10 January 1966

Operation Plan 001-66 (Operation CLEAN SWEEP)

Ref:     (a)       Maps: Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS L701 Sheets 6757 III, 6757 IV

              (b)      1^st Battalion Operation Order 222-65

Time Zone:     H

1. Situation.
2. Enemy Forces.  Current ISUM’S and SIR’S.
3. Friendly forces.

(1)               4^th Marines continues defense of its TAOR within the Chu Lai Enclave.

(2)               Battalion Artillery Group displaces to a prearranged firing area and renders artillery support as requested.

(3)               FMAW provides CAS and helicopter support as requested.

(4)               Co A, 1^st AmTrac Battalion provides LVT support as requested.

(5)               Co B, 3^rd AT Battalion provides Ontos as requested.

(6)               Co B, 3^rd Engineer Battalion provides demolition teams as requested.

1. Attachments and Detachments.  Annex A (Task Organization).
2. Mission.  1^st Battalion (-)(rein), 4^th Marines (-)(rein) lands at H-hour on D-day with two rifle companies (-)(rein) on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315), and conducts search and clear operations in order to destroy/apprehend all VC/VCS, confiscate all VC supplies, destroy VC installations and defenses located thereon; prepares company patrol base positions, and occupies the Island with one rifle company (rein) upon retraction of the Battalion (-)(rein) on D+2 day.
3. Execution.
4. Concept of operation.

(1)               General.  The mission of the Battalion operation can be broken down into four parts as follows:

(a)               Movement to the objective area.

(b)               D-day operations.

(c)               Subsequent operations (D+1, D+2, D+3 and following)

(d)               Rear area realignment of units.

(2)               Concept.

(a)               Movement to the objective.  Company B moves one platoon overland under cover of darkness to the southeast finger of Hoa Xuan (BT 460146).  The remainder of the company moves and lands by LVT at (BT 441159).  Company C moves one platoon via helicopter to LZ STRIKE while the remaining elements of the Company (-) moves by LVT along National Route #1 to (BT 419123) and crosses the Song Cho River to the objective at (BT 417133).  The Command Group moves by LVT with Company B.

(b)               D-day operations.

(1)               Company B at H minus 7 hours on D-day moves one platoon overland up the southeast finger of Hoa Xuan conducting a search and clear operation to the north to include the Hamlet of Phu Vinh.  The Company (-) lands at H-hour on D-day at (BT 441159), occupies Hill 10 (BT 437157) and dispatches one platoon to clear the Binh An, Hoa Xuan (2) Hamlet area.  One platoon remains on Hill 10 with two LVT’s as the Battalion Reserve/mobile strike force, to be committed, if necessary, by the Battalion Commander.  On order, the Reserve element moves to sweep the eastern portion of the Hoa Xuan (1) Hamlet complex to Company Patrol base vicinity (BT 426158).  Upon completion of clearing operations, the company reorganizes at the patrol base area and commences initial defensive preparations for night occupancy.  During the night of D-day, the company occupies and defends the patrol base, and conducts security patrols around the perimeter of the patrol base.

(2)               Company C (-) moves via LVT north along National Route #1 and at H-hour on D-day crosses the Song Cho River and establishes blocking positions at (BT 417132) and (BT 416138), the remaining platoon lands at L-hour on D-day by helicopter in LZ Strike and establishes a blocking position at (BT 410155).  On order, the Company conducts search and clear operations of the Hamlet Dong Thanh (1) and the western portion of Hoa Xuan (1).  Upon completion of the clearing operation the Company moves to join Company B at the patrol base and commences hasty night defensive positions.  During the evening of D-day, the Company occupies, assists in the defense of the patrol base and conducts security patrols around the perimeter of the base.

(c)               Subsequent operations (D+1 and D+2).

(1)               Company B continues fortification of the patrol base, preparing for occupation of the Island on a permanent basis.  During the evenings of D+1 and D+2 harbors at the patrol base and dispatches security patrols.

(2)               Company C conducts daylight platoon size search and clear operations in areas to be designated, destroying all VC, their supplies, installations and defenses located therein.  During the evenings of D+1 and D+2 harbors at the patrol base and dispatches security patrols.  On D+2 with the Battalion Command Group retracts by LVT to permanent positions on the Ky Ha Peninsula.

(d)                Rear area Realignment.

(1)                During the operation.

(a)               Company A, occupy the vacated CP of Company B with one rifle platoon (-); occupy the security positions around the sand ramp with one squad (rein); occupy the ‘SWATH’ area with one platoon; and conduct normal saturation patrolling and ambushing with the remaining platoon.

(b)               Company C, (rein); with one platoon continue manning SDC/checkpoints and conduct saturation patrolling and ambushes.

(c)               Company D, attach one platoon to Company C; occupy the vacated position of Company B’s outpost Kahuku (BT 477144) with one rifle platoon; continue normal saturation patrolling and ambushing on Ky Xuan Island with one platoon and a Company Headquarters.

(d)               H&S Company, man all positions normally occupied by Company C around the perimeter of the Battalion CP.

(2)               Upon completion of the operation.

(a)               Company A occupy the Kahuku outpost (BT 477144) with one rifle platoon (rein); occupy the vacated Company B CP at (BT 511128) with one rifle platoon and a Company Headquarters and occupy the defensive positions around the sand ramp with one rifle platoon.

(b)               Company B (rein) occupy Hoa Xuan Island.

(c)               Company C (rein) occupy present positions and continue assigned mission; assume missions of Company A, and occupy vacated ‘SWATH’ positions with one rifle platoon from Company D.

(d)               Company D (-) (rein) continues assigned mission with two rifle platoons.

1. Company A.

(1)               On D minus 1 occupy the Company B CP area with one rifle platoon (-); occupy the positions around the sand ramp with one rifle squad (rein); continue patrol/ambush operations on Ky Ha and occupy normal defensive positions on the ‘SWATH’, with two rifle platoons and a Company Headquarters.

(2)               On D+2 day displace company positions as follows:

(a)               One rifle platoon and a company headquarters at the vacated Company B CP.

(b)               One rifle platoon (rein) at outpost 52 vicinity (BT 477144).

(c)               One rifle platoon in defensive positions around the sand ramp.

(3)               Subsequent to the operation continue exploitation of the rural reconstruction program on Ky Hoa.

1. Company B.

(1)               On D minus 1 prepare to relinquish responsibility of outpost 52 (BT 477144) to one platoon                                  Company D.

(2)              Prepare for company headquarters displacement to Hoa Xuan upon order and after completion                         of the operation.

(3)               At H minus 7 hours on D-day move one platoon overland up the southeast finger of Hoa Xuan to                       conduct search and clear operation to the north, to include the Hamlet of Phu Vinh.

(4)               At H-hour on D-day land the Company (-) by LVT at (BT 441159).

(5)               Conduct search and clear operations to the north to include the Binh An/Hoa Xuan (2) Hamlet                           area.

(6)               Retain one platoon on Hill 10 (BT 436157) with two LVT’s as the Battalion Reserve/mobile strike                       force to be committed only upon order of the Battalion Commander.

(7)               On order conduct search and clear operations of Hoa Xuan (2) to vicinity (BT 425158) utilizing                           the Battalion Reserve.

(8)               By H+5 hours consolidate the Company at preselected patrol base headquarters and commence                         initial preparation for defensive positions.

(9)              Harbor for the evening and conduct security patrols around the patrol base.

(10)             On D+1 and D+2 continue to improve defensive positions in preparation of permanent                                            occupancy of Hoa Xuan Island.

1. Company C.

(1)               On D minus 1 attach one rifle platoon from Company D.

(2)               At H minus 90 minutes, with the Company (-) (rein) proceed via LVT’s down the Song An Tan                            River to the An Tan Bridge, then along National Route #1 to the splash point vicinity (BT                                        421120).  Enter the Song Cho River and land at H-hour at vicinity of (BT 417132) and (BT 416138).

(3)               Establish blocking positions at PUNCH and HIT.

(4)               At L minus 25 minutes embark one rifle platoon from landing zone FIREFLY and proceed to and                       land at L-hour at LZ STRIKE (BT 408156) and establish blocking position SOCK.

(5)               Proceed on order to search and clear the Hamlets of Dong Thanh (1) and the western side of Hoa                       Xuan (2).

(6)               By H+9 hours consolidate the company and prepare positions for night defense vicinity of                                   Company B’s patrol base.

(7)               Harbor for the evening and conduct security patrols around the Companies portion of the                                     perimeter of the patrol base.

(8)               On D+1 and D+2 conduct search and destroy operations as directed, harboring during the hours                         of darkness on D+1.

(9)               On the afternoon of D+2 at R-hour and upon order, retract y LT to company positions on the Ky                       Ha Peninsula.

1. Company D.

(1)               On D minus 1 detach one rifle platoon to Company C.

(2)               On D minus 1 occupy outpost 52 (BT 477144) with one rifle platoon (rein) for the duration of the                       operation.

(3)               Continue routine patrolling and ambushing of Ky Xuan with one rifle platoon and the Company                          Headquarters.

(4)               Upon completion of the operation withdraw the rifle platoon from Outpost 52 upon relief by a                            rifle platoon from Company A.

(5)               Detach one rifle platoon to Company C to assist in manning the defensive positions on the                                   ‘SWATH’.

(6)               Continue normal operations of Ky Xuan with two rifle platoons.

1. H&S Company.  Assume responsibility of Company C’s positions around the perimeter of the Battalion CP during the operation.
2. Battalion Reserve.

(1)               D-day:  To be announced.

(2)               H-hour: To be announced.

(3)               L-hour:  To be announced.

(4)               R-hour:  1500H (Tentative).

(5)               Annex B (Operation Overlay).

(6)               Annex C (Checkpoint Overlay).

(7)               Rules of Engagement:  No change, reference (b).

(8)               Fire Support Coordination:  Reference (b).

(9)               Reports:  Reference (b) and RegtO 3120.3.

(10)              Prevent unnecessary destruction of public and private property.

(11)                All religious, cultural, medical, and public installations are restricted within reason from                                     damage by any weapon.

(12)                Treat all captives humanely.

(13)                 Psychological Operations.

(a)                   Companies distribute psychological leaflets jn sectors.

(b)                   MedCAP administration along axis of advance as applicable.

(14)                 Attachments effective on H minus 3 hours, with the exception of rifle platoons, effective D                                   minus 1.

(15)                 Company SitReps every thirty minutes after H-hour. Company B SitRep requirements cease at                           H+5 hours.

(16)                 Company B submit SitReps every four hours after 1600H D+2 day.

(17)                  The unclassified code name for this operation is CLEAN SWEEP.

4.          Administration and Logistics.
5.          Administrative Order 222-65
6.          Logistics

(1)               Body armor (upper) is to be worn by all personnel.

(2)               All personnel carry a minimum of two (2) MCI and two full canteens of water.

(3)               Basic allowance of ammunition to be carried by all Marines.

(4)               Resupply if required by Helo or LVT.

(5)               Collection Point vicinity to be announced.

(6)               Initial resupply during operation preloaded on D minus 1 as follows:

(a)               LVT #1

90 Cases MCI (1080 meals)

50 cans water (250 gallons)

  2 cases 7.62mm ball (1680 rds)

  1 case 7.62mm link (800 rds)

  2 cases 40mm (M-79) (144 rds)

  5 cases 106mm (HEP-T) (10rds)

  4 cases 106mm (HEAT) (8 rds)

  3 cases 81mm (WP) (6rds)

3 cases 81mm (HE-Light) (12 rds)

5 cases 81mm (ILL) (15 rds)

½ case           50 cal (spot) (104 rds)

1 Tent, lightweight w/poles & pins

1 Drum, gasoline, 55 gallons

2 cans, oil SAE 30, 5 gallon (10 gallons)

3 cases BA-270f/PRC-10 (36)

1 Sledgehammer/Axe

5 shovels

1 Case Grenade, Smoke, red

4 Reels DR-8 WD1/TT wire

4 EE-8/TA1/PT

2 Boxes BA-30 f/81mm sight/f flashlights BA-386 f/PRC-25

6 Cases BA-279 f/PRC-10

(b)               LVT #2

90 Cases MCI (1080 meals)

50 cans water (250 gallons)

  2 cases 7.62mm ball (1680 rds)

  1 case 7.62mm link (800 rds)

  2 cases 40mm (M-79) (144 rds)

  5 cases 106mm (HEP-T) (10rds)

  4 cases 106mm (HEAT) (8 rds)

  3 cases 81mm (WP) (6rds)

  3 cases 81mm (HE-Light) (12 rds)

  5 cases 81mm (ILL) (15 rds)

  ½ case         50 cal (spot) (104 rds)

  1 Tent, lightweight w/poles & pins

  1 Drum, gasoline, 55 gallons

  2 cans, oil SAE 30, 5 gallon (10 gallons)

  3 cases BA-270f/PRC-10 (36)

  1 Sledgehammer/Axe

  5 shovels

  1 Case Grenade, Smoke, red

  4 Reels DR-8 WD1/TT wire

  4 EE-8/TA1/P

  2 Boxes BA-30 f/81mm sight/f flashlights BA-386 f/PRC-25

  6 Cases BA-279 f/PRC-10

(7)               S-4 provide one representative to travel with Command Group and one three (3) man Helicopter Support Team (HST).

(8)               Casualties required to be evacuated by helo; designate Emergency, Priority, Routine evacuation                          required, LZ location, LZ marking and if medical team is required.

(9)               S-1/S-4 have representatives at B-Med in event of evacuation of personnel.

(10)          Personal equipment as required.

(11)          Companies have personnel carry entrenching tools.

(12)          Four Mighty Mite Smoke generators carried by Battalion Supply.

5. Command and Communications/Electronics.
6.          Reference (b)
7. Battalion Command Group initially moving aboard LVT’s with Company B.
8. Communications Officer provides AN/PRC-25’s as required.
9. Communications Officer provides radio relay as required.
10. Activate TAC NETS at 0530H D-day.
11. Limited second echelon maintenance will be available with the Command Group.

  This page last updated 24 August 2011