Intelligence – January 1969

 

Intelligence

During the month of January, the 1st Battalion 4th Marines participated in Operation SCOTLAND II and defense of Vandegrift Combat Base (VCB) and other assigned positions within Northern I Corps Area.

  1. Enemy.  Contact with the enemy had been light, the majority has been in support of a delaying action against patrols nearing caches.  However, squad and reinforced squad size element have been sighted.  Heavy trail activity has been noticed at various places north of LZ Catapult and throughout Cam Lo Valley.  The enemy should have many logistic problems as most of the material captured had been in excellent condition.
  2. Weather.  The early part of the month produced some scattered showers and fog.  Temperatures were in the high 70’s and low 50’s with winds variable at 5-10 knots.  The middle of the month brought clear weather with temperatures ranging from the high 80’s to low 60’s with winds variable at 5-10 knots this trend continues to date.
  3. Terrain.  In the AO numerous hills and valleys with heavy canopy are predominant.  Hills are steep with crests from 300 to 900 meters.  Small streams are numerous throughout the AO.
  4. Enemy Equipment Captured or Destroyed.
  5. Small arms ammo
  6. 7.62mm Soviet ammo – 3,650 rounds
  7. AK-47 ammo – 2,025 rounds
  8. .50 cal ammo – 8,860 rounds
  9. Mortar, recoilless rifle and rocket ammunition
  10. 82mm mortar rounds, propaganda rounds – 13 rounds
  11. 82mm mortar rounds – 1573 rounds
  12. 81mm mortar rounds – 120 rounds
  13. 60mm mortar rounds – 261 rounds
  14. 75mm recoilless rifle rounds – 300 rounds
  15.    82mm recoilless rifle rounds – 46 rounds
  16. 122 rockets – 3 rounds
  17. 122 rocket warheads – 2 rounds
  18. RPG-2 rocket rounds – 45 rounds
  19. Weapons
  20. RPG-2 – 1
  21. AK-47 – 2
  22. AK-50 – 1
  23. Mines, Demolition, Explosives
  24. Chinese anti-tank mines – 100
  25. Chinese anti-personnel mines – 8
  26. Chinese claymores – 12
  27. 82mm arming devices – 150 cans
  28. Chi-com booby trap devices – 50
  29.    82mm fuses – 250
  30. 82mm primers – 20
  31. 82mm increments – 310
  32.    Chi-com grenades – 30
  33.    RPG increments – 50
  34. Detonating cord – 40 feet
  35. Medical Supplies
  36. Battle dressings – 120
  37. Sulfur – 12 bottles
  38. Penicillin – 4 bottles
  39. Food Supplies
  40. Rice – 51 tons
  41. Salt – 350 pounds

This page last corrected 5 September 2011