl fb, 27th"Int. At about this " __ t.:1me the 4th Ib, 31st IntJ A Co 6 2d &1, 1st. Int' ani BOo. 1st. !h, 27th Int • bad earlier ~en ordered to ueist 1st an, 27th Int (-) tram the north wu ordered to withdraw and eatabl1sh a perimeter vic rl424S2S.· (See Diagmm HlD) • u night 'WOre on an:! crippled. 0 (h, a:l an, let Int returned, tm1 reli_ed A CO, al &1, 27th Int t4 re8pOna1bl.11t7 tor the 12 aa A 00, 2cl an, 27th tnt we sahedul.C to make a dq~t attcpt at reBauing her siater 00IIIp8nl'. 0 (1), as. DB. 21th Int vas ordered mt to t~e regardleaa ot how IIl&n,T times it 1f88 probed. '1bq were probed tour times dIu'1ng the night, took casualties but b1 tlWt tactic the VO w" mt able to d8term1ne exactly where the (bmpC17 wae located.

(8) S H:Jnmbc-. In the earl,)' hour., additional DUST OFF's 1f81'e _eded to eyaau,ate the wounded ot 0 00, 2cl &1, let Int am a s the 1st a1i'araft came in aDd IAd.tched on !d.e land1nc light a, the VO besan a mort8l" attack. The CD, J..t Ib, 2'1tb. ItJt cal.l.ed the a.1raratt an:! told the pUote' eitmr they had to 00II8 in bl.1nd and land bT 1'l.aehl.ichte or wait until dql:l.gbt... 1be pilots Of tm DUST OFF decid6d. to come in bl1ncl am evacuated the wounded at 0 (h, 2d an, lat" lAt bT lIXI1"rl1n8. AIJ dq l1sbt came,. the tire t18ht c:xrtinuect. At 0'145 bra, A 00, al an, 27tJl Int 1IIOftc1 out to the aut; 8II:l thm DOrth BD1 then weet to l'81.1e". 0 -<b, 2d an, 21tJl Int. (ae. diagram IIU) mer moving 30 .lll8tere, the comp~ came under heavy automatio weapona and machine gun fire am ilmediatel3' suet dmd 8 aaaualtiee. A Co, 2d. an, 27th Int laid dc:Ml a base ot tire ani ovem-an three bunk... aM a trench but the7 Could not brea.ch the VO lines. . 'lbe company again laid cbwn a base"or tire ani evacuated. their wounded. and dead. At 0830, A Ch, 2r1 &1, 1&; B ~, la Bn, 27th Int' and. A Co, 4th & .. 31st Int Who were in a posit1.on in the vic:l.n1.t7 ot rl424S46, attacked southwest in order to assist 1st; 1m, 27th Int (-) 8DCl c 0" 2d. Bn, 27th Int. The three companies came along elitterent axis and coordinated their movemttnts between ea.ch other. At 1000 hours, th6 Commanding General, 196th Int Ede placed these three companies under the con­trol ot the CO, let &1, 2?t.h Int. The companies were nav1gat.ed b1' sound and I!IIIIOke. B (h, 1st Bn, 27th Int W88 d1rected into the northeast corner d 1st ]h, 21th Inf perillleter. A Co, 2d. BIl, let Int and 0 (h, 4th Bn, 31st Int were directed into 0 Co, 2L!l In, 27th 1nt perimeter. Dr l200 hours B Co, 1st Bn, 21th Int reached the perimeter, h&v1ng received o~ one casualt1. Also b,y 1200 hours, A Co, 2d. lb, 1st In.t and C 00, 4th at, 31st In! reacb8d. C Co, 2d. En, 21th Int. Upon arrival; bowner, the f1gbtina belan again 1n the location ot C Cb, 2d lb, 27th tnt. h three c:oq»an1ea 1Nl". ordered to move north, wast and than south to rejoin the maiD loroa. (Diagr_ la.) Th1s, tha torce succesatull,y accomplished. iba axtracti,QIi of 0 Co, 2d Ib" 27th Int beam 1.IImed1atel3' and was completed at l600 hours. At 1610 hours, 'W lD, l8t.h Int!rom the lr-t Int Div landed and tm extraction of 1st: Btl, 21th lD1' Task Forae began. At 1630 b"ura. C Ch, 1st at .. 27th Int Withdrew. . B Oa~ let BIl, 27th Int withdrew. B (1), 1st !h, 27th Int sErt up a eecondar'1' block. B Ch, 2cI lb, 1st. lnt followed by C Oa, .3d &1. 21st Int and A Co, 1st Bn, 21th Int OODCluotecl a paa8aae ot llnee throup the block. At the same time art.il1er1 fire .. call.ed 1n to 1dth:ln 25 meters of the withdrmna elements. At 1.700 hours the mz.aet:l.on wae CIOIIP' eta.

o. Blue IU (S Nov - 10 Nov was uncler the control of the lst IntaDtrJ ~Y1ataa.

/7 d. Phaee IV (10 ro" - 26 to,,). For a ·datul account. 01 un:Lta l .Gt~,

aee the Bl'igade ard Battal10n reporta at Appen:lix 2-

(1) On 7 lbvember, following heav comaat bT eleJlllnte ot the 1st. tnt Div northeast of SOUl DA, this division was ordered to start. operaticDl 1n the . western part ot War Zone C. HQ, 2d Bde and the 2d Bn, 14th Int were orc1.-ed to JIO". to TAY NItti which they accomplished on 8 Nov 66. On 9 !bv, the Diy .Fwd Of along with HCU Di" Art)' d1splaOld to TAY NItH. The Div Fwd. aaeum.d operational control at 0930 10 !bv. The Di" msdon W88 to destroy elements ot t.bI 9th VO Div in liar Zone C. At this time, it was bellevael the 27lat Rest (VO) wu located in the \1oodl'l northeast 01 BAU 00 vio 1l'33'70. An order wae pa •• ed to tla 2d as. to oonduct SIrn operat1ons to' destzto7 the 2'11at Regt, with prioritT to objective H>NKEY vi6 lT3.11O. Operat1oDa 1rIDuld rmt 10 further north than the a> .ut. weat arid 11M. Guidance tram. OON1S HAW reqdred that. one B52 strike per clq be planned tor b.r each div.l.eion.· The operation beaen on 10 Nov. Th. al Bele OIl that dqmoved the let &1 (t-r), ~ Int' and the 2d an, l4th Int to BAU 00 (J:r2'768) to establish a fire support base. The let an, 8th ArtJ' then ~aoed to BAU 00. A dec:lsion was made to open the IDC from SOUl DA to BAU 00 111 order to S&ft GIl hel1copter support.

(2) CIl 11 ~v, the n FroRCEV. coDmander attached 2d en (M), 22d Int tram the 3d Bele, 4th Int' Div to the 2~h Div (-). The Div,.,as to use the bat- . talion neal" GO DAU HA in order to protect against. a threat trom the 001 WI -11>80 Woods complex (XT'3"). The 1st Bn .. 27th Inf was relee.sed tl'QIl the lat :tnt Div on II N:lv and arrived at BAU 00 on 11 Nov. A series ot operations ware condUcted by this base (see diagram ll&l2). The 2d En, 14th Inf conducted operations .from 11-13 Nov, east of BAU 00, sending patroJ.s as far as tle south edge ot H>NKEY. The lst &I, 27th Int conducted an airmobile assault on the l2t.h and established a base to search out an area hit bY' a B52 strike. (See diagraa 13 ror B52 strike areas). The 2d Bn, 27th Il'lf moved to BAU 00 on 12 !bv. Alao on the same dq elements ot the 196th In.! B:ie (LT)(SEP) ~lere released trcm 1st In! Oi v. The 1st 1h (M), 5th In! conducted a S&D operation north ot BAU 00 and established on 12 I'bv a base which Was later called Fire Support. Base III in the vicinity XTZl~. '!'he at En (M), 22d In! established three oomp~ bases nort.n at GO DAU HA and BAD DON With the mission ot conducting operat.iona aouth CIt the 001 WI Woods. On the morning ot 12 I'bv, the batta.l.ion was given ordS's to .. cure -the at 22 bypass in the vioinity ot cau KHOl Plantation in the vici.nit,. rr.aU5.· The Bn made this move on JJ ttv. On 14 I'bv, the battalion mission again changed~ this time becwse of a change ot mission tor the division. The.' divisionIs mission. oha.nt;_ed from a search ani destroy mission to reconnaissance in torce astride Route 114 to KATUM and be prepared to mV8 north and saize objec­tive. in the vicinity ot the C.am.60aiarl Border or to move southeast to· seize eo DUC. The 2d Jh (M)~ 22cl In.f' uas attached to the 2d Jrigade on 14 Nov. The Er:1gad.e therefore I\ad 2 mechanized battalions, 3 Warrt.r,y battalions and 2 artilleJ7 battalions. The 2d an, 1St Int took over the mission of guarding the Route IJ22. BJpus and the plantation. At that time the division was direated to const.ruct a Spea1al Forces camp in the vicin:l.t,. ot Fire Support Base III prior to the '. CO'lIplation of the operation. Though this milsion was later ... ec:lndecl, it cIi4 make the di v.laioa. keep the Fire Support. Base at BAU 00 open longer tblll'l !nteDdad.

17

Pire Sllppol't BaM 112 in the vicinity t1 X1'2'7086, was estubl1shed by tta lat an (X), ~ Int ancl the a:l &l (M), 22d In!' on 15 fbv. Two batteries at artill.er,r "... then IIIDved to the area. local operations we" oonducted in the Vic ln1t7 ~ both P1re ~part Bases tor several dqa. The base at BAU 00 was olosed on 17 . Rov 66 ancl t.he 2d an, 14th Int moved back to TAY ~lIlfI. On 18 tIDY, the let at (M), ~ Int drove north and prepared to reoon east or KATUM. The lat. &1 (M), ~h Int est ·..bl1wc1 & baH north of KATUM in the viclmt7 of rt96Z1. 'lbe battal.1on OOIlcmoted operations in the area until the 22d. The ht· &1, 27th Int moved tram PJ.re ~pport. Bue 11 to fire SUpport Bue #2 on the l8t.h. A l .. l8s ot combat u.aulta \1erS ·DOMucrtAcl from 20-23 Nov. '!he 2d. &, 14th Int con4uotecl one the 20th in the rtc1nl.t7 ot Zl'~3, where the 2d &l (M), 22cl In1' hac1 & marp tire t1&ht. the c1a;, betore. 'l'hq concluct.ecl ~her on tlw 21st to e.tablish & t-.porar;y tiN support base to support the Aero~lt Platoon, D Troop, 3cl St")cln, 4th Cav ltb10h uploltec1 a BS2 .trike next. to the border. The l.tt an, 27th tnt oonduct.ecl & oambat u.ault on ' 21 MDv and another on 23 Nov. The decision was made I1Dt to .oft the )at &l (M), Sth Int eoutheast to till DO TUC area. Rather', t.Iw 2d at 27th Int cond:\lctAcl an air usault int.o the area on the 2211. Cb t.bI 23cl, tbI 1st Brl (M), Sth lilt IDDvecl back to Fire Base IA and then .ecured fire Ba .. 10 in the vic1D1q of mm on 24 ' Nov with one comp8n7. 'Dle majority ot unite IIIDvecl back to bue o~ on 24 Nov anc:l the operation tenldnatecl on 25 Nov tor all ~ the 1st &1 (M), ~h Int which concluoted a reconnaissance to 'l'RAI B1 (XTll'1O). . . .

12. psutTSI

In... loeae ••

e.. PerllOllIWl.

ve KIA (Be) ve KIA (poss) vee ves Detainees

b. BqQ1paent.1

(1) Cept.urecl.

254 237

6 60 19

Plelcl Expedient. Rocket Launcher 60 ria Mort.ar 1'" GNMde t.. ... Shotgun. (JfI 00II SIG Thaapem SIO BAR (JfIOOM AasaWt. Rit.s (JfI00I( '1.62 RUle. CHI (X)M CarbiDe. Ml Ritll Russian Ritlt •

18

1 1 2 2 1 l. 2 , 2 2 , 2

19

1 l 1. l 1.

· 2 1 1.

t ,. la 2

5'. lOIt

4 ¥>1 -'too 1, ton. 2Slba

8:1)

15l tau UlO lba

i 1 1.

680 lIbeet. 2, " bottla. " b-a' a> 15 lb.

l5.O lb. 4lbe

lD,u.. lOa ,

.~ 8ala

~ 6

liX)O , S 1. 1. l. 2 2 2 2

(2) DeartzoQ8cS. ':1-~ lOSaa.m1e ,.

4Cm Rda , SA AIIIIo lO26 100 lb Bomba 2 ~ lb Bombe 2 2~ lb Bbmba 1 3X) lb 1bDb. 1 3) lb Bomb. , At HlDI. l2.. AP Mln .. 15 ~re Hl.n •• 1 b.". 'l'np. 43 Band Grmade. 91 - ZJ BiLut1l8 Caps 2 VO stncture. 228 ftm_la 92 ~. l; Ca,... 36 t.Iaderpoauncl Fort1t1ca.t1oDa lD2. Pun31 Pit. lU Pomol .. 169 TNDcbM 12 Weapaoa -apl ecemeuta 28 Baapaaa " 18 Ozcart • 16 ., .. Dock. 2 Rice m.4.toDa Wheat. ale) lb. hrt.1l1z .. 1050 lba P1ah '1955 lbe CImled Food 24' lba o..nt.~ 5 lb" bage S Cl.o~ 460 lba fNr 10 lbe 'far 4JI) gala Quol1ne SOO gala Salt. " lD tons " tobacco 9000 1bs Beane l. ton Pl_

~ MD- IIaDdle Shovels- 61 B1c1clea 2 lbtor t ClGtboal'd 3; Acid t7pe UDkDInm) 176 gala JUQ."aUl 1 ,...

100" lba wu. 350 tt.

" ~ Loesee (Alaae I, U, III, IV)

a. PersClUlBl.

b. Equi~

t ton MlSl lIrec1cer ~ Traat.or5'f Kll3 PO

13. iJ)IINCSTRJ.TlVE &TTERS.

196tb ade 53

399

4 1 1

a. Logistics. For a listing oL logistic pr6blsma encountered llee the J.fter Action Report ot the 2Sth Inf Div SUPQ)H (lapp 2).

b·. S1gnal.. '!he circuits eet3bl1shed to sUpport th» apIfttiaD are deacr1bed in the 12Sth Signal &1 Atter 1.ct.ion Report. (App 2).

lie. CIVIC MillON i.til FSYClIOlgiICAL OPER.:~TIOIIS.

a. CL'd. .. J.ct.1.on 4!4 nat become t:L part d Operation AT'l'IE1mO to a _aaunble degne. tb1a wna due to 11 lack of civiliD.ll populace in the ltD, part.1cular7 in War ~e C. I.n elBJDent ot the 196th me d1d conduct. au HEDC,\F at BEN RUlO (lT32/P), a VO d'om:I.nated hl'.mlet in the O:.U KHOI rubb .. plant3t:1.oll, traat1ng '2IJ7 patients. Thie btltt~n W~ st~ticcl.l.y dsploJed. '. the t)l'e.a. at this. h2m1et. for II prolonged period On a route aeeuri. ty m1asiClD., An· ~1dalt ocC'Ul"fld on 19 Nov when So 1st. Div tank struck am sarioulT injura:l an elda:r~ JI1DD. • subsequerrt.lT pas8ec.1 811187 and 1mS identified as the 3d roaldng bishop d the CIaO DAI Temple at 'lAY NUll. the en, 196Ul ale and hia 85 3Ccompanied by the TAY NIlil Provinc" Qd.ef JJIIDad1at~ paid tllair reapect.s to the rank:lDg ar.o D .. \I Bishop &.XpJ"e88ing their resz:ats. Solt\tium. was pa.14 aa::l ibe· b1lhop W3S most. impres&ecl by their 8Xpr:J8sion of cancers and. 811DPBthT. There was little PSJOP exploit possible: during the operet:1on due to. t:L laclc lilt HOI CJL'.lR, am t._ prisoners were taken. Lea.fle.ts an:! lOudspeaker tapes "... planned. and utilized by the 196th Ille md by the division PSlOP sectiOllm support. of the. 2d Bele. In' fUt.u:re Q}'l~ntions I each B1e III18t pla n d~ application of PSlOP aGtiv1ties sa ~ regular support. adjunct. to their tt:Lct.1col.. plmla. Div. PSJOP daveloped ond 10 c3ll7 reproduced an outline strip DUlP which ves diatrlbute4 with CHIEU Ht!t lB.af:lbts Imd It3C passes prior to operations in the K.\'l'Uk area (l'r3093) in IlD eUorl to reach any possible. returnees who might be located 1D \hia ana. ThG totcl. l~ta distributed L'n:l loudspa.."ker missions tlowo tollow with genQlE'al subject themes:

Mal - 2,697,000 lGtlfl et.a

14 loudspeakor missions

CHm1 HOI Fa.ar, Scare RQvard for' weapons or info ~penlcar m:1.ae:l.ona

GS 1£. pm Cb 7 ;000 435;000 105,,000

*8

*R1lI!lI ' Figura includes .3 dqa of nib Dosell mleaions.

b. 1352 st.ri.kea warl:i. &ilCploitad. b;r quantity l.eatlst drops b;y the 2I.6th (b. li:I Cl.'lIic 1.c=t.ion/PSYOf evalllation of populaUonand ott1tuclle was pouibl. becmIs- of the 8p8.1"8ell' populated. natura: ot th. general AD.

15. ca.&n4en ADal.Js1a. An 'after action crt tiq. b;y prsan;lo and attaabed infantry oo-and8n wu conducted on 29 NOV' 66 (A:pp 3' •.

. FOR R CClKMANDERI

) Inola .. 1£ 1l'!.&1_ 1 tbri 12 ""'1' 2 Ocabat Opns Atter Action

Repo:ta 3 Qa'W.lfIIe 8* epb AIILE&itO

DIS'mIBUTION. Speo1a1.

Hw..L~;.JI.~i:.A.S 25'iH AV'J.t..H<.iti 1Ok'l'TAL1~ (ll4F lIlV)

Ato 96225

AVOO;;.V!i-C

..lvw~(;,i: COJIIbat Operations After Action ~~tlf.ort (U)

TC: C~nding Gene~l 25th lnfant17 .lJiv~ion A'l"l't.: G) .l\I'O us ,'orces 96225

1. (U) !QIii~!'U'lY Of 0 ... .,.1:;.11(.,4\: Op..r~ tior. i.t'tl....boro.

15 LMcember 1966

2. (U) &T~ Ot 0fEiRl.TICNi Uth tlrough 2Sth NoWLbc.;r ~.

3. (U) LOOA'l'ICN: 'fay t;1nh hovinco.

4. ~.~). CONl'RPL Q\ Pc:ttJ.ND HMP'4YbiTERBI 2Sth Iarant~· Oiv1e1on.

5. OJ) .UFglTIl!i (!fICiBr L'l'C Bdv.rd F. 1lc.v1s, 'C~<uJd1q Officer, 2,tllltmt1on Iktt.1l1on.

a. CONTtWL HiiJl.I4JJU(l·d.~: Headquarters" 25th Aviation aattalion.

b. ASSIGht.D Can. OF.wiA'llQV.L CCUb.OL:

Co A, 25th Aviation &.ttalim

Co h, 25th Aviation tJattal10n

170th Aviation Co, J.fO 96316 (OtCW)

175th AviaUon Co, .t.FO 96357 (,,;CO\)

c. ClI'hh.!\ UhI1'S UhDclt 25TH d,VIATlOO tjAi·'i'J.UCt. CQ.'l1i.OL FU1. f'C,iKUa-.S vi ',i:Hb OtEr..ATI(jl~:

HeadqllLrters, 145th hnat10n Battalion (-), 1.10 96227.

56th 'lransportation Co ,(-), Ji.l-O 96'$)7.

7lat Aviation Co (-), J..}O 9622'7.

llbtb A\'1aUon Co (-), J.l'C 96225

llath Aviat.ion Co (-), l\iC 96227

~,

'~8th J.vi.~tion Co (-) I Ai:C 962£9

1b2nd ~vi' tion Co (-), A. C 962e9

141th i\vi:.tion Co (Ll::d), J.PO 96291

178th AvLtion Co (l.1t.d), APe 96289

7. . (i.i) st.. _ Cti.TI •. C F'-hC.:"': N/ A

8. (ti) p ..... ulG... ti,:' N/A

9 •. (C) t:J·~.r~9U; Thu 25th J.vi:.tioni:.rtt.-licn (+) prcvid",d ;.vi:.ticn 8uppcrt toe- t.he: 25th 141 ry Oiv1sion during ttl;; cxmduct of (;p:rc.tion J.ttl~boro to include c.ne.tion cor..b&t &.ateulta ... .:\(;;riP.l sup~ly, cOLL!.nd er.d control c.ircrt.ft, eericl. ft;connP.iasance.ll en.bd l':t:llcopt .. r surport., and t::.rtillc.ry rt.poaitioning.

:.. DurL'g tt.e reriod 11-<4 i.cvel..ber 1966 tLe 25tt. Av:i:ticn ... :.tt::!lior. est "llished c. fcl'Nt.rd ccm...:.nd post, vicinity Tr.y tdnh : est Airfield (Ai 1651). The '45th Avi:.tion Lrt.t.-:'.Uon Ee:ldqua.rters (-), 170th Avi,:~t1cn Co, t..nd 175th Avi.-Uon Co co-loc ..... ted their eleL.er.ts witt. ti1e 25th Avi~tion ~!lttalion fOJ'V'.rd COll.Co:"..Ild post. Other SUPl=ortlllg c.vi2.tion units co:..z:.uted frolO. hoo-a 5~.t.ion on deily or L.i.ssicn b:".sis, a.s required.

b. Tt.e over·:-U cor.trollint r.e.~dc:u.~rters for t'.vi:tion support during Oper.tion ;1ttleboro wc.s tr.e 25th hviaticn ::I:>ttclion. The '45th i\vi tion =~.ttnlion .,...s utilized cs ti.e controlling headqu.erters tor nll troop lilt t.issions.

~. 'Ihe 25th ;'vi~\1on ~c.tt:lion ,"r.d su~portiq: ::.vi:'.tion Wilts conduct­ed U.e !ollowin,; troop wove .... ents durir'6 th6 ~r1od 11-<4 !-.ove",ber 1,,66:

10 t~one

l:Jctr:.ctions lC

r.e;:ositiolUl 5

b. J.. tot:.l of sixteen J..rt1l1ery U~ttery "!.oSltj,oninf;s were cor.ductc.; bj :-.tt~.ched Ch-47 hehcorters.

c. :.. totrl of 5,65£ flying hours ",ere flo\o.'n by units wIder tile ccr.trd c1 t:.e 25th J. vi.:-.tion L.('.tt;"'.lion durir.r t •. 1:t period 11-24 1.oveL!ber 1966. A det<.iled :·.nalyds of Ulese totr.ls is included ':;'5 'IA..t,; A.

12. (C) lS!.?UL'l'S:

a. Lo fril:ndly a.viation personnl;l were .)\iDc:kId in p.ction.

b. J, to1-"l of 4 VC WEol"tl KBM (;:'C). j" total ot:3 VC V(;re KBlt.h (fw.'J).

13. (C) "i.t-.ll~l,!)'I~"':''llV~ 4·."T~u~:

a. Supply: Ad"qur.tl:.

L. ..c.iI1tt.lnUlCC; Adtaqu. ... t"'. Support.1ng ~viation UI11ta rot.c.t"d .:.ir­cr.ft. fl'OL. nou: stc.tion or nv.rby l'ixEld .r·~cUiti .. s to porton.. orgc.n1sntion.~.l '.nd dj.zo",ot support 1.6~1r;tem.nce.

c. '1'reatment of c&sualti"l!!1 and evacuation UI4 hoap1tal1s&t1aD:N/J..

d. 'lransportE.tion: N/".

lI. CiOLlllunic:ations: ;'dt.quatt..

f. l.t>dicnl i..vacuation: N/A.

lJ.. (U) SSW AQUIFtIiitll' II-NO lJ!;CHNIgUlSS: HIA

15. (C) COtJ\NDI:ll'S i.NiU.lSIS AND l\iCS»tiNIlkTI~:

a. G ... m. ral.

(1) lirtillery firi.r.[. durins tr,e conduct of a1m.obile o~ration5 ... r,,!:-.r .... ri;d troop carric..rs and t..Lurked p:.rsonnt:l.

(a.) 411scussion: Infantry tiattalion hrtilhry Liaison '_f'~' iCc.;rs aboard C~C aircraft w.:;rt:; not able to provid6 tiLe1y control of fires dUI'ing aimobile lifts. 1his difficulty is attributtod to elllplo~nt of ".I't.iU",ry units fre" sev",ral fiJ'b SUPt ort bas\;s :in support of e6v"ru 1,,~.J". ... uvt.r units. ·J.nE: i.rtilll.ry U10 :in thl: C.fIC aircraft contrnllbd only t.host; fi:'t;s in sup}:.ort of tr.~ b~ttalion conducting th" ai1"lllObllE. a.ssault,

(b) hE:COI~ndat.i,on: l.rtilhry Liaison tlffict.rs c.board C&C ~ircraft durinf th~ conduct of ai~obi1~ opErations wust ~ fro~ an ~cn~lon t.!~t is capable ()f ccntrolling all .. rtUl",ry fiI't;s wilier. hav.:. an int1u~nce on t.1. ... I;;xc.cutior. of the. ain;,ouilo opbrCltion.

(2) 'lwo :.vid.tioll tlattCllior. I-:\,;::.dquartt.rs art. nt..ith~r rt.quiro:.d nor df.:t>irablt; for an opo.o.tion of t .. \.. scop.. I;;r.coW''\\.",r~d in ~ration .~ttl .. boro.

ta) Ul.scu5sion: ih .. JJivision's orgmic c.viation OOtt<:.110n is c<..patlo,; 01" controllinr taet.icc:.l .md 10f:,ist.ical SUPl-0rt. for t;;.ctical op.::.r­a1,.ior.s of tho 1,~gnituQt. ",ncount ... l'6d in (,~, at ion f.ttl ... boro. ;\ugJi.l:lntc:.tion is N;t.;uil"\.d in I-OL disp:nsil'lb syst~l .. s e.nd pathfind .. rs. 'in .. add.ition of c.notnt.r aviation battalion nt-..::.dquartl;. rs s",rVt;S to incrt..ast.. tht. cl.ain of c~uniCiltior.s (·nd coordinction rtoquir<.d to t.x"cute; a ... iv(;n rUssion. ',l'hl. addition of a Sl::cor:u ht;~dc:uartl.r8 er",att:.8 :l structur" wilien b"coL. .. s wUII,t:.ildy wh~n te.c1.ic31 lift r~cuirl.mt,;nts c:.nd logistiee.l lil't rt.cuir~ .... llts ~~ int(:I1l1~sh~d utilizing tht. sur..", ... ru.tion ass ... te.

(b) Rticor.LElndt.t!on: The.t thlii Division's orsanio Aviation ':2-' Eattal10n be utllil~a to conduct ~nd control all &i~bilb act1V1t68 in sup-port of opltratione ~ploy1ng tactical forc\:Is ot th~ siZE> ",ncoun~hd in C~re.-tien Attleboro.

(3) Airfield opcrat1n,. ~rsonn(.l Ul!t tN eu~unt~d "",I;;n opcrc.t­ing forward airfiGld f&cil1t1~8.

(a.) Discussion: In addition to o~l·e.tin~: the forward airfiold, forward Nfu~lin.B, end fcirw&rci n.an.Ung nrt.u, the; p.viatit..n batta.l­ion w .e %'Oepcmalble for tht; noI'Llel opr:;r'ation of the 1;ivision Da:;(o A~rfit.ld c.t Cu Ohio ApproxiL.B.tdy 8tiVcntr pt.rcent 01 ttl<.; avia.tion b.;.tta.l1on airfield op!Jretiq ~raom:6l Wt;jN rElquir .. d for the 8ustaintod op",r£l.tion of \.11t. forwe~rd fL'.cilitiElIS a.t Te.l" lIiinb ~.relSt Airtiuld. Onl7 thirty ptlrc(.nt of the. pt..rsonn~l NtAill(>d et thf.l Bast} Airfiuld, thun.b3" drasitcally l'Elducing tho op..ratin£ cc.:-abillty of tht. drfi(;;ld.

(0) h,t;COlliL4(;;nd.?ti;n: 'l'h&t the; r",quir~L:."nt for th .. peraonnel and tlquip-a.:.nt to opt..r"c~t. the division fon;r:.rd c:.irfhld control to~r btl plc:.ct)d on GU~"V on a r....ission besis. The. 12Stll Air Trc.ffic Ciontrol C~peny ~.e thl;. e.ddttionc.1 J!lission of ope.ratiq fon~rd airfiblds on a u.ssion NqUbst \)<.Si8, A !lution :l.rriV\od at by tht. 1st Infantry Division is to use e. sup­port ba.t~llon for the op:;rt.t:on of thti faciliti"s in tho fOnfE'.rd aNC.

(4) Scperc.tt. l'EIfu~li,"1r. .: r~ll.S and ad .. quat ... Ior. ditJpbusing equip..Gnt for Cli-47 and UF-l drcl'cft EoN ;"ssvnticl to ufficicmtly ut:i.lizf.> f.U e.vcilebl..:. dt.ily opur~.ting bout'S of <,.ircraft lift "ssuts.

(r.) Discussion: CP.-47 i'.ircreft rt:fuuling NquiNS o.pproxi­utcl.y th1rt.y UnUt ·Ci7S pc;r t'.ircrdt utilizing th", stcmd.:.rd 1200 gr.llon POL diapen.iny . ·uek . rc:.tior. of onto 1200 gt.llon truck p...l· tw o~rding CI:-47'5 is l'(;c;.u.;...·:.;d to FA'Clude refuding d.:.lt.ys. IDl-l ~ircrai't ~fut.lj.ng t'.rt:oas r.nd dis:;x.nsing syatt;.ws wst be; cc~'\bl~ of rvtuuling c. l..inil...UL.!. of ttm troop ct.rl'i"r .... ircreft and two t.n..;t.cl h",licoptbrs <.t on", t:U...b. This is bust accm..plishtld throu::h the us(' o! 8i."lt~ 10& GPl. }:Ortabl(; disp.;:nsl.llg ;w;:pe.

' .. J h.:.cou...,ndt.tion: That stlrnre.te I't:;fu~ling <.r\<ClS bto (;ste.b:'ishod for CH-47 MQ t.:H-l drcre..ft c.n e.ll futuJ"6 opbrdions.

(5) Fathtindc.r rf:quirc;LI:.nts for tb .. control of siLiult?.nuOU8 activitiblS involving troop liits c.nd n,supply by ~.irr;.obilc:. light coc.~il.s Uld artUlery or !".tJl\VY ~quiJLi.nt displr.cl:.l&..t.nt by 0.:-47 drcre.ft t...'l:cl..lolds th" cq:r.bilitr of th", Division's orgUlic rdhfind .. r dEit.o.cb ...... nt..

(0:.) Discussion: Tht. p..rsonn<;l .. nd I.quipiiwnt of th" JJivis­ion'a organic )X\thfinctir detiecrLE.;nt will p;n..1t siJ..ulte.ncous op.;rnt::..on III thr ... ~ c.rae.s at one. tir..o. During OP'>ro:.t~on J..ttlc.boro, I'€.,tl !l.ndlOirs WI;.~ fr...c,ul"utly req!l1r.ed to operat.e simu1~neously · in dx areas: Three locc..tione lforiclllg m:-47 loe.ding or unlotding, onu UH-1D NSupply ~r ... t-, on~ troop p~ckup 2lOn~ uxl 011& stl>.ging e.ree. for rt; ·?ction forc\.:s.

(b) Reco~cnd~tion: Th~ Division's pr.tr~inder dot~c~ent bl3 l:.u~nt(.d 111th a dt.taci:liCnt of pcthfindvr8 froL th" Wlit providing CH-47 aupport.

(6) hvic.tion requirel..ents for t~~cticD.l o~re.tions and logist.ical ,.1 support L.lust be considered su.,u1u.neously.

(t.) Discussion: "-vic.tion "C'uirauants conltLnt.l.y exceeded :wic.tion assets for e. given da.y. It is a r.:4.l:.t tLln. the 1.II1it cOIOILoUlder be r.pprc1sed of aviet10n ass.ts and cou:sider tl:e "quir8L.ents for tacti~l opera.tions and logistical support silAultaneously. The cona:.ander Il.Ust consider the e!tect of N.cl. of these ereas upon tt,e other and how he c£.n best acOlL­plish the ~ss1on.

(b) hecomr..en&.tion: 'I'ho::.t the unit lo[;istical representative e.nd the aviD.tion aision officer be brought into the ts.ct1ce.l planning e.e early as possible. This w11l enable coruplete pl.arAS to be f'orwla.ted and presented to the cOJiIDIander for a decision only after a.ll aspects ot the oper­ation have been considered.

(7) Re-qu1rel..ects for UH-1D c~.Dd r.nd control r,1rcrc~ derl.ete the .E.v:l.e.t1on cirlift cll.lJI.b1llty. '

(a) Discussion: All requireUJnts for 0 & 0 aircrl'.1't IlIWiIt be taken fran available total lif't Ilssets. This reduces the ce.p.bUity of the aviation unit to perforw. its mission of troop Uft or aerial resupply. During Operation Attleboro, four UF-1D e.ircraft were utilized tor OW by the Bri&.de. Under this concept, and assuming a two brigade opere-tioD, the assets of one lUt cOilipany w111 be required t.o support O&C requil'8lA.ODts.

(b) r~eCOUolend."l.tion:

1. '11w.t the 00-23 capability of the brigade be used to provide O&c aircr&.tt for ground c~nders not enga.s-ed in airl&.ObUe opere.tions.

~ Ee.eh brigede be furnished one UI-:-1D tor OW to au~nt &ss1gned CH-2)s.

(8) fla.nn1n@ of aviation support l..ust consider the etfecte of l'.dverse weather and darkness.

(a) Discussion: It is desirat.le to Ca:.~·lfote &11 £'v:iat.ion opel"ations during cle.~"118ht hoUl's. ilight operatiarus nef.r the border o.nd over undefined terra.in a.re I".azardous. Adverse W8ether, i.e. ec;.rl~- Jlaoming tog nnd late afternoon thunderehowers l L.uet always be considered as p<lssi­bility. The effect of these liwit~tions on the mission &ust be considered by the cOlQi.allder.

(b) l~ecOlll:&end£.tion: That eJilphe.sis and consideration be plAced on the possibility cf e.dverse ... ·eathor and darkness when planning an operation. AlternLte courses of action should be established.

(9) 'l't.EI det.&ndtK,tion of overc.l.l evictioll requirel.ents to sUPJ::ort a liven or..eration 1.,uSt. consider t:,e rotation of units for l.ID.inter.ance down t1D.e.

(r.) Discussion: Ne1th6r the Division nor supportin@ e.vi.Q.tion companies possesses the ca:-abil1t~' to eli_place adeqWlte G. and OS dintenance support to to~rd locations to sustain the high nying hour cieuancls which were iwposed during Cperation Attleboro .•

(b) KeCOULenciation: Frovisions r~ust bet wacie t.o .tatllit.e aviation units on a waintenance fACility near the baae ot de;lo~ent for a oortion ot their a .. and sll ot t "eir OS l:lB.intenance or rave sufficient k.titucle in aviatim ass6ts &.vallnble wrsus <ieruands eo as to pen..it rotation of \Ullts, or portions thereof, to ho~ 3tation for Llaintenance.

b. Tactlcal Cpere.tions.

( 1 ) l'~l ditfh 11.1:'·18& were encoW'ltel'eci ciuring ain..obUe opere.tions. 'I'his 11 attrlbut l'd t ·o the tiXtenl!J1ve ~in.()hlle ex~ri.mce of tile units of the 2nd Ll'lp.de to inc J.ude the planning, coorclinE.tion M<i execution ot cOlilbat assault ••

(2) TiDae tactors for the e.1~oblle dey;.lo,..nt of artl11er,y units I14USt. con.lcier tr.e a1nuo~Ue 8lq:er1eliee ltlvel at these units.

(a) DiaOU8aion: The ability of an artlllery unit to Jll8et avera&e, expected airLobUe daplcywlnt t:1.L.se is directly proportional to the ail'llQbUe tra1D1nS and experience ot that unit. Attem.pta to move such units b)r aiILobU. I.£8IlI during ~ rapid pIlc. 01 cor.:.bat o}:erntlC1'l8 can have a ser10us iulp-.ct at the entire srouno tactical ::-lan if this fActor is not considered and appropriate allowances lM&d6.

(b) Rec~ndatiorl: TI .c-.t artillery units without pJ'Elvious ai!'filobUe experience be ewployed where t1rue factors are not critical, and where feasible, aea1atance be provided by personnel froL. exreriEJnced unite.

(3) Three CI!-47 aircraft art} nor.·ally adeque.te for the rapid displ.ace~.6nt ot a 105w... t .. rtilleu7 Lattery for one .... y distanc6S up to 30 KiloUitera. An increase in aircre.tt above t •. is nw..ber offers no inereasEl in &X):editing the I1ia place"o1S11t.

(a) Discuss!on: The dattird..nin~; fr.etor in ehort distance displacclAnt of artillery units is ti!6 speed with which a unit c':.n rig its E::(!uip!4oi1nt tor lI1Owr..ent. '1:: t:. alloce.tion of illt aircrJ.ft above tl.£.t level which tJ!(:; unit ce.&~ Landle, only results in inE>f'!icit:;nt US6 of aircraft.

(b) t.dcOIIIW~nde.tion: 'l' j"£t ~ct.reJ..Cj Cf.rEl be utl.ll.Zed in dotenrdning Nld scheduling aircraft for hea~.r lift r."qul.reLtents. 1:h6; (';H-47 liaeiOll officer is but able to assist e. unit in deten...ining the we.x.tr..w., nua:uber of aircraft which So unit can efficit:ntl~: ' ut~lize fer a rapid t..oVd.

c. Acrie.l Resupr.;ly'.

(1) An adequate resupply sta8in~ arEla, propurly orf,aniztJd and controUed, ie essential.

(0.) Discussicn: UE-1D ;,u::ri<.;l rE.sup~l~. 'W~s i.c:J .. r~l"<;d in1t­ir.lly by lacl< cf adequattr ",supply str.sing ~: rea. This wr.s 14 tl:or rC:l .. t:di.:.d end posit1V\. control and coordination p-tl'l. ittt:d efficient ~c,yc;Lbnt of su~ pliws to ti.,- units in tIlt.; field.

(b) h06conr .. l;ndQtion: .;rior to an Of't.l- tion, dtit~Ut:d planning L.USt b6 directed toward E#stl'.bl1si:ing thl. resu~.ply st.:.ging arur.s.

(2) Avje. tion supJ:ort of til" l,~gnitud(. NquiX'bd d\l.ring v~r(:.tlcn J.ttl£;boro is dt;rendent on ~arly anticir ..... ·tion cf t~1i. Ground unit's NquiJ'b­IilE.nts e.nd til.L:ly pp.s~ar.~ of infon.&t10n to sUJ:port1n~ p.vi.£ tion battalion. Liasion Officers fro", tt.e aVb.ticn bc.ttalion and C1-'-47 unit, locc~tt;d in the !:rigade forwerd CCJlJ..and JX)st wt:rt: found to ba indispens~bb.

(e.) Discussion: lipon Nceipt of tht;; CWoIUlf.tive daily sortie l'trqUtlsts, tho ijrig.::.de 5-3J Lrigadtl J...viation e;fficer and thE: J\v1at1on L1&1s10n Of!1c~rs ccnsldered th~ validit~· of the ~quest, est~bliahed pr10r-1tit:s and coraput~d the aircraft requiNl..lbnt:s for tl.e followir.e d~y.

(b) h&corur:.enc1ation: That ~ l~is1on oftic(;:I'S bb util1.zt.d on all future operetions or this li.agnituclb.

\

(3) Unit t:qui:fLJ.tmt and supply displ.£'.ce.u .. nt by r.in • .obilfl D.\O.ans u.ust Le controlled by a rt:p~stmtati V6 ot tht. highQst h\.adquart~rs bt.ing displacEod.

(a) Dibcuss1on: A sinSl .. rt;prE.s~r.tativ6 vust~d with the ::uthcrity to act in accordancE:! with ti~~ ground cou..anders desiNs a.nd sUJ:'port­tld with cdequetE:: cor.li.unications LiUst bE:: J"oNsLnt to dirt:ct pc:.t1'l1'indEor J)elrsonnel during the c1isplacE:n.ent 01' D. unit's t:Clui~nt ~l~d supplibs. in thE: tl.t: ~US\';llce of suell :;,. l'trpresElntl'.tive of ttlE:: g,round. cClIll..and£.:r, with an ad<l:Guattl coLll.uni­cet10ns ce.pe.b1lity, pe.tr..findtor p:;rsonnel UrE: ldt without preFer guickJ:.ca should a situ:. .tion arise which nccE:lssitt.t.;,s a. C!'CI.! ge;;: ir. priorit:r or SbqU(;lnC(..

ot evt;nts.

(b} RcCOI&.1ubndation: Th£.t a stdf repX'bs~t;tatiw or tbe hl..<:I.dquarttor5 being disple.ct.:d, with nt;cl:$ssary cOfUl;lunice.tions (lqui}Lt:.nt :rt.Lain at tht; dis pU.ct;wont sl.te to It.nd guidar.c~ to path!irldE;;r ptll'sonn6l c1uring tt,& conduct ot thE; dis plaCl.Io.fint.

(4) A c(.r.tral c.[>c,~cJ is nE;CE:Ssary to cst",blisr. f'\;supply rec;ul.r­~L.:;nts and priority of n.over..ent.

(a.) Discussion: '1"1.1;; Ln8~dE:. dt.;sigr • .:.t"d £.11 iI,dl.vl.duc1 w.i.CJ

rc..cciVEid c-.nd consolidatt:.d t:.c. logistical l'E.QuirE:Lcr.ts fer ell cf tl.t l..:.nt.u~r olnd flre SUFport <.:.lbl'ulmts. He coordinc:". t::d lcp.sticc:.l n.~ui~i..<,;nts in vi~w of of tacticc:l requirt;L~nts o.nd pric.riti<..s ..;ste.b~·l.sl t..d fc·r c.crisl Nsunly. £<'.ch batt.elion rur~hcr ('vc.luated £!nd \.s"l.ublis'.E:>d rr:oritit.s wit: in t;'!(:ir c:.ssi~t:;d block of sortifoS.

(b) J~E::cow .. t:ndction: Tr.:t ti.6 ljrigad6 d~sienE .tt; a ir.dl.vi­dual to function e.s a ct.nt(;r egelc: for consolid2.t~£ rt.sl:.l · :~ly N~uirt;,".E:;nts and establishin@ tl:~ priorit~· of ~ov(;u;nt of sup~1i(.s fer all units of U1t:

friee.df:l '1'E.sk Fcrce.

(5) hccureto forec;;.stin[. vi lO[ir;.ticr.l l'I:IC:Uirtli .. t.nts I..y sUPfortEid 3~ units 1s cSSEli"ltu.l.

(~) Discussion: i'or rcutin" o[.c.ratiolos, it is I.;s&EoI.tkl that daily lOfirotic&.l requirel~ellts fertlcest be accuratb and E.xprussed in teri..8 of 80rtibS. ln g"m~re,l, tt.~ fo1101o.1.n& sortiE; rt.quir\olL.ents wtre c,vuragt; for tl,is op!;lrat1on:

UH-1D SCh'.l'l.i.S

Bda Hq 4-5

In! !In 15-1 f;

l.(;ch Bn 22-26

Arty Btry l-Ione

Ur.-1D bOF:Lu .. 5

:t:de Hq

In! Bn

Lech 1:In

5-7

10-12

Arty t.try None

C.::;MZ Sedl ~

None

None

2 (FOL) (20 1:IarNls Fer sClrt1e) .

5 (4 1u.»..o, 1 w&ter trc:.ill:.r)

Ci =47 S(,l.'l.iJ:.S

None

None

(~~pty rOL barrtls)

Chi-;GC ;:.U.TLS }..,() liniliD '1'0 fu" GSl'.1 lOt; Ul;l'L$

CH=47 SOt'! L..S

Ede Hq

Inf bn

Arty Dn

8

13-19

(b) f'(;cof..L.t.ndation: Ti..:..t ste.lIdl\r1zed initial supply Bortiu bf: ut&blish(;d for units resE.d on unit tactical el_plo)'J4(lnt. 'l'lw.t Unit $-4' IS cste.cl1sh t:"pic&l dAily &tirid J'(.sup;ly requirEU-bnts for ea.ch i:ldividual unit to eliluinc.tt: tnt.: accw..ul;; tion of surplitos in tho fow.rd location.

(6) A ddly n.eeting of eviation and 10f1~ tical n.prtsbntie.tiVl:.is to l'(;vibw all n:quirtlll.Gllts is tossl:lntial.

I.

,""

(a) IJis cussion: Thrcuehout th ... opt:r.::.tion, tht.: daily r..dc.ting (2100 hI'S) of tl.t. aVil'tion end logistical nopl'>so:r.tt'.t.iVI.l8 was .. .oat b"ncficicl.. This r..Gt.tiny pblnJ.tttod r. discussion of tht.. day'a utivitil,;s, o:ve.luation and ~stnblistJ.of.nt of toh .. coLlinS day's "t;J~Ii .. n\., and thf.l M>solution of any problolM or difficulti .. s wl.icL l..a.y h.-.vl:. arisoan during the cUl'Itlnt day' e or",rntione.

(b) RecOJU,.lilnck.tion: Tt~t thl.S r..iutin8 be Io.ade D. Ultter of ~gul~r prectice.

(7) It is de.airabb thet L.ovin~ units fllltablish £, r.igt,t b<>.se ce.rly "nough to rEoct.ivc n.sup(ly during dr.ylight hours. '!'r.c. art:£. chos~n should be la.rg& 4Inough tor l'.Iultir.ircrcl't NsuI;;j:).y.

(a) Discussion: en sev~r~l occasions units rBil~d to ~st&tlish a night base 1n suff1ei~nt t~ to rec6i~ resu:rly during day­light. Adverse 1o/t;;,·.thf.;1 cOIJbin~d with darimf.lSS could he.ve pl'tlvt;nttld the unit's receiving cr1tic&l supplius on s~Vbral occasions.

(b) h,(jcOLL.endAtion: Thit L.Ovl.n[. units ntteqrt. to ~ateblish a reSUPF).y beS& in suificl.ent t~ to ~C01v& rbSUFf4y during d::::'light hours. That this be.Sf.l b6 ca~bl41 at e.ccoLIdAting f1vl.; drcreft siJ.lultaneoua1;r whellevur th" tact-ice1 situe.ti<::n and tEorrain perwits.

(8) Aerial J'ElsupJjly of ertillt;ry au..unit1on ct.n bl> g~c.tly expedit6d by pn.~ck(;d loads.

(a) Discussion: The ~cking of £.rt.illery 8.':oII:ounition for ~t::rii'.l del.iVf.ry is quitt; t.it.t. consur..ing. Th", pNre,cking of loads during pt;riod of very lig:.t requiNlo.Onts will p~cludtl lUl int",rruption in flow during pElriods of h~vy ~qui~'Elnts.

(b) hSCQDII..t:ndation: The.t a.rt1llel'7 8J:IWft1tion be pre­pocked and riM'>d for £.ircra!t sling loads to Ldlut nonual resupply C'.Jld e"6rg&ncy !'(:supply l'6<;uil'ti6."ents.

lIncl as

l)L~:rnGhADED AT .3 YEAi\ n~'l'I!;t.VALS; o...GLASSlFL!.D AF"r~. 12 1EAi;S

OOD DIh 5200.10

C:../~.t ,./~ .. ~. ",0' ;t.l~D P. DI. V1S L'IC, J..mor COtJl.anding

It

TAB A, SUtt".e.ry of Aircraft Flying f.ours, Cperl'.tion Attl",boro

1. The following is 0. suu..ary 01' tht! <'.ircre.rt flying hours for units in din.ct supro:rt of thtl 25th Inf~ntr~' Division during "F.:ration Attleboro f row 11-24 f;oVflLber 1966.

Q!:.ll

11th Combet hviation &~ttalion

145th C~t Aviation fattal~on

22nd Caabat Support Avaition Bn.

170th J..v;'£tion COL.pe.ny

175th Aviation Comp&ny

A Co, 25th J..vietion Battalion

B Co, 25th Aviaticn Battalion

TOT:.1 HYTI G EOUt.5

',100

1,334

407

921

1,C20

724

329

5,658

fm~PARnBNT OF TI£ J.8.,tJ !:'E',/AiUhh'Th;'tl£ ~ 25TH IHFaNTRY DlV.lBlOI .AICttLl6R!

AP~ San Frano1aoo 9622;

AVDOIlL...op '. 12 DeGeillbel' 19~

suaaar, Ccmbe.t Ops",Uona It.tter ~on Report (B/;S/J3/32)

'1'01 [!cmaancJ1D8 o.iesot.l . 25th Int~~tl7'~ Dbi.Rca Am, AVDCMIID 1PO 9622','

1. Mi&' Operation Attleboro.

2. 1lI.1I or QPE[u..poti. 1 HOT tbru 25 No,! 660 . .

3. lQCttm«, Westem B1nh Duena Province aDd Bartham _ .. :bill hoT1Doe. .. '. '.'.

4. AtJIll, ilit.piub4'1)lfS, ~tb Intl!nt~ D1Y18s.ari.

,. ' 'RQ'TlIP Qt1"ttM, Colca.el Dan1.al. B'mp11-6. T@ OBCi.WUAPW J..HD OOMMJ!Rf

J..t '~~J 8th Kruuar,. (LTC J~ H C.D"";~'~);'

Btl"J'1t. (1-3 HOY, 12 H0Y-2' HOY)

BtI"7B

Btl"7 C

.. ,~'.' . Bb7'A, aI· .Ie, 13tb' Art.;r (9-23·IfCW).

Bt~ A :(i):~:,·~;~i 71th Art~(~) ~ov} . :si~:~~~' :~ .. 8ft,' JJtia'~:r (S N~ r ..

. . .. 3d Battalicm, 13th Artf'.J.l.er7 (~ Bill1' B HichoJ.&., CIIds)

BtJ7 A (-) (9 NoT...:25 HOY)

Btr:r B (-) ("'-l7 B":, ~25 RoY)

Plat Bt.l7 D (9 B0Y-2S Nov) "

1. 1UPftIil'8 _.

atri 0, 211 'Bn~ 32d ~nn Ga, &dDt let »:LT A.- and 2Sth Di,. Art7.

3'

Strl:1.togie Ail1.a~d proVided extensive B.:."52 etrikes,.

~ .' 7th Ai·r: J' oree Provi~~d, di~eet air support.

25th AViation Battalion provided Us..lD aircraft.

lS4th Aviation c~y""~o~ad 01 ai~cratt~ 14 7th A nation COIIIpIIJ1;y provided CH-47 aircraft.

178th Aviat:l.on CompanY" provided CH-47 aircraft. . .' . .

s. nm.u..1~CE.· Reports indicated that ~nt~ct: Md·'been Dade with elements ot the 9th VC Division during the week of 1 November. The 196th Light Infantry Brigade'made conta ct with the lOlst NVA Regiment and the 273d VC Regl.mant ot :t;h§. ~ VC Division. .In .the areas ot.Nul Ba Den the lst & 2d Battali~q·,·' ~9.t.I:1' Regiment were ~co~teredo . A~Elr 9 November there 16S no majol·.·'c~mtat;i·With either VC or.~VAo' The ~.~ .o~ opel'ation was a VC stronghold w:tl:.h many" eacheso T)le total· "tor.iPl~.Ptured··or deat~ WIls the largest ot the wal". .. , . ' .

. . 9. loJlS§lOlH For the 25th Infantry Division Artiller;y. Operation

A'l"t~OO isdiv1ded for eanvenieztce into three phases with elements of the COIIIII8nd executlng- ~s:igned m:l.~~i~ as· no~ed below. . .

Phaae 1(1-4 Nov J Rein.f'orce :tlres ·or 196th Light Infantry Brigade.;·· ,.. . . " .. .. ...

Phase 2 (S-ll.·Nov) Reintorce 1st Infantry Divis:l.on Artillery •

. P.h~~; j (J.2..~5Nov) Provide direct and general 8UPPO~ for the CCIIIId.tted organic.and atU-.abed lIIUleuver elementsot the 25th Inf"ntry· Division. . . ~. i. . .~. .

10. EJ.1;CUTtON:

. a. 1 Novembers; Ba..tter;y A, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery became the first eJ.~nt. qt. the camuand to become engaged in Operation ATTI.EBOlIO. Initia1l7 an alert was received to JOOve one lOSIllll howitzer. battery to Tay" Ninh at 1045 hrso At J.J.J.4 bra tho requirement was changed to move the battel'7 to· Dau Tieng by' air movement •.. The J!IOvoment to Dau Tieng -.15 ini­t.iated at l.4OO hr.s and the battery .~J.osed VicinitY" XT 492 473 at 2200 hre banng utillzed 1.7 0!1-47 B~rtie!iC' The batter;y was assigned the mI. •• ion ot reinforcing the 3d &:!:.t.a~on, 82d Ar"t,llle?

bo 2 November: Battery A, 1st Batt.aUon, 8th AzotUlel'7 cont1n­ued ita miesion of reinforcing the 3d Battalion, 82d Artllle17 at Dau Tieng. In order to prov.lde medium s.rtulel'7 tire, Battery C (-), 3d BIIttal..ion,'·llth Art.1ller;y dbPlaoed .tJ'CID viGin1tY" Go. Dau Ha to do1n1t7 .T~ .Mlt (XT 398394) closing at l.l.3O h1Y and •• a.dgned the lliasian of GS. l'81nf'orce 3d Bat.talion, 82d Artiller,.

. • I

o. t.' Wo...oorr The bulld up ot art.Ula1"T a~port ccatinued •• • Platoon ot Batter.l B. 3clBattal1on,. ~3th Ar't1llM7 (attached to 3d

Battall.on, 8201 . Al-tU".Ory) l-'8.S IIioved to vicinit.y Sou."\. Da (XT 349579). Battelj 'A:': lat. B,e.tta.: .~_on, 9t.h Artillery and D[1.~jtory C (-), 3d Battalion, 13th Art:tllary' renail'F."ld :in place and continued their miss:J.ons. En~ a~Uvity indie~:"ed s,loatant1al eneqr strength and resultod in three friendly ca.eualt.io8 (1 Kll and 2 WIA) in the let Bat.t.allon, 8th Artillery. . " - ~ . ;.

' ... : d.;, 4- Nov.werf BatteryAj let Battalion, 8th Artillery \laS at-~".Aehed t~: the ' 3d B3.ttalion, 82d Artillery e/feethe 0001 hours., The batt~ fiNd in 8UPi'lOrt of both the 1st and ~d Battalions, 27th Intantl"1. The :!oat . Battaliori, 27t.h Infantl'7 became heavilY' engaged at l.2OO hours and wal!rl?~ecl dOwn by heavy autOlllCltia weapons tire. The en~ attacked COmpany''A~ 1st Battalion 27th Intantrr using human wave aseaultB~ but was rap1.l1sed with the aid ot tires trcm Batte.r,y A. The eneJV att.ecked a~1n 81; lIOO -hours and was 'again repulsed ~th the aid ot Battery AlII fireSD :On 5.~. November eurveUlance"9f the .~~~ hi. an ~antrr element crediteii¥tery A for 25 VC·JW. lbcdt qo~'t.J:e.;ld ~~O . .YC KIA (possible). The poa1tloning of artiller,v to 8UppOrl;:'f,M~ o~~at:i,..on ~nUnued with a Platoariot Batter,v B, 3d Battalion, 13th'ArtU.lElry- (Attached to 3d Battali~, 82d ',rtmary) moviftg to Soui D& txt 349579) joinL"lg the pla­toon alread,y there. Li adc11tion, Battery A, 2d Battallon, 13th ArtiUaJ"7 displaced trom au Chi Base Camp to Tar Ninb Base Camp clolil1Dc at 21.30 hours "a..'ld lIF.S attached '1:.0 the 3d Battalion, 82d Artillol'7. Batte17 C (-), 3d Batt.al:1on, ~3th Art.W.er;y displaced trcm vic1nitr Truong lfit to vici­nity c-() nau Ha (XT U4239) where it remained tor the rest ot the oparation in support of eonvo,.s traversing Hf= 11 and '22 eontr1buting indirect.-ly to 't.ha sucoese ot Operation h'rl" •

eo 5 Novomberl Batte17 A, 1st. BattallCl1, 8th ArtiJ.l.o17 re­mained at Dau Tieng and alcns with other elements ot the 196th Light Intantr,v Brigade were placed under the operl'tional. control ot the 1st IntMtr;y DivisJ.ono A MIIIlIIInd group fl'OlD tha 1st Battalion, 8th Art1lle17 Jlk)ved tl'Olll 0"01 Ch:t to vicinity 80lli DB (rr 349579) by CH..47 closing at 0855 hours and aosUC3Ied control ot Batta17 B, 3d Battalion, 13th ArtUle17. Battel"7 A, 2d Ea"i:.taJ.:ion, 13th ArtUle17 cl1splacod trom '1'&7 Ninh to Sou1 Da and les attached to ·the 1st Battalion, 8th Artille17 clo81ng at 1000 bonreo The PJ..a.toon,· of Ba-::'tery D, 3d Battalion, 13th ArtU1e17 ldlich was attached to the Zd Be-~talion, 32d I.rt.illery and positioned at Ta7 N1Dh with conO'n-rortce ot II Field Force Vietnam Artille17 was directed to JIk)"Ve to Sou1 Da and t.o be('ome att.a('ned to Batte17 B, 3d BattaUonj 13th Artillel'7. !laintflnanoe di.!'f.icultiee precludod 1 howitzer from IIIO-ring, hawner, the pla-i:.oo:l less the 1 hOldtzer diaplaoed to Sou1 Da cloaiDa at 1&5 hours and _s attached as Btated o The selXlld howitzer wae re­paired with a pe.:-I> a:'..rli!·~ed from Cu eh.'t too TaY'IIinh the nisbt of ~ NoV8lllber and. dtnpls.::e'! to Sou! D3 ~J.os1ng at 061.'T.L5 ho'.U's. At 21.00 heure tbe OOiIIII8ncl g!'C1'tp rellnquiAbed ccatrol ot the tlllO batteries *lab l!'8!'e tbe.u placed und.or control. of the . let Infantry Division.

t.. 6 BcmIIlberr At 000l alellllilDte pre'T.l.auel7 under the control ot the 0CIIIIIian4._~, let Battalion, 8th Art.Ulery were attaGhed to the let Intantr.r~'fia1OD. The N!III!!.nd group returned to Tat N1Db ol.oema at l23S hours. . A~' ·th1a point all element. o~ the 00. ad that were aupport­iq Operat1aDl ' mUi~t()!I) W8I"8 either .~~tachecl to or under the operaticaal aantl'Ol ot the 1st IntantI'7 Diw.mon •

.IS'

g. 7 NovomberzTheCQDt.rol group f:t'O~ the 1st Battallon,Sth ArtUlery-dis~ce4 from T8.1 Ninhto Cu, C.h:l by groWld convoy closing at 1828 hourso

"ih, 9 Novembert-', At 1260' hQurs.: 'iilfo'J:II1I!I.tion was received : that the taatioal. CP of the' 2d Br1~a:d~125tn 'Wantry Divieionwould move ' to Tay Ninh immediately. 1st BattaliontSth Art1+le.l'Y, (-) milS attached to the 2d Brigade Task Force as o~ ~ hours ':and ¥IS ,to move with the brigade. At 15,15 hours tne 1st BattalJ.(;n. Stu. Jtrtlll~rt departed Cu Ohi for Tay Ninh ol.oaing at 1835 h9'Ur~~' At 'about. 1800 hOl1rst-haDivision Art,Ulery wall alerted to movo 'a. forward colJIC!Brnd post to Tay Ninb 'and the 3<1 Bat-talion, 13th Arti~le17 (-) to Soui Os cn ,9 November. , '

, i, 9 Novombets The 25th Inrantr;r Division A~~ery tone.rd, CP displaced f~m ,Cu Chi to '1'ay Ninh Base CaDlP and estab1bhed 'a ' torward tactical CP Vicinity XT 165520 closing at 1200 h(")urso ' The 3d Battalion, 13th ArtiUory ('-) dbplaaed hom au Chi to SOl.!:I. Da (XT 343577) c1oe1ng at l4OO' hours and assumed control of its organic \mite alreEl,dy there~ " At that time the 3d Battalion, 13t.h Artillery {-} was comprised ot ale- ' mente of Headquarters,:. Headquarters it Service Battery, Sattery A' (-), , Battery B (~) and a Platoon of Battery D. The battalion WBS placecl under the operational cQr:ttroJ. of the 1st, Infant1'7 Division, Battery A, 2d Battali_on; 13th Artille1'7 was released trail control, ot , the 1st, Infantry DiVision , and disp.la.ced to Tay Ninh Base Camp ~osing st 1630 houn where it was, attached to ,the 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery and pr~pared tor air movement 0 ' " • ,

jo ,10 Novembe,r: At 0600 hours the 3d Battal1ca, 13th Artillery reverte~ to, control, ot the 25th Infant1'7 DiVision and we,e aSII1gned the missiop. of Gs; re~foroo 1st Battalion,. 8th J..rt.illeJ7e A battalion com.­mand group ~d ,Batterr a, 1st Battaliont .~h ArUllorY moved by air to ' vicinity BauTam (rr 276685) using 29 Cll.-47 sorties closing at 1810 hourse ,Satten' ,A, 3d Ba·~talion, S2d Artillery was re1eesed fFOJIl control ot the lat· DiVision and retUrned toTay Ninh Base Camp closing at 1840 hours. ,

. . -0

, ' , k. 11 NOVembEirt Battery A; ,2d Battalion, 13th Artill~ry and Battery D, 1st Battallo;)fI:~, Bth ArtillerY displ.aced f~ Tay Ninh, to vici­nity Bau Tam (~ 27668')u't.illzing 41 CH-47 sortiesoTho tortrord CP at the 3rt BattaJ.1on, 82d (~rtjj.lery returned to Tay Ninh oompleting the aetive 'participat".on of th?:l:, batto.lion in Operation J..'l'TLEa:lHO. The en~ a';:,tacked the Tay, rH.nh Base Camp with rifl.e grenades at 2110 hours. As a reSult of the rellc%ion to this attack, Headqu<u"~,ers and Headquarters Battery" 25th In:f.'e.n"l:i:I7".f Di'75.don 1.rtil1e~' .suatabedl KIA when a detectiv~ US Air Force !l.a:ra ,et:-uck a~~ enlis~c.ed man from the aVia.~ion section -on the head. '

1. 12 Ncvcmber: ' Battery: A, 1st Battalion, Sth ArtUler,r. weB released :f'ro~ ,attachemant to the :i.~t Inf?ntry DivieiOl,l and ,moveQ bT air to vicinity.Trai B1 (XT 119692) utUiz:L."1g 11 CH..47, sorties. ,'One sor.Uo , reeulted in ahowitZfl~ be.ins d;rorped soma 5. ld.lometers froDlitsd.est1i1ati~. That howitzer wa~ later loCat~d ,through the aea,.rch eff9rte ·~t CI~ ,t~~

lie 13;.Novambera Bat.telT A (-), 3d Battalion, 13th J.rt1ller, d"tll~~ tram, Sou1 Da to vi01nit7 !)au '1'_ (XT 278680) closing at lJO.5 ho~s..and. .is assigned a lId.H1oa ot OSJ ra1ntorce ~.t Battalloo, 8th Arl1ll~~~ ,

, : ,.' ~n. ,: 14 'NOvember: The OCIIIIIIUld poet ot the 11!Ji; Battal1on~: ftli' A~~r,y W.8 eplit into two control. gI'O\;)l. Bat.ter,r Alo BattW7 C 8114 ' Battalion CentI'Ol. Group number ale, 1st Batta11011jl a-~h ArtUle17 ware movad bT air to vioinit,. IT 273785 1Ud.nI .34 C47 eor'::.! •••

~.~::~ >: 0 o. 15 Novembel"~ Battery A, 2d Battalion, ' 13th AI'tUl81"7 and Batter,r. 'If lit Ba~on, 8th Art1ller,r under om trol ot a battaliOQ ,«;Ol1.tr,ol group were airll.fted trom Bau Tam to a poaitial Yic:ln1t,. n 268& utUillblg '35 CH..47 sorties. A preparation .. to in,,-l1xie ..,k:I.D& the eastem.alcpee ot Nui Ba. Den whlle the 2d Battallon, 22d In!antr,y (Meohan-­~secl) moved past Nui Ba Den, _8 t11'ed under Division ArtiUeI7 00$1'Ol.. A PlAtoon ot Battell7 0, 2d Battalion, 32d Artillery ~splaced ,hom au Old. to Sou! Da .101n:l1'lg the Batter,y (-) that had been prnioualT positiClled there.

p. 16 NOVember: All arti1ler,y units reDBined in position. In add1tion to its nolS! direct support mi.oe1on .. Battery B, 1st Battalion, 8th Art1ll.el'3' supported a long range reaonnaiseance patrol action n~ grid XT 2795. The patZ'Ol adjuste4 tire B8!linst Viet Cang in the opm and c~tecl the artlll.er;y '.with 10 VC KIA (botf,y ooun~). With tbeaid of tires ' from BattE!-17 B, the ~trol wae extraat.ed tl'OIIl the area W5,'thout sustaining a casualt:r. ' ~ ' , ", . ; .

, q. 17 November: Since e1..-ent8 of the 2d Brigade, 25th Intan­t17 Div1eiCSl were out of range and road traftioabU1tY' precludecllllOV8-0 ment torw.rci, and to lend c:'Cdence to the Div1.ion le1nt to the left, all e1.emarrt. of the 3d Batta.l.:lCll, 13th Artillery were displaced to the V1cinitJ' ot Ta.7 lfUlh witb Battel7 B (-) returning to its. Be .. at Tl'IUI:I Sup vbere it was atta~.hed to the 196th l.1ght lntent17 Brlgacle and~. :. Nllain1ns elemento alo3:l.ng 1L-t.o ',raY' NlDh Sa.. CaDrp v.l:c:.init,. XT ~l54~ '!'he lit Battelion, 8th Art.Ul.eJ7 remained 1n pOe1,t1on.

r. 18 Novaaberl All artUleJ7 unitil J"8IIitJ,Ii~~ in poaiti~ and , cont:lnuecl their malions. , . " ,

I. 19 'Hov.ber. All artillel'7 1,1R1te :reiia11l",d iii poeiUon' anCl OOl'Itinued their mieeion.. The intens1Ye ,~. p!'O'pam that had been

insut.utQd bythe"lst ;Batt.alion. 8th brtUlcry ~s incre8s00. further as a -3~ raJlul.t :of intelliganqe ''.1ilciicating an increased eUecti'l/'eness against the enemy' • . ::, . .

i"'. ' . t. 20 November: The. ComImndint Officer,.. 3d Battalion, 82d A:M.i;Llery :wU alerted t9 ~place , Battery A (-), 2d~ ~ttalion" 71th lLrtlllery, which had been' att,ached to' his bttttU10fl, anq propare it for ai:- moVeDi~t · and further ilttachlllerntto tlie !1s~ ' Battal1on.. 8th Artillery" Battel'7C, 2d Battalion; 32d. ArtUlelj disPlaced froID Sou! Da to Tq k'..l'lh Base Camp. An 1ntensUied. H&c.l proSJ91D wa s contJouooo

:', . ~u. ··. 21N~';~'r~ . ~tter7 C .(-), lat, BatW.ion, . ·s.~\·Arli.1~ZY displaced taa f'4"ingpoei'Uori'V1J;inl.~y Phum. '!Jrey Sal.8 {XT 26~960) in F'upport of Troop D, 3d SQuadron" 4th CalValr"ts axploitat1on of ~ :8..52 strike neal' the Cambodian Border. One howitzer was damaged when it was dropped. from a: ,h~ght ,ot lQ teet. Att~r the expl.o1 tatiOrl, BB.ttery C wae airlifted. to V191¢,t,. ~ 335925 where it supported the 1st Battalion, 5th (Mechanized) Infsntr,y. Two preparations we:--e fired and the intense H&I program cont:lmuooo . .

T. 22 Novemberr Battery OJ let Battalion, 8th Artillery sUJ>­ported the airmobUe opere-tion of the '2d Battalion; 27th Infant:t7~ vici­nit1' X't .J?85 and tbencU,spl.acedby air :to Ta:r Ninh. Batter,r A (-J, 2d . Battalion, 77th Artllla17 we s .attached to the 1st Battalion, 8th Art1ll.el'7. and' ai:ollttedinto fire suppol"t base numbar 1, vicinit1"Van Li<;h (n 2'76~) .~ INpport of the .2d Battalion, 22d (Mechanized) Infantry. Head­quarters, 'Headquartors ~d S.errlce Battery, Battery A (-) and 'me Platoon of Bat'.:e~'D, 3d Battalion, '13th Art1lleq displaced' tQ positions Vici­nit1' Soui Da (XT 342579) where it closed at 1400 hours. At 2155 hours .. the 3d Battalion, 13th ArtUlery was attacked. by' mortarso Approximataty-20 mortar roWlds were received which inflicted 15 casualties including one enlisted man 1\11. aniitw Qf1'1cers and 12 enliSted men woUnded. .

" ' . . , . v. 23 . NoVemberi Battery A, 2d Battalion, 13th Artillery sup­

po1"t.ed . an a1rn¥>bile assaUlt by'the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry and then was a~lifted '~o Tq Ninh Base 9aDiP where it ·&sedat 1745 hours, wee . released. frcm attachment to the let Battalion, 8th ArtUlery and pre­pared for movement back to Phu Loi Base Camp •

• . . , r,. x. 24 Nov~i-i . Battel"1. . A, ! 2d. Batt&l.1on" 13th Artillery . was ~~~~~.~~~~~~~~~~~~ hours. ' Batter;y.A (-), 71th Art41ler,r wae releaeed fl'ODl attached to the ~et &ttallon, at.h ArtUlei-,y ,~ 'W8S ~1rlirted to Sou! De. .where it jo1ned the 2d Battalion, 22d (Mechanized) ~fan~r.ro Battery A, . let . BattaU,~ • . 8th' Art.lller,r £llpported the extre.ctio~ of all el.eme~s bam , tire"aupport base number 2 and the DOve of Batter;r B, 1st Batt&ll.onj . 8th Art.~. to vic1nj.ty Soo '~ (XT 185765) !ire support base number 0, and' then"together with the battalion cCDtrol gl'Oupw~ airlifted, toT;q N~~ . Base Camp, Battery B (-), 3d. Battalion, 13th Art.W.er,y displaced frdD' . bua Sup tq vicinit1' TlSi B1 eXT U7698) ~ere 1t wafll_ ~~~n a Dd.s~on . of GS', "ULt'prce Batt~~ B, 1~ Battalion, 8th Art~:rr~, ~ . .

J~ ,..:1. 25 Novombl;lr: The 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery (-) dis-'pla~ed ,~fr.i:iJil~a.y 'N1nh BaBe. Camp by road cpnvoy and retumed to Cu Chi ; Base.~. 'Bat,te17:'B, 1st Batt-alion;: 8th Artillery supported the ~-:.. ' tra'ction~t e;l.ements of the l*,~ , Ba.t~on, 5th (l-Iechanized) Infantry ", af!d was then airlifted to T~Ninh sase Camp where it WPS at~ched to tne, 3d Bat~on, 82d Al"tiller,t. Elements of the Division Artillery ForWarcl ,cp returned to au Chi Base Camp. The 3d Battal.ion,\ 13th ArtU­lerr,(-) with Battel'7 A (-) and a Platoon ot Battery D returned to au C111,&se Camp and 'oontinued the m18aion of general support ot the 25th Ini'antl'T D1y\sion. Battery B (-), 3d Battalion, 13th Artillery remain­ed vic1.nity 'Trai BS. 1n support ot el.emepte ot the 1st Battalion" 5th (MechanizedtInfantr;yo At 2400 hour.e, .Operation ATTlEt()hO teminated.

1. ··

.,. s. 26 Novembera Headquarters and HeadqUArters Batte17, 25th Infantry J;>:lviaion Art1lle17 d1ap1aceq to au Chi Base Camp •

. no '1ji:.sy&1& t " ', '

_ ,,,. ' . En.~ 10s89a. : !, ' .~ - ...

(1) Fol"ty'Vi8t Coni k1ll~ ~i artUle17 (b0d7 ' aount').

, (2) On&-hundred and iseventy~e Viet Cons ldlled b7 .. artUleZ'7 (poasible).

(:3) One Viet Cong strUcture destroyed.

(4) Three Viet Cong struetiures damaged.

(5) Three Viet Cong bunkers deatro,ed.

b. Frianclly artW.e17 108888. !:'

(1) Three US ld.lled in action.

, (2) Thirty-i'our US ~d~:','bt aotlo~. (Notes This in­clude. 4 US wounded whanBatter,v A, l:ist' ;Battallon, Sth ArtiUe17-. attached tc( the let Infal'lt!Y Di:~~) ' . '

. ~ . (3)' ' TwO OH-:2:3 heU:Qoptera 'cIQaaed. (Repaired)

(4) , Two ARpa 46 shelters damagod. :,',

(S) Two l0511Ji1llPd.~e~lId~ (not dueto .. ~ .. action). , .

12. IaPtJINISmi .. t~VlIt WA'l'TI!iR§.

a. Maintenances No abnonral mechanical 1'a1luree _rv noted dul'-o iDg the operetion. Prevent!" maintenance .e pertomecl QJl all equ1paent dur1.ng the opera'tiClil.

b. ;" T~an.po~tion: . Dul'.ing OperAtion A'I'l'LEOOfiO extensive use ,j ot a1r~.A:-We i ~t11.tzfld for both IIW)VESUmt and. resu~. Betweeil 1 November _tid 25 November 1966sano 462 CJ47 sorties were utilizec1~and the UJf-J,If"nw" an ~:vorl'ge of 5: 30 houri each dar re-eupplying forward' unite and. t~aporting unit and' stlltt personnel. During the operation, sUpport .,;p .• , both timely B:nd well coordtilated; otten on I!Ihort notice. The moa~ .~rficiellt use of he1ioopt~1' al.1ngs that arc ayaUable dese'n-ee more. studt. On several oaaal!lion,8 Ihortage ot slings or cOJI1pOl}ents ~ oame critioal 1'c;t the' operation. PrctDpt return. ot sling equipment to .... the l'elNp,pgpoint JIIll!lt be emphasised. • Battery- personnel must be .. well . trainecijJ'i"airmoblle operations since Pathtlndersoi'ten have little or no t1ma to check loads.

'0. CODIIIUn1aationst The wide spread dePloyment ot subordinate organizations made cODllllUlicationll difficult. 'the use ot retrensm:l.'ssl6n ' te.cUities on Nui Ba Den, fac1l.1tated rsdio ccmtm.mieations with sub­ordinate and adjacent h~clquartors. VHF facUH,ies afforded :exceUent communioe.tions and are considered mandatory for the aeocmplishment ot the mission.

do. During the opere. tion the DiVision Artillerr oontinued its program of cODIDa~d 1nepections or eubordinate organizations.

130 SPECI.t.L EkUIPi·f.UT IJIiD TECHrU!olUES. A 200 mete1' height of' burst. with She.U wP fuze time was eUective as the first rozd in adjustment for a g:::'ound obseZ'YOr in denae vegetation. It also proved to be eftecti'Ye in pro·r.l.dU1g navigationa.;L marld.ng, 1"?'¥lds tor maneuvering ground units as well aa mrldng the limit.s of an axis ot advance "for a mechanized. battalion.

140 OO14UJUJ!AR'S ~;J.YSISs The major portiQl1 of Operation ATTlEOOHO supported by the Division Artlllet;y was"a recomiuasance in torce North into War Zone C by a reiru.",rced b~de. Artillery support tor the op­eration involved positioning batteries within fire llases eecured by' intantl"1: battalions I and as the operation p~gressed6 establishing new tire ~sea w:lt.hin arti~ery range of exi~tiils fire' bases. Meditr:!' artll­leJ7 wall used in the mutually 8UPPO~ing fi~ beses as taT into War ZOlle C as the roads permitted. However I moat ot the' operation ~ s sUPpOrted by direct support.105nm howitzer batteries, .which were emplo,.ed in two -battel"1 tire' bases with"' an artUlery control l'i6l>dquartera. Dur1lJg the operation, an extensive H&.! program WPS developed. Intelligence derived from forward observer reports, visual reconnaissance 1'lights, long range patrol reports, agent reports and ot.her reconnaissance mEW1s 'WfIS used as a basis' for the program. Indiclltions' are that the H&.I program wee highly ertective and as the opernticn progressed it WRS further int~ I!dfied. '.

a. Artillo17 amnunition expenditures.

+.

~I / (1) HE

(aJ 105m 28,354

(b) 1"l1li/8 111 ,,~

TOTJ\l. 34,13'1

. (2) WP

(a), 1.0,_ 65' (b) 15S- 143 -

'roTAL 798

(3) m (a) 1051111l 9

(b) 155l1li .JL 'roTA!. 9l~

b. Mieslons by tppec

(1) H&t.'t t e 5,533

(2) Support 798

* Nom. All data includes th~ 1'1res of Battel'7 A; 1st Battallon, 8th Artll1e17 during 1,-5 ~Tovember 1966, and the fires of Battel7 A, 2d Battalion, lJth J.rt1J;.c17 for , November 0 It does not include the tlrea of the 3d Batta:tion, 82d ll~.'''1Uery or the tires at Batt81'7 A (-), 2d BattaLton, 7?th Artillery ~cept for the period when it vall attached to the 1st Batta:.1on, e-:;h Art1.ll.er;r.

CO OH-~.~ Orsan1c aircraft support by organization:

111111' TOW. HCY!Q ~ an ARi !ll'.I8 1st ~, 8th I.rty 1041;~ 30115 351;0 38:45

3d 1m, 13th Arty 61.:30 15110 UtOO :;)5120

Ho! .. Div Ar~y 91110 17100 4100 ?O:10

TOTAL 257.,0 72125 ,01,0 144115

ttl

ct. Ol aircraft support (two Ole dail.y)

1QTM HO~ HISSgS SQh'l'P~ . . ...

S7 ., . ... ' 1.26

......