Intelligence – September 1965

 

Intelligence

 

  1. Summary of Enemy Activity
  2. General
  3. During September there was a marked decreased in VC sightings, however there was an increase in the VC killed/VC sighting ration.
  4. Direct contact with VC was made in northwestern limits of TAOR during periods 3 September and 7 September resulting in five (5) VC killed.  Sixty (60) VCS were apprehended during September.
  5. The VC continued to employ booby traps using M-26 Grenades, homemade explosive device devices and pressure type mines triggered by trip wires/vines in northwestern area vic BT 431092, BT 450053, BT 420080, BT 451032 and BT 450070.
  6. VC continued employment of snipers against our combat patrols in the northwestern area mainly in areas around Hill 99, Hill 22, Hill 270 and Ky Sanh (1).
  7. Sabotage/Terrorist Acts
  8. First acts of terrorism near and within our TAOR occurred during September.  Two incidents of murder and/or kidnapping recorded.  24 September; Village Chief of Ky Khoung and two of his daughters were killed.  30 September;  One man was killed and three persons reported missing on Ky Xuan Island.
  9. Other
  10. Obstacles.  The VC continued to emplace obstacles (Panji traps, Stake beds, limited barged wire and anti-helo stakes).
  11. Tunneling.  An extensive freshly dug tunnel found inside inhabited Hamlet at BT 445054.
  12. Chronology of Incidents (September 1965)
  13. 2 Sept 65
  14. 0215 – Received two (2) rds S/A fire at LSU Dock
  15. 0300 – Received sniper fire from BT 514124
  16. 1000 – Received sniper fire from BT 401081
  17. 1045 – Received S/S fire from BT 397087
  18. 1108 – Two (2) VCS captured at BT 415083
  19. 1420 – One (1) VCS wounded at BT 518120
  20. 3 Sept 65
  21. 60mm Mort Canister (empty) found at BT 431053
  22. Bear trap found near punji at BT 431056
  23. 1212 – Received grenades from vic BT 427047
  24. 1212 – One (1) VC killed at BT 427047
  25. 1300 – One (1) VC killed at BT 422057
  26. 1515 – One (1) M-26 grenade mine tripped at BT 435056
  27. 1830 – One (1) VC killed at BT 440052
  28. 1830 – One (1) VC wounded at BT 440052
  29. 2045 – One (1) VCS captured at BT 517078
  30. 2245 – Received one (1) rd S/A from BT 529119
  31. 4 Sept 65
  32. three (3) VCS captured on Ky Xuan
  33. 0831 – Received S/A fire from BT 450053
  34. 0840 – Fifty (50) pound rice deposits found BT 419033
  35. 5 Sept 65
  36. 2205 – Received one (1) grenade from BT 528086
  37. 6 Sept 65
  38. 1700 – Received sniper fire from BT 449071
  39. 1758 – Hit one (1) booby trap (homemade grenade) BT 450070
  40. 7 Sept 65
  41. 0740 – One (1) VCS captured BT 528085
  42. 0906 – One (1) pressure type mine detonated BT 451032
  43. 1050 – Discovered possible mine factory BT 451059
  44. 1050 – Received S/A fire vic of BT 451059
  45. 1050 – Two (2) VC killed BT 451059
  46. 1118 – Received A/W fire from BT 425088
  47. 1153 – Found AP mine vic Bt 431092
  48. 1205 Trip Wire mine detonated BT 450053
  49. 1701 Two (2) VCS captured BT 464072
  50. 1800 – One (1) VCS captured BT 528085
  51. 8 Sept 65
  52. 0718 – Found one (1) mine BT 420080
  53. 2230 – Report of blinking lights and A/W fire BT 499098
  54. 2310 – Amtrac received S/A fire BT 499098
  55. 2340 – Five (5) VCS captured BT 493113
  56. 9 Sept 65
  57. 0041 – One (1) rd S/A fire from BT 539103
  58. 0630 – One (1) VCS captured BT 485116
  59. 11 Sept 65
  60. Found series of new tunnels BT 445054
  61. 12 Sept 65
  62. 0845 – Twenty-five (25) VCS captured BT 425158
  63. 1100 – Seven (7) VCS captured BT 445155
  64. 1115 – Heard A/W fire vic BT 409197
  65. 13 Sept 65
  66. Received one (1) re S/A fire from BT 524110
  67. AO flight fired upon vic BT 348115
  68. 2145 – One (1) VCS captured BT 519089
  69. 2220 – Received three (3) rds S/A fire from BT 501064
  70. 15 Sept 65
  71. 1225 – Received one (1) rd S/A fire BT 522087
  72. 1230 – One (1) VCS captured BT 436107
  73. 1300 – For (4) VCS captured BT 527081
  74. 1610 – Received S/A fire from BT 527082
  75. 1920 – Received three (3) rds S/A fire from BT 527082
  76. 1935 – Received two (2) rds S/A fire from BT 525080
  77. 1935 – Observed tracers fired from BT 511104
  78. 2145 – Received one (1) rd S/A fire from BT 529084
  79. 2150 – One (1) VCS captured BT 515075
  80. 16 Sept 65
  81. 1003 – Received S/A fire from BT 418093
  82. 2252 – Trip flare was set off BT 506068
  83. 20 Sept 65
  84. 0800 – Report of new circular trench BT 418083
  85. 1943 – Received one (1) grenade from BT 525084
  86. 2015 – Received one (1) grenade from BT 528085
  87. 22 Sept 65
  88. 2105 – Received two (2) grenades from BT 527085
  89. 24 Sept 65
  90. 1800 – Two (2) VCS captured at BT 523092
  91. 25 Sept 65
  92. Found one (1) M-26 Grenade at BT 430159
  93. 0830 – One (1) VCS captured at BT 426159
  94. 2345 – One (1) incoming grenade from BT 529089
  95. 2345 – Received three (3) rds S/A fire from BT 525090
  96. 27 Sept 65
  97. Report of imprint in foxhole of possible 105 type round at BT 487103
  98. 28 September
  99. 0150 – Two (2) curfew violators captured at BT 512118
  100. 0450 – Three (3) curfew violators captured at BT 519097
  101. 0715 – Six (6) civilians captured in unauthorized area BT 528116
  102. 1837 – Heard what sounded like a shot vic BT 523088
  103. 2053 – Two (2) VCS captured at BT 504124
  104. 29 Sept 65
  105. Two bamboo sticks forming arrowhead at BT 505127
  106. Brush tied together forming upside down horseshoe BT 513124
  107. Explosive device (exploded) in C-ration can BT 512127
  108. 2205 – PF engaged unknown number of VC BT 470140
  109. 2205 – PF reported one VC killed BT 470140
  110. 2205 – PF reported capturing (4) carbines and (1) BAR at BT 470140
  111. 30 Sept 65
  112. 0020 – Received S/A fire vic BT 487105
  113. 0040 – Received three (3) rds S/A fire BT 487105
  114. Weather and Terrain
  115. The weather was dry and clear during the period 1-12 September.  From 13 September through 23 September was a period of heavy rainfall (20.93”) with heavy overcast during most of the day and night.  From 24 September through 27 September the weather was clear at all times except for early morning haze which completely cleared by noon.  On 28 September, rainfall was .58” with low overcast clearing somewhat by noon.  The 29th and 30th was clear.
  116. The heat had little effect on movement of troops in any area except the heavily vegetated northwestern areas.  Thick undergrowth impaired visibility and movement of troops in mountainous areas in the northwestern areas.  Vegetation had no effect on troop movements on the peninsula or adjacent islands.
  117. On road traffic ability is considered good and off road traffic ability fair to untrafficable.  During wet weather, on road traffic ability is considered fair to poor with some areas becoming untrafficable to M-274 vehicles and moderately trafficable to M-422 vehicles.