Intelligence
- Enemy.
- Enemy activity in the OA increased during May. Nighttime probes of the perimeter wire, daylight sightings, mortar harassing fire, sniper incidents and incoming rockets characterized the reporting period. Two significant contacts with the NVA were made. The first occurred east of A-4 with an estimated 50-60 NVA. The second occurred a few days later at about the same location with an estimated NVA Regiment. The NVA units encountered are thought to have recently infiltrated from the north due to the newness of their equipment, however, the poor state of care for this equipment indicates a lack of training and discipline. Aerial Observers have reported new fighting holes, bunker complexes and trail networks in the OA.
- Enemy personnel and equipment killed, captured or destroyed.
- 242 NVA/KIA
- 60 bunkers destroyed
- 1 HMG destroyed
- 2 82mm mortars destroyed
- 35 82mm mortars rounds
- 4 RPG rounds destroyed
- 100 pounds rice destroyed
- 1 Russian carbine captured
- miscellaneous individual weapons captured
- Terrain.
- The enemy used favorable terrain features to a maximum during the month. Enemy units apparently realized areas of limited observation to the north and northwest of A-4 and were able to complete some movements without being observed. The sloping plateaus just forward of A-4 along the east west road prevented any observation of that area and allowed them to move undetected. Excellent observation of the plains area farther north had contributed significantly to our ability to call observed fires on the enemy in the open.
- Weather.
- The temperatures in May steadily increased and ranged in the 80’s and 90’s. Visibility was generally excellent, and rainfall was light.
- Incoming.
- 429 mortar, rocket and artillery rounds.
- New Techniques employed.
- Techniques. Utilization of Night Observation Devices (NOD) in the maneuver of ground troops at night.
- Comment. In May, a Platoon from Co. D was on a night ambush patrol west of Con Thien. An OP at Con Thien, using a NOD, observed a group of NVA moving along between the outer perimeter wire and the ambush patrol. The patrol was alerted but due to the pitch darkness, the patrol was unable to observe any movement. The Company Commander went to the OP and by observing his patrol and NVA through the NOD, was able to maneuver his troops into an advantageous position. Artillery illumination was called, and the ambush sprung killing seven NVA.
This page last corrected 1 September 2011