Intelligence Report – December 1965

 

Intelligence

 

Section III

  1. Summary of enemy activity.
  2. General
  3. During the month of December there were more reports and sightings of VC in the 1st Bn TAOR then the previous month.  This increase in activity can be attributed to the rice harvest being in progress.  VC infiltration into the rice harvest area and the increase in the VC propaganda effort are probably the reason for the increase in sightings.
  4. The cooperation of the Marines and VN has proven very successful during the past month.  One Vietnamese male voluntarily led a Marine patrol to a cave located vic (BT 525123) on 11 Dec 65 and pointed out numerous other foxholes and trenches within the 1st Bn TAOR.  Another example involves an 11-year-old girl who gave Marines of Company D information of the VC being on the Island of Ky Xuan.
  5. During the month of December, the destruction of tunnels and trenches continued to enhance the effectiveness of our defenses.  Caves were destroyed on 13 Dec vic (BT 525123) and (BT 525128).  By 16 December there had been a total of 15 caves destroyed.  Also, on 23 December trenches at vic (BT 455148) and on 30 December, tunnels vic (BT 526107) were destroyed.
  6. No reports of sabotage or terrorists’ activities reported within the 1st Bn TAOR during period.
  7. Recapitulation of enemy activity (December 1965)
  8. A total of 30 incidents, VC initiated, were reported during period.
  9. 37 VCS were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
  10. 1 VC killed
  11. 17 VC confirmed captured (had connections with VC activities).
  12. 5 curfew violators apprehended.
  13. Equipment captured
  14. 1 rifle (Mossin-Nagant, Model 53)
  15. 7 rounds 7.62 ammunition
  16. 1 M-26 Frag Grenade
  17. 2 map segments (Thailand-Laos)
  18. Weather and Terrain (December 1965)
  19. The period was characterized by light showers daily.  A total of approximately 10 inches of rain fell during the month.  The period 1-20 December had daily rain occurring mostly at night.  The period 20-30 December consisted of periodic rain showers occurring mostly in the early morning hours with occasional showers in the day, generally clear in the afternoon.  Visibility usually 5-7 miles during this period.  Temperatures in the low 60’s with rain and high winds caused uncomfortable chilling weather and necessitated the wearing of cold weather gear during the month.  Temperature range during period was 90 degrees maximum, 60 degrees minimum and 78 degrees mean.
  20. Thick undergrowth in low areas impaired visibility but had no effect on movement of troops.
  21. On road trafficability was considered good and off road trafficability fair to untrafficable.  During wet weather, on road trafficability was considered fair to poor with some areas becoming untrafficable.  Tide water flooding of lowlands caused some restrictions to foot movement.  High tides and/or surf did not affect general operations on the inland waterways.  Storm surf caused a cessation of fishing on seaside areas of the Battalion TAOR during the period.
  22. High tides – maximum 5.8 mean – 5.0 minimum – 7.2

      Low tides – maximum 1.3 mean – 2.5 minimum – 4.2

  1. The Battalion Scout/Sniper Team was organized on 3 December 1965.  Employment on three occasions during the month provided one sighting with an engagement.  The Scout/Sniper Team was composed of two Scouts and two Snipers each.  On two occasions the team was employed separately with no significant sightings.  On 30 December 1965 a single sniper was employed as part of a blocking force and one sighting and firing occurred.  One possible WIA or KIA was recorded as the target was observed falling after the shot.

This page last corrected 18 September 2011