MONTHLY SUMMARY -'-.-1

I;!EADQUARTillS IJlIlIT::;!) STAT::S MILITAnY ASSISTANCE CO]·I!-IAND, VIETNAH

Office of Infoimation APO U.S. Forces 96222

]'IACOI-P II June 1970

This release has been pr:cpa:'ed to present a review of significant events occurring in this command during February 1970.

It has been organized as follo"NS:

- A ReviS1." of 3Jvents

General

Air Operations

Naval Operations

Enerrcr Hateriel Losses

__ A S1.l);DIJary of Horning and Evening News Releases

_ A Chronology of Troop Redeployment

__ A Chronology of Significant Events

- A Review of Ground Operations

-- F.b-. C.-ty ~otffL

~IAYN& ORR Colonel, USAF Chief, PID

QI

~aTiW activity remained [;cneraJ.ly at the sa.1C level as th':: past :-:1Onth, with the 8xception of terrorist activity l'!hich inc::'3asaci :L1!mediately prior to and after Tet. Reports from many areas indicata a continued step-up in eneny lo[,istical activities, possibly in pc'erac'ation for incrsased offensive activity in t.he futurs. HO~"Tever, there HeI'3 no indications of a pla.rhl1ed, la::',S8-scalo offensi~'.re.

Sn8l'lJT-initiated activity througho·,l.t I COl''PS Tactical Zone ':las at a 10'" 18"',r01 d1.;.rinC Febru:ary· and 1"laS che.racteriz8d by scattered attacks by fire, lir.:itae. srQund contacts, r8connaissan~e efforts and a continued stoP-ell' in lo:;istical e.ctivities.

Analysis of the pattern of enemy activity :revoals that Phase III of the cu::-rent eneny 1T:L'1te::'/Spring Campaign probably \las initiated on the ni[ht of 31 Januar:r, prior to the ener:]J1'-p:."'Oclaimed Tet ceasefire. On the :niGht of 31 January - 1 FebruaI"'J, enemy forces launched e. series of coo,"<iinat~d attacks 'oy fire and he.rassin[; attacks aGainst Allied =euver units and Government of Vietnam pacification ela'=lents in the southern t110 provinces. Despite the rel­e.tive lack of accompan;y'ing ,cround attacks, it seems probable that these activ­ities signalled the initiation of Phase III.

'Co the north, reconnaissance confirmed continued enemy usa::;s of the A Shau VallEr'J area. Sighti.l1gS in the area havo revealed the presence of enemy pel'sormel, v~hicles, bunkers, base ca'1lps and construction efforts on lin,os of COr:E'"~n.mi cation.

II CORPS

In II Corps Tactical Zone, enemy-initiated activity renained at a lOIl level lr.i.th one exceptio:1. On the night of 31 January, there liaS a sharp in­c~ease in [I'OUJ."'1d probes and harassing attacks in the northern and cent .. :..--al II CO:'1JS aj."ea. In the 1'1'estem highlands., L18..jor el1er.~r fo:;:"ces located in the border a~8as r~1ed out of contact during the month.

Aggressive Allied operations against the 3rd !!VA Division in Binh Dinh Provinc;" resulted in the seizint; of 66 tons of rice and seven tons of munitions in a probable division rear supply area. lUong the coast in Phu Yen Province, there 1',as an increase in terrorist activity ldth some 35 incidents resultinG in the kidnappinG of nearly 300 civilians.

In Tuyen Due Province, the first significant enemy activity in Dalat City sincs 8arly last December occurred on 18 February 1men t,:o explosive charges

1

,·;erc Set off in a hotel theat·cr, killinG eiGht civilians and ~lOunding 37.

III CO~'J)S

DurinS the month, en'3!l\Y" activity in III Corps Tactical Zone >las character­

iz.~d by attacks by fire, limited ground probes and logistics activity. Phase

III of the en"ll\)" s '.iinter/Spring Campaign ;;as initiated on the night of 26 Feb­

ruary ,·lith a marked increase in harassing fires.

The 9th VC Division remained deployed in Har Zone "C," ~lith the 7th NVA

Division deployed from the Fish Hook to the north,·,estern Phuoc Long Province

border area. The 5th VC Division probably remains deployed in northern Phuoc

Long Province.

On 3 February there ,~ere t;;o attacks against shipping in the Long Tau

Shipping Channel '·Thich caused minor damage and no casualties. These >lere the

first attacks against shipping in the channel since last October.

Sn"ll\)' activity in the southeastern portion of the corps continued to be

characterized by light and scattered attacks by fire, harassing fires and re­

connaissance and logistics activity.

Captured documents provided further evidence that the i'lne!l\Y"'s Spring Cam­

paign ~lill be localized in nature, .. lith the intensity of activity dependent on

the capability of the individual unit involved.

Between 6 and 12 February, J·lobile Strike Force elements discovered a series

of nunitions caches in the vicinity of Rang Rang, in Long Khanh Province. The

less of the munitions, totalling 169 tons, .dll seriously compound the en8!l\)"s

already-present logistic shortage in the area.

l3'J the end of February, major enemy units in the III Corps Tactical Zone

wo",e engaGed in logistic activity in preparation for future tactical activity.

rJ CORPS

In rJ Corps Tactical Zone, the en!3ll\Y initiated his monthly highpoint of

activity in the Delta durine the night of 25 February. Elements of the 88th

INA Reeiment are believed to have suffered heavy casualties as their attempted

infiltration south,mro ~ras thl~ed by friendly operations in the Plain of

needs area. Reports continue to indicate the presence of the 95th INA Regi­

ment opposite Chau Doc Province inside Cambodia. HOHever, no contact has con­

firmed the unit Is relocation from III Corps.

++++

2

AIR SOUTH

U.S. Air Force pilots flew 4,505 tactical air sorties in support of allied ground forces. Marine Corps pilots flew 2,628 sorties and Navy pilots flew another 52 for a total of 7,185 tactical air sorties during the IWnth.

Pilots and crews were credited by forward air controllers (FACs) and friendly forces making ground sweeps with killing 254 enentY while destroying or damaging 154 waterborne supply craft, 2,559 fortifications, and 7,336 bunkers. Their air-delivered ordnance also resulted in 763 secondary explo­sions, and 948 secondary fires.

+++++

B-52 MISSIONS

One hundred and twenty-seven missions were flown during the lIxmth by Air Force B-52s. Of these miSSions, 61 were directed against enentY targets in II Corps Tactical Zone, 34 in III CTZ, 20 in I CTZ, and 12 in IV CTZ.

+++++

AIRLIFT

Military Airlift Comnand (Inbound & Outbound, South Vietnam)

Number of Passengers Processed

Tons of Cargo Processed

83,005

17,829

834th Air Division "CollDDOn Service" Airlift System (Within South Vietnam)

Number of Passengers Processed

Tons of Cargo Processed

Medical Evacuation

574,427

95,208

Number of Patients (outbound, South Vietnam) 2,721 (US Military)

++-t-++

3

Seventh Fl',et warships off the Vietnam coast po1Ulded enemy positions from the l1ekong Delta to northern I Corps during February, destroying or damaging a total of 430 enemy bunkers and 385 military structures.

In additio" to structures and bunkers, the 18 U. S. and allied wa~ships firing during February left 164 secondary fires and 140 secondary explosions behi;,d in the '1ake of their naval g1Ulfire support missions.

A total of 5,725 meters of enemy supply routes were also interdicted by Seven'Gh Fleet g1Uls.

On february 19th, a total of 48 enemy bunkers, 68 military structures and 41 caves ''lere damaged or destroyed and 12 secondary explosions aetonate'i by naval gunners. other outstanding damage assessment came on February 20th, when 39 enemy bunkers and 53 military structures were destroyed or damaged.

There were a total of 13 destroyers on the gunline during the month, as well as one cruiser, two inshore fire support ships and two Coast Guard Cutters.

l!AVAL AIR STRllIES REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Naval aviators from two Seventh Fleet aircraft carriers new 10 sorties into the Republic of Vietnam's I Corps during February.

On February 2nd, pilots from the aircraft carrier Hancock new two sorties against an enemy position 37 miles east of Tam Ky.

On the 3rd, other Hancock planes struck enemy targets 28 miles south'1est and 24 miles west-southwest of Hue. Those strikes were in support of the ~rst Harine Division.

The 8th saw Navy A7 Corsair pilots drop 500-pound bombs on an enemy position 30 miles W of Hue.other A-7s new tl~ sorties on February 14th against an enemy position 36 miles west of Hue.

-I- -\- + + +

4

£!ll~!1X !L& :r ~ IL;!; lH bQ§§,\H

(CAPTURED/DESTROYED)

vlEAPONS I CTZ II CTZ III CTZ IV CTZ

Small Arms 698 410 2,037 510 Grenades 635 166 5,120 33 Machineguns 5 6 45 9 RPG Launchers 13 34 49 8

Rocket Launchers 2 1 9 0 Recoill es s Rii'l. e 0 0 0 0 Mortars 2 7 16 2 Other Crew-served 53 8 3 17 Artillery 0 0 0 0 TOTAL TONS: 22.04

AMMUNITION

Small Anns 28,210 ll3,350 6,879,561 77,780 140rtar 1,206 619 22,769 121 Artillery 46 II 19 0 Recoilless Rifle 4 75 1,768 80

AT Grenades 570 290 1,713 61

Rockets 8 29 207 0

TOTAL TONS: 261.15

FOOD STUFFS:

A total of 455.00 tons of rice and 7.59 tons of salt.

5

!!2!!!!!!

1 February (S~y)

lU!!!A!!

.QI

!!!! II!!!l!!!! !!!!~ RELIASES --------

- HQ MCV - DariDg the night, " eignitioant l1li...., 1nd1reet tire attacD

were reported throaghou.t the OoaDtJ"T, eight of which __ againllt U.S. unit.

OJ" inetallationa. Twenty-fOlll' othe- iDdiJ"&ct tire attacke __ conaid8J"&d

inaignitioant, oauaing no cuua1Ue. OJ" duage. The following WJ"& aignif­

icant att.&cD agalnllt U.S. fore .. :

III W:

010150 - QlJAIIl HAH PlanJfCI - At 0150 an el lit of t.he 5th Rep.nt,

ht lIarlJle DinaiOll, in Jdpt 4.f_. fOlll' dl .. north of An Ifoa (15 dl ••

SSW of ])a lang), J"8OeiTed abon 15 1'OIIIId. of WlCletlll'lllMcl ca11Ml" .n.ar t1J"&

J"&nltia« ill 11ght U.S. can&lU .. with no tata11U ••• At about the __ tiM, &DotIler .1_t of the 5th IIar1ae llep.nt, l0-

cated about 500 aeter. to the -'II ... t, reoeiTecl an 1IIlbown D' '11" UIIl 0&11-

bel" II01"t&J" l"01IIId. J"&nlUIII ill l1pt U.S .... 1t1&. &Del DO tata11t1 ...

010130 - QIJAIIlIGAI PR09DCK - An .1_t. of the 198t.1l llrisacle, AID­

leAL Din.ian, at a tire .uppGft .M IliDe dle. IV of QQang lap Cit,. (68

dle. SSI of ])a lang), J"8OeiTecl 4D-SO INDCI. of 60lIl &ncl S. IICII'tar t1J"&

r •• ulting in l1pt U.S. canal.U .. and 11pt daage.

I..m:

010105 - BIlIH MIH PlotIICI - !'he ... 0&IIp of the 1&t. Brisacl. t 4th

IntantJ"T DinaiClll at Iadc11ff., IMG' An 1M (40 diM VJIIf of Qat. IIbonJ, 1"8-

ce1Tecl 1 ... tllu 10 10 I !. of WDIlet.nd.necl calibel" ___ tire rnulUq ill

DO cuualti.. OJ" ....

010525 - '!AY wm PlCJllIlCI - AD el_t. of the ht ~e, 25t.h In­

tantJ"T DinaiOD, 10caW 15 JdlAa ." of 'fa,. liab Cit,., Ne8tncl about. 15

roancla of tta. -=rtar tire Hnltiq ill l1&ttt U.S •• naltl .. with 110 tat.al­

iti... We _tm.1 .....

010050 - IIWIH ROl PlorIICI - '!be ..... of Hq 5th Special Forcea

tlrcRIp Dear the .. 'i'ranc Air au. nee1Tecl about. tlY • • 0 h of a.. ~ tire i'8nlting ill T8l"J' 11pt U.S. eualti .. with DO tata11U... 10 .....

010140 - BIlIH MIH PlotliCl - !'he ... cap of Hq l'nrcl Airborne Bri­

gad. two d1 .. IIW of Boq SoIl (50 dln OW of Qat. 1Iboa) reoeincl about 20

rOlDlda of 82iII ..-tar fir.. 10 ---.lU.. OJ" daap.

6

II m: 311900 - BDIJI DU<JrG flOtlJC& - The Phll Lo1 Buo c..., OO11lP1ee1 bT U.S. ArlIT Ca.bat ouppart; e1_te, 12 IIll •• WIll of Bl_ Boa, reee1ftd 1 ... thID t_ lcrr- rookete. Ifo., Ut .. , 111bt _ttrie1 .....

- RQ JIlCf - DIII'iJIg the 24-h_ period eecHn, at oeoo tocIa7, '10 _...,. hIIlS.reot fire atta.a ...... .,...ted tIIr, ... at tho -tIT, 21 of 1III1eh ....... tnet U.S. aita 01' 1utallatiCIM. 'ftIS.rt,-foar of tho '10 at\ecb ..... ed __ .. or ...-lU ... U.S. canalU ...... tw Jd" .. and 36 __ ed. ""V41De of tho '10 at.taeb ... 0 in I c..,. .... :u. ... 0 in II Ceirpe. s.. l_ti_ I'e-eel,.. ___ tbu .. at.taek.

- In JflP' (QUAm IAJf PRarI1lCB) - 'lw ....... OCOID i ed, both ill tho .... _ .... beth iIl_lYiq t.he .... 1III1t.:

1. At 1820 a 1'OMIUIa1l.ue. e1-.t. of tho let JIuo1a. Dhl.1.. aigbted 70.....,. Mldi_ in SJ'OOIl __ f ........ e&I'I'11ilc ....... "'l1li=' -u, ..... h _ a trail f_ .n .. II of Ala ilia (14 1111 .. 8CNUl of Da .. ,) • .n.. &I't1l.l.a7 fire .. d1Heted .. to tho l ... U .. , 1d.1l1Dc :tS of the _ .....

2. At 18SS aaetbel' ""....". ..... ~t. of tho let ~ D1Y1e1_ .1Ibt.ed SO -IV .oldi_ WRI'iaI pMIl 1III1tw. aDd o&I'I"71IIc palb ud _,.. ... lifting SW in an ar .. hIrr IIll .. IIV of All Boa (19 Ilia. SW of Da liang). JIuola. art.1l1.,. f1I'e .. diroet .. _to the .....,. leoati_ ad t.be bocl1 .. of IS -IIIV .oldier. __ obe ..... eeI lJ'1ag ill tho .t.r1ko area. Ifo u.s. co.,.lt1 .. 111 e1 t.her acUon.

- OP.BIA'l'IOI GlREVA PARI (~ DI PRomtcB) - At 0100 an e1_t of tho 198t.h lIl"1pd', AIERICAL DiYiai_, in II1gbt derou. tift 1111 .. IIIf of Qlang Rgal City (70 11111. SSE of Da Rang), I'lcllTOd about 120 Idxeel 60Im and ~ ..-tar, l'OCket-venad., and greuel. 1'OWId. al_g With hour..n a:NI and allto.&t.1c _pou fire rr. an wi! ••• sire ... fOl'Ce. 'rhl 1IlfaDti';1IIeD fired back With lIDl t W"pOIll and .... .appw ted bT U't1l.l.,. and a mAF Ae­ll9 c-Jdp. At O,SO thl _...,. Witbdrew, With01lt. haYing pmetrat.ed the 1*'­t-ter. Th. bodi .. of II .. ...,. .. ld1er. __ fOlllld in the bat.tl. v_ and OBI -IIIV 1Old1er was detained. Ia addit.1C11l, CIIl. 1ad1Yidul ud foal' Cl'OW-• .rnd. weapon" 1~0 bUld. &rIa d .... 16 baDga~ wp.d_ ud tw MtGhel char ... vve captared. U.S. ca. lU .. _. tw kUleel and 19 WOIlIlCleel ..... pabl1c ot VletMa Popal.aI' ,.... .... ,'U .. were wrr lipt With DO tatalit.l ... 'l'ws Vietaa •• cbll1aD ..... kU'. aacl II .... eeI. '!bI c1Yil.1ane .... Id.ll­eel Ol' W1IIl4ee1 bT t1I'e fI'eII AD 1I1l1raWD • eI« ot ....., ... .m iIlto a halllet DI&I' th. Digbt dohll •• poe1U ... ftriDg the tlghtiBl.

- In JflP' (~AIIl 'I'IR PROtDCI) - At 1015 u.S. MariD •• aacl liepabl1c of n ....... CoIsb1Ded ActlO1l Platoeft (CAP) .ate directed art.Ul.eiT t1I'e OBto a .aepected _..., l.ecatiOD t_ 1111 •• SB ot f .. ~ (44 IIllea SSE ot Da lfaD,g). ID a sOSl'eh .r the .tl'1ke area, a CAP .~t peoe1ftd _ll an. aacl auto.-tlc _,.. fire rr. AD .. tlated 3G-40 _...,. soldier. and the 1kI'1D •• ud Popular rereo ~ l'eturDOd. tlr. with wait ,...,.. aDd were nppoPted bT heUcopter gaB­.hi,.. At llJO the ....,. witJlllrft, l_YiDc eight ot hi. dead in the battle

7

&!'M. In addition, th1'eo AI.-47 rines, ono CHIC(J( lisht _chino!Ul1 and t. CHIC(J( hand grenadoll were captaNd. U.S. casualtios __ tour ldlled and t ... W'CIIIIIIded.. PF c ..... lti .. were light.

- OPlllATIOII PREDERICI HILL - At 1715 an armored caft1r7 .l_t ot the 196th BI'1sad., AMER!CAL Didllion, enga!8d m unknown sise me.., terce II .UIIII NIl of Tall IT (30 m1ll11 SSE ot Da'lane). Sa11 ar:. aDd au~tic _pone tire .. uchanged and the troopers .... .u:ppIIl'ted lIT helicopter gunehiplI in add­iti_ to tho 11 • .". weapon. 011 tlleir ar-.d yllhicl... At .. lI!IHpOI'ted tt. the mtIIIT withdrew, l_Yin, bebbd .0 ot hie dead &ad tOll1" indiddual _p­one. U.S. canalti .. were .... ~ed, no fatalities.

- III Jf&P (QUAil} HAM PROiIlICE) - At 0400 an .l_t of the 7th Ro&1Mnt, let JIaria. DidsiOll, and Repablic ot VietDul Popular Perc. troepa, in night d.-t .. o nine 1111 .. SE ot An HIla (:dt .U ... oath ot Da lfaD,) rocaiY114 1 ••• than tin roande of S2IIa lIICII't&r fire tel.lowed lIT hea.,. .. 11 ar:. and auto_tic _peIIII fire !roll an 'DIlaIo1nl aiso -IIIIIIT to!'CII. '!!ao lfariDo. au:! Pr troope re­turned tiro with anit _~ &ad __ lIupportod lIT holicopter p.hipe. In about 15 .tnutes, tho en..., witbtIrIIW with ~ loa_. Pr ca_ltie. were light. U.S. cuualtio. _e three waaded, no tataliti ...

- TOll 'rHAlIG OP'P'ENSIVE (PRUOC LCBG PIlOiID) - '1'w _to occurred, both in tho .... &II1Ienl area and beth iJlnldng the ... 1IIIit:

1. At IG:.!5 a holicopter tra tho air C&ft1r7 .qaadren ot tho let Cay­al.r7 Didsion (U!'IIIObUe) recaiY114 L! • .,.. anti-aircratt _cbinO&UII tire tr • .. ukIlotm n1IIIber ot • ..., Hldillr'S tflU' 111111. SW ot BIt Dop and three ml .. tro. tho CUIbod1an border. '!!ao.....,. location .... &eeI with hoUcepter saahipe md tactical aircraft. '!!ao bodies ot a1&bt no-., .oldier. were later sishted in the .trike area.

2. to .. than a mlo to tho JlOI1'th-northwest, &1Id twe 1I110e tro. the ea.­bediM border, at 1345 another lIelioopter !roll tho sqaa~ r_iY114 _ll ar:. and au~tic weapon. tire rr- an unknown atllllber ot • ..., eoldillr'S. '!!a. ena;r location .. enga&ed lIT holiceptor &U1Ishipe &lid tactical aircraft. Th. bodios of 11 ontIIIT soldiers .... aishW in the strike erea. '!!aore were no U.S. casualties in either action.

- 'f0lll '1'HABG OFFENSIVE (TAY MINH PROYIIfCE) - At 1050 a lisht obo_tioa holi­copter tr_ the air caft1r7 .,. •• dron of tho let CaY&l.r7 DidsiOll (AiNobilo) recsiY114 nall ar:. and a~tic _pOlIS tiro tra &II unlm_ n1IIIber ot IIIltlllT . .. ld1ore .:a. .U .. HE ot 'l'q linh CitT and 13 1I1l.u fro. tho C .... o.".n border. '!!ae 1IJ1011T were .np&ed with aerial _Chine&U1ls &ad oontact ... lost ~t ill-JHd1ato17. The bodios ot 11 en..., soldiers __ obaened in tho strike area. There wer. no U.S. ca.-lti ...

- TOll '1'HAlIG OP'PEllSIVE ('fAY IfIIIR PROfDWCE) - At 1955 .. el_t of tho &!'IIIOI'ed caY&l.r7 aqaadron of tho U.S. ;.!5th IntantrT Didd_, in aight dorlDs. 19111.10. ESE .t 'fq 1f1nh City, roceiY114 _11 ar:., au~tic. _pe., and recket-&re­nado tire troll an .. tiated on..., platoon. The troopers returneel tire with

the 1IDit weapons on their taalaI mad U'IIered pttHoanel curiel'S, and were 1lUp­ported lIT helicopter gunships, artillery, and a tlSAF AC--1l9 !'DIship h'om the 14th Special Opera tions Win~. At :d30 the en..,. wi thclrew, 1eartng behind thr .. ot his dead. U.S, cuua1ties __ two 1d.11ed and Dine wounded. Alse, t_ tOrIMr enem;y soldiers, serT1n~ as scouts, were WOUIlded.

- ~N THANG OFFENSIVE (BINH L(JfG PROVINCE) - At lZlO an el-.nt ot the 3rd Bl"igade. U. S. let CaT&l.r7 Dhisin (Au-..,blle), recebed. _11 al'lllll and aute­_tic _pons tire tro. an .. tia&ted 30 c~ s.lcH.ers six .Ues NE ot Loc 11ah (fift miles rr.. the C·.bediaa border). Th. troopers returned tire with 1DI1t _pons and were supported by artillery and helicopter gunships. In abeut t_ minutes, the eDeIQ' withdrew with unknown los .. s. U.S. casualties weN •• 1d.11ed and SayeD _ded.

- H«.lIfACV - ~ Janu&17 :.!5 and apill en January' 29, 1970. the U.S. ;.!5th Intan­try Dirtsion Fire Support Bese lamc. Hau R~ia I'ronnce. RepubUc ot net.ua, _ under enell,)" initiated indirect tire attack .ri«in&tlD« from position. iasid. CUIbodian territ0!7. In beth 1Il.tances, U.S. terce. operatin~ in the area returned tire with artUle!'1'. The U.S. Co_nd ha. prmou.ly .tated that it tired upon !"rom enur,r pes1tiens outside the Republic ot netna., U.S. t.rces are authorized to retUJ'll tire. Thill ill an inherent ri~t ot .eU­deten.e a~a1n.t en.,. attack!!. (The aboYe 111 tro. a MEM:ltANDUH FCR CORRES­PCIIDEN'l'S, released with the MACV !IEWS RELEASE the ay~ .t 1 rebrua!'1', 1970).

- An Arrq UH-1 BueY' heUcopter was i_ed lIT enell,)" geund tire 13 miles we.t et Hue in 'l'hu& Thien Province, ld.llia~ teur men aboard ad -undiD« another teur. The aircratt was destroyed.

- All Arrq UK-I Hue;r helic.pter was dawned lIT ena;r &l'eunc1 tire six ailes SW et I.a1 Ie :iD. B1nh DueD« Province, ld1l1n« one U.S. and II1x ARVN aboard, and als. __ 'n~ three other U.S. perecmael.. The aircraft. _s d.stro:red.

- SVN 'lAC AIR: U.S. pilote new 322 sorties (USAlI' 204. USMC 118), Id.lllng 36 --:r' .oldiers, tri~er1n! 42 sooOlldar:r explosiODs. i8n1 tiD« 46 tire.. and destro1in« or da8.~g 180 tortitlcatlona, 349 bunkozos, and 10 saapans.

- 1I-52's fiew 4 aise1one: 4 miles SW !IlId 5 ailes SW ot A Luoi; and 4 and 5 Idles SE ot Katum.

2 Febr\lar,y (Monda:r)

- HQ MACV - During the night, eight signitlcant en..., indirect tire attacks 1fel"e reported throughout the coantry, toU!' ot which were against U.S. unite or installations. Thirteen other indirect tire attack!! 1fel"e considered in­significant, causing no cu1.W.lties or damage. The tollowing s1ng1tlcant at­tacks were against U.S. torces:

9

III MAF:

0124000 - QUANG NAM PROVINCE - The base camp ot Hq 5th Regimllnt, at HariJle Division, at An Hoa, 23 miles SW ot Da Nmg, reoeiyed about rin un­known caliber mortar rounds. Light U.S. casualties, no fatalities or daap.

Lm:

Ol222O - BIHH DINH PRCI'lDICE - The baae C&IIp ot Hq 173rd Airborne Bl'i­gade two 1I11es NNW ot Bong Son (50 1111 .. NNW ot Qui RboD) reaebed about 20 roun48 of 82IB mortar tire resulting in light U.S. canaltiea aM no tatal­i tie.. An unknown Jl'IIIIIber ot the en-:r __ tar rouncl. contained a CS-t1J)8 riot cCllltrol agent.

011900 - BINH mNH PRCRDiCE - The baae C&IIp ot Hq 173rd Airborne Bri­gade two Idlea NNW ot Bong Son (50 IIilea NNW ot Qui Rhon) received about 25 rounds of 82mm mortar fire. No canaltiea or daage.

II M:

020415 - BINH DUOO PROVIJICE - The ba.e C&IIp of the at Brigade, at Infantry DiYision, at Dau Tiang (16 lI11ea east of Ta7 Ninh Cit7), receiYed about 10 rounds of 75_ recoill ... ritle tire renlt1ng in light _teriel daage. No U.S. canaltie ••

- HQ HACV - DQr1ng the 24-hour plll"iod wing at 0800 toda7, 43 en...,. indirect tire attacks were reported thrwghout the country, 15 ot which were apiDet U.S. unit. or il1lltallatione. 'l'weln ot the 43 attacks caueed casualti_ or duap. Nineteen of the 43 attaoa __ in n Corpe. U.S. casualties __ one ldlled aM 31 wounded.

- In HAF (QUA~ NAM PROVINCE) - At ll55 a forward obeenv team fl'0II the let HariJle Regilllent, let Marine DiYi.iCIII, obeerYBd two en...,. soldiers e&rI'71ns a poaeible mortar tube into a tree line where an aclditioaal 30-40 --:r .oldier. were obeerYed, 10 mil_ NW ot Hoi AD (ll 1111 .. SSB of Da Hans). The en-:r were engaged with artiUBr7. The bodies of 13 enar;r soldier. __ sighted in the strike area. In addition, there wu CIIIe .eaaDM1"7 aploeion and one bak­er de.'I;.rOf8d •. No U.S. C&ftIl.tie ••

OPEBATICIf mClf IQJNTAIN (QUAIl} Jml PR09'INCE) - At l440 an e111M1lt of the llth Brlcade, AMERlCAL DiYieion, reoeind _ll u.a fire tl'oIl an e.tiated 10 --:r soldiers six mil .. wut ot Quang Nasi Cit7 (75 1111 .. SSE of Da Hans). The en...,. al.o threw hand greMd.... The infantrJ- ret1ll'Ded tire with unit _p0n8 aM were .upported b7 artiUBr7 aM helioopter guDllhipe. At an _ reported tiM the en...,. withdrew with 18Iknown loa.... U.S. oanaltie. were CIIIe kill ed aDd six lIOunded.

- I 11'" (BDIH THUAN PROVINCE) - At 1700 helicopter guDllhipe fl'oa the ar.ored caw.1r7 squadron of Task Foree South reoeived sroanclt1re fl'oa an unkDown

10

!WIlber ot .nUIY soldl_ l2 11111_ lIE ot Phan Thl.t (105 III1les 51# of Nha Trang). Air cavalry troope rra.. the unit _e a1r-a ... ulted into the area &DCI eqIt.!ed an unknown sb. en., torce. S_ll arM and au~t1c weapons fire wu exchanged and the trooper. _e supported by h.Ucopter gunships. At 1800 the eneaJT with<l:rew. em. 8Il4IIIIT soldier _s Idlled and 13 suspects "... detained. U.S. casualti .. __ two ldlled &DCI on. wounded.

- I"' (BIRR DINH PROVIliCE) - At 0635 the Phu Cat Air Bu. 18 mile. NNW of Qui IIhoa received about ten l.22Ia rockets r.sult1D! U UAbt U.S. casualties &DCI Ught _terlel daa!ll.

- TOll THAlI1 OIPPEIISIVE (TAY mH PftOVIlCE) - At 1900 a patrol tr_ the 1HChan­bed lntant17 el_t of the ut J!loisade. U.S. 25th Intantl"J Dbl.lon. en­",ged an 1UI1mown uWilber of en., DiD. lII11es ... t ot 1'&7 N1M Ci t:r. Sall ar.s tire wu tlXChanged and the intan~ _e supported by art1l11ll"J and heU­copter gall8hipa. In about 15 lIlmatee the enlllll7 withdrew. leaTing behind one 1nd1't'illual _pont aDd six ot hb dead. No U.S. casualties.

- TOll ~ OFt.&8SIVE (BIIH DU~ PftOVllC&) - At 2030 an el_t of the :3J'1i Meade. ut Intantl"J Diriaion. engaged fift IInIllll7 .oldi_ with •• ll &l'IIIII tire t01lJ' 1II11e. east ot la1 lib.. The lntantr:JMn __ supported by artilllll"J. The tift ena;r soldier. were Idlled and three individual _pons were captured. 10 U.S. casualties in the briet action.

- B-52's: Six B-52 III1ss1ons were repoi "ed d1lJ'1ng toda:r's reI .... s. with tar'!llts :3 and 4 llil.s NW of A Luol; 8 &DCI 9 lII11es SE of KatUIII; and 26 and ;t.7 miles NNW of An !he.

SVR "rAC AIR: U.S. pilots new 325 sorties (USAF 198. USMC 12,. and USN ;t.). ldll1ng eight eneDIT soldlers. triggering 42 s.ccmda.l7 explosions. and l!Ditin! 46 fir... 'l'he:r also d.stroyed or dalaged 79 fortifications. 284 bunkers, and two ."'pane.

3 Februai7 (Tu.sday)

- HQ MACV - During the night. three significant en..,. indirect tire attacks _e reported throughout the COUDtl"J, none of 1ItI1ch WIll'. against U.S. forces. Twent:r-one other indirect tire attacks were cOlls1dered USignificant, causing no casualties or damage.

- HI.l MACV - During the <!4-hour period ending at 0800 today. 37 en..,. indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the COUDtl"J. nine of which were against U.S. units or installations. 11ne of the 37 attacD caused casualties or daII­ape U.S. casualties _. three 1IOUI1d.ed. DO fataUties.

- III MAP (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 1355 an e1_t of the 196th Light Intan­tl"J Brigade. AHmlCAL Di ri.1on, reoebed eal.l arM and rock.t-grenade fire trca an unknown. size enem;y toree nine .ues IIW ot "r .. !1' (30 II1les SSE or Da lang). The troopers engaged the en~ with unit weapons and were supported by hel.1oopter gunships and tactical aircraft. Another e1_ent of the same

II

--------- .. -- --

brigade wu alllO in Suppoi·t. At l.845 the en8ll,1 withdNw, 1eaTing behind 10 ot his dead. U.S. ca8U&lti .. were two wounded, DO fatalities.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (PRUOC LOJIG PROVINCE) - At 1305 helicopter gunllhips tram the air cavalry' squadron ot the lilt cavalry' DiTidan (Airmobile) en&aged an unknown number ot en8lQ' soldiers with unit weapons 12 Idles north of Pbaoc Binh and five Idles troll the CUIbod1an border. The en8ll,1 returned fire with nall aru. The troopers vere suppwted b7 OV-10's and USAP' tactical aircraft. At 1830 the en8ll,1 withdrew, 1eaTing behind 33 ot his dead. In addition, 40 bunkera vere rep<>rted deatrOJ'*l, and a helicopter gunShip that landed in the strike area recovered tour packa. 10 U.S. casualties.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (BIEN BOA PRamtCE) - At 1900 helicopter gunships trOll the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry DidaiOll, engaged with unit _apon. an e.tia­ted 100 ene. soldiers in tour to fin groupl in a stream bed eight miles north of Bien Boa. The en-.r retllmed tire with _ll &rII8 and rocket-gre­nades. An aerial rine plat_, al.IIo rr- the _ brigade, wa. inserted into the area and was supported by fi&re llhips and helicopter gunships. At 2015 the en .. withdrew, 1eaTing :.c ot hi. dead in the area. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OP'l"ENSIVE (TAY IIRH PRamtCE) - At l.;t3O an element ot the lilt Brigade, 1st Caftlry' Di TisiCII (.u.r.obUe), while 011 a ground reconnaissance minion, engaged an unknovD Jl1IIIbtIr ot en-.r soldiers sU: 1li1e. SE ot It&t_ and three mil.. 1'rca the C.wlwHan border. Sall &1'1118 tire va. exchanged and the troopers were supported by helicopter gunships and &rtill8r7. At 1700 the en .. wi tb1rew. Nineteen 8ft8ll,1 soldiers were 1d11ed and II indi Tidua1 weapons vere captured. No U.S. canalties.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NIlIH PROVINCE) - At OL!O an eln.ent ot the lst Brigade, lilt Ca'f'8.lry'DiTision (AirIIobile), receiTed _ll_ and autOllll.tic weapons fire trom an unknown number ot en8ll,1 soldiers :l4 Idles NNE ot Tay Ninh City and four mi1ell from the Csllbo«Uan border. The trooper. tired back with 1mit weapons and were supported by artillery and helicopter gunships. In about fiTe minutes the en..;r withdrew. About two hours later, betwee. 0345 and 0545, helicopter gunship cr __ f'1'oIII the diTieiOll engaged an unknown nll!lber of enlllQ' soldiers in the TiciDity. The area _s illuminated by heli­copter aerial searchlights during the fighting. Thirteen en .. soldiers __ ldlled in the night engagement. U.S. casualties _re OIle Idlled and two wounded.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (GIA DIRH PROVINCE) - At :.c15 last night (2 February) a truck convoy escorted by U.S. Arrq military police *-ton Tehieles receiTed _11 a1'lll8 and rocket-grenade fire trOll an unknown nUllber ot enSllQ" soldiers while morlng on the Saigon - Loag Binh Highway (Route 316) six Diles south of Bien Boa (10 miles HE ot Saigon) enroute trOll the Newport Dock to Long Binh. The conTOT lIecurity e1_SIlts returned fire with unit weaponll and in a few minutell contact wall lost. Duage to the COllTOT was light. U.S. casual­ties were one injured. ~e Vietnamese ciTil1an driTer vas wounded. In a search ot the ambullh site at tirIIt light this morning, the bodies ot two en81117 lIoldiers vere found and one indiTidual weapon _s captured. Two_11 paper VC flags were also found.

12

- Nine B-52 misa10ns were reported in today' s releues with targets 4 and 5 miles WSW, 5, 6, 7, and 12 miles SW, 8 miles west and II mile. SSW of Ben Het; and 27 and 28 miles NNW of An !the.

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots new 338 sortie. (USAF 194, USMC l42, and USN 2), k1lllng II enem;y soldiers, triggering 62 .econdary explosions, and ign1 ting 69 fires. They also de.tro;yed or cla-.ged eo fortifications, 168 bunkers, and one sampan.

4 February (Wednesday)

- H~ MACV - During the night, eight significant enaDT indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Eighteen other indirect fire attacks were considered in­a1gn1ficant, caua1ng no casualties or damage. The following a1gn1r1cant at­tacks were against U.S. forces:

III MAF:

Ojl84O - QUANG TIN PROVINCE - An el_t of the 196th Light Infantr,. Brigade, AMERICAL Division, in night defense s_ 1I11es west of Tam It,. re­ceiYed approx1aatel,. ten rounds of mortar and rocket-grenade fire. U.S. cas­ualties were light, with no fatalities. No uteriel damage.

II .,.,,:

040030 - BIEN HOo\ PROVINCE - Bien Hoa Air Base, two miles north of Bien HOI. Cit,., received Ie .. than ten rounds of l~ rocket fire. No U.S. c_lUes, light _teriel da-.ge.

- HQ MCV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 todq, 31 en.,.- indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, eight of which were against U.S. units or installations. El_ of the 31 attacks caused casualties or d_ge. U.S. casualties were 17 wounded, no fatallties.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 0815 an el_nt of the 5th Reg1..nt, 1st Marine Division, in a defensi" position, observed II eneIII,)' soldiers wearin« green uniforms _ing along a trail fi" miles north of An HOI. (17 miles SSW of Da Nang). The Marines engaged the eneIII,)' with artill..,.. The bodi". of sllY_ enllll7 soldi_ were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At l200 a forward observer froa an artillery el_t of the 198th Brigade, AMERICAL Division, ob8,,"ed six eDtIII\T moving toward a friendl,. position nine II1les west of Quang Ngai City (70 miles SSE of Da Nang). The entIII\T were engaged with artillery. The bodies of six ene­III,)' soldiers were sighted in the strike ar.... No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG 'lRI PROVINCE) - At 0815 an el_ent of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanilled). four 1II11es SW of Con Thien, three mile. from the southern edge of the Dendlitarised Zone, received about 25 rounds of 82DB aortar tire. Very light casualties, no fatalities or dauge.

13

- TOAN THANe OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At O/o,;.!5 an element ot the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (A1l'IIobile), in night detenee at a tire sUl'port Base :.!5 miles NNE ot Tay Ninh City (tour miles from the Cambodian border) was attacked by an ur:known size en8IIT torce firing s_l1 arma, auto_tic weapons, and rocket-grenades. The troop' f'1red back with unit weapons and were sup­ported by helicopter gunships and artillery. In about one hour the ent1117 with­drew. In a search ot the battle area at first light, the unit receiyed s .. ll arms and automatic weapons tire troa al\ estimated enemy company. The enem;r tire was returned with unit weapons and the troopers were supported by heli­copter gunships a.nd artillery. Fighting centinued throughout the morning un­til l:.!15 when contact was lost as the enem,y again withdrew. The bodies of 44 enemy soldiers were found in the vicinity. In addition, :.!B individual weapons, twa crew-served weapons 1 114 rocket-grenade rounds t 154 IIIOrtar rounds, 180 CHICOM grenades, :.!9 CHI(;(M cla"more-type mines. 3,,00 _11 arms rounds and 140 pounds of plastic-type explosives were captured. Three en8lll1' 60mm mortars and two enem;r individual weapons were destroyed. U.S. casualties were tour ld.lled and three wounded.

- I FFV (BDIH DINH PROVINCE) - At 1900 two U.S. Arm;r helicopter gunships re­ported receiving .50 caliber machinegun fire from an area six miles north ot Qui Nhon. The tire was returned with aerial machinegun tire. (h a second pass over the area, one helicopter again reported receiving machinegun fire and the fire was returned with unkIlown results. It was subsequently deter­mined that Republic of Vietnam Regional Force troops were test firing a .50 caliber machinegun in the vicinity of a hamlet and that the helicopter gun­ship return fire impacted on the friendly troops and civilians. Seyen Viet­namese civilia.ns and one RF soldier were reported ld.lled and :.!6 civilians and five RF soldiers were reported wo1Dlded. The incident is under investi­gation. No aircraft were reported hit and there were no U.S. casualties.

- He.! MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 1st Medical (Ambu­lance) Company at Pleiku in II Corps was inactivated today as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See THE CIIROHOLOOY OF TROOP REDE­PLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text ot the release).

- He.! MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 92nd Military Po­lice Detachment at Tan Son Nhut will be inactivated tomorrow (5 February) as part of the Third Increment ot Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- SYM TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 306 sorties (USAF 162. USMC 138. and USN 6). ld.lling one enemy' soldier. triggering 6:.! secondary explosions, and igniting 29 tires. They also destroyed or damaged 86 fortifications. 277 bunkers. and four samp8.ns.

- Seven B-52,missions were reported during today's releases with targets six miles west. seven miles WSW. 10 miles SW and seven ailes SSW ot Ben Het; and 7 miles WSW and 9 and 10 miles SSW ot Ben Het.

5 February (Thursday)

- HQ KACV -- During the night, two significant enelll7 indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, neither against U.S. forces. Seven other in­direct tire attacks were considered insignificant. causing no casualties or damage.

14

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 21 enem;r indirect fire attack" were reported throughout the country, tour of which were against U.S. units or installations. Six ot the 21 attacks oaueed callualtiee or dam­age. U.S. casualtiell were three wounded, no fatalitiell.

- In MAF (THUA THIEN PROVINCE) - At 1120 a U.S. Marine reconnaillsance element received small anD and autOllll.tic weaponll fire from an unknown size enem;r torce 29 miles WSW of Hue near the A Shau valley and two miles from the Lao­tian border. The Karinell returned fire with unit w .. pons and at an unreported time the enem;r withdrew with unknown 1011111511. U.S. callualties were three kill­ed UJd two wounded.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 2045 a suspected M-26 fragmentation gr_de was detonated at the U.S. Marine Force LogillticlI C~ Enlillted Club near Da Hang. As a result ot the aplosion, one Karin. was killed and 62 were in­jured ot whom 52 were evacuated to lledioal tacilitiee within Da Nang. Only one ot the wounded 111 considered in lIeriOUS condition. The incident 111 ap­parently not a result ot enem;r action and an invelltigation ill currently under­way by III MAF.

- HQ MACV - It wall announced by USARV (LOOG BINH) that the lilt Medical Labora­tory (Iilbile) at Phu Bai in I Corpe aDd the 359th Medioal Detachment (Veter­inarian Dispensary) at CU Chi in III Corps will be inactbated tomorrow (6 Febra&r7) as part ot the Third Incr_t ot Troop Redep~t. (See the CHROOOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPID!MERT in this II-rr tor the complete text ot the release).

SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilotll flew 251 IIOrtiell (USAF 138, USMC 113), killing 12 enem;r soldierll, triggering :n seoODClary explosions, and igniting 19 fires. They alao delltro;Jed or dalaged 101 tortifications, and 2fYl bunkerll.

- FOUl' ~52 millsiCl'lIl were reported during today's I"IIlll&llell with targete 11 miles north and 5 miles HW ot A Luoi, and 24 and 25 miles IIOUtbliest ot Da Nang.

6 Febra&r7 lI'riday)

- HQ MCV - During the night, one significant en-.;y indireot tire attack was reported throughout the country. It 1IU not aga1J111t U.S. torces. One other indirect fire attack Wall conll1ci4ll'ed iJllligniticant, in that it caused no du!­age or oaaualties. Theile two indirect fire attaclal are included in the total number ot 8Dem;r initiated incidets reported lIinoe 1800 ,.sterday.

- HQ MCV - During the 24-h0Ul' period ending at 0800 today, five enem;r indirect fire attaoks were reported throughout the country, one ot which Wall against U.S. torees. Two ot the tin attaclal caused casualties or daage. There were DO U.S. casualties.

- RQ MlCV - U.S., Republic ot Viet.Jl8a and Free World Forces IlUspended combat operatiODll in the Republic ot VietDaa tram 1800, 5 February, to 1800, 6 Feb­ruary. During that period, 118 eMIIT initiated incidents were reported by all torc.. ot which 78 were consiclared significant (those incidentll in which

15

casualties occurred. As a result ot the signiticant incidents, U.S. casual­ties were three killed and 22 lIOIIDded. Enem;y losses were 142 killed and 20 detained. In addition, one crew-served and 26 individual _porus were cap­tured. The following are signiticant incidents involving U.S. torces:

ITI KAF:

060705 -- QUANG HAM PROVINCE -- A security el_t ot the 7th Regiment, lilt l4arine Division, observed tOlD' Vietnamese males in black paj&lll&s. The tour were challenged. The 8U11J)ects then tired _11 IU'IIIII at the Marines. The _11 &l'IIIII tire was returned. '1'hree ot the suspected enemy were detained, one ot whom was wounded, and the tourth escaped. There were no U.S. casualties.

051900 -- QUANG NAM PROVINCE -- An el_t ot the 7th Reg1l11811t, lilt Ma­rine Division, in detensive poeitiOllll 11 1I11es south ot Hoi An (25 miles SSE ot Da Nang), received less than tive rounds ot grenade tire tra. an unknown size enllllY torce. At an unreported time the en..,- withdrew with unknown losses. U.S. casualties were one wounded, no tatalities.

051955 -- QUANG NGAI PROVINCE -- A security el_t from the 11th Bri­gade, AMERICAL Division, received tire tralll a c_nd detonated artilleI7 round, tollowed by s_ll aru tire, tour miles west ot Quang Ngai (74 miles SSE of Da Nang) •. The intantr,Bn returned tire with unit weapons. At an \UI­

known time the enemy withdrew with unknown 1088es. U.S. casualties were three lIO\Ulded, all of whom were evacuated.

051855 -- QUANG RAM PROVINCE -- A security ela.ent ot the 5th Regiment, lilt Marine DiviSion, while moving to a night observation position six miles north ot An Hoa (19 milee SW ot Da Rang), received e-.llaru tire from an enem;r eniper. 'nIe l4arinee returned tire with their unit weapone. One enemy eo1dier wae Jdlled. No U.S. casua1tiee.

05:.!O25 -- QUANG NGAI PROVINCE -- An el_nt ot the 11th Brigade, AMERI­CAL Division, while in a night detllDllive position three miles NNW ot Duc Fho (97 milee SSE ot Da Nang), was attacked bJr an unlmown Bize enea;y torce using maall &rIII8 and automatic weapone. At an unreported time contact was loet. One enem;y soldier wae Jdlled and one enemy soldier W&8 detained. No U.S. cas­ualties.

061215 -- THUA THIEN PROVINCE -- A security patrol from an element ot the 10let Airborne Divieion (AirlIIobile) received euall arms tire from two en­emy soldiers 10 milee SW ot Hue (55 miles WNW ot Da Nang). The troopers re­turned tire with un1 t weapons and in a short while the enea;y withdrew with unknown lossee. One U.S. eolcl1er was killed.

060400 -- QUANG TRI PROVINCE -- A U.S. Marine and Republic ot Vietnam Combined Action Platoon, while in night detenee, received grenade tire !'l'om an unknown number ot enem.r three milee east ot Quang Tri (81 mi1ee NW ot Da Nang). The Combined Action Plstoon returned tire at the suspected enemy lo­cation with unknown results. U.S. caeaalties were one lIOIIDded, no fatalities.

16

060800 -- QUANG NAM PROVINCE -- A reconnaissance element of the 1st Karine Division observed 50 enlllll7 soldiers moving SW nine miles east of An Hoa (21 miles south of Da Nang). The reconnaissance element requested vis­ual reconnaissance aircraft to observe the enemy. An OV-10 light observation aircraft, rlying over the area, received ground tire trom the enemy soldiers. Artilllll'7 fire 1I&S directed onto the en4llll1' location, killing ten of the ene •• No U.S. casualties.

061425 -- THUA THIEN PROVINCE - An element of the 101et Airborne DiviB­ion (Airmobile) in defensive positions 14 miles _st of lfue (63 miles NW of Da Nang) received small !Il'III8 tire from an unknown size enemy force. The troopers tired back with unit weapons and at an unreported time the enemy withdrew with unknown losses. U.S. casualties were one wounded, no fatalities.

I FPV:

060805 -- mNH DlNH PROVINCE -- A security patrol of the l73rd Airborne Brigade rece1 Ted IIIIBll arms tire from two enemy soldiers 11 miles NW of Bong Son (58 miles NNW or Qui Nhon). s-I.l IU"IIIlI tire was exchanged. Contact 1oI&S

lost at 0815. The bodies of two en~ soldiers were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

061525 -- mNH DINH PROVINCE -- A security patrol from an I Field Force Ranger element received small &rIIIB tire trom an estimated 12 enemy soldiers 17 miles NW of Bong Son (65 miles NJIW of Qui Nhon). S .. ll IU"IIIlI fire was ex­changed. and contact 1oI&S lost at 1635. Five enlllQ' soldiers were killed. In addition, five packs, three hand grenades and fi_ rifle IIILgallines were cap­tured. No U.S. casualties.

II m:

060130 -- mNH DUOOG PROVINCE -- Elements of the let Cavalry Division (Ai1'lllObile) while in night positions two miles WE of Phuoc Vinh detected ."emtIlt approaching their positions. The troopers engaged the enlllll7 with hand grenades. One enemy soldier vas killed. No U.S. casualties.

060950 -- mNH LOOG PROVIICE -- A security {lIltrol from an element or the 31'4 Brigade, let Ca'98.lry Dinsion (Airmobile), reqeived II1II&11 arms and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown Il1DIIber of enemy soldiers nine miles north of Quan Loi (ten miles from the C ... bOO1an border). The troopers tired back with unit weapons and were supported. by helicopter gunships, artillery, and USAF tactical aircraft. In about twenty minutes the enem;y withdrew with un­known losses. One U.S. soldier was wounded.

061745 -- SINH DUOOG PROVINCE -- Helicopter crewmen from the &rmred _lry squadron of the let Infantry Dlvision observed ten enemy soldiers who tired slllL11 &rIIIII at the aircraft seven miles SE of La1 Khe. The enemy fire was returned with unit weapons and at 1809 troopers trom the squadron were air­aesauJ.ted into the vicinity and found the 'bodies of four en4llll1' soldiers killed by the aerial machineguns. They also captured two individual weapons. No U.S. casualties.

17

061200 -- LONG AN PROVINCE -- A security patrol from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, received _11 arms and automatic weapons fire from four enemy soldiers 12 miles ENE of Tan An. The infantrymen returned fire with unit weapons and contact was lost alJnost iDaediately. Two enemy sol­diers were detained and one individual weapon was captured. No U.S. casual­ties.

060015 -- HAU NGHIA PROVINCE -- A security element of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, engaged an estimated 20 enemy soldiers moving near their position eix miles HE of Trang Bang (10 miles NW of Cu Chi). The ene­my returned fire with sJllll.ll arms and automatic weapons. As fighting contin­ued, the infantrymen were supported by helicopter gunships and a USAF AC-1l9 gunehip from the 14th Special Operations Wing. At 0210 the enemy withdrew. Eight enemy soldiers were Idlled in the engagement and two individual weap­amI were captured. U.S. casualties were two Idlled and two wounded.

051925 -- LONG KHANH PROVINCE -- An element of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, in night defense 14 milell WNW' of Xuan Loc , received 1IJIIII.11 arms, automatic weapons and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force. The infantrymen returned fire with unit weaponll and were supported by artill­ery and helicopter gunships. In about ten minutes the enemy withdrew with un­known losses. U.S. casualties were seven wounded, no fatalities.

051855 -- PHtJOC TUY ffiOVIHCE -- A unit night defensive position one -tle HE of Phu My- received small arms tire froll an unknown number ot enemy sol­diers. The enemy fire was returned and contact was lost almost iDmediately when the enemy withdrew. Enemy loases are unknown. U.S. casualties were one wounded, no fatalities.

051937 -- HAU NGHIA PROVINCE -- A security element of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, engaged three enemy soldiers seven miles HE of Trang Bang (ll miles NW of Cu Chi), Idlling two of them in a brief action. No U.S. casualties.

051950 -- BINH DUONG ffiOVIl'lCE -- An element of the 3rd Brigade, 1st In­fantry Division, in night detense tour Jld.les SE of Lai Khe, received rocket­grenade tire from an unknown number of enemy soldiers. Contact 1f&8 lost al­most 1l11D111iiately. Enem;y losses are unknown. U.S. casualties were three woun­ded, no fatalities.

051845 -- TAY NINH PROVINCE -- A light observation helicopter froll the air cavalry squadron ot the let CaY&l.r,r Division (Airmobile) recsived small arms fire from an unknown size en.;y force II miles NW at Iatum and two miles from the Cambodian border. The or.- returned fire with unit weapons. The bodies of three enemy soldiers ware sighted in the strike area. No U.S. cas­ualties.

051855 -- TAY NINH ffiOVINCE -- A light observation helicopter from the air cavalry squadron at the let Cavalry Division (Atr.obile) while on a rec­onnaissance mission received small arms tire from an unknown size enemy force

IS

10 miles NW of Katum and one mile from the Cambodian border. The crewmen returned fire with lUlit weapon., and the bodies of three enemy soldierll were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. callualties.

051825 - TAY NINH PROVINCE - A light obllervation helicopter from the air cavalry squadron of the let Cavalry Division (Airmobile) received small arms fire from an IUllmown nUlllber of enemy soldiers II miles NW of Katum and two milell from the Cambodian border. The crewmen returned tire with aerial weaponll and were supported bT artillel7'. The bodies of three enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

052l4O - LONG AN PROVINCE - A seourity patrol from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infan~ Division, reoeived uall IIrIIIII and auto.tic weapons fire frolll an uDknown number of enemy soldier. six IIliles NE of Tan An. The infantrymen tired back with unit weapone and contact was lost almost ~i&tel;r. Four enem;y soldiers were killed and three individual _pons captured. No U.S. caaual.ties.

052150 - LONG AN PROVINCE - A seCllrityele_nt from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, received -n aru and auto.tic weapons fire frolll an uDknown number of enem;y soldiers seven IIliles NNE of Tan An. The infan~ returned fire with unit weapons. ~e enem;y lIoldier wall killed. No U.S. caa­ualtie ••

051945 - HAU NGHIA PROVINCE - A security el_t of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infan~ Division, in night defenae .ix miles NE of Trang Bang, engaged an uDknown size enem;y force morlng toward their position. ~e enem;r soldier va. killed. No U.S. casualties.

052000 - TAY NINH PROVDICE - An element of the 11th Armored Cavall7' Reg1aent, in night defense four lIi1es NW of Itatllll1, obserYed an unlmown number of Ill....,. soldiers lIoving tOlll.rd. them. The troopers engaged them with unit _pone, killing one enem;y soldier. 110 U.S. casualties.

052110 - LONG AN PROVINCE - A Ranger element frOlll the 3rd Brigade, 9th Intan~ Division, while on a seCllrity patrol nine IIliles east of Tan An, reoeived _11 arms fire from an unknown sise eneJlY' force. The enemy tire V&II returned and contact wall lost iDBediatel;y. ~e enemy soldier wall killed. No U.S. casualtiell.

- OPERATION P'REDJm:CI HILL (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 2020 an el_nt of the 196th Brigade, AMERICAL Division, in night defense 12 IIliles NW of Tam Iy (32 milell SSE of Da Nang), received rocket-grenade fire from an unknown numbsr of enem;y soldierll. The infant~ returned fire with unit weapons, and in a short while the enem;y withdrev with unlmown loeses. U.S. casualties were one killed and four wounded.

19

_ HQ MACV -- (The following wall relealled in rellponlle to que!7). Earll" on the afternoon of 2 February, two U.S. Air Force RF-4C unarmed reconnaillllance air­craft on II routine reconnaillllance million oyer North Vietnam near the Laotian border came under intenlle anti-aircraft fire from en~ gun pollitionll inllide North Vietnam. The attack occurred in the Ben Karai PailS area (30 miles WSW of Dong Hoi). The U.S. aircraft were not hit. The accompanying F-4 armed escort aircraft attacked the tiring site to protect the reconnaissance air­craft. During the engagement. a surface to air missile (SAM) was launched from a NVN site in the area. The SAM site WILli then taken under fire by escort aircraft. The anti-aircraft tiring lite and the SAM launching llite were si­lenced. No U.S. aircraft were daaged in the series of engagements. It is emphasized that the mission of the unarmed reconnaissance aircraft attacked b;r anti-aircraft firs wall routine reconnaissance. All ordnance expended was in direct response to NVN anti-aircraft and SAM attacks from positions in North Vietnam in order to protect our aircraft. (The above is from a MEM­<l!ANDUM FCR CrnRESPOODENTS, released the evening of 6 February. 1970).

- HI.! MACV - (The following is a Headquarters MACV Stateaent). The review di­rected b;r General Abrams to determine the cirCUllllltancell surrounding the un­authorized issuance of press credentials to two military investigatorll and two South Vietnamese Nationals hu been cOlllpleted. The individual rellponsible for initiating the action which resulted in the issuance of the credentials has been identified. All of the contacts made in the courlle of securing the cre­dentisls have also been identified.

The individual who initiated the action was usigned to a milit&!7 in­velltigatiYe agency which assigned him a task which W&II coapletely unrelated to the local Vietnamese and foreign press corps or their activities. He er­roneously assumed authority for using the method of implementation upon which he embarked. The individuals contacted in securing the credentialll errone­OUllly assumed that those requesting the credentialll had been g1Yen authority to use this procedure becaUlle of the nature of the million.

IDDediately after the credentialll were issued. they were secured in a safe and maintained under control b;r the organization to which the milita!7 investigators were assigned. The credentials were not used in a~ manner at any time during the period they were out of control of the accreditation off­ice. The task was performed using other lIIIIans.

The cause for the unauthorised isllue of press credentials was an errone­ous assumption of authority by the initiating individual and the accsptance of this authority without further investigation b;r those who actually issue the credentials. The entire process indicated a lack of application of judge­ment by those involyed.

The following actions han been taken:

(a) The individual responsible for initiating the action bas been reprimanded, relieved of his duties. and transferred to a new aeaignment.

(b) The milita!7 !nYestigators involved han been tranllferred to

20

new assignments.

(c) Since the Vietnamese nationals involved were merel,. employees tollowing instructions, no action W&8 taken in their case.

(d) Those involved in the issuance at credentials have been repri­manded and admonished concerning proper procedures to tollow in verif.ying eligibilit7 tor press accreditation.

'!'he review at policies and procedUres directed b,. General Abrams indica­ted that the existing policies and procedures are adequate to insure proper is_ce ot press credentials providing the,. are full7 implemented. All in­volved in the accreditation process in an,. manner have been re-instructed con­cerning proper procedures in a""'n1etering the policies and have been directed to report to the polia,. level an,. attempts to circumvent the policies, regard­less at whether or not such attempts appear to have some torm at sanction.

To emphasize the seriousness ot any tailure to comp17 with policies, all concerned have been thorough17 instructed in the proced1ll'es which IIII1st be tol­lowed to amend the policies in an,. manner. Any reco_dation tor amendments III\lSt be proposed at the poliO)" level and mst be reviewed b7 the U.S. Hisdon and Headquarters lfACV. Both IIII1st agree betore an,. polia,. 11&7 be changed. Any unilateral change would be a violation at the working agreement under which the policies were adopted, and at a similar working agreement with the Republic at Vietnam Ministry ot Information.

Since the error which resulted in the unauthorised issue at press cre­dentials involved poor judgement rather than adeliberate disregard tor poli­cies, it would be inappropriate to name the individuals who contributed to . the ilIIproper accreditation. To name those connected with the militar,. invee­tigation agenq would impair the turther ettectivene •• ot the individuals and ot their organization to the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Mission and lfACV recognise that the Saigon Press Corps consider­ed that this ,incident direct17 t.pacted upon the integrit7 and protessional .tanding ot the preel corps and each individual corre.pondent. The concern thil caused is deepl,. regretted. The policiel and procedures tor accredita­tion are designed to protect the interelts ot the prell COrpl as· well al the U.S. Government. Theretore, the unauthorised accreditation was as II1Uch de­plored b7 lfACV and the U.S. Hission a8 it wal b7 the press corpe. ViolAtionl ot polic7 ot this t7Pe will not be tolerated. (The above ie trom a MEM<EAN­DUM FCII. COORESPONDENTS, released the evening at 6 Februar7, 1970).

- HQ lfACV - Reorganization ot U.S. Force. in I Corps Tactical Zone area will result in III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) becoming a subordinate cOJaalld within U.S. XXIV Corps ettective March 9. This reverses the present cODlllBnd arrangement which places XXIV under III MAF. With the redeployment ot the 3rd Marine Division and the :d>th Mll.rine Regimental Landing Team, U.S. ArIIJT Forces have become the predOlllinant U.S. military- el~t in the I Corps area. The cOJaand realignment renecte this shirt in !ield torce structure. Lt. General Herman Nickerson, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, present cOlllllander ot III MAF

2l

and all U.S. Forces in I COrpll, will depart appraxima.tely March 9 for the United States. His successor. Major General Keith B. McCutcheon, U.S. Ma­rine Corps. who has been nominated for Lt. General, will allS\lllle command of III MAF as the Commanding General of a sub-element of XXIV Corps. XXIV COrpll is commanded by Lt. General Melvin Zaill. U.S. Ar'1q. The XXIV Corps was ac­tivated as a provisional corps in March 1968 and redesignated as XXIV Corps in August 1968 to control the U.S. forces in the northern portion of the I Corps area. It has been a subordinate element of III MAF since itll estab­lillhment. III MAF was established in 1965 to control all U.S. Forces in I Corps. At the time of its establillhment U.S. Marine Forcell were the predom­inant U.S. military element in the area. The actifttion of the AMERICAL'Di­villion in 1967 began a buildup of U.S. ArJq Forcell within I Corps which even­tuall¥ involved the collllllitment of the lilt Brigade of the 5th Division (Me­chanized). the 101llt Airborne Division (Airmobile), and the lilt Cavalry Di­vision (Airmobile). The let Caftlry Division (Airmobile) wall later deployed to the III Corps Tactical Zone.

- HQ MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BIRR) that the Hq and Hq Detach­ment, 43rd Medical Group at Nba Trang, will be inactivated tomorrow (7 Febru­ary) as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (The complete text of the release ill contained in the CHRONOLOOY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary).

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 9:3 lIortiell (USAF 36, USMC 57). triggering one seeondary explosions, igniting four firell, and destroying or damaging four fortifications and three bunkers. The sorties came after the eompletion of the 24-hour cease fire.

- Two B-52 missionll were reported during today's releallell with targetll 6 and 7 miles NW of Tri Ton.

7 February (Saturday)

- HQ MACV - During the night. two signifieant enlllD7 indireet fire attaeks were' reported throughout the eo\Ultry. both of which were againat U.S. unitll or in­stallations. Eight other indirect fire attacks were considered inllignificant. causing no casualties or damage. The following significant attacks involved U.S. forces:

II FFV:

070155 - HAU NGHIA PROVINCE - A U.S. NaYy element located 12 miles SW of Cu Chi received less than fiva \Uldetermined caliber rocketll. Light U.S. casualties.

061930 - BIEN HOA PROVINCE - A U.S. Arrq combat support unit defensive positions 16 miles SE of Bien Hoa City received about ten rounds of unknown type and caliber indirect fire. Light U.S. casualties, no fatalities.

22

- HQ MACV -- During the £4-hour period ending at 0800 today, 11 ene~ indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, four of which were against U.S. units or installations. Three of the 11 attacks caused casualties or damage. U.S. casualties were one Idlled and 20 wounded.

- III KAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) -- At l240 an element of the 5th Regiment, 1st M'a.r1ne Division, observed rive enemy soldiers carrying packs and weapons three miles HE of An Hoa (16 miles south of Da Nang). Karine artillery WIIS directed onto the enem;y location and the bodies of all five were sighted lying in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (TIroA THIEN PROVINCE) -- At 0345 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), received small arma and rockst-grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force nine miles SW of Hue (55 miles NW of Da Nang). The troopers returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by artillery and tactical aircr&!t. At ocrlO the ene~ withdrew, leaving behind two of hie dead and one individual weapon. U.S. casualties were eight wounded with no fatalities.

- III MAF (QUANG 'l'RI PROVINCE) - At l200 a U.S. Na'9J" Landing Craft (LCM) en­route to Dong Ha on a river, mile north of Dong Ha (8 miles NW of Quang Tri City) detonated an unknown type of water mine. The LCM was damaged and sunk. Two U. S. personnel were Idlled and five were wounded.

- TOlN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1650 an element of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and an element of the 1st Brigade, let Cavalry Di­vision (Airmobile), received small arma, automatic weapons and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force 28 miles NNE of T87 Ninh City and three miles from the Cambodian border. The enemy were occupying bunkers. The troopers returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by helicopter gun­ships and artillery in addition to the heavy weapons on their tanks and armor­ed personnel carriers. Fighting continued until 1750 when the ene~ withdrew. leaving behind 14 of his dead, one light mchinegun and two individual weap­ons. U.S. casualties were nine wounded, no fatalities.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (BINH IDNG PROVINCE) - At 1640 a light observation heli­copter frOlll the air cavalry squadron of the lst Cavalry Division (Airmobile) received small arms fire from an unknown number of ensy soldiers three miles NW of Loc Minh and five milee from the CBIIIbodian border. The air crew fired back with aerial machineguns and directed artillery and USAF tactical aircraft onto the location. Five enemy were Idlled and there were no-U.S. casualties.

- HI.! MACV - It was armounced today that the facilities of the U.S. Arm.v's 2S3rd Medical Detachment, Helicopter Ambulance, at Pleiku were transferred to the J.:rJq of the Republic of Vietnam 011 February 5. The facilities will be conver­ted to a preventive medical clinic expected to be operational by mid-l970. The dust off compound was transferred to the 72nd Medical Headquarters (ARVN) and will house the 272nd Medical COIIIp&IQ' and 2nd Ambulance Company. The 72nd Medical Company is commanded by Major Phan Gia Tu.

23

- SVN TAG AIR: U.S. pilots flew 202 sorties (USAF 110, USMC 92), killing one enemy soldier, triggering seven secondary explosions, and igniting 16 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 62 fortifications, 262 bunkers, and 22 sampans.

_ Four B-52 missions were reported during today's releases with targets 25 and 28 miles NW of Ham Tan and 3 and 4 miles ESE of !tatum.

8 Febru&17 (Sunday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, no significant enemy indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the count17. Six other indirect fire attacks were consid­ered insigniricant, causing no casualties or damage.

- HQ MAGV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, seven enemy indi­rect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, of which one was a­gainst U.S. forces. None of the attacks caused casualties or damage.

- OPERATION IRON MOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - Two events occurred, both involving the same unit:

1. At 0730 an ellllll8Jlt or the 11th Brigade. AMERICAL Division, observed eight enemy soldiers seven miles WNW of Quang Ngai City (74 miles SSE of Da Nang). The enemy were engaged with organic weapons and contact was lost at an unreported time. Seven enemy soldiers were killed. No U.S. casualties •

. 2. At 0830 an element or the 11th Brigade, AMERICAL Division, engaged rive enemy soldiers two miles SE of Duc Pho (28 Ddles SSE of Quang Ngai City). All five enemy soldiers were killed in the action. Two hand grenades were captured. No U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION IRON MOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) -- At 1300 helicopter crewmen from an element of the U.S. Army 16th Combat Aviation Group sighted one ene­my soldier entering a tunnel 12 miles NW of Duc Pho (90 miles SSE of Da Nang). Troopers from the group were air-assaulted into the area and engaged an un­lmown size enemy force. Contact continued until 1440 when the reain1ng ene­my withdrew. Five enemy soldiers were killed and seven suspects detained. In addition, two pistols and one shotgun were captured and five bunkers were de­stroyed. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (~UANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 2245 an element or the 7th Regiment, 1st M!lrine Dl.vl.sion, reoel.Ved about five 8:amn mortar rounds, hand grenades, sat­chel charges and small arms fire from an estimated 15 enemy soldiers while in night defensivs positions seven miles SW of Hoi An (19 railes SSE of Da Nang). TIle Marines fired back with small arms and were supported by artillery illu­mination. At 2305 the enemy withdrew witn unlmown losses. U.S. casU&ltl~s were one killed and four wounded.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) -- At 004 0 elements of the 1st Bri­gade, 25th Infantry Division, reinforced with tanks from tne d1 V].Sl.on 's armor battalion, engaged an unlmown size enemy force 1.: miles north of Tay Ninh Gity

24

and II miles from the Cambodian border. Small arllll and automatic weapons fire was exchanged and the ene~ euaployed rocket-grenade fire. The troopers ware supported by artillery, helioopter gunships and USAF F-IC)()ls from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, in addition to the heavy weapons on their armored vehicles. Fighting continued until 16~0 when the enem:,y withdrew, leaving be­hind 14 of his dead and one crew-served and six individual weapons, as well all eight RPG-7 rocket-grenade rounds and five CHICOK hand grenades. Two enemy soldiers were detained. No U.S. casualties.

- II FYi (LOOG AN PROVINCE) - At 2045 a mechanized infantry element of the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, ambushed an unknown nUlllber of ene~ 11 miles SE of Tan An. Small arms fire vas exchanged and the infantJ7men were support­ed by U.S. artillery. At d30 the enemy withdrew, leaving behind fiVe of his dead. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN '!'HANG OFFENSIVE (BINH LONG PROVINCE) - At lS15 an element of the Jrd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), received small arms and rocket­grenade fire from an unknown nUlllber of enemy soldiers two miles SE of Loc Ninh and nine miles from the C&IIbod1an border. 'ftle troopers returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by helicopter gunships and artillery. In a few minutes the en~ withdrew with unknown losses. U.S. casualties were ten wounded, no fatalities.

- CMAC (SAIG<li) - At 0540 a suspected enemy terrorist fired four or five shots at a U.S. Military Assistance COIIIII&nd courier vehicle IIIOYing on Pasteur Street t mile HE of the center of the city. One U.S. personnel in the vehicle was wounded in the arm. 'ftlere was no return fire and the terrorist escaped.

- HQ MACV - It was announced by HQ NAVPORV that the overall reduction of 50,000 spaces in the authorised in-oountry strength of U.S. forces in the Re­public of Vietnam, to occur by April 15 in the 'nlird Increment of Troop Re­deplOJlllSllt, will include SOJllll 2,800 llavy spaces. ('ftle complete text of the release is contained in the CHRONOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLO!MENT in this s_ry).

- HQ MACV - It vas announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 760th Kedical De­tachment (Veterinary Service) at Qui Nhon will be inactivated in the Republic of Vietnam tomorrow as part of the 'ftl1rd Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRClfOLOGY OF TROOP REDEJ>I.OYJmn' in this II1lIIIII1U'T for the complete text of the release).

- sm TAC AIR: U.S. pilots new 270 sorties (USAF 146, USKC U~, and USN :l), killing five en~ soldiers, triggering 13 secondary explosions, and igniting 30 fires. They also· destroyed or damaged 139 fortifications and 290 bunkers.

- Two B-52 missions were reported during toda;r's releases with targets 30 miles WSW of Hue, and two miles east of the Laotian border.

_ An Air Force OV-IO was downed by en~ ground fire 17 miles SE of Iatum in Tay Ninh Province, destroying the aircraft. No injuries to the crew members.

25

9 February (Monday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, one significant enemy indirect fire attack was reported throughout the country. It was not against U.S. forces. Two other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no casualties or damage.

- HQ MACV - During the 4-hour period ending at 0800 today, seven enemy indi­rect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, one of which was a­gainst U.S. forces. One of the seven attacks caused casualties or damage. There were no U.S. casualties.

- I FFV (TUYEN DUC PROVINCE) - At 1115 a U.S. Ar'lq IFFV Ranger element engaged an estimated ten enemy soldiers 10 miles SW of Dalat (65 miles SW of Nha Trang. Small arms and autorratic weapons fire was exchanged and the Rangers were supported by helicopter gunships. At 1130 the enemy withdrew, leaving behind four of his dead and four individual weapons. No U.S. fatalities, one U.S. soldier was wounded.

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 186 sorties (USAF 118, USMC 68), killing two enemy soldiers, triggering six secondary explosions, and igniting eight fires. They also destroyed or damaged 40 fortifications, G73 bunkers and eight sam­pans.

- Four B-5G missions were reported during today's releases with targets 9 miles east of Bear Cat; 11 miles SSW of Xuan wC; and GO miles WSW and 30 miles WNW of Hue.

10 February (Tuesday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, two significant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, none of which were against U.S. forces. Ten other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no damage or casualties.

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 19 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, five of which were against U.S. forces. Four of the 19 attacks caused casualties or damage. There were no U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION FREDERICK HILL (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) -- At 0615 an element of the 196th Brigade, AMERICAL Division, while in night defense eight miles west of Tam ICy (35 miles SSE of Da Nang) received approxillBtely ten rounds of 82mm mortar fire, rocket-grenades, and small arms fire from an estimated 10-12 enemy soldiers. The infantrymen returned fire with small arms and automatic weapons and were supported by U.S. Ar'lq artillery. At an unreported time the enemy withdrew with unknown 10ss8s. U.S. casualties were one killed and eight wounded.

26

- I FFV (BINH TUY PROVINCE) - At 1015 an IFFV Ranger element engaged an esti­mated enem,y platoon while operating in the Binh Thuan - Binh Tuy Province border area 21 miles north of Phan Thiet (107 miles SW of Nha Trang). Small arms and automatic weapons fire was exchanged and air cavalry troops from the armored cavalry squadron ot Task Force South reinforced the action. At 1845 the ene~ withdrew, leaving eight ot his dead in the battle area, No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (BINH DU<llG PROVINCE) - At 1830 troopers from the ar­mored cavalry squadron of the let Infantry Division engaged an unknown number ot ene~ five miles SE of Ben Cat. Small arms tire was exchanged. Hslicop­ter gunships and another element of the squadron, in tanks and armored per­lIOJIlle1 carriers, reinforced the action. At 1845 the enem;y withdrew, leaving behind eight ot his dead. There were no U.S. casualties.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (PHUOC L<llG PROVINCE) - At 1845 an element of the 2nd­Bl-igade, let Cavalry Division (A1rIIObile), engaged an unknown nUlllber of en ... rq 'Z'I miles ENE ot Phuoc Binh. Small &rIllS tire was exchanged and helicopter gqD8hipe and U.S. artilllll'7 supported the action. At 1925 the enelllY with­drew. Three enem,y soldiers were killed. U.S. casualties were tive wounded with no tatalities.

- HQ KACV - It was announced by III MAr (Da Nang) that Detachment, 1st Shore Party Battalion, and Detacm.nt, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, will embark tod~ as part ot ths Third Inc~t ot Troop redeplo:Jlllent. (See the CHR<ll­OLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYmrr in this ..-r:r for the complete text ot the re­lease).

- An AnIy OH-6 light obeervation helicopter was downed by enem,y ground tire nine 1II11es ESE ot KatUII in Ta;r Minh Province, wounding three personnel aboard a:n4 destroying the aircraft.

- An ArrIIT UH-l helicopter crashed and was destr078d southNest of Da Nang Air Bue at 0845 today. All 12 cr_ and passengers werre killed. The cause ot the accident has not been deteradned.

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots flew 234 sorties (USAF 134, and USK: 100), killing eight eneJl;f soldiers, triggeriDg 31 second&r)' explosions, and igniting 26 tires. The;r aleo destr078d or daaged 44 eneJl;f tortifications and 285 bunkers.

- Four B-52 III1ssions were reported during today's rsleases with targets 6 and 7 1II11es SE ot KatUII and 25 and 26 miles north ot Ben Het.

11 Fetru&r7 (Wednesday")

- HQ MACV - During the night, one significant enem,y indirect tire attack was reported throughout the country. It was not againllt a U.S. unit. Seven other indireot tire attacks were oollllidered insignificant, caueing no casualties or claage. The following attack was against U.S. forces:

27

102.400 - BINH THUAN PROVDlCE - A Task Force South fire support base six miles north of Phan Thiet received about five rounds of 82mm mortar fire resulting in very light U.S. casualties with no fatalities.

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today,ll enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, three of which were against U.S. forces. One of the 11 attacks caused casualties or damage. U.S. cas­ualties W5l'e one wounded, no fatalities.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1415 an air observer in support of the 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, observed 30 enemy soldiers carrying packs and weapons moving southeast in an area 17 miles west of Hoi An (16 miles SW of Da Nang). U.S. artillery and tactical aircraft were directed onto the enemy location. The bodies of ten enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION mON OOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At 1000 helicopter gunship crewmen from the 16th Combat Aviation Group si~hted eight enemy soldiers 16 miles west of Duc Fho (92 miles SSE of Da Nang). The crewmen fired on the enemy with aerial weapons, Idlling eight of them. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1450 a forward obeerver from an element of the 5th Regiment, 1st Karine Division, obeerved seven enemy soldiers 10 miles SW of Hoi An (14 miles south of Da Nang), and directed artillery fire onto the location, killing all seven of the enemy. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAP (THUA THIEN PROVDlCE) - At 0115 an element of the let Brigade, 10Ist Airborne Division (Airmobile), in night defense at a fire support base eight miles south of Phu Bai, received more than 40 rounds of 6Qmn mortar and roc­ket-grenade fire from an unknown number of enemy. The troopers returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by helicopter gunships and U.S. Army ar­tillery. During the fighting, four enemy sappers penetrated the perimeter but were killed or repulsed. Contact was lost at 031, wnen tne rema~n~ng enemy wittdr"w. Twelve enemy soldiers were killed. U.S. casualt1es were eignt killed and u wounded. Six individual and two crew-served weapons were captured. Republic of Vietnam Army casualties were light.

- I FFV (NINH THUAN PROVINCE) -- At 0710 Phan Rang Air Base four miles trw of ?han Rang received less than five rounds of l07mm rocket fire, causing no casualties or damage. Counter-battery fire was placed on the suspected firing site. Two enemy soldiers were killed and one enemy soldier was detained.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (BINH LOOG PROVINCE) - At 1440 helicopter gunship crew­men from the air cavalry squadron of the 1st Ca.valry Division (Airmobile) observed ;to enemy soldiers nine miles WNW of 10c Ninh a.nd one mile from the Cambodian border. The enemy' were engaged with aerial machineguns, killing nine of the enemy. No U.S. casualties.

2C

- An ArIl13' OH~ light obllervation helicopter , operating near the Cambodian bor­der, a miles NW of Moc Hoa in Kien 'l'uong Province, received anti-aircraft fire from Cambodia, exploded in mid-air, and crashed. The two crewmen are mislling in action and pre8Ullllld killed. Rescue aircraft were sent to the IIcene and they came under heavy fire originating from gun positions inside Cambodia. United States aircraft returned fire with tactical air strikes.

- An Arttq CH-47 on a troop carrying mission lost power and crallhed 15 milell SE ot Da Lat in Tuyen Duc Province. Four ARVN soldiers wre killed and )6 otherll were injured. U.S. c&llu&ltiell were three wounded, With no fatalities. The aircraft _s delltroyed.

- An Arttq UH-1 helicopter WIIS downed by enelllT ground fire three mi1ell west ot An Khe in Sinh Dinh Province, killing all tour crew members aboard, and des­troying the aircratt.

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots flew ~54 sortiell (USAF 168, USMC 85, and USN 1), killing nine enelllT soldiers, triggering 18 secondary explosions, and igniting 31 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 114 fortifications, 441 bunkers and one sampan.

- Six B-52 missions were reported during toda:y's releaslls With targete 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 mi1ee SW and 6 milee SSW ot Ben Het.

LG Februar:y (Thursday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, there were no lI18Oit1cant enelllJ" indirect tire attacks reported. SIITIIIl other indirect tire attacks were considered inll1g­niticant, caueing no caeua1tiee or dalllLge.

- Hc./ MACV - During the 4-hour period ending at 0800 today, nine enelllT indi­rect fire attacke were reported throughout the COIDltry, two ot which were against U.S. torclle. Twot thll nine attacke caused casua1tiee or damage. There were no U.S. caeu&lties.

- III MAF (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 1700 a to~rd observer trom an artiller:y element ot the 196th Intantry Brigade obeerved 30 enlllllT soldiere carr:y1ng packs and _pone moving on a trail nine miles WNW ot Tam K:y (32 miles ESE ot Da Nang). The enlllllY" were engaged with artiller:y, killing ten ot them. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (c./UANG HAM PROVINCE) - At 0930 an element ot the 7th Regiment, let Marine Divill1on, received heavy _11 &rIIIII and automatic weapons fire from an eet1mated IInfIIIIiY platoon occup:ying dug-in positions 14 mi1ee SE ot An Hoa (:4 milee eouth of Da Nang). '!'he Marinee tired back with unit weapone and were supported by helicopter gunships, artillery, and tactical aircraft. Ae fighting continued another element from the regiment was air-aeeaulted into the vicinit:y. Contact wae lost at 1300 when the enelllJ" withdrew, but was re­established brietly at 1930 by the pursuing Marines. A short while later, the enem,:r withdrew under COTlll' ot darlenees. Six enemy were killed. U. S. caeualties were ~ killed and 13 wounded.

29

- TOAN TF.ANG OFFENSIVE (LONG KHANH PROVINCE) - At 0950 an element of the Imh Light Infantry Brigade received 8111&11 arms and automatic weapons fire from an unknown number or enemy 41 miles south of Phuoc Binh. "nle infantrymen re­turned fire with unit weapons and were supported by gunships and artillery. At 1020 the enemy withdrew, leaving behind eight of his dead. U.S. casualties were two wounded, no fatalities.

- H~ MACV - It was announced on 14 February that Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 11th Transportation Battalion, at Cat Lai, was inactivated today as part of the Third Increment of troop redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF !ROOP REDEPLOYMENT, 14 February, 1970, for the complete text of the release. The chronology is contained in this summary).

- An Army OH-6 light observation helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire 19 miles SE of Tra V1nh in Vinh Binh Province, injuring two U.S. personnel a­board, and destroying the aircraft.

- An Army CH-46, while attempting to avoid enemy ground fire, crashed and was destroyed 12 miles NW of An Hoa in ~ng Nam Province. U.S. casualties were five wounded, no fatalities. Sixteen CIDG personnel aboard the aircraft were also wounded.

- SVN TACAIR: U.S. pilots flew ~53 sorties (USAF 156, USMC 97), triggering 15 secondary explosions, and igniting ten fires. They also destroyed or dam­aged 105 fortifications, and 3~3 bunkers.

- Four B-5~ missions were reported during today's releases with targets Smiles NNW of A Luoi; 13 miles N'.i of Phu Cat; and 4 and 5 miles NW of Tri Ton.

13 February (Friday)

- H~ MACV - During the night, two significant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, one of which was against a U.S. unit. Eight other indirect fire attacks were considered inSignificant, causing no damage or casualties. The following attack was against U.S. forces:

III MAF:

l:ulOO - (,lUANG NAM PROVINCE - An element of the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, in night defense eight miles south of Hoi An, received less than ten rounds of mortar fire. U.S. casualties were light with no fa­talities. No materiel damage.

- HI,! MACV - During the ~-hour period ending at OSOO today, ten en~ indi1'ect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Three of the ten attacks caused casualties or damage. U.S. casualties were two wounded, no fatalities.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (LONG KHANH PROVINCE) -- At 1355 an element of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade engaged an estimated seven enemy soldiers 25 miles NW of Xuan Loc. Small arms and automatic weapons fire was exchanged. The infan-

30

trymen were supported by helicopter gunships and artillery until 1420 when the EIIleJIIY withdrew. Two enemy soldiers were killed and two individual weap­ons were captured in the engag_t. U.S. casualties were three wounded, no fatalitie8.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (HAU NGHIA PROVINCE) - At 1100 a mechanized infantry element of the 3rd Brigade, U.S. 25th Infantry Divi8ion, discovered an ens...,. munitions cache four miles SW of Trang Bang (11 miles we8t of Cu Chi) and seven miles from the Cambodian border. The 700-lb. cache contained the fol­lowing: 59 RPG-2 rocket-grenade8; 50 RPG-2 charges; 25-RPG-7 rocket-grenades; 500 AK-47 small al'lllS rounds; 3 CHIOOM claymore-type mine8; three 20-pound mines; 2,000 feet of electric detonating wire; two pair of wire cutters; tive hand. grenades rigged for booby traps. The itema were in goocl condition.

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots tlew 199 sorties (USAF 134, and USMC 65), killing 8even EIIleJIIY soldiers, triggering II 8econclary expl08ions, and igniting 18 tire8. They also destroyed or damaged 31 tortitications, 237 bunkers and tour sampans.

- Four B-52 missions were reported during tocIay's releases with targets 18 and 19 miles NW ot Phuoc Binh; and 4 miles ENE and 6 mile8 ESE ot Katlllll.

14 February (Saturday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, five significant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, one ot which was against a U.S. unit. Ten other indirect fire attacks were considered insigniticant, causing no casualtie8 or damage. The tollowing attack was against U.S. torces:

III MAF:

131950 - QUANG TIN PROVINCE - An element ot the 196th Brigade, AMERI­CAL Divi8ion, in night detense seven miles west ot Tam Ky (35 miles SSE ot Da Nang), received les8 than ten round8 ot 82mm mortar fire. U.S. casualties were light with no fatalities. No materiel damage.

- HI,! MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 18 enemy indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Six ot the 18 attacks caused casualties or dam­age. U.S. casualties were two wounded, no fatalities.

- III MAF (!,lUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1725 Ul e1_t ot' the 26th Marine Regi­ment, 1st Marine Divi8ion, Ob8erved 15 en8lll1' carrying packs and weapons 10 mles WSW ot' D.. Nang. Th8 enlllllT were engaged with artillery. The bodies of nine en8lll1' soldiers were ngnt.ed U\ tne str~ke area. No U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1630 an element ot the 1st !Brine Regiment, 18t Marine Division, 14 mile8 west ot Hoi An (15 mile8 SSW of Da Nang), re­ceived small arms and automatic weapons tire from an estimated six en8lll1'

31

soldiers in bunkers. Helicopter gunships engaged the bunkers, killing three of the enemy soldiers. The Marines then assaulted the bunkers killing the other three enemy soldiers. Another enemy soldier was detained. In addi­tion, one individual weapon, three anti-personnel mines, 800 pounds of un­poliShed rice and 90 pounds of fish and meat were captured. U.S. casualties were one killed.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1445 elements of the 1st Bri­gade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), while reconnoitering the area 14 miles north of Tay Ninh City,received small arms and rocket-grenade fire fronl an unknown size enemy force. The troopers fired back with unit weapons and were supported by helicopter gunships and artillery. At 1515 contact was lost. While the troopers were sweeping the contact area, they received ten rounds of 60mm mortar and reestablished contact at 1615 with an unknown size enemy force. Small arms fire was exchanged. Contact was lost again at 1840 when the enemy withdrew. Fourty-four enemy Bo1diers were killed. U.S. casualties were 10 killed and 30 wounded. One tank and one armored reconnaissance ve­hicle were destroyed and one tank received moderate damage.

- TOAM TRANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1910 scout elements of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), engaged eight to ten enemy sol­diers with helicopter gunship fire six miles NW of Katum, killing eight of the enemy. There were no U.S. casualties.

- An Army OH-6 light observation helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire seven miles south of Bear Cat in Bien Hoa Province, injuring three aboard and destroying the aircraft.

- HI,! MACV -- It was announced that Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 125th Transportation Terminal Command at Saigon; the 463rd Medical Detachment (X-Ray unit) at An Khe; and the 569th Engineer Company (Topo) at Nha Trang were in­activated today as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 296 sorties (USAF 187, USMC 103, and USN 6), killing four enemy soldiers, triggering 30 secondary explosions, and ign1 ting 47 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 69 fortifications, 299 bunkers and seven sa.mp!Lns.

- Six B-52 missions were reported during today'e releases with targets 6 miles WSW and 7 miles SW of Ben Het; 12 miles eaet of Katum; 9 miles ENE of Am Lec; and 14 miles east of Katum.

15 February (Sunday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, two significant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, neither of which was against U.S. forces. Eleven other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, caueing no casualties or damage.

32

- HQ HACV -- Dor1ng the 24-hour period ending at 0900 today, 14 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Two of the 14 att.t«::ka caused casualties or dam­age. There were no U,S. casualties.

- OPERATIOO GENEVA PARK (\,lUANG omI PROVINCE) - At lllO and 1205 an element of the ~3rd Field Artillery Group, AMERICAL Division, observed an unknown size enemy force 10 miles NW of \,lUang Ngai (71 miles ESE of Da Nang). Both con­tacts were engaged by U.S. artillery. The bodies of 16 enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike are. No U.S. casualties.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) -- At 1530 an element of the 3rd Brigade, 4th In­fantry Division, engaged an estimated enemy squad in bunkers 17 miles NW of An Khe. Air Force F-4's and F-100's from the 37th and 31st Tactical Fighter Wings supported the action. Seven enemy soldiers were killed. No U.S. cas­ualties.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) -- At 1655 an element of the 173rd Airborne Bri­gade engaged five enemy soldiers with small arms six miles NE of Bong Son. Helicopter gunships supported the action and at 1930 the enemy withdrew. Three enemy soldiers were killed and three crew-served weapons were captured. U.S. casualties were four wounded, no fatalities.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) - At 0400 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 4th In­fantry Division, in night defense l~ miles NW of An Khe, received small arms and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force. A few enemy pene­trated the perimeter but were either repulsed or killed. The infantrymen were supported by artillery. At 0410 the enemy withdrew, leaving behind two of his dead, and one crew-served weapon. U.S. casualties were nine wounded with no fatalities. Light materiel damage _s reported.

- TOAM THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) -- At 20'.15 an element of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, one mile east of Go Dau Ha, engaged an un­known number of enemy soldiers. Small arms fire _s exchanged and the infan­tr;rmen were supported by helicopter gunships. At ,100 the enemy withdrew, leaving behind one individual weapon, and four dead. U.S. casualties were one killed and 11 wounded.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) -- At 1215 an element of the 1st Bri­gade, 1st Cavalr;y Division (Airmobile), while reconnoitering 1, miles north of Tay Ninh City, engaged an unlmown number of enemy' soldiers. Small arms fire _s exchanged and the enemy used rocket-grenade fire. The troopers were sup­ported by helicopter gunships, artiller;y, and tactical aircraft. At 1220 the 8IleDIY withdrew, leaving behind three of his dead. U.S. casualties were two killed and five wounded.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (PHUOC LONG PROVINCE) -- At ll45 an element of the 2nd Brigade, let Cavalr;y Division (Airmobile), found a rice cache 10 miles NE of Duc Phong. The cache, which weighed ten tons, was evacuated to the battalion headquarters.

33

- DMAC (AN XUYEN PROVINCE) - At 1540 a PBR from River Division 572 received automatic weapons and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force 16 miles Sl'I of Ca Mau. The PBR returned fire with unit weapons and was sup­ported by U.S. Navy helicopter gunships. Enemy losses are unknown. U.S. casualties were five wounded.

- HQ MACV -- It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 67th Medical Detach­ment at Nha Trang; the 219th Medical Detachment at Chu Lai; the 287th Combat Support Detachment (Heavy Materiels Storage) at Cam Ranh Bay; and the 551st Medical Detachment (X-Ray unit) at Nha Trang will be inactivated tomorrow as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- An Army AH-l helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire 10 miles WNW of Quang Ngai in Quang Ngai Province, wounding two men aboard, and destroying the air­craft.

- An Army OH-6 light Observation helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire seven miles south of Bear Cat in Bien Hoa Province, killing one man abcla.rd and wounding another. The aircraft was destroyed.

- SVN TAe AIR: U.S. pilots new 256 sorties (USAF 186, USMC 70), killing 23 enemy soldiers, triggering 18 secondary explosions and igniting 48 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 99 fortifications, 319 bunkers and 18 sampans.

- Four B-52 miesions were reported during today's releases with targets 17 miles NID, of Bong Son; 6 and 7 miles NNE of Rang Rang; and 11 miles NW of Bong Son.

16 February (Monday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, two significant enem;y indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, one of which was against U.S. forces. Four other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no damage or casualties. The following attack was against U.S. forces:

III MAF:

160335 - QUANG TRI PROVINCE - An element of the 1st Bl'igade, 5th Infan­try Division (Mechanized), in night defense eight miles SW of Dong Ha and ten miles south of the DMZ, received less than ten rounds of 6eam mortar fire, re­sulting in light U.S. casualties, with no fatalities.

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 10 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, three of which were against U.S. units or installations. Three of the ten attacks caused casualties or damage. No U.S. casualties.

34

- lIT MAF (QUANG NAM PROVI1JCE) - At 1635 a forward observer with the 26th Re­giment, 1st Marine Division, observed 40 ene~ soldiers moving east in an area nine miles SW of Da Nang. The enemy were engaged with U.S. Marine artil­lery. The bodies of 16 ene~ soldiers were sighted in the strike area. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1630 a forward observer with the 5th Regi­ment, lat Marine Division, observed ten enemy soldiers moving east to west in an area two miles NE of An Hca (IS miles SSW of Da Nang). The enemy were en­gaged with U.S. Marine artillery, killing all ten of the enemy. There were no U.S. casualties.

- I FFV (BINH TlIUAN PROVINCE) - At 1020 a U.S. I FFV reconnaissance element engaged an estimated enemy platoon 25 miles NNW of Phan Thiet (105 miles SW of Nha Trang. Small arms and automatic weapons fire was exchanged and the troopers were supported by helicopter gunships. In about 20 minutes the ene­my withdrew. The bodies of five enemy soldiers were found in the battle area and one individual weapon was captured. One U.S. soldier was killed in the engagement.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) - At 1600 an element of the 1st Brigade, U.S. 4th Infantry Division, discovered an ene~ food cache 31 miles north of An Khe (57 miles Nil' of Qui Nhon). It contained five tons of rice and 1,000 pounds of corn.

- TQ\N THAOO OFFENSIVE (PHUOC LONG PROVINCE) - At 0140 a helicopter gunship from the 11th Aviation Group received small arms and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown number of enemy soldiers seven miles SW of Bu Dop. The helicopter gunship crewmen fired back with aerial machine guns, killing six of the ene~. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1340 an element of the 1st Bri­gade, lat Cavalry Division (A1rmobile), discovered the bodies of 11 enemy sol­diers 14 miles north of Tay Ninh City. Tne enemy apparently had been killed in action about two d~ ago.

- H(,J MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 2SSth Combat Support Detachment (Heavy Materiel Storage) at Qui Nhon will be inactivated tomorrow as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLCGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- An Army 00-6 light observation helicopter _s downed by enemy ground fire six miles ENE of My Tho in Dinh Tuong Province, wounding one man aboard, and destroying the aircraft.

- An ~ OH-6 light observation helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire six miles NN'il of Bear Cat in Bien Hoa Province, wounding two men aboard and des­troying the aircraft.

35

- SVN TAC AIR: U. S. pilots flew 2:.!6 sorties (USAF 156, USMC 70), Jdlling 12 ene~ soldiers, triggering 27 secondary explosions, and igniting 31 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 56 fortifications, 191 bunkers and three sam­pans.

- Tr~ee B-52 missions were reported during today'e releases with targets 28 and 29 miles NW of Phu Cat; and 10 mile!! NW of A Luoio

17 February (Tuesday)

- HQ MACV -- During the night, four significant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Seven other indirect fire attacks were considered insig­nificant, causing no caeualties or damage. The following attacks were against U.S. forcee:

I FFV:

170001 -- NINH THUAN PROVINCE -- Phan Rang Air l3&ee, two miles NW of Phan Rang, received less than ten rounde of 82mm mortar fire. No casualties or damage.

II FFV:

170050 -- TAY NINH PROVINCE -- The base camp of Hq 1st Brigade, 1st Cav­alry Division (Airmobile), two miles west of Tay Ninh City, received less than ten rounds of l20mm mortar fire. Light U.S. casualties, no fatalities or damage.

- HQ MACV -- During the :.!4-hour period ending at 0800 today, 14 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, three of which were against U.S. units or installations. Four of the 14 attacks caused casualties or dam­age. U.S. casualties were two wounded.

- III MAF «(,1UANG NGAI PROVINCE) -- At 1120 a U.S. Army UH-I helicopter experi­enced a mechanical failure and crashed six miles SW of I.,luang Ngai City (78 miles SSE of Da Nang) killing all eleven U.S. personnel aboard.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (PHUOC LONG PROVINCE) -- At 1135 helicopters from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), received ground fire from an unknown number of enemy soldiers 12 miles NNE of Phuoc B:l.nh and five miles from the Cambodian border. The crewmen returned fire with aerial machineguns and, following the first contact, the helicopters again received enemy ground­fire into the early afternoon from an unknown number of ene~ at five differ­ent locations in the same general area. The enemv fire was returned with unit weapons and contact was lost at ]430. The bodies of 45 enemy soldiers were observed in the battle area following the action. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (BINH LONG PROVINCE) -- At 1210 a helicopter from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment received ground fire from an unknown number of

36

enem;y soldiers six miles N'I'I of Loc Ninh and two miles from the Cambodian border. The enemy fire was returned wi.th unit weapons. In addition, ar­tillery and USAF A-37's from the 3rd TII,ctical Fighter Wing were directed onto the enemy location. At an unreported time the enemy withdrew, leaving behind seven of his dead. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (BINH LONG PROVINCE) -- At 1225 an element of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), engaged an unknown number of ene­m;y soldiers 11 miles NE of Loc Ninh and three miles from the Cambodian border. Small arms and automatic weapons fire liaS exchanged and the troopers were sup­ported by helicopter gunships, artillel'y, and USAF tactical aircraft. In a short while the enemy withdrew, leaving behind one dead, and one individual weapon. U.S, casualties were five wounded, no fatalities.

- HQ MACV -- It was announced by USARV (IDNG BINH) that the 74th Medical De­tachment (Mobile Laboratory) at Nha Tramg; the 241st Medical Detachment at Cam Ranh Bay; the 5llth Combat Support Detachment (Maintenance) at Cam Ranh Bay; and the 764th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Animal Dispensary) at Cam Ranh Bay will be inactivated tomorrow a,s part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF ~'ROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots flew ££6 sorties (USAF 152, USMC 74), killing four enemy soldiers, triggering 17 secondary explosions, and igniting 43 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 1£3 fortifications, 325 bunkers, and eight sampans.

- Six B-52 missions were reported during today's releases with targets 5, 6, and 7 miles WSW and 6,7, and 8 miles s~r of Ben Het.

18 February (Wednesday)

- HQ MACV -- During the night, five signlficant enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units or installations. Six other indirect fire attacks were considered insignif­icant, causing no casualties or damage., The following were significant at­tacks against U.S. forces:

II FFV:

172005 -- BINH DUONG PROVINCE -- lfue base camp of Hq 1st Cavalry Divis­ion (Airmobile) near Phuoc Vinh (24 miles north of Bien Hoo) received about five rounds of 82mm mortar fire resulting in light materiel damage and light U.S. casualties with no fatalities.

172335 -- TAY NINH PROVINCE -- Tho base camp of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, near Tay Ninh City, received about 20 rounds of 82mm mor­tar fire. Light materiel damage. no cCLsualties.

37

_ He, MACV -- During the 24-hour period ending at 0300 today, 16 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, five of which were against U.S. units or installations. Five of the 16 attacks caused casualties or dam­age. U.S. casualties were seven wounded, no fatalities.

- OPERATION IRON MOUNTAIN (QUANG NCAl PROVINCE) -- At 2030 a forward observer from an artillery element of the 11th Brigade, AMERlCAL Division, sighted an unknown size enemy force moving in an area 11 miles west of Quang Ngai City (75 miles SSE of Da Nang). Artillery fire was directed onto the enemy loca­tion and the bodies of 21 enemy soldiers were observed lying the strike area after the fire mission. There were no U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION IRON HOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) -- At 1145 an AMERICAL Division artillery element observed an unknown size enemy force in several small groups moving south in an area 11 miles west of Quang Ngai City (70 miles SSE of Da Nang). The enemy were in green uniforms, with packs and weapons. Artillery fire was directed onto the enemy location and the bodies of 13 enemy soldiers were counted. No U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION FREDERICK HILL (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) -- At 1800 an AMERICAL Division artillery element observed 15 enemy soldiers with packs and weapons moving I

SW on a trail 11 miles WNW of Tam Ky (30 miles south of Da Nang). Artillery fire was directed onto the enemy location and the bodies of seven enemy sol­diers were sighted in the strike area. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (THUA THIEN PROVINCE) - At 0940 an element of the 2nd Brigade, lOla t Airborne Division (Airmobile), received small arms and autouatic weapons fire from an unknown size enemy force 23 miles WNW of Hue (75 miles NW of Da Nang). The troopers fired back with unit weapons, and in a short while the enemy with­drew with unknown losses. U.S. casualties were two \dlled and six wounded.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) - At 1400 an element of the 1st Brigade, U.S. 4th Infantry Division, discovered an enemy food cache in a jungle area 35 miles north of An Khe (60 miles NNW of Qui Nhon). The cache contained ten tons of rice. At 1800 another element of the brigade discovered another significant enemy cache about one mile to the southeast. The cache contained 24 tons of rice, one ton of salt, 1,800 pounds of tobacco, 200 chickens and 15 pigs.

- II FFV (BIEN HOA PROVINCE) - A total of six rounds of 105mm artillery fire was received at the U.S. Army installation at Bien Hoa in two incidents last night. U.S. casualties were three \dlled and 20 wounded. Light materiel damage was reported. Initial reports indicate the artillery fire was an ac­cidental delivery of ordnance by an Army of the Republic of Vietnam artillery unit. An investigation is being conducted.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (PHUOC LONG PROVINCE) - At 1425 a u.S. Army UH-l heli­copter was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed in an area 23 miles ENE of Phuoc Bi.nh near the III Corps - II Corps border. Of the nine U.S. personnel aboard, eight were \dlled and one wounded. At the same time, an element of

38

the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). moving to the vicinity of the downed aircraft, received small arms and automatic weapons fire from an unlmown size enemy force. The troopers returned fir. with unit weapone and fighting continued until 1600 when the en~ withdrew. Fourteen enemy soldiers were killed in the engagememt. Th.r. were no U.S. casualties in the ground action.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (BINH DUONG PROVINCE) - At 1645 an element of the 2nd Brigade, U.S. 25th Infantry Division, engaged an estimated ten en~ soldiers nine miles SW of Lai Kbe near the Binh Duong • Hau Nghia Provinc. bord.r ar.a. Small arms and automatic weapons fire was exchang.d and the infantrymen were supported by helicopter gunships. At 1845 the enemy withdrew under cover of darlmess. The bodies cf four enemy soldi.rs were found in the battle ar.a and one enemy soldier was detained. In addition, five individual weapons were captured. U.S. casualties were one killed and two wounded.

- HI./ MACV - It was announced by III HAF (Da Nang) that ten U.S. ltirine Corps units will commence embarkation aboard ehips at Da Nang and Chu Lai in I Corps tOlllOrrow, 19 February. for deplo;,ment to Okinawa, Japan. and Camp Pendleton. California, as part of the Third Increment of Troop Redeployment. (The units concerned, and the complete text of the release, are contained in the CHRONOL­OOI OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT in this SUllllTkU'Y).

- An Army OH-6 light observation helicopter was downed. by enemy ground fire nine miles SSW of Lai Khe in Binh Duong Province, wounding both crewmen and d.s­troying the aircraft.

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots flew <lSS sorties (USAF ,dO, USMC 'lb, and USN <l), killing 16 enemy soldiers, triggering 36 secondary explOSions, and igniting 3) fires. Tl1ey also destroyed or damaged 73 fortifications, 264 bunkers, and three sampans.

- No B-5, missions were reported during today's r.l .... s.

19 February (Thursday)

- HI./ MACV - During the night, one reported throughout the COU.!ltry. other indirect fire attacks were or casualties.

significant en~ indir.ct fire attack was It was not against U.S. forces. Seven

considered insignificant, causing no damage

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, eleven enemy indi­rect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, three of which were against U.S. units or installations. One of the e1eYen attacks caused damage or casualties. There were no U.S. casualtiea.

- OPERATIOO IRON MOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At 1100 helicopter crewmen from an element of the 11th Brigade, AMERICAL DiT1aion, sighted five enemy soldiers seven miles north of Duc !'ho (15 miles SE of Quang Ngd City. The enemy were engaged with unit weapons and all fiTe were killed. In addition three individu~l weapons were captured. No U.S. caaualties.

39

-----------------

- III MAF (THUA THIEN PROVINCE) -- At 11<!0 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Divisio~ (Airmobile), engaged an estimated seven enemy soldiers 15 miles Sl~ of Hue (60 miles Wl'll'I of Da Nang). Small arms and autom!l.tic weapons fire was exchanged and at an unreported time the enemy withdrew with unlmown losses. U.S. casualties were one killed and five wounded.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) -- At U40 helicopter gunships from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment engaged with aerial machineguns an unknown number of en~ soldiers 13 miles east of Katum and one kilometer from the Cambodian border. The helicopter crewmen were supported by U.S. artillery from the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). The bodies of ten enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (LONG KHANH PROVINCE) -- At 1100 an element of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade discovered a significant enemw weapons and munitions cache 30 miles Nl-l of Xuan Loc (22 miles NE of Bien Hoa). It contained 52 rifles; 7 light machineguns; thirty-eight Slmm mortar rounds; twenty-five 57mm recoilless rifle rounds; and 10,000 small arma rounds.

- HQ MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BTNH) that the 257th Medical De­tachment (Dental Service) at Di An, and the 945th Medical Detachment (Surgi­cal Unit) at Nha Trang will be inactivated tomorrow as part of the Third In­crement of Troop Redeployment. (See the CHRONOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOYMENT for the compI ete text of the release).

- An Arrrq AH-l was downed by enemy ground fire 2S miles SE of Khe Sanh in wang Tri Province. The aircraft was destroyed. There were no casualties.

- An Army UH-l helicopter was downed by enemy ground fire seven miles SE of Que Son in Quang Tin Province, killing one man, wounding another, and destroying the aircraft.

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 269 sorties (USAF 174, USMC 95), killing 32 enemy soldiers, triggering 33 secondary explosions, and igniting 63 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 41 fortifioations, 3133 bunkers, and two sam­pans.

- Seven B-52 missions were reported during todayls releases with targets 7, 10, and 11 miles SW of Ben Het; 6 and 7 miles NW of Tri Ton; and 14 miles NNE of Pleiku.

20 February (Friday)

- HG MACV -- During the night, one significant enemy indirect fire attack was reported throughout the country. It was against a U.S. installation. Six other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no damage or casualties. The following significant attack was against U.S. forces:

II FFV:

40

192150 - TAY NINE PROVINCE - The base camp of Hq 1st Brigade, U.S.

25th Infantry Division, near Tay Ni~~ City, received approximately ten rounds

of 82mm mortar fire. Very light U.S. casualties with no fatalities. Light

materiel damage was reported.

- HQ ~~CV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 10 enemy indirect

fire attacks were reported throughout the country, three of which were against

U.S. units or installations. Two of the eight attacks caused casualties or

damage. U.S. casualties were one wounded, no fatalities.

- OPERATION GENEVA PARK (QUAllG NGAl PROVINCE) - At 1700 a forward observer from

tho AMERICAL Division sighted two groups of enemy soldiers seven miles ~~ of

Quang Ngai City (70 miles SSE of Da Nang). Artillery fire was directed onto

the enemy location and the bodies of 29 enemy soldiers were sighted in the

strike area. The remaining ene~, of the estimated company-eize force, eva­

ded further observation. No U.S. casualties.

- OPERATION FREDERICK HILL (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 1500 an armored cavalry

element of the 196th Brigade, AMERICAL Division, received heavy small arms

and automatic weapons fire, along with rocket-grenades, from an unknown size

enemy force· 12 miles NW of Tam Ky (27 miles SSE of Da Nang). The troopers

returned. fire with unit weapons, including tank guns and heavy machineguns,

and were supported by artiller,r and helicopter gunships. As the fighting con­

tinued, an infantr,r element of the brigade was air-&ssaulted into the vicin­

ity to reinforce the troops in contact. During the action, the enemy also

used about ten rounds of 60rmn mortar fire. A USAF AC-119 gunship from the

14th Special Operations Wing later reinforced the ground elements. At 1950

the enemy withdrew, leaving behind four of his dead, three individual weapons

and a small quantity of ammunition. U.S. casualties were 14 killed and 29

wounded. There was light materiel damage.

- III MAF (THUA THIEN PROVINCE) - At 0830 an element of the 2nd Brigade, lOlst

Airborne Division (Airmobile), received small arms and automatic weapons fire

from an unlmown size ene~ force 16 miles SWof Hue (60 miles WNW of Da Nang).

The troopers fired back with unit weapons and were supported by helicopter

gunships. At 0915 an OH-6 light observation helicopter, supporting the action,

was downed. by enemy ground fire, wounding all three U.S. personnel aboard. The

aircraft was destroyed. At an unreported time the enemy withdrew with unlalown

losses. U.S. casualties ware two killed and eight wounded, including the per­

sonnel in the helicopter.

- I FFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) - At 1120 an element of the 1st Brigade, 4th In­

fantr,r Division, found an enemy cache of 14 tons of rice in two huts 19 miles

WNW of Bong Son.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (LONG AN PROVINCE) -- A.t :.!1l5 an el_nt of the 3rd Bri­

gade, 9th Infantr,r Division, and U.S. Navy river patrol boat (PBR) crewmen,

obllerYed and engaged seven enem.r soldiers in a s8lllp&n on the Vam Go Dong R1ver

11 miles east of Tan An. Small &rII8 fire was exchanged and in five minutes

---------~---- - ---

contact was loet. Six en~ soldiers were killed and six indiY1dual weapone along with one backpack and the S&lllp&n were captured. No U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1930 an element of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, engaged an unknown nUlllber of enemy soldiers n miles NNW of Tay Ninh City and two miles from the Cambodian border. The enell;l" returned fire with sll&ll al'llll and automa.tic weapons along with mortar and rocket·-grenade fire. The infantrymen were supported by helicopter gun­IIhipe and U.S. Air Force AC-119 gunllhips from the 14th Special Operationll Wing. At 2050 the enem;r withdrew with unknown loeses. U.S. casualties were two killed and 13 wounded.

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots new :.!55 sorties (USAF 162, USK: 93), killing 17 enelll3" lIoldiers, triggering 45 secondary explosions and igniting 48 firee. They also destroyed or damaged 98 fortifications, 302 bunkers and sllVen sam­pens.

- FiTe B-52 missions were reported during toda,.'s releases with targets 6 1I11es west, 6 miles SW and 10 miles SSW of Ben het; 10 miles NW of A Luoi; and 9 miles SE of Khe Sanh.

,I February (Saturday)

- Hf,! MACV - During the night, six significant en~ indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were against U.S. units. Six other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no daJage or casualties. The following significant attack was against U.S. forces;

II FFV:

210135 - TAY NINH PROVINCE - An element ot the 11th Armored Ca't'&lry Regiment, in night detense 30 lII1les HE ot Ta,. Ninh Cit,., and three miles m. the Cambodian border, recei't'lld about fin rounds ot 60.. mortar tire. U.S. casualties were light, no tatalities. There _15 no reported steriel d_ge.

- H<.! JM.CV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 14 enem:y indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, tour ot which were ageinet U.S. units or inetallations. Six ot the 14 attacks caused casualties or ~ age. U.S. casualties were five wounded, no tatalities.

- OPERATION mC»J KlUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At 1305 an artillery el_t ot the AMERICAL DiY1sion sighted 12-14 enem:y morlng north to south an area 12 miles west ot (,luang Ngai City (70 miles SSE ot Da Nang). The en8lll1' were engaged with artillery, killing six ot them. No U.S. casualties. '

- III M'AF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 0930 a reconnaisaance el_t ot the 1st Marine DiY1sion observed 32 en-:r soldiers, 30 huts and one bunker in a .1~ Ie aree 11 ailes SS~ ot An Boa (:18 miles SSW ot Da Nang). Artillery fire was directed onto the location, Idlling tiTe ot the enem:y and destroying ten ot the huts and the bunker. No U.S. casualties.

- TOO( TRANG OFFmiSIVE (LONG AN PROV'DCE) - At <tJ15 last night (,,0 FebrtW7)

an element of the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Divie1on, ambwIhed an tUlknown

size eneur;y force in an area .ix III1les NNE of Tan An. The eneur;y returned fire

with II1II&11 11.1'II1II, au~tic wapoD., and rocket-grenades. As fighting contin­

ued, the infantrymen were supported by helicopter gunships and artillery. Con­

tact was lost at about OO}O thi8 morning when the eneur;r withdrew. The bodies

of 11 enemy 80ldiers were found in a search of the battle area. There were no

U.S. casualties.

- TOlN TRANG OF'P'ENSIVE (BINH DUc:JfG PROVINCE) - At 0955 helicopter gunship erew­

_ from the &rD:lred caftlry .quadron ot the U.S. let Infantry Division oll­

sert'ed and engaged an tmlcnown nUlBber ot en~ .oldier. while operating in an

area eight lIile. SSW of Lai Khe (18 adles IW of Bien Hoa). The en!ll81' returned

fire with _11 arms and contact wa. lo.t at an UDl'epcIl'ted time. Later, air

cavalrT trooper. from the .quadron were air ...... ulted into the vicinitT and,

in a search ot the battle area, found the bodie. ot ten eneur;y soldiers killed

by the helicopter crewmen There were no U.S. c_lties • •

- 'fOlN TRANG OF'P'ENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVIJ(CE) - At 1040 an eleaent ot the &1'IIIOr

battalion ot the U.S. 25th Infantry Din.ion receiTed _11 &nI8 and aut_t­

ic _pone tire, along with hand ~es, tNa an unkncnm .ise eneur;r torce

.8ftD 11111 •• \lIE ot TaT Ninh CitT. The trooper. returned tire with unit weap­

on., including tank gun., .upported by helicopter gun.hips and USAF tactical

aircraft. Fighting continued mtll 1145 when the enn;y withdrew with unknown

10..... U.S. casualties wer. on. killed and tour wound.d. In addition, one

tOl'Mr enn;y .oldi.r, .errlng a. a .coat, was VOWIded.

TOAlI 'l'RAJ(G OFP'ENSIVE (BIRR DUatG PROVINCE) - At 19JO an .lement ot the lilt

Brigade, let Infantry Din.ion, reinforced by an .1_t ot the division'.

u.ored cavalry r.giment, reeeInci rocket-grenade tire from an •• tillated

eight en.., eoldiere nine mln lIIIW ot Lai IIle (28 mle. IW of Bien Hoa). The

trooper. fired back with mIt wapoDa and were .apportAd bT h.licopter gun­

all1ps and artillery. The en.I\T withdrew u-t ~i&te17, witn unknown

loe.... U.S. caeualtie. were CIJle killed and tour woaaded.

- H~!lACY - It was annOlDlced by USAR' (LoIIg Binn) tnat tne ;tJatn held. Artill­

ery Detachment (Radar) at Dong Ha will be inactivated in the Repablic ot Viet­

nam t.o.rrow as part ot the Third In~t ot Troop Red.plCJ1llllllt. (See the

CHRCfiOLOOY OF TROOP REDEPLOnmIIT in thi. .~ for the cOllplete text ot the

rel ••• ).

- SVR TAC Am: U.S. pilots new 294 sorti •• (USAF 198, USK: 92, USN 4), killing 9

_IV eoldiera, triuering 28 88CC1Jl<1ary exploaiOll8, and igaiting 34 tires.

'lbe7 al.o destrOTBd or damaged 94 fortification., 166 bankwa &IlCI. 15 8a11p&n ••

- ()as B-52 at.sion was reported during todaT'. r.lease.. Th. target was tour

adles SE ot Phuoc Le.

22 February (Sunci&7)

- HQ MC' - Daring the night, one significant en.-;r 1lldirect tire attack was

~eport.ed throughout the country. It wall against U.S. torcea. Thr.e other

43

indirect tire attacke were considered ineigniticant, causing no casualties or d&lll&ge. The following attack was against U.S. torces:

II FFV:

212015 - BINH DUOM} PROVINCE - An element ot the 2nd Brigad., 25th Infantry Dirleion, in night det .. se .ix miles NNE ot nau Tieng, received ap­proximately 15 rounds ot 82II1II mortar tire. U.S. ca.ualtie. were light with no tatalitiee.

- HQ KACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0900 t.oday, snen enelllT indi­rect tire attacks were reported tbroughout the country, OIIe ot which was against U.S. forces. Two ot the .even at.tacks r.sult.ed in casual tie. or da.­age. U.S. casualties were tour woanded with no tatalit.1l111.

- OPERATION FREDFll.ICK HILL (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 0950 an eleaent ot the 196th Brigade, AMERICAL Di rleie, re1nt.rced by' t.roopers tr_ the di deion 'a araored cava1r7 squadron, received a.ll ar., au~tic weapens, &lid recket­grenade tire !rem an unknown aiB .... ., t.rce 14 Idl.s NW ot Talll ~ (28 Idlea south of Da Nang). Th. troopers tired back with unit weap.lla, including the heavy weapons on their tanks and &rIIored per •• nnel carri.ra, and were auppert­ed by helicopter gunships and artill.ry. Speradic fighting continued thro~­out the daY' until 1850 when the en.., withdrew under cover ot darkn.... The bodi.. ot 23 enelllT .. ldier. were tound in the battle area and one crew-served and 12 indirldual weapon. were captured. U.S. casua1tie. were two killed and .ix wounded.

- III KAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1935 a reconnai .... nc. e1aent trolll t.he 1.t. Marue Divieion obaerved 150 en.., .oldiere with packs and _pene tour lllile. HE ot An Hea (4!0 llliles .outh ot Da Nang). The en.-.r were engaged with artil­lery, tactical aircratt and a USAF AC-119 gun.hip from the 14th Special Oper­ati.a Wag. Ten d .. d en • .". .01dier. _e eighted in the .trike ar.a. The en-.y evaded further ob •• rvati.R. No U.S. casualt.i.s.

- III KAF ('-!lIANG NAM PROVINCE) - At. 0355 a rec_i.eance e1_t ot the 1.t M&r1ne Dirt.ion ob.erved 40 en • ., carrying packs and _pon. tour Idles .ut. ot An Hoa (19 mile •• outh ot Da liang). The en.1IIT were engaged with artillery. The bed1e. ot eight en-.;r ao1diara were sighted in the atrik. area. There were no U.S. cuua1tie ••

- III KAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1745 a r.connai .. anc. e1_t from the let Marill. DirlaiOll obaerved tenen...,- .oldi.r. in unitOJ'IIUJ and carrying packs, movl.ng west in an area five mile. HE ot An Hoa (16 miles SSW ot Da Nang). The bodies or seven enem;y soldiers were Sighted in the .trike area. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (QUANG TRI PROVINCE) -- At 1810 a Ranger element trOJll the 101st Air­borne Division (Airmobile) engaged an e.timated 10 to .u. enlllll3' soldiers wear­ing Khaki unitoJ'IIUJ and carr;r1ng weapons 10 miles NNE ot lOte Sllnh and five

44

miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. The enemy returned fire and contact

was lost a short While later. S~ enemy soldlers were killed in the action.

There were no U.S. casualties.

JI'ERATION FREDERICK HILL (.JJAlID TIN PROVINCE) - At C!7J, an element of the

19bth Brigade, A~~ICAL Division, at a fire support base ~J miles SW of Tam

Ky (44 nles south of Da Nang) received s& .. ll arms, automatic weapons, 5'Imm

recoliless rifle and 60mm mortar fire from an anknown size enemy force. The

infantrymen returned fhe Ifi th unit weapons and were supported by artillery,

helicopter gunships, and tactical aircraft. At an unreported time the ene~

withdrew with unknown loeses. U.S. casualties were one killed and 11 wounded.

- TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (LONG AN PROVINCE) -- At 0305 a patrol from an element

of the 3rd Brigade, U.S. 9th Infantry Division, engaged an unknown number of

enemy soldiers seven miles NNE of Tan An. Snall arms fire was exchanged and

the enemy withdrew almost immediately. The bodies of five enemy soldiers

were found in the vicinity. There were no U.S. casualties.

- TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE (PHUOC LONG PROVINCE) -- At 1730 an element of the lBt

Cavalry Division (Airmobile) discovered an enemy weapons cache while opera­

ting in an area 37 miles south of Phuoe Binh (26 miles NNE of Bien Hea). The

cache contained the following: 5 SKS rifles; 9 sub-machineguns; 4 light ma­

chineguns; 2 heavy machineguns; One 57111D rec.illess rifle; one hundred 82mm

mortar rounds; five l20rmn mortar rounds; three 60nm mortar rounds; twenty­

five 57mm recoilless rifle rounds; 15 CIIICOM hand grenades; and, 10,000 small

arms rounds. The items were in poor condition.

- An ArIq AH-l helicopter was downed by ene~ ground fire four miles NW of the

Rock Pile in Quang Tri Province, three miles south of the Demilitarized Zone,

destroying the aircraft. There were no casualties.

- An Army UH-l helicopter was downed by enem;r ground fire seven miles NNE of

Loc Ninh in Binh Long Province and two milss from the Cambodian border. There

were no casualties, but the aircraft was destro,ed.

- SVN TAC AIR: U.S. pilots flew 288 sorties (USAF 198, USMC 87, and USN 3),

killing seven enemy soldiers, tri~ering 43 secondary explosions, and igniting

43 fires. They also destro,ed or damaged 119 fortifications, 326 bunkers and

two sampans.

- Four B-52 missions were reported during today's releases with targets 4 and 5

miles north of Tri Ton; and 16 and 17 miles SW of Katum.

23 February (Monday)

- HI.! MACV -- During the night, two significant enem;r indirect fire attacks were

reported throughout the country, one of which was against U.S. forces. Seven

other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant, causing no damage

or casualties. The following significant attack was against U.S. forces:

45

------------~-------

Lm: i:.u145 - LAM DONG PROVINCE - A U.S. ArlIrJ' cembat support element re­

ceived apprext.ately five rouads of 60.. mortar fire while in position. in the vicinity of Bao Loc. VerT light U.S. casualties, ne fatalities or da-.~.

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, l2 significant ea--.y indirect fire attacks were reported against U.S. units or installations. Three ef the 11 attacks caused casualties or damage. U.S. casualties were one wouaded, no fatalities.

- OPERATION GENEVA PARK (!.lUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At 0100 helicopter cre_en from an element of the armored cayalry squadron of the AMERICAL Division re­ceived heavy small arms fire from an unknown size enelIrJ' force while on a night recOlUl&iesance mission in an area 14 miles WNW of Quang Ngai City (70 miles SSE of Da Nang). The area was illuminated and the enem,y were engaged with unit weapons. The bodies of nine ene~ soldiers were sighted in the strike area following the engagement. Later, the helicopter crewmen returned to the vi­cinity and observed eight enem,y soldiers attempting to remove the bodies of the nine reported killed earlier. 'nIe enemy were engaged with aerial machine-gun fire and all eight were killed. The helicopter also received l:.!. '7lIIIl ma.chinegun fire froll an unknown number of enemy in a bunker vicinity follow­ing the second engagement. The bunker was engaged with unit weapons, result­ing in one secondary explosion ad silencing the enelll7 fire. Contact vu lost at about 0400. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAr (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1000 a reconnaissance element of the 1st Itlrine Division found an enllJll7 bue camp nine miles SW of An Hoa (30 miles SW of Da Nang). The camp contained 12 huts with a tunnel located in each. 'nIe tunnels contained 1,500 pounds of unpolished rice, 1,100 pounds of wheat, and 1,000 pounds of corn. Air strieks were called in on the camp, destrOTing the food and huts.

- I FFV (BINH DnlH PROVINCE) - At 1313 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 4th In­fantry DiTision, found an ammunition cache weighing approximately seven tons in an area 19 miles NNE of An Khe. The cache contained the following: twenty­six l.:.!:.!Dm rocket rounds; one-hundred and sixteen S2DD. mortar rounds; 24 ,300 small arms rounds; 51 B-40 and B-4l rocket rounds; 5,000 feet of detonator cord; 5,000 blasting caps; 250 pounds of TNT; four anti-tank mines; and 4,000 blocks of C-4.

- DMAC (BA XUYEN PROVnlCE) - At 1905 helicopter gunships from the 164th Combat Aviation Group engaged an enemy machinegun location and sampan landing in an area 18 miles NNW of Soc Trang and 15 miles SSE of Can Tho. The helicopter crewmen engaged the enemy location with aerial weapons, killing :.!O of the enElll3', destroying 45 sampans, and Silencing the machinegun. 'nIere were no U.S. casualties.

- DMAC (KIEN GIANG PROVINCE) - At 1800 a PIli from River Division 53i receiYed automatic weapons and rocket-grenade fire from an unknown size ene~ force

46

in an area 3" milee west of Tri Ton and one mile from the Cambodian border.

The PER returned fire with unit weapons and was ~upported by U,S. Navy OV-IO

aircraft and helicopter gunships. One enemy w~s killed. D.S. casualties

were four wounded with no fatalities.

- H·,,; MACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 2b7th Signal Com­

pany (Cable Construction) at wng !Sinh will be inactivated tomorrow as part

of the Third Incre",ent of Troop Redeployment.

- SVN TAC Am: U.S. pilots fie" ~6S sorties (USAF 174, USMC 94), killing five

enem;y soldier's, triggering 31 secondary explosione and igniting 67 fires.

They also destroyed or damaged UJ fortifications, 312 bunkers and seven sam­

pana.

:.!4 February (Tuesday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, two significant enem;y indirect tire attacks were

reported throughout the country, none of which were against U.S. units or in­

stallations. Five other indirect fire attacks were considered insignificant,

causing no caeualtiee or damage.

- HIo/ NACV - During the :a.-hour period ending at OSOO today, eight enemy indi­

rect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, two of which were

against U.S. units or installatiolls. Three of the eight attacks caused dam­

age or casualties. There were no U.S. casualties.

- III MAF (..pANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1500 a forward obsener from the let Ma­

rine Dirtsion Sighted seven enemy soldiers in unif_ can'7ing _pone fin

mil .. IW of An Hoa. The enelll1' were engaged with artillery. The bodies of

fiTe 1IJl8Jll1' soldiers were sighted in the strike area. There ware no U.S. ca.­

ualtie ••

- I FF'I (BINH TllUAN PROVlNCE) - At 04J~ an el_nt of Task Foree South rece1'nd

~l &!'!III and rocket-grenade tire fro. an unknOlm sise -ft\T force in an area

16 miles BE of l'hal!. Thiet. Small .... fir_ was exchuged and the troopers

were npperted by U.S. Nanl guJlfire. At 0t.4U the ..., Wl.thdrev with unlalewn

lee •• s. U.S. caeualtl.8s were fiTe wOlDlded, no fatalities.

- I FrY (Bl1fH DINH PROVINCE) - At 104~ an el_t ef the :md Brigade, 4th la­

fantry D1:n.Sion, found an '_iti_ cache weighing apprClZiaLtei7 four ton.

in an ana 19 .Ues NRE of An lOte. It contained the cellev1ng: twe-lnlJlClreCl

and t_ty-fwr It .... IIIDrtar reund.; cme-tIlUldred and thirt,--fearB-l.l rockets;

s_tea '/~_ recoilless rifle reUl1C1.; 80,000 •• H &l'II8 rHlld.; t~t7-f81ll'

00. mortar rounds; 11,000 bl.&.till« caps; .0:;1) pCIQIlde or TN'!'; and 1,500 feet

ef d~t.Or corcl.

- I l'f'Y (BINH DINH PROVINe)!;) - At. f)/JO another el_t of the 2ndBri~ade,

I.th Intantry DirtBion, found twa rice caches containing a total of 7t tons

of rice and 500 pounds of potatoes 19 miles wast of Bong Song. The rice was

nacuated to battalion headqaarters.

47

----------------------

_ TOAN TRANG OFFENSIVE (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At 1635 an air cavalry squadron from the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) engaged an unknown number of enlllll7 11 miles WSW of Katum. The enemy were engaged with the squadron's unit weap­Ollll. The bodies of six enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area. No U.S. casualties.

- DMAC (AN XUYEN) - At 1035 U.S. Navy OV-lO aircraft and helicopter gunshipe sighted an estimated enemy company in an open area attempting to dig-in 24 miles south of Ca Mau. 'The aircraft cre_ engaged the enemy with unit weapons, and the bodies of five enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area. There were no U. S. callU8l.ties.

- HQ HACV - It was announced by USARV (LONG BINH) that the 2nd Civil Affairs Company at Long Binh will be inactivated tomorrow as part of the Third In­crement of Troop Redeployment. (See the CIIROOOLOGY OF TROOP REDEPLOnmn' in this summary for the complete text of the release).

- An Arm:r OH-6 light observation helicopter was downed by enemy ground tire six miles NW of Khe Sanh, in Quang Tri PrOvince, nine miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. One man aboard was Idlled, and another wounded. The aircraft was destroyed.

- SVN TAe AIR: U. S. pilots new 267 sorties (USAF 167, us)!: 100), killing 15 enemy soldiers, triggering 25 secondary explosiollll, and igniting 39 tires. Tbe;r also destroyed or damaged 103 fortifications, 238 bunkers and seven sllJllp&!ls.

- Three B-52 missions were reported during today's releases with targets 32 and 37 miles SE of Ban Me Thuot; and. four miles west of Gio Linh.

25 Febl'uary (Wedneeday)

- HQ MACV - During the night, two significant enemy indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, none of which were against U.S. units or installations. Four other indirect fire attacks were considered illllig­nificant, causing no casualties or damage.

- HQ MACV - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 12 enlllll7 indirect tire attacks were reported throughout the country, four of which were against U.S. units or installations. Five of the 12 attacks reSlllted in casualties or damage. There were no U.S, casualties,

- III MAF (QUANG NAM: PROVINCE) - At 2200 an eleiment of the 26th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, observed 30-40 enlllll7 soldiers with weapons moving SE in an area six miles WSW of Da Nang, Small arms fire was exchanged and eleven enemy soldiers were killed, There were no U,S, casualties,

- III MAF (QUANG TIN PROVINCE) - At 1245 an armored cavalry troop from the AMERICAL Division received small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-grenade

48