Patrol Debriefing

Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon

Operations on Island of Ky Xuan (14, 15, 16 Sept 65)

1. Size of patrol was reinforced Platoon with Arty FO Team attached.

2. Patrol departed BT 520117 at 141500H and arrived at BT 490116 at 141530H Sept65. Proceeded to patrol base coord BT 488103.

3. Terrain was very flat with alternating rice paddies and hard ground. There are pine trees and hedgerows that obscure observation but for the most part observation is good all over the island for several hundred meters.

4. No enemy contact during operation.

a. All the houses appeared to have bomb shelters. Some of which were quite elaborate (cement or brick). Lots of firing holes along trails and built up dikes from which ambushes could be sprung against patrols on the trails. Hedgerows channelized movement.

5. No enemy contact during operation.

6. Conducted saturation patrols.

7. Patrol accomplished its mission of squad saturation patrols. There were three patrols out during the daylight hours with two ambushes set each night.

8. Ky Xuan was divided into three zones for patrolling purposes. Zone A was the island above Grid Line 102. Zone B and C were separated by Grid Line 488 and was island below Grid Line 102.

Observations Zone A

BT 484115 Barbed wire. One strand for about 100 yds and r strands for about 30 yds. Looked new. Did not appear to be of a tactical nature.

BT 484114 Observed about six pigeons (at 141900H) in pigeon house in yard. Were not there the next day.

BT 486117 Large house located here. Almost invisible because of surrounding trees and shrubbery. A lot of empty C-rations cans located here.

First day: Observed many people in rice paddies working (Zone A). As we patrolled to patrol base BT 488103. Quite a few men. People in field did not leave as we patrolled by but continued working. Children left houses to watch us pass. Some waved and said OK.

Second day: Squad counted 17 men in Zone A. All appeared 30 or older. Only three teen age girls seen (17-20). No teen age boys seen. Observed more men in western half of Grid Square 4811 then right half.

BT 483110 Four large cement houses (like in figure 2). All on line E – W.

People in fields: 0600H to 1930H. Most left fields at 1730H.

Ambush: 152000H to 160600H – set at BT 488111. Seen and heard no movement after dark. Heard one or two dogs bark.

Attitudes: Some older people were quite polite and friendly but most were indifferent to patrol. Many children were friendly and serious and come out of house to wave or say OK. People did not seem to fear that they were in danger from sniper round meant for us as no one left as patrol approached.

Observations Zone B

Portion of SE corner of Ky Xuan (475089 to BT 480088) under water. Appeared to be stream (sometimes 30 meters wide running north up to BT 481095 between the two N – S trails.

Village (Vic BT 480090) Attitude when patrol approached, deep bow from waist and then produced ID Card or sent for it even before asked. Saw only three males. (All with ID) one in early 20,s on 14 Sept.

BT 482092 Hedge row had 5 strands of barbed wire for 30 yds parallel to trail. Was not tactical.

483096 Ambush set 141900H to 150500H. No movement or noise from the half dozen homes at BT 482096.

Morning of 15 Sept didn’t observe many people in rice paddies but there was lots of movement on trails, mostly women but a few elder men. Everyone passing the patrol gave a sort of salute.

Names: In afternoon checked out all men in paddies for name and age (GS 4809).

Shots: Two shots heard approximately due south in grid square 4809 at 1230H. Investigation found nothing. Sound of Carbine or M-14.

Ambush: 151900H moved to BT 478091 and observed people in fields until darkness then moved up trail and set ambush at BT 479056 at 152000H.

At 2100H man and girl came along. Man carrying fish and girl was age 7 with man age 37. His name was TUN-LONG. 160200H observed no movement but dogs barked as if there was movement. At 160545H, people out working paddies.

Observations Zone C

At 141715H, when patrol was at BT 489100 it observed woman watching patrol 300 meters away. She turned and started running from 491101. It appeared that she thought she couldn’t run fast enough with her baskets so she threw them off. Because of the rice paddies between them, the patrol did to pursue. The woman ran est. Ten minutes later a woman two girls (about 12) came along trail, picked up the baskets and headed off in the direction the women had run. The first woman appeared to be about 35 in age, were a gray blouse and black bottoms.

BT 491094 At a general store 8 cans of ASANI Beer were on display.

BT 492089 On night of trail were 3 separated piles of rocks. 2 feet high by 1 foot base. Trail was not booby trapped.

BT 491093 Trail blocked by three trees laid across trail with prickly bushes among them. There were rice paddies on both sides with no trails around block. It was not booby-trapped.

Ambush: Ambush set at BT 495083 at 141900H. One team was sent to BT 499095. They observed nine large Junks in bay that looked loaded down. Also seven small boats in for the night. At BT 498094, trail leading south had a two-strand barbed wire fence for 100 meters. No movement or noise observed at ambush site after dark.

Junks: Moved to check out large Junks at BT 499095 at first light. They had departed. Started checking ID Cards at village (BT 498095). Saw no teenage males and only two teen girls. Women all appeared to be ever 35. All the men appeared old (were goatees).

Attitudes of people who’s ID cards were checked. Vicinity BT 498097, those

Checked, had an I can’t be bothered attitude.

EXAMPLE: One man in field, when checked, stated it was in his house with shakes of his head in direction of house, and turned his back to continue working. When patrol insisted he produce it, he threw down his tool and stalked off to get it, mumbling………..

BT 498094 One strand of barbed wire along E-W trail for 100 yds.

BT 486115 Found in house, 12 C-Ration cans (empty), chicken bones, beef spiced, 4-cheese and crackers, two white bread. Opened edges just starting to run rusty.

BT 498094 At 150630H, after patrol had secured from ambush, they were lacking for place out of rain to stop for chow and to get water. Stopped at house with well. Man (elderly) appeared and appeared scared. Patrol gestured to indicate use of well and dry shed on side of house. Man nodded. After awhile, a child (little girl and later a woman) started working around house. There attitude changed from one of fear and suspicion to one of friendly and cheerful. When patrol took advantage of their hospitality for a chow step out of the rain.