Charlie Company Patrol – 8 September 1965

Patrol Report – 8 September 1965

Charlie Company

 

  1. Patrol consisted of 3rd Platoon (rein) Charlie Company – plus 6 man group from Engineers.
  2. Departed 061415H Sept 65 – Axis of advance shown on overlay.
  3. Terrain consisted of large and small rice paddies.  Rice is now chin high where it is growing.  Also many rolling hills covered with scrub brush.

S-2 Comment:  Rice ready for harvest in late September.

  1. As we were crossing rice paddies, BT 435075, received sniper fire from village BT 451071.  One element had already crossed paddies and was set up along trail BT 452052.  These elements brought snipers under fire, but saw 2-VC disengage and run in a southern direction.  Pursuit brought negative results.  Area from which sniper fire came was searched.  Found 2 dead cows, 1 wounded cow, 4 well camouflaged fighting holes.  VC were wearing black pajamas.  Saw them at approx 061843H.
  2. We continued search of immediate area by getting on line and sweeping in a southwesterly direction toward Hill 51.  During search one man injured by booby trap BT 453068.  Appeared to be homemade grenade.  Busting radius 10 meters.  Area well checked out for possible clusters – negative results.  Injured man evacuated and mission continued.
  3. Before dark 3rd squad (rein) set in ambush BT 447073.  1st squad (rein) wet in ambush 451053.  Patrol base BT 446064.  Negative enemy contact during night.  Engineers checked Hill 51 B% 447065 for possible booby traps and mines.  Negative results.
  4. Moved out of patrol base 0645, 7 Sept.  Continued checked Hill 51 with mine sweeper as we joined other 2 elements at 1st squad position.  Moved in southern direction toward CkPt 12.  Apprehended 1 VCS, no ID Card BT 452059.  He was taken to CkPt 12 for chopper pickup.  Upon reaching CkPt 12, one mine hit causing 2 friendly casualties, BT 450053.  Area checked out with mine sweeper.  At this time noticed 1 corpsman missing; believed to be left u on Hill 51.  Sent one element to search for him.  The mine hit was believed to be of approx 1 lb. Charge, homemade, bursting radius 15-20 meters.  It was a pressure detonating type set in what was already an artillery shell hole.  See diagram #1.
  5. Resupplied with water 071030H.  2 wounded men evacuated 070900H.  At 071100H heard what appeared to sound like 45 cal rounds vic BT 452058.  Sent element, which was searching for missing man to that position.  They (3rd Squad) encountered heavy automatic fire from within village at those coordinates.  They rushed village, saw 4 VC fleeing into rice paddies in a eastern direction.  They fired and killed 2.  Pursuit of others brought negative results.  No weapons found of VC.  VC were wearing black pajamas.  No ID Cards found on body.
  6. At 071200H began moving west of unit toward area where VC were killed and also a mine factory was said to be.  At this time point man hit booby trap BT 451052.  He was evacuated.  Booby trap was frag grenade tied to bush with vine tied to pin and acting as trip wire.  Area checked by axe handle for any possible clusters.  New results.
  7. Joined all elements at BT 451053.  Gathered up all materials from suspected mine factory (turned into S-2).  Checked out possible hiding places for powder.
  8. Left Engineers and one (1) element above location.  Took other element to join the element searching for missing Corpsman.  He was found on top of Hill 51.  How he was left up there is too embarrassing to divulge.
  9. Joined all elements and proceeded to hi-way by most direct route.  Picked up by trucks at 071650H, after apprehending two (2) VCS without ID cards, BT 465075.
  10. While moving toward hi-way, encountered large underground system of tunnels.  Blew main entrance with 20 lbs CH.  Main entrance closed BT 453068.  These underground tunnels and trenches believed to be escape route of snipers well camouflaged.  Would take 100 lbs. Of explosives to completely destroy.
  11. Disposition of any dead or wounded member of patrol:
  12. L/Cpl FITZGIBBONS died at 070930H.  Body identified and effects inventoried.
  13. L/Cpl LANDSMAN at B Med.
  14. PFC WARD at B Med.
  15. PFC LOPES at B Med.
  16. All three (3) in fair to good condition.
  17. Patrol in good spirits upon return.  Felt mission accomplished to full extent.
  18. I feel in emergency evac, conditions, evacuation is 1st in importance.  Any details should come later.

It is also impossible to conduct combat patrol and have men move in one column behind a minesweeper.  It is much too slow and invites an ambush.

1st VCS seemed to aware that there were mines in area of Ck Pt 12.  He refused to move any further after reaching top.

Evac of last injured man took 1 hour and 10 minutes after initial call.