Intelligence Report – September 1966

 

Intelligence

  1. General.  (Period covered 1 September 1966 – 30 September 1966).  The Battalion was actively engaged with VC/NVA elements during the reporting period.

During the period 1-5 September contact was negative.  Several Artillery fire missions were called on suspected VC/NVA OP’s and harboring sites.  Results were unknown.

During the period 6-15 September contact was generally light and usually involved small groups of VC, with the VC breaking contact and withdrawing.  One exception occurred on 10 September, when 1/4 element at XD 973566 received 4-60 rounds. 81/82mm and 5 rounds 120mm mortar fire.  Another item of significance during this period occurred on 14 September when a Company A patrol at XD 994569 fired on 1 VC filling his canteen at a stream in the same vicinity.  Patrol then received 30 rounds small arms fire from an estimated 10 VC in same vicinity.  Patrol returned small arms fire and called mortar and tank fire and an air strike at XD 995571.  VC broke contact and withdrew to the southeast.  Patrol swept area finding 7 VC KIA (confirmed). Also, during this period 2 incidents involving sniper fire occurred on Route 9 between Dong Ha and Cam Lo.  No casualties or damage to vehicles occurred in either incident.

During the period 16-20 September contact with VC/NVA units was heavy.  On 16 September Company D, on a search and destroy operation was ambushed.  Company B moved to link up and reinforce Company D.  Both units then became surrounded and unable to move. All attempted movements by friendly units resulted in heavy enemy contact with an NVA unit estimated to be of Regimental size.  While maintaining defensive positions both units came under heavy mortar fire and semi and automatic weapons fire, in addition B and D received an undetermined amount of grenades and on occasions the enemy attempted to penetrate B and D defensive positions. B and D utilized all organic weapons, numerous artilleries, air strikes and mortar fire missions were called on enemy positions resulting in 171 VC/NVA KIA (confirmed) and 356 VC/NVA KIA (probable) during this period.  At 181547H, elements of 2/7 linked up with B and D to relieve them.  Also, during this period, the 1/4 CP received several incoming mortar rounds.  Of other significance during this period was the large amount of foreign voices on the Battalion TAC net.  Also, extensive jamming was reported.  Voices heard on radios were identified by the Battalion interpreter as being Chinese.

During the period 21-30 September enemy contact was light.  On 25 September 1/4 CP received 50 rounds of enemy 57mm recoilless rifle fire.  Artillery and air strikes were called on suspected enemy positions.  On 27 September, a D Company patrol found enemy 57mm recoilless rifle position at XD 974594.  Enemy losses were 7 KIA confirmed and 18 KIA probable.  Enemy position was covered to the extent that no weapons or equipment were salvageable.

During the reporting period 1/4 units came under mortar attacks on 9 different occasions.  Also 1/4 units came under 57mm recoilless rifle fire twice during the reporting period.

  1. Recapitulation of enemy activity.
  2.             At 020845H, Company D at XD 986593 called artillery Mission on suspected VC OP site at XD 999613.  Whiskey Battery, 3/12 fired 8 rounds 4.2 mortar.  Results unknown.
  3.              At 031500H, H&S Company enroute to CP found numerous fighting holes (L shaped) and foxholes and remains of hooches and earthen stoves along the trail in GS YD 0361.  All appeared to be old and unused.
  4.        At 061045H, H&S Company Battalion FSCC personnel at YD 212599 enroute to Cam Lo YD 1259 received 4 rounds carbine fire from an unknown number of VC located on south side of Song Hieu Giang at YD 211601. Personnel continued on to Cam Lo.  No casualties or damage to vehicles reported.
  5.           At 062110H, Company D defensive positions at YD 244597 received approximately 5 rounds small arms fire from an unknown number of VC vicinity YD 244600.  Defensive positions returned approximately 20 rounds small arms fire and VC broke contact withdrawing in an undetermined direction.
  6. At 070830H – 070845H, Company B located at YD 245594 received Vietnamese National transmissions on the Company TAC net.  It is unknown if transmissions were VC or ARVN.
  7.           At 070830H, 4 Marines in 81’s platoon vehicle enroute to Cam Lo at YD 163586 received 4 rounds carbine fire from an unknown number of VC located at YD 163588.  Vehicle accelerated speed to move out of range.  No casualties or damage to the vehicle was reported.
  8.              At 101535H, Battalion elements at XD 97356 received an estimated 40-60 rounds 81/82mm and possible 120 mortar rounds from an unknown number of VC located vicinity XD 965593.  Battalion elements returned approximately 125 rounds 81mm mortar HE and an undetermined number of 90mm tank fire.  VC firing ceased with enemy casualties unknown.
  9.             At 101625H, Company D OP at XD 975696 received 4-rounds 81/82mm mortar fire, which bracketed OP position from an unknown number of VC, believed located at XD 965593.  81mm mortar fire returned; results unknown.
  10.             At 101630H, Company D, 1st platoon patrol at XD 970573 received approximately 8 rounds small arms fire from an unknown number of VC located on a ridgeline in GS XD 9657.  Patrol returned small arms fire and machinegun fire on suspected enemy position and VC broke contact withdrawing in an unknown direction.
  11.  Circumstances surrounding discovery of 120mm mortar rounds; at 101535H, Battalion elements received 40-60 rounds mortar fire.  Mortar rounds were estimated to be 81/82mm with possible 120mm mortar rounds mixed.  After attack, craters were examined, and some appeared to be much larger than those of 81/82mm.  One piece of shrapnel was found which was believed to have been of 120mm mortar.  An EOD team was requested and arrived on 11 September.  EOD removed and disarmed one 120mm dud located in W Battery 3/12 area.  EOD returned to 4th Marines position with dud and any technical information acquired.
  12.  At 121830H, Company B, 2nd platoon patrol at XD 962566 detonated a pressure type mine/booby trap.  Explosion, which occurred, was similar to that of a M-26 grenade.
  13.  At 131715H, 1/4 CP radio operators received foreign voices on frequency designator M-528.  Battalion interpreter identified voices as Chinese.  Subject of transmission unknown.
  14.  At 140930H, Company B patrol at XD 982530 called an air strike and artillery mission on suspected VC harbor site at XD 992527.  Patrol checked area and found Vietnamese type ration containers and empty cigarette packs. Area appeared to have been occupied within the last 3-4 days by an estimated 30-40 troops.  At 140810H, Company D patrol at XD 963582 fired on 3 VC observing patrol. VC did not return fire.  Patrol called mortar and tank fire on enemy position, with negative results.
  15.  At 151315H, Company A patrol at XD 994569 fired on 1 VC filling his canteen at stream in same vicinity.  Patrol then received approximately 30 rounds small arms fire from an estimated 10 VC in same vicinity.  Patrol returned small arms fire and called mortar and tank fire and an air strike on hill at XD 995571. VC broke contact withdrawing to the Southeast Patrol swept area finding 7 VC KIA (confirmed).
  16.  At 161230h, S-3A sighted 4 VC at XD 989593.  Tank fired 6 rounds HE.  Good coverage of target.  Results unknown.
  17.  At 161330, Company A located caves at XD 968563.  Captured equipment as following: 1 AK-47 serial number 011409, 5 AK-47 magazines, 1 magazine pouch, 1 first aid kit containing medical supplies and equipment, 1 pack, 1 sleeping bag, 2 bags food, 1 can food, 1 poncho, 1 pair sandals, assorted medical supplies and equipment.
  18.  At 170830H, Company D reported heavy probing of their defensive lines in addition to probing; enemy voices and activity were heard.  Small arms and grenades were returned.
  19.  At approximately 170900H, Battalion CO’s OP received incoming mortar rounds.  Number of rounds received were 10.  Believe mortar rounds came from XD 979611.  At 170915H, AO observed a possible 120mm mortar position at XD 979611.  AO directed an artillery fire mission into the same area.  Enemy fled position.
  20.  At 171030H, Company A point sighted 2 VC at XD 967584.  Took VC under fire with small arms.  VC did not return fire.  VC fled in an undetermined direction.
  21.  At 171215H, 1/4 CP received 2 incoming 81/82mm mortar rounds.  Rounds hit at XD 978568 and at XD 977566.  Enemy mortar position was undetermined.
  22.  At 171230H, a resupply/Med Evac helicopter was shot down within D Company defensive position.
  23.  At 171300H, The Battalion CP radio operators heard possible Chinese voices on M-601. At 171500 this position continued to hear Chinese voices.  It appeared that they were 2 different stations transmitting and receiving back and forth.  Also, on M-436 effective jamming was experienced.
  24.  At 171300H, 1/4 CP observed 25-30 VC at XD 973563.  Took VC under fire and called in 81’s on enemy position.  Negative results.
  25.  At 171535H, Company B reported incoming grenades.  Returned small arms and grenades.  Negative results.
  26.  At 171630H, 1/4 CP received six 81/82mm incoming mortar rounds from XD 968575.  81’s, 106’s and 2 air strikes called in on enemy position.  Results unknown.
  27.  At 171800H, heavy enemy contact regained with B and D companies.
  28.  At approximately 171800H, Company D tried to remove their KIA’s and made heavy enemy contact at XD 962600.  6 VC KIA confirmed.  2 weapons captured.
  29.  At 182235H, S-2A sighted 1 VC crossing river into bushes at XD 989560.  12 rounds of 81mm mortar were fired with good coverage of target. Results unknown with no further VC observations.
  30.  At 190100H, 1/4 OP observed 5 VC in riverbed at XD989562 moving towards XD 99156-, 25 rounds of 81mm mortar fired with good coverage of target.  Results unknown with no further VC observations.
  31.  At 182000H, Company B heard NVA voices on M-679.  An interpreter confirmed voices as NVA.  NVA voices made reference to a 555th unit.  The 555th unit was reporting 6 casualties to an unknown station.  It appears that there were 3 different NVA stations on net.
  32.  A.  Perm B and D
  33. 16110H – 182400H
  34. XD 962606 Enemy: XD 9660
  35. All attempted movements by friendly units have resulted in heavy enemy contact with an NVA unit estimated to be of Regimental strength.  While maintaining present defensive positions have come under mortar fire, and automatic weapons fire, in addition have received an undetermined amount of grenades and on occasions the enemy has attempted to penetrate B and D defensive positions.
  36. B and D utilized all organic weapons; numerous artillery, air strikes and mortar fire missions were called on enemy positions.

  F-H.   Previously reported.

  1.     173 confirmed, 356 probables.

                         J-L.      Negative.

  1. 15 weapons individuals
  2. Numerous 60mm rounds, helmets, packs and web gear, rice and cooking gear, ChiCom grenades and satchel charges.
  3. Enemy has concentrated on evacuation of weapons and casualties at the expense of the items listed in paragraph N.
  4. B&D units will conduct through search of area at first light.
  5. Unknown, will forward when available.
  6.  At 191700H, H&S Company received approximately 3-4 incoming mortar rounds.  Possible enemy position located at XD 966605.  Counter mortar fire and 90mm fired on suspected enemy position.  102 rounds of 81mm mortar fired.
  7.  At 192330H, 1/4 OP reported movement at XD 988558 and fired 9 rounds M-79.  At 192344H, requested 81mm mortar fire mission on 8 VC spotted at same coordinates.  20 rounds were fired with good coverage.  6 VC KIA (probable).  At 200017H, 2 VC were observed in same area, 50 meters apart.  They were believed to be searching for bodies.  10 rounds 81mm fired.  At 0050H, 1 VC was spotted in same area.  Another 10 rounds fired with good effect.
  8.  At 191900H, H&S Company received foreign language interference on M-824.
  9.  At 201320H, Company B sighted 1 VC going up stream wearing black PJs without a weapon.  Pursued with negative results.
  10.  At 201400H, S-3A observed an undetermined amount of fresh footprints at XD 984556.  Possible route used by the VC from the southeast.  Then prints led northeast and to the southwest.  H&I’s were fired on area.
  11.  At 210345H, Company A LP heard movement to their left and rear flanks at coordinates XD 958498.  Threw 2 grenades and called for artillery illumination with negative results.
  12.  At 210345H, 1/4 OP received 1 incoming grenade and an 81mm position received a total of 7 grenades.  All grenades came from approximately XD 977557.  Returned fire with 5 grenades, 2 claymores, and 40 rounds 7.62.
  13.  At 211445H, Company B patrol made contact with an estimated VC squad.  VC were wearing black PJ’s.  VC fired small arms at patrol.  Marines returned fire and VC broke contact fleeing west.  Contact made at XD 967568.
  14.  At 212530H, H&S patrols were taken under fire by 3 VC at XD 966558.  VC fired 15-20 rounds small arms fire.  Marines returned 100-150 rounds small arms fire and VC broke contact and fled in an undetermined direction.
  15.  Between 211445H and 211600H, the 1/4 CP received an approximate total of 32 rounds of 81/82mm mortar fire.  Before exact enemy positions were located counter mortar fire was returned with 81’s (approximately 175 rounds), 90mm (which observed secondary explosion at XD 961579), and artillery.  With the assistance of the AO and recon patrol the enemy mortar position was located.   Counter mortar fire was continued, and an air strike was called.  AO reported 95% of target covered by air strikes.  14 VC KBMA, 3 probable.
  16.  At 221300H, Company B patrol located 2 caves at XD 967563.  At XD 968564 a cave 9’x9’ was located that had been used recently.  At XD 968565 a cave 15’x20’ was located.  Also, between XD 969565 and XD 968573, 6-8 sniper trees were located.  Trees had good view of our position.
  17.  At 221500H, Company A patrol located 6 shell casings, 1 left tennis shoe, and 3 bandages, at XD0056.  In the same vicinity fresh trails, leading to the high ground were found.  1 well-used trail going southeast from YD 003558 was located.
  18.  At 221830H, Company B sighted 2 VC without weapons, at XD 967564.  VC were over cave entrance.  Snipers fired 4 rounds and VC went into cave.  106’s was fired with unknown results.
  19.  At 241650H, H&S Company received 22 rounds of 81/82mm mortar, 57mm recoilless rifle.  Fire returned with 81’s, artillery and 90mm. A 57mm recoilless rifle position at XD 983588 was fired on by 90mm and Company A observed 20 secondary explosions.
  20.  At 250930H, the LZ for 1/4 OP received 2 rounds of mortar fire as a helicopter was trying to land at XD 986593.  Helicopter took 1 hit.
  21. At 251835H, H&S Company received 50 rounds of 57mm recoilless rifle fire.  Fired 81’s, 106’s, 90mm and called artillery and air strikes on suspected enemy position.  A large secondary explosion was observed by AO at XD 978592 due to artillery mission.
  22. At 261500H, Company A patrol found an 81/82mm mortar round booby-trapped.  Patrol unable to destroy round.
  23. At 271540H, Company D patrol located an enemy 57mm recoilless rifle position, which had been fired on by 106’s and artillery at approximately 251840H.  Blood spots, bandages, drag marks, and pieces of web gear were found.  Enemy position was covered to the extent that no weapons or equipment were salvageable.  No means of enemy unit identification were found.  Enemy position found at XD 974594.  Enemy personnel and equipment losses were 7 NVA KIA (confirmed), 18 NVA KIA (probable).
  24. At 290945H, Company B, 2nd platoon patrol detonated an AP mine at XD 963556.
  25. VC initiated                       28
  26. USMC initiated                21
  27. Total incidents                49
  28. VC/NVA KIA (conf)        203
  29. VC/NVA (prob)                370
  30. VCC                                           0
  31. VCS                                           0
  32. Mines and booby traps    4
  33. Weather and Terrain.
  34.           Terrain encountered during the reporting period consisted primarily of dense jungle and rolling hills.  There were two prominent terrain features, the Thon Kre Tri (The Rock Pile) at XD 979559, which rose 220 meters from the valley floor; the second terrain feature was a rock mass (The Razor Back), which ran in a northwesterly direction.  The rock mass consisted of enumerable caves.  It stretched 3,000 meters in length from XD 969564 to XD 955587.
  35.           Weather statistics: No weather statistics available.

This page last corrected 25 August 2011