The 1st Bn 4th Marines participated in the Canton Action I and II of Operation SCOTLAND during the reporting period. The first operation covered the period 11-13 July while the second commenced on 25 July and continued through the end of the month. Both actions took place in the vicinity of the Hill 715 complex (944476).
In an engagement on 13 July, NVA elements triggered a command detonated mine, causing KIA’s and WIA’s among the point element of Co. B. When more friendly elements were sent up to retrieve the casualties, they drew heavy small arms fire, .50 cal fire and chicom grenades. Another command detonated mine was also triggered. Co. b the began to receive incoming 82mm mortar rounds.
When the Battalion returned to the Hill 715 complex on Canton Action II on 25 July, the area was found to be heavily mined and booby trapped. Resistance, however, was light as an early afternoon contact with an estimated 5-10 NVA was broken by the enemy.
During Canton Action II, several large arms caches (one including 12 new carbines) and approximately 400 bunkers (including several large surgical bunkers) were discovered. The Battalion also captured over 9 tons (18,500 pounds) of rice. The vast majority of the captured rice was evacuated.
Weather. The weather during the month of July was generally clear to partly cloudy with afternoon and evening rains increasing towards the end of the reporting period.
Terrain. The slopes in the Hill 715 area are fairly gradual but movement is often difficult due to the thickness of the vegetation in some areas.
Incoming. The Battalion received approximately sixty-one 82mm mortar rounds and fifteen 60mm mortar rounds during the month of July.
