Intelligence

1. General.  (Period covered: 1 July to 31 July 1967)

During the reporting period the Battalion CP was located along Route 547, in Nam Hoa District, Thua Thien Province, while participating in Operation Cumberland.  This unit remained at this location except for a ten-day period from 7 July to 16 July, when the Battalion was deployed to the Dong Ha-Con Thien area to participate in Operations Buffalo and Hickory II.

1. Intelligence Information in the Battalion Operating Areas.
2. Cumberland Area.  (Vic Rt 547 – Southern Thua Thien Province)
3. Enemy.  The enemy avoided large scale engagement with friendly forces; contact generally being made with groups of 4 to 10 VC who broke away quickly.  One mortar attack (approx 50 rds 82mm) was made on 11 July against the Battalion rear CP location (at this time the Command Group and three rifle companies were participating in Operation Hickory II and the Battalion rear CP location was occupied by A/1/4 near Ham Hoa).  On 19 July and 23 July 1967, the enemy ambushed friendly truck convoys heading west on Route 547 from the Battalion operation base.  The enemy employed RPG-2 (B-40) rockets on each occasion.
4. Terrain.

(1)           Critical Terrain Features.  These are the hill masses running north and south parallel to Route 547, Hills 424 (YD 750087), 433 (YD 712135), 342 (YD 633084), 218 (YD 638065), 316 (YD 604100).

(2)           Avenues of approach.  These include valleys, rivers, streams and trails throughout area.  The valley running north and south from YD 668110 to YD 705143: the valley running north and south from YD 668110 to YD 640170; and the valley that is traversed by Route 547.  The Huu Trach River running west to east from YD 686090 to YD 755134; the Huu Trach River running south to north from YD 680050 to YD 686090; the Hao Binh Dien River running north to south from YD 670108 to YD 686090 are main water avenues of approach.  Secondary water approaches are the stream running north to south at YD 668110 to YD 640170; the stream running northwest to southeast at YD 620127 to YD 668105; the stream flowing south to north at YD 721070 to YD 732103; there are several trails, which are considered to be secondary avenues of approach.  The trail running east to west from YD 684112 to YD 714106 and numerous trails generally running north and south from the main supply route (Route 547) are included.

(3)               Cover and Concealment.  The terrain runs from — level to high mountains and provides a variety of cover and concealment.  In the eastern portion of the Cumberland AO there is medium cover and concealment from relatively low, sparsely vegetated foothills.  To the west, excellent cover and concealment is provided by the thick jungle canopy in the high mountains, and deep valleys.  The heavy canopy is from 40 to 100 feet high.  Observation and fields of fire are very limited in the jungle canopy.  At the eastern end of Route 547, fields of fire and observation are considered excellent.

1. Weather.  High temperatures and humidity were experienced throughout the reporting period.  Highs of 120 degrees with an average of 80% humidity contributed to heat casualties. Rain was usually slight, with heavy rainfall on one day.  Visibility was excellent.
2. Counterintelligence.  A sound counter-intelligence effort was started in the Nam Hoa area (YD 764128) in conjunction with the government of the Republic of Viet Nam and the Sub-Sector U.S. Army Advisors.  Results, thus far, have been 1 Chien Hoi, in addition to regular intelligence reports from local sources.
3. Hickory II Area (Dong Ha-Cam Lo-Con Thien Area)
4. Enemy.  No direct enemy contact was made during the operation.  Enemy in this area are known to be NVA.  The major incident during this operation was caused by friendly troops encountering an enemy mine field.
5. Terrain.

(1)             Key terrain Features.  The hill mass at Con Thien (YD 114701) is considered the dominant terrain feature in the area.

(2)               Cover and Concealment.  Thick shrubs and elephant grass provided excellent concealment.  Underground cover was necessary due to lack of natural cover.

(3)           Avenues of approach.  These included the improved 10-kilometer road from Con Thien to Cam Lo, the cleared strip from Gio Linh to Con Thien, National Route #9, and numerous trails throughout the area.

1. Weather.  Temperatures were high (110 degrees) with humidity averaging 80%.  This contributed significantly to heat casualties.  Rainfall was negligible.  Visibility was excellent.
2. Enemy Personnel and Equipment Losses.

Cumberland          Hickory

                        NVA/VC (conf)                                              0                      0

                        NVA/VC (prob)                                              0                      0

                        LMG (model 57) with ammo                   0                      0

                        Bunkers destroyed                                       0                      30

AP mines destroyed                                    0                      2

Harbor site destroyed                                0                      1

AT mine destroyed                                      0                      1

This page last corrected 27 August 2011