Debriefing – 26 June 1965

 

Report of Operations 

26 June 1965 

A.                 Bravo Co.  (154 men) 

B.                 Time Out.  0645 

C.                Time In:  1500 

D.                Mission:  Was to search and clear Hill 22 for tunnels; 

Secondary Mission:  Combat Patrol 

E.                 Terrain. 

a.     The Hill is filled with small foxholes which will offer protection.  The entire Hill is covered with brush from six to eight tall.  Movement up to platoon size would be undetected. 

b.     Obstacles. 

1.                  The brush is main obstacle on the Hill, unless there is a trail it is almost impossible to move. 

2.                  The hedge rows are impregnable unless you have a machete. 

3.                  Punji stakes located throughout the vicinity of GC 428084.  They line the hedge rows or any place that will offer concealment to troops approaching Hill 22 from the South.  Punji stakes against helo’s in vicinity of GC 421083, approx 6 ft long. 

4.                  The river is approx. 70 ft wide, estimate 4-12 ft deep. 

5.                  The bottom is muddy, can be crossed by Amtracs or poncho float. 

6.                  Foot holes lined with punji stakes in vicinity GC 429087.  Punji stakes also in many man holes. 

c.                  Critical Terrain.  Hill at GC 432089 to East.  Hill at GC 417084 and Hills vic of GC 427080 to West and South.  These terrain features offer good positions for snipers and organized units in and around Hill 22. 

F.                 Enemy 

a.                   Enemy seen at GC 419077 at 261000H moving Southwest dressed in a Khaki uniform. 

b.                 A man in Khaki uniform approx GC 419092 was observed about 1200H, he didn’t have a weapon and moved away from us. 

c.                  Two (2) shots from possible M-1 carbine were heard from GC 424095, approx 261000H. 

G.                Map Corrections.  None.  Trails indicated on map vicinity of Hill 22 are well defined and traveled. 

H.                 Miscellaneous.  We sited several ladders 20-30 ft tall in village.  Foxholes were noted vic GC 426089 in same vic were foxholes in triangle shape connected by short tunnels.  No new punji stakes were founds. 

I.                     Condition of Patrol.  General feeling of Plt Cmdr was troops could have gone to about 2000H before needing resupply of water.