Intelligence – March 1968

 

Intelligence

  1. Enemy
  2. The enemy continued his attempt to use trails in the Battalion’s AOR as infiltration routes from North Viet Nam.  The majority of contacts made were with NVA units infiltrating to the south.  On 2 March, a Killer Team from Company D killed a 10-man medical unit from the 48th Regiment, 320th NVA Division.  This contact not only confirmed this unit’s presence but deprived the NVA of a large supply of badly needed medical supplies.  Throughout the month, there were many sightings of small groups, both to the east and west of Route #561.  Between 26-29 March there were numerous sightings of NVA north of A-4.  It is believed that these groups were infiltrating along a route that crosses the trace between A-4 and A-3.
  3. A significant decrease was noted in the amount of enemy supporting arms fire brought to bear upon C-2/C-2 Bridge from 1-8 March and upon A-4 from 9-31 March.  This decrease in incoming was felt to be significant in that it indicates the possibility that the NVA may be low on ammunition or may have decided that A-4, because of its lack of supporting arms, presents little threat to their actions.  However, on 19 March, A-4 received 26 rounds of heavy artillery (152mm) from an estimated seven different positions.
  4. Terrain
  5. Terrain in the operating area is generally open with low rolling hills.  The eastern AOR consists of uncultivated rice paddies hedgerows, heavily vegetated thickets and destroyed hamlets along Route #561.  The best concealment in the AOR exists in the eastern area.
  6. From the A-4 position, excellent observation is afforded in all directions, but primarily observation is best to the west and north.  Some concealment is available, but air strikes and the concentration of artillery missions have stripped most of the vegetation from the terrain.
  7. Weather
  8. The temperature range has been from the high 60’s to the high 80’s.  Visibility has been generally good with night and early morning haze lifting by late morning.  Rainfall for March was 1.82 inches.
  9. Enemy Equipment found or destroyed
  10. 2 AK-47’s
  11. 2 SKS’s
  12. 1 PPS-43
  13. 5 bags of medical supplies and equipment
  14. 1 bag of AK-47 ammo
  15. 1 demo bag with demo
  16. 1 recoilless rifle
  17. 4 bunkers

This page last corrected 1 September 2011