i',

o[PART~NT OF' THE ARMY HEItOOUARTERS 3D BR I GAO[ 25TH I NF' ANTRY 0 1\'1 S ION

APO SAN F'RANCISCO 96268

AVDCTB-C ; JR'NUARY 1968

SUBJECT f COMBAT OPERATI ONS ArTER ACT I ON REPORT

TO: C~ANDING r-ENER~L 25TH INF'ANTRY DIVISION ATTNt ~COFS, G3 APO 96225

1. (U) NAME OF' OPERATION: !lA'TTLE Of' IUO. CUT .;. OPERATloON YE'LtOWSTONE'. CONDUCTED BY 30 BRIGADE', 25TH tNF'ANTRY DIVISION.

2. (U) OATES OF' OPERATION: 012230 JAN 68 TO 020500 JAN 68. 3. (U) LOCATION: F'SB BURT (XT 500 805).

L. (U) COWMA~ HEADQUARTERS: 30 AR fGAO[~ 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION.

5. (U) COMMA~ERS:

3D BOE', 25TH INF' OIV

20 BN .. 22 INF'(U)

30 BN, 22 INF"

20 BN, 77TH ARTY

6. eCl TASK ORGANIZATION:

2 -22 I fIE' (M) 3 T¥S 4£ TH IPSO t PtT 0/65 ENGR(OS)

2-77 ARTY BTRYA&C

3-22 I fIE' ( .. , CO) 3TUS 44TH IPSO , PL T 0/65 ENOR

T. eC) SUPPORTING FORCES:

A. ARTILLERY,

- COL LEONARD R OAEMS, JR

- LTC AWBREY G NORRIS

- LTC THOMAS Ht.RPOLO

~·LTC WILLI~ L ALBRIGHT

BOE' CONTROL 2mTH ARTY (OS) 0/65TH ENGR (OS') A, C, & 0 BTRY, 3/'3 ARTY (GSR) 30 PLT, 25TH UP (SPT) ., SCOM two COMO (SPT) F"WO SPT SEC S~T (SPT) B/25 w:0 eN' (SPT) 0/725 MA'fNT BN (SPT) SEC OM GRRC PlT (SPT)

(1) PREPlANNED ANO (II CALL DIRECT A,., 'NDIRECT ART-UJ.:.ERY tiRES WERE USED Dtl'ING 11£ OPERATION TO COVF'R £NEW ROUTES-Of' ADV~ CE ANO W!THORAWAl. ° ARTILLERY WAS ALWAYS ~V~'LABlE AN) 'lA'S CONSIDERED EXTREMELY EF"FECTIVE AND TIMELY. THE USE OF DIRECT FIRE ARTILLERY L 1 05MM HE AN) BEEH I VE AND 155UU HE. PROVEO TO BE PART IC .. ULARlY EFFECTIVE IN HOl.Df~ Et£ur ASSA"TS AT TH£FSB PERIMETER. ARTILLERY FIRE WAS INITIAltY USED DUR'~ THE E~lY STAGES OF' THE ATTACK PRIMARILY IN A COUNTER-MORTAR ROLE. PR[PtAW€D COUNT'ER-MORTAR TARGETS WERE ATTACKED BY ALL F"'RftG BATTERIES LOCATED A'T FSB B~T AND FSB BEAUREGARD. AS THE' ATTACK PROGRESSED AN) LISTEN-'NG POSTS A~ AMBUSH PATROLS tOC~TED ourS-IDE' 114[ PERIMETER REPORTED CONTACT WITH Et£ur FORCES, CALLS FOR tNOIRECT FIA[ I[R£ R£C£IVED AN) DEl tVERED BY 11£ ARTlUFRY. AS IT arCAU[ FYIDENT TMAT ~ Fll.l SCALE ENF'MY ATTACK W. IN PROOR£SS~ ~ROUS CALU FaA ",RE tJER£ RECFIW:D. A[)JUST F'fRE AND PREptAtM"D D£F£NSfV£ COtC£NTRATlONS IERE" FlR!"O.. AT ONE POINT" TH£ BATTERY "IR£ D~C~'ON CfN'lO CIF aATTERY C. /

I '1-J" 10M •• '· "I malllllYMS3 Me I 7 CONFIDF1T!f~L o--a:-.:-.:.mas.

• ,': f

20 BN~ 77TH ARTY REPORTED HANDLING 8 MISSIONS SIMUlTANEOUSLY. ~R­~S THE MOST EF'FECTIVE USE OF A'RTItlERY WAS MADE IN A DIRECT FIRE' ROLE. AS TI£ PER'METER REPORTED HEAVY CONTACT, TI£ ARTILLERY tEN lEVElED THEIR TUBES AND, AF'TER COCR~INATION WITH INF~TRY ELEMENT!, BEGAN DElfllERING HE DIRECT FIRE INTO LOCATIONS JUST FORWItRD OF TI£ PERIMETER. It LARGE vlllJ.£ OF DIRECT FIRE WitS' DELIVERED ~RCUNO n£ E'NTRI~ PEnlMETER DURING TI£ BATTlE. HIGHLY JNSTRUMENT~. I~STOPP­INS ENEMY FORCES ATTEMPTING TO BREACH THE PER fMETER WIf$ TI£ It .. ''2 OF' THE A'PERS (BITH I VE) ROUt«>. TH IS F"I RE WAS DELI VERED TO TI£ NOR l"'-t-EAST. SOUTHEJ{ST AND SOUTHWEST PORTI ONS' OF THE PER IMETER. P~RTIClA..~ VOLUME WAS CONCENTRATED TO THf SOUTHf~ST AND SOUTH DOWN THE RO~P WHERE' LARGE MASSES OF ENEMY FORCES WERE ATTEMPTltoG TO PENETRJ{T['.

, OUR ING THE, MIDDLE AND LATTER STAGES OF THE ,ATTltCK, EFFECTI VE' USE:" W~~ M~~ OF BLOCKltoG FIRES TO THE WEST BY BATT!RIES' FROM FSB BE~U4 REGA~. THESE FIRES' SERVED A TWO-FOLD PURPOSr IN PREVENTftoG NOT REINFORCEMENTS' BUT WITHDRAWl IN THAT DIRECTION. AS THE ENEMY BEGAN WITHDR~WING TO THE SOUTH, FIR8S' WERE' pLACED ALONG AND JUST OFJ THE ROAD IN AN INTERDICTION ROLE.

(2) POSITION OCCUPIED: FSS B'IRT (XT 500 805).

(;) STAT !STlCAl DAT~!

(~) ARTILLERY AMMUNITION EXPENDED:

It/2n7 A/2n7 A/3/1; c"/13 D/3/1,

!. HE 9;6 1000 bt; 171' 218

g .. BH 1; 45 - .. 1· PO' 824 900 98 171 218

!I.. urSQ 112 50 .. 5.- VT 50 ;15

(B)

!'" HE 6~ ;25 .. g. BH 10 50 ... 1 .. PO 200 885 eo

k. GB .. t14 ...

2,- WB 100

B. USm:'s

, (', fXTENStVEUSE WJ{S _0£ OF TACTlCA,l .'R · .... O.AT£ STRIKE MISSI~~ WITH Tt£ NORMAL AIR REQUEST CHANNElS t!l£ING USEO FOR ALL MISSI0N3 FlOWN. AIR STRIKES WERE EMPlOYEO IN ASSDelY AREK'S ANO ON HEAVY ENEMY ATT~CKINl TROOP CONC£NTRATlc:M TO WITH"N t50 METERS OF TI£ F:SB PER.METER, UTILlIfNB M..l ORDNANCE. IT IS' CONS'OF"REO THAT NARAtM ANO CBU'S WERE P~TICtl.ARLY Ef'F'£CTIV£ IN BRE~'NG n£ ATT~CW FORMATIONS OF' 1l£ MASSED ENE1ft'. SPOOKY WAS'

----... -UTll'lEO TO PROVIOf; IttlIUN#!\'QN F'OA THE AI" ITRIK£g, AND "RE SUP ...

~T ~:~D l~S O~~~~~M~::t~rJ~~R:~ :~c=~ r:O~y T~

8RtXT! £-~:I~~~:;IS1rc~TIf' .... _~ , '- . (~) MISSiONS: \ Ii ,

!_ IaM:DIA~ MISS'ONS REQl£S'TEO: ~

go IWEDIAtE M'SSIONS FlOWN: ~ ::::",' .' .I,;> ,,~ r ." 'I !

IVI

(B) RESUlTS OF TACTlCf·L !1iI.: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DET~RM I NE PREC I SE DhMA(lE DOl'£ TO TI£ ENEMY BY A I R STR I KES' DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BATTLE WAS rOUGHT IN D~RKNE~ ANO EXTENSIVE USE OF A'lL AV~ILABlE WEJrPONS MADE EXACT DETERMINATION or n£ CAUSE OF DEA'TH or RECOVERED ENEMY I;IODIES, DlrFICUlT. THOUGH TI£ fNEMY ATTACK WAS HALTED BY GROUND rORCES' AT THE PERIMETER, T~C AIR APPEA'RS TO BE RESPONSIBLE rOR BREAKING THE ATTACK. THOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERrAlf£ W~N nRE PARITY WAS ATTJUNED .. SUPERIORITY WAS GAINEO' BY USE OF" TAC A fR.

C. ARMY ~V'ATIONt

(1) EXTE~StvE USE WAS MADE or ARMY GUNSHIPS. PRIOR TO·EMPLOYMENT or TAC AIR, GUNSHIPS PROVIDED CLOSE-IN orRECT"FIRE SUPPORT TO THE PERIMETER. SUBSEQUENT TO T~C AIR INITIATION, ARMY AIR WA~ UT'LIZED TO PROVIDE INTERDICTORY rIRE$ON ESCAPE ROUTES, AND D'tRECT nRES 00 SUSPECTED Er£MY REINFORCEMENTS MOVING TOWARD THE r~ FROM THE NORTH. AN ARMY AIR FLARESHIP WAS USED TO GREAT ADVANTAGE DURING PERIODS WI-£N SPOOKY W~'$ NOT AVJnL~Bt.E. ADDITION­ALLY, GUNSHIPS WERE UTltlZED TO ESCORT RESUPPLY AIRCRAFT, THEIR SUPPRESSIVE nRE'$ WERE ~'BS'OLUTl£Y NECESSARY AS Tt£ FSB W~3' RI~ED' WITH ENEMY ANTIAIRCRAFT AUTOMATIC WEAPONS. .

(2) EMERf,EI\ICY AWUN r TI ON RESUPPLY BEGAN AT 020330 JAN ~8 UTltfrlNG 5 SPARTANS (189TH AHC).FROM BIEN HOA WITH AMMUNITION FOR 2/22 I Nr AND 3/22 I NF' •

(3) nvE SPARTANS (189TH AHe), BLACK WIDOW' (188TH AHe) AND LITTLE BEAR )A/25TH AVN) RESUppL If 0 TI£ ARTILLERY OUT OF I(JfTlA4.

(4) rOLLOWING ARMY AVAIAT'ON UNITS' PA'RTICfPATEO IN THF BATTLE:

(lq UH ... 1D: 189 AHe (SPARTAI':S), 188TH AHC (BLACK WIDOWS) AND A/25TH AVN (LITTLE BEAR).

(B) GrNER~L SUPPORT: CI3~7 AIR CAVALRY, 188TH AHC (BLACK W'DOW$). 187TH AHe (RAT PACK), 189TH AHe (SPART~S), 25TH AVN (LITTLE BEARS) ANO rlARESHtP (Wft.DCAT).

CC} AMMUNITION WAS RESUPPllED A~ rOLLOWSI

rROU DAU T IENG rROM ·KJfTlA4

M-79 3374 1·008

4.2 25c 360

81MM ,c;o 360

.50 CAL 1894(" lJoooo

5.56 8~.,600 6~JO

7.62 30~00 1344~

8. (C) • NTt'LL H~ENCE :

A. .rEORUATlON CONCERNING THE SUO, CUT 'AREA FOR OPERtrT ION" YE'LlOWSTOt£ (CONTIM£D) WAS OBrAINED rr 25TH DI\I,S'ON G-2 SOURC£S, II FIELD FCJlCE PERINTREP, VISUAL RECONN SJfIICE MISSIONS AND LONG RANGE RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS.

. (1) NORTI£ASTERN WAR ~ONE "" ... WAS BE ING USED BY'VC MA'IN FORCE UNITS AS If" SArE HAVEN O~ TO Tt£ ABSENCI=" OF' FRIEM>lY LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS IN THJfT AREA SiNer Tt£ BAT:,,",. OF SOUl TAE" IN MARCH 1967.

ROUTES VINCE ..

(2) Q.OUTES 2Wi ANO :»J.6 WERe BErNG USED AS .IN. SUPPLY IN NORTI£I(STERN WAR lOr£ "Ci' AND INTO CENTRAL BINH LONG PRo...

~4 COAl F ILJ ~ 1f};1; ~ L /

I

i

J \ ~ . ,

'-'--)/Y r ruc- IV I //JL . n) UNITS LOCATED IN THE ARO' OF SUOI CUT WERE BE"-

llEVED TO BE TWO BATTALIONS OF THE 1L1ST NVA REGIMENT WITH THE ~OSSIBltITY OF A THIRD BATTALION UNLOCATED IN THE AREa. CONT~T WITH THESE ELEMENTS BV THE 1ST BRIGaDE, 25TH INFANTRY US DlvrStON ON 16 AND 20 DECEMBER I N THE V IC I N I TY OF KA TW AN) BO TUC CONF I R~O THE PRESENCE OF THIS UNIT. IN ADDITION. ELEMEN~ OF THE 271ST VC REGIMENT WERE ALSO BELIEVED TO BE LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF XT;976.

B. ENEMY ACTIVITY:

(1) Dl11NG THE MONTH OF nECEMBER ENEMY ACTIVITY TOOK THE FORM OF COUNTER SWEEP JI,CTlVITIES AGAINST ELEt..£NTS' OF THE 1ST BRIGADE, 25TH US INFMlTRY DIV'st ON IN THE VICINITY OF KATW AND BO T.UC. IN ADDITION, FRIENDLY BASE CAMPS IN THAT AR~A' RECE.1VED MORT~ ATTACKS ALMOST NIGHTlY.

(2) THE CFASATION OF F~IENDlY H AND I FIRING DURING THE NEW YEAR'S TRUCE BROUGHT A80UT INCREASED ENEMY ACnVtTY IN THE "ICINITY OF SUO, CUT AND FROM THIS ACTIVITY EVOLVED THE HEA'VY MORTAA AND GROUND ATTACK ON FSB BURT (XT 500 807). IT IS QUI~ OBVIOUS THAT THE ENEMY PtANNED TO USE THE CEASE FrRE" TO MOVE HIS TROOP! SAFELY iO WITHIN STRIKING RINGE OF THE Fs"B.

(3) REJt'DOUTS OF" CAPTURED ENEMY DCCUf.,£MT3' AND INTER­OGATION OF PW'S INDICATE THAT THE ENTIRE 271ST VC REGIMENT I~D n£ 5TH AND 6TH BATTAt.IONS, 272D \IC REGIMENT WERE EMPlOYED 'IN THIS ATTACK.

(4) THE ATTACK OF FSB BURT TOOI(' THE FCR M (f' WHAT APPEARED TO BE HAR.sSHJG MORTAR FIRE" INTO"THE fI3'B DURING EARLY EVENING HOUR!. AS THE EVENING PROGRESSED, N.tBUSH PATRCl.S BEGAN OBSERVING INCREASING MOvEMENT A'T VAP.tOU! POINTS COMPLETELY ENC'R~ CLING THE PERIMETER OF THE FSB. AT APPROX I MAr £LY 2100-2200 HOUR!, AMBUSH PATROLS BEGA'N RECE IV rNG "'PROB INa ATTA'CKS"' WHICH DEVnOI£ 0 INTO HEAVY CONTACT BY SMALL ENEMY ELEMENT~. AT ~~PROXIMATELY 2230 HOURS MORT~ ROUNDS (BOTH 60MM AND 82MM) AND RPG ROU~ BEGJtN "'k~IN­INS" INTO THE FSB FROM A NUUBf'R OF ENEMY MORTAR SIT~.AND RPG POS­ITIONS AROUND THE PfRIFERY. THE MORTAR ATTA'CK W~~ FOLLOWED IMMED­IAmy BY Jt GROUND ~TTJtCK OF SMALL ARMS, A"UTOMATIC WEAPONS. GRENJtOC'S AN) RIFlE GRENAOES COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSING THE BASE. THE BRUNT OF" THE JtTTACK WA'S PLACED FfR!T IN THE SOL'THEfiST SECTOR WHILE A SECON"'­/lP.Y ATTJtCK Wf{S U'lRECrrO AT THE NORTHWfST AND NOPTHEA'ST SECTORS •• THF A'TTACK F'ROM THf SOUTHEasT SHIFTEO TO THE SOUTH AND THEN BACK TO Tt£ SOUTHEAST. THE ATTACK~ CONTINUf'D THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, TERMINATING AT APPROXIMATEtY 020500H. AT THIS TIME THE ENfMY BfGAN WITHDRaWING TO THE SO'lTH AND SOUTHEAST AND TO THE NORTHEI(ST.

9. (0) MISSION: 30 BRIGADE', 25TH INFItJTRY DIIJISION UQV£S 10 NORTHt'Rft WAR l'ONE ·C" AN) CONOOOT5 Of"f'E'NSi'VE OPERATIONS TO O!STROV veINY" F'ORCE~ & INlTClLATIONS'; 'OP£NS LANO LINE'S OF" COMQUNIC,ltTlONS FOR FRI[Nr1Y.FORC£S' ANO INTERDICTS VC/NVIfI LINES' OF" COMMUNICATIONS.

t>. (e) CONCEPT c:F OPERATION: 30 BRIG~DE. 25TH 1NFANTRY DIVlstON oeF'ENDED FSB BURT wlm ONE INFANTRY AND ONE I.£CHANtlE'D INF~TRY BATT~LION. POSITIONS WERE DUG-IN AN) LISTENING POSTS WER£' EST.tJ8t1SHED BY EACH LINE PLATOON. AMBUSH P~TROLS AND LISTENING POS'l'S WERE' EST"'BUSHED BY EACH LINE COMPANY. TWO BATTERIES' OF 105MM AND ONE BATTERY or 155W HOWl TlE'RS SUPPORTED THE DEF"ENS£ UTllIl:ING IN-DIRECT FIRES AND FULLY tNTERGRJtTING DIRECT FIRE'S. (REF'ERENCES: OPORD 40-67. HQ .. 3D BDE. 25TH 1M=' 01'1, WITH CHANGES 1 AND 2 DATED 26 DEC 67. FRAOC 1-67 TO OPORD 40 .. 67, DATED 27 DEC 67.) .t

111.. (C) EXECUT I ON (CHRONOLOG rcA'l SI.MAAR'f,

A. 011Bla5H Jiffi 68: ~N AMAUSH PATRot MADE' CONT'-CT WITH AN t.HKNOWN S flED VC n~CE 200 METERS EAST OF' THE PER BMETER.

B.. 01'201 OH JA'N 68, MOVEMEN T NOTED AROlN> THE PER II.£TER "ITHtIOHT ENEM'( PROBING OR PATROLLING ACTIONS DIRECTE'D TOWAAEJI THE PER HETER.. ,. '.TED MORT/(R A TTJtC1<S DIRECTED TOWItRD Tt-£' F'SB. J

..... ··---awFI1Jc7l7tAt--~'-- -------

CD/I/ r-/ /J£!VI11'l L c. 01~23OH JAN 68: FSB BURT (XT Ijoo 801j) CM,£ UNDER

HEAVY MORTAR ATTACK FOllOWrD BY RPG. SA AND A'll' FIRE' MOSTlY FROU THE SOUTHEAST AND NORTHWEST ALTHOUGH ALL SECTORS OF THE'PERlMETER WERE' SUBJECTED TO ALL TYP($ OF FIRE'. A liGHT FIRE TEAM, FAC AND TAG' A'IR, IN ADDITION TO SPOOK'Y AM) ARTY WERE CIrLLE(} FOR AND EMPLOYED AS' THEY BECAME JfVJ\'IL"BLE. )ttl OF TI-£ SIX AMBUSH PATROLS' BECAME EN­GAGE(} TO VARYING DEGRffS.

(). o12400H JAN 68: MORTAR AND RPG FIRES SLACKENED AND GROUND ATTACKS WERE'LIJt.UNCHED AGAINST THE PERH.£TER FROM AU DIRECTIONS' WITH SfCONDARY ATTACKS COMING FROM THE NOlrTHWEST AND NORTHEA'ST. TI-£ MAIN \lC EFFORT CAME FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND SHIFTED TO Tf£ SOUTHEAST.

E. 0201QOH JAN 68: \lC ELEMENTS' HAD S~CEEDED IN REACHING BUNKER LINE POSITIONS IN TI-£ SOUTH (C/2..22 'F*'(M» AND SOUTHEAST (C/;-22 INF). BEEHIVE ARTILLERY ROUNDS WERE' EMPLOYED ALONG WITH D,RECT FIRE ARTilLERY AND GUN AND FLARE' SHIPS. lOCAL BATTALION PE3ERVES WERE COMMITTED TO SECURE THE PERIMETER. ~N ADDITIONAL RESERVE OF TWO PROVISIONA'L INFANTRY SQUADS' WAS RECONST­ITUTED FROM HEmDqUMTERS ELEMENTS OF Tit 2--22 INF AN::> COMMITTED IN $UPPORT OF THE 3-22 INF IN THE SOUTHEAST.

F. 02014ljH JAN 68: VC FIRE ANO CONTACT SLACKENED.

G. 02D200H JAN 68: VC FIRES INCREASED AND ALL AREAS ~ ENGAGED. WEIGHT OF ATT~CK WAS TO THE SOUTH (C/2-22 'NF(M») AN(} SOUTHEAST (r./;-22 INF). ONCE AGAIN, BEH'VE AND DIRECT FIRE A'RT'LlE~Yv WAS EMPLOYED ALONG WITH GROUND AND FLARE SHIPS. THE SOUTH AND SOUTH­EAST PORTIONS OF THE PERIMETER WERE UNDER PRESSURE OF THE THE HEAV­iEST ATTACK.

H. 0202L8H JAN 68: TAC AIR IS EMPlOYED IN THF" SOUTH, ~. _vW ING ADDIT I ONAL ARTILLERY TO SE PLACED IN OTHER AREAS OF TI-£ PER'IMETE'R. ARMY fliR SUPP'OOT CONTINUES.

I. 020311H JAN 68: FIRE AND CONTACT SLA'CKENS AND CEA~ EXCEPT IN TH~ SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST WHERE TAC A fR IS stiNG EMPLOYED.

J. 020327H JAN 68: ALL VC EFFORTS ARE DIRECTED AT THE SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST PORTIONS OF THE PERIMETER WITH ONLY SPORADIC FIRtS DIRECTEO TO OTHER PORTIONS OF' THf FSB. ARTilLERY DIRECT AN~ INDIRECT FIRE, BEEHIVE, GUN AND FLARE SHIPS AND T~T'CAl AIR CON­TINUE~ TO BE EMPLOYED.

K. 020ljOOH JAN 6A: VC BEGIN W'THDRAWL TO SOUTH AND SOUTH­EAST AND TO THE NORTHEAST. LEAVING DELAYING FORCES TO SCREEN THEIR MOVE'MENT. ALL AVJULARlE FIRES' CONTlNI£D TO INTERDICT WITHDRA'wt ROUTES.

1~. (Cl RESULTS:

If. US LOSSES':

(1) PERSONNElf 23 KHA. 146 WHI(.

(2) EQUIPMENT: 3 APC'S 1 bOMM GUN eSP) DESTROYED. 2' tfpc.S' MODERATE DAMAGE'. 1 CAL .45 PIATOL, ~ .50 CAL MACHINE' OUm', 9 M-60 MACHINE GUNS" 14 M ... 16 REFLES', 3 M-79 GRENADE tAUfCHERS'. '9 ,j,

STARLIGHT SCOPE, , StGHT 81MM MORTAR. '

. B..... YC LOSSES:

(', PERS'ONNEls ~79'<l.K, 8 PoW <fUR).

(2') e£MY EQUIPMENT CAPTOOED AM) EYA'ClMTE02 75 .e:K-47 RIFLES, 11 CH'COM tMGfS', 1 CAL .l.1j PISTOl, 12 RPG-7 UUfCHERS, 16 RPG-2 LAUNCHER~" 2 T~-' TELEPHON!S AND 5 LB$ DOCUMENTS.

".{ I

CoN ~/OENrIAL • ~ :. rl " ' • .( .. , •. -.

/'

(~) ENEMY EQUIPMENT DESTROYED:

ORDNANCE MISCELLANEOUS

50 CHICOM GREN~DE~ 2 MILES ELECTRICAL WfRt

180 RPG ROCKETS 72 CANTEENS

2 RDS 75MM RECur LESS 56 ENTRENCH I NG TOOLS

4000 RqS AK-47 A ..... O

1'00 LMG AWO

fO PROPELLANT CHARGES RPG 2 AND 7

30 AK-47 MAGAZINES

13. (C) ADMINISTRATIVE MII"I-TFRS:

CLnTHfNG

100 SETS WEB GEAR

12 P r STOl REt TS

7 PONCHOS

A. PERSONNEL: OUR I NG THE ENftAGElAE"NT. THE BR IGt;DE S-.. 1' SECTION OPERATED FROM CAMP RAINIER W';H REpnRTS BEING FORWARDED FROM FORWAR~ LOCATIONS.

B. SUPPLY-: NOTfFlCfTlI1N TO RE PREPARED TI1 EFFECT EMER-GENCY RESUPPLY OF CtAS~ V FROM KATUM TO FSB 8URT WAS RECEfVErr BY THE BRIG~DE s-4 AT ~PPROXIMATEtY ozcrt-30H AT KATUM. IT WAS DETERMrN~ THAT ALL AIRCRAFT WOU~ BE CONTROLLED ON THE RR'GAOE ADMIN AND lOG-ISTICS FRE.QUENCY. UNITS B.EING RESUPPLIED WERE 2/22 INFCM)" 3/22 INF AND 2n7 ARTY. A IRCRAFT WERE CONTROLLED BY THE BR IGAD[ S~4 FOR Rt-SUPPLY OF 2/22 INF AND,3/22 lN1=". AIRCRAFT UTIUZED BY 2n7 ARTY WERE CONTRQtLE[J' BY s-4. 2m-.ARTY SHAR ING THE SAME FRE(UENCY.

C. MEDICAL: MfDICAL EVACUATION OF WOUNDED PERSONNEL FROM FSB BURT WAS ACCOMPLISHED INITIALLY BY RESUPplY AIRCRAFT AND SUB­SEQUENTLY BY DUST OFF CREWS STATIONED IN DAU TIENG AND TAY NINH WITH BACK-UP COVr.R~GE PROVIDING SECONDARY EVACUATION BY SHIPS FROM CU CHI AND LONG BINH. THE PRIMARY ROUTES (IF EVACUATION WER!":. (1, -a COM-PANY~ 25TH MEDICAL BATT~-lION LOCATED IN KATUM. (2) R COMPANY. 25TH MEDICAl!. BATTf,tlrtN IN D/,U TfENO;/,ND (3) tHE 45Tli·SURGrcr.L HOSPI:r~L LOCATED IN T~Y NINH. SECONDARY EVACUATION W~S ACCnMPtfSHED TO THl­llZ'TH EVACUt;T I:"'N HOSP" TAL. CU CH I. THE 24 TH AND 930 EVACUAT PN HOS­P'T~lS IN lONG BINH. AS WELL A~ EMERGENCY CASE~ TO THE 45TH SURGtC~l HOSP'I TtfL.

, r4. (C) SPECIAt. Eaul'PUENT AND T'E'CBNIQUES: NOI£.

f.5. Cc) COMMANDERS' ENA-lYS'IS: NVA FORCES ENCOlJNT£RED DURING THIS ENGAGEMENT A'PPEARED TO SE WELL DtSClptINED' AND WERE VERY WEU EQlJI,PPEO'. INCLUDING NEW' WEAPONS. THE S~CESS CF THE DEF'ENSE IS ATTRfBUT£D TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE INDIVIOUAl SOLDIER .. SUPERIOR" INFANTRY FIREPOWER; DEVASTA-TtNG ARTilLERY FIRE. AEEHIVE. DIRECT & IND,RECT FIRFS. AND DECISIVE. OVERWHELMING TA'CTtC~ AIR POWER. - THr GROUND DEF'ENSE~ WERE DELIBERATE AND MUTUAlCY SUPPORTING AND WHIL£ STIll BE'fNG FUtty DEVELOPED WERt ADEQtJA'-~ TO MEET 11£ TMREAT Pt"ISE'D THE NIGHT OF 1'-2 JA'-NUARY 1968. -, _

t6. (C) RECOMMENDAT'ONS:

R. THE INTEGRATION' Of' D'RECT AR~lLFRY "Il['! IN THE 0[,.. ... ENS£ OF A FSB 'S A PRIMARY CbNSfDEMT ION. ,PtANN'r«) QF PERIIo£l£R 'NSTA'llA'TIONS MUST· ffClUDE OVERHEAD AND AE _ PROTECT~~ TO PERMIT .,.. UN, .. UBll!'OEMPlOYMENT. -, " f.

- 8. AMBUSH PATROtS~ARF VITAL to PRtVrDlNG i~FORMJrr flJN AS TO [NEt« ·COORSE8' OF Acn ON.. AP'S' SHOUlD 8~ YrONSTfTUTED IN surP"C rENT 8TR[MiTH-TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, RUT NOT SO tARGE AS10 AE UNAAlE TO TAI€ EVAS' VE- ACTI ON WH IlE COI\IT I NUALL Y REP0RTI NG ENEMY INFORMATI ON ..

'··-"Il~ -~, ..... - t;? '

C. TAC A In crN RE USED VERY EFFECTlVE'tY AT NIGHT.. A' VISIBLE REFERENCE POINT IS ABSCLUTFLY NECESARY IN VECTORING TAC ~IR nNTO PRECISE TARGET AREA~.

D. SPOOKY ILLUMINATION IS NECESSARY FOR TAC AIR; HOWEVER, SHOULD AE DELAYED UNTIL THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT PRIOR TO EMPlOY'NG TAC AIR AS IT ILLUMINATES DEFENSIVE INSTALl~TIONS TO THE ADV~NTAGE OF THE ENEMY. ONCE THE TAC A fR STARTS, THE ENEMY'S AOV~NTA'a~ PRo.. ViDEO BY THE ILLUMINATION IS NEagT~ BY THE FIRES FROM THE ~IRCR~T.

FOR THE CnMMANDER:

I NCLOSURE~:

~,f:~,fl-) DONA LD K. WE I SE CAPT~IN. INFANTRY ~D'JUTA'NT

1. opeRO 4e-~T w ITIo! CIo!Af~ I " 2 Withdra\m. Hqs, DA 2. SKETCH "I=' FSB BURT AND Et.':lN ATTItCKS .~. Al="n:~ Ab rt O~I PEPQ~Tj 2 i?2 I N~ (Uj (INCL 4) k. ArTER ft,CTI ()~I P~PQ~Tj ; 2;.' I blf" (Incl 5)

D ISTR I BUTI ON: 5-CG, 25TH JNF DIV

20-CO, t8TH MIt HIST DET 1-52 1-51 3-S3 1-54 1 .. S5 2-2/12 INF 2-2/22' INF 2- :S/22 INF 2-2'n7 ARTY

-

"

(

~f\)AU..- ARM~ t K?~

( 7. 330 - C 3 I I ")

iNCLOSURE 2 \ \

J . I

\. L1 N i= \ \) c NT ,A L IEPAHTIillIT OF THE /Jure ~.RTmsJ 3D Dld'TAllctl, 22D INFAnTRY

APO San Frano1soo 96268

A Vll:'m-H -3

SUBJEcr. Combat A.t'ter ~ction Report (Operation Y&llOlf'Stone II)(U).

THRUz

, TO I

COIIII1Rnd1.ng· otfio C"

3d Brlgade, 25th Infantry Division ATTN. S-3 APO san Fni'!lCUco 96 2'S8

Comrrending GeM!"81 25th Infantry D1v1BiCll ATTNr 0-3 APO San Franc1sco 96225

l.. (u) llAHE iJfD 'mE OF OPrnATIoth Operation Yellowstone II a 25th Infantry DiViilion offBnSive operation oonducted in its Taotic;! Area Of Int.erast (TAOI).

2. (U) Il..TE3 OF OPF.RA.TIOllt 29 Decerrber 1967 to 25 January 1968.

J. (U) I.OCh.ttoo, FSD BURT (XT496804), KatUII (r.r333900>. and U1.ohelln Planttlhm.

he (U) COIf/.wn HFlJ5U:.::1'rn5r 3d Brigade. 2Sth Infantry Div1.81on.

5. (u) COHifJIIERSt

3D Battalion~ 22D Infantry CanpaT\Y I., 3':'22 Infantry

• cOlllp8T\Y B, ~22 Infnr.try COIIIpOT\Y C:, 3-22 Intantry CompaT\Y D, 3-22 Infantry

~~SQooo Plat.oCll Benoy Wonpons Pltltlom

LTC ThoIlllS U. Harrold Cpt Herbert C. Chan::ey Cpt Robert L. Heaphill Cpt ElJ..1ot FiShburne Cpt W1lJ.1am A. Curtis (29 Dec 67 to'17 Jan 68) Cpt Wlllialll J. fb'lahan (18 Jan 68 to 25 Jan (8) 2Lt Steven A~ WUder lLt PbUip J. Hall18;r

6. (C) TASK OJL\lITZA TIat I

CotIIpnrv I., }.:22 Infantry eo.palV Bi 3;;'22 Infantry (19Jan thru 22 Jan OPCCII 1/5 :.n (~I) eo.porv Cj ~ Iniontry (On )l :Il&o OPCal 1/, :At (K» COIIpOIV D. 3-22 Infantry (2 Jan thru 17 Jan OFCCH 1/, ib (If)) Reconmusoooe Platoon, 3-22 Infantry H_v:r Weapons Pln+.oon, 3-22 Infantry

1. (C) SUPPORTlllO FOOCES I

... ArtiJl.eloya

1.rt1l1ery llipporl. tor 3-22 Infantry during Operation Yellow­state II _II pr'OY1ded by 2-77 Artillery. ht various tiJnos ~ the opOr­etion the tollCM1ng batteries Pr.OVided direct support for the battolloll6

(0) C Battery 2;;'1'l I.rtUlory (1~1'\)

lb) II. Battery 2;;'77 11,rlUlery (105mm) o ) B Dot tery 2-77 At7t i Uory (10Srrun) d) ]""27 JuotUler:y (155m1t1) .) Mdtt1.onal fire sup;"'ort WB prOV'1dod by tho Battalion

ffoavy ~ PlatoCll in £Onural IN "'Port, while tl;!.l''W'OIIPon:s platoons pro­vidod diroot suppOrt" at OOlllP."1T\Y lev-oJ.. All supporting arliUor')' fires \/Ut'u ~y r08J)Ol18ivo and accul'ltto.

~ AT J flU NfTfIVAU'~~ .

IN (. I S DKLA~ ...!'!!!.!~" fUts,' C ~) N r \ \~ 'E f\l \ i {...\ L

! I

J

b. United States AU- !<'Ol'OOI Erlol'l8ive offootiVb uSc 'WaS made of Tacticru. l!.ir to includo pr~tUlod ~nd immodinte missiOM. All 3-22 I~ntry roquON for aU- support went thr~h 3d Brigndo, 25th In.f~ntry DivisionLthis _s ncCOll1Plishod by fonmrding all roqU08ts to tho Brigade Lianan Uf'ficor.

(1) Oporetion Yollwstone II bogan on 29 ~ 67 with a oCllllbot nss.nU.t of 3-22 Infantry (-) into a cold LZ. 'ffie LZ _8 prepared by nrt1lJ..or·, and gunships prior to the canbot assoult. Tho 269th Collblt Avi.:ltion Battalion providod 3 lllio of 20 ships to conduot tho cotnOOt assault ..

(2) IklUy resupply and orlraction sortios were flown by C!!-47 helicopters. A. sevore rotor wash problem existed becamlc of tho powder condition of thc soU at tho FSB. This problem \roB partially solved by the' use of Pc:na Prime on two ho11pads at tho FSB.

(J) On the morning of 2 Jan 68, during tho Battlo of Sod Cut Anr:r Adation ployod Q mnjOl' rolo. At 0330 an omorgcncy resupply of ~~ss V 'WaO resupplied to 3-22 Infantry (-) by lI.6th AvUition. In odditian 25th l.vi.:ltion, 187th end 183th Coabat AviDtion Battalions provided diroct supuort with gunships nnd emorgancy rosuppq.

(4) "Ihring OperatiOn Yollowatono TIJI 3d Br~do Av:1Dtion Soctian provided OH-23's for the 3-22 Infantry on immediate :md proplanncd roquosts. lh.'Cirm.lm axtol'l8ive USO \roS mde of those resources for Roconnais­~aco/COl!ll'lllnd Control of "tho m.1l'lD"U'nlt' olcmont-s.

6. (C) nrrEUIGEUCE:

a. Intelligenco canoorning tho ootUllion Tl.OR for Oporation yol.l.omrtcmo n was 0bt01ned" fI'OQ 25th Division G~, 3d Brigndo S-2J1" 251111 J[ lbtacm..nt, VR lIight~, and past o~tions.

b. On tho night ot 1 J:muaVY-2 Jnruary 1966, ~urinc the Hew Yoora truco, F'SB BURT (XT5080) 1I:1S ott.lcked by clQmOnts of tho 27lst nnd 272d VC Ro31monts. Interrogation of JWs nf't,or the battle ravoolod that on approx1matilly 25 IklcOlllbcr theeo tu~ Rogimante IIIOvod frOll! ar through tho Cari>od1tln Salient to stag1ne oro..,,, within 8ovoral hour" wolld.ng di.IJt­~moo of FSB BURT. On tho night priar to the nttnok, 1I1OY"OIIIOnt wos ol\1tlgod outsido the por1motar nnd tho following IDOt'ning two bodieo woro discoverod uith ciooUInonts 1nd1cnt~ t1lOY belongod tattla 27lst {one bOd¥ wos pos:libly idcmt1fi04 ns tho eo.f\Y Co'1'Nndor of c.16 Mortar Coq>nf\f, 27lst Rogiment). Tt>a 1mS tho first indication tnit this unit .. e in tho nroo. Tho naxt night tho 271st 8Upportod by at loast two Battalions ot tho 272d attack0d FSB DUR'l'. It appoorod tMt tho bottlo plan 1ncludod tour battalions nttac~ lIith two bottlllione in roaorvo. DxNIoonts found on ona bo~ indicatod that :10 WIl8 tho Comnmndor ot tho 2d Battalion, 27lat Rogilk>nt, ::lthou~ positive idon~U1cotion _8 bIpo8siblo. A Hoi Chnnh who ralllod on 12 J:nmo17 1966, stated he _8 • II01IixJr of tJl0 27lst. Ria cCIRpOlI¥ bod bocn hold in resorve and at 0201400 hour. tilOY bognn vithdntv1~ into Ca1Ibod1o. Hi8 unit lntor 1l'J"1Od Out of Coftl)o41a to vicinity XTSL91 whoro th!'1 WIl"O hit b.r Q ~/r;2 str1lm. Tho,' them um.od back into Ccmbodin (IfS(61).

" "

o. Daring tho rOIIWl in1ng por1od ot CIpC"IItSan TollontO.l0 II, ." ~2 Intontry GlPoricmcod 1:1cflt. onor;v contact." IlltoU1gonoo ~ clIring tho 101m" .togoe of Oporot1?n YollOllStono II 1D41cdod thDt iho Vc vero ploim..nc to conclJct 1IO,jar off01't8iYO oporations ~_ 1;h." TIr hDliday per­iod. It ._ a • ....,d troll thoso intoll1canoe NpOI'ta tIM"t the "li&ht" oontact 110 voro o:iq,orlom1nc wu tho rotNlt ot tho VC t.oop .11d1&t in 1Q!:!'l~!t1 ot:""~­in« 01'00 ••

,

/

(2) l8l331 Jan ... .A Co hod Q US buttor~ bod> explode I'OIIUlting in 1& US WlA..

(24) 2llO9$O J:m .. A.t IT)l2!,Bh, A Co hAd 1. US WlA all II rowlt o.t Q booby trapped UOllQdB.

(2S) 2SlJJ$ Jan - At XTSL34~, B Co roporlod r0001l"1rw L-8 inoolline U~7 rcnmds with noptiw C.:lsuoltios. ficrturnod firo v1.th unknow 1"OINltal.

9. (C) I«SSI<Jh 3-22 Infantry (-) on 29 Docollbn- 1968, oolllxlt Qs8lNltod into fSB IJRT to looato and deetroT VC/rrvA foroo. and instal­lations, q>on land Uno. or c~t1.ona for trlondl.y' toro_, and to 1ntord1ot VC NVJ. lin_ o.t oOlll'lllllication from I'tl.cholln n.,ntat1'Jl'l to DOIl"th­

ern lbr Zona C.

(1) Pblse II (2900$6 Doc 67 ... ,~ Doc 67) )..22 Inf'ontr,r (-) coat QS8:tult8 into FSB BlJRT (XT4968Qb), secures tho aroQ for 8l!b-8OqU(Slt ainlobUe'introduot1cn of 2-711rtll1ory (-), 8881Bte in tho soc­urity or FSB BURT. (Soo InclcdarOll I and II)

(2) Phaso II, ()CIOQ6 Doc 67-:;l.l.8<X> Doo 67) )...22 Intant.ry prorldos doyl~t close in socurity tor tho P'SB and condlete night albuah pntroJ..l1ng around the FSB. (800 Inclosuro n)

() PhOse'lIh (lUBOO Jan 6t..Q2l6OO Jan (8) Propoeod l:ow YClftrs Truco ,ariod. 3-22 Infantry participot1llg in 1ncraasod local aoourity moa::ru.ros, patrol. and alllbwth plans. (Sao Inclosuro II)

(4) Pbaao IV. (021.600 Jan 68-0S0000 J:m 68) 3-22 Intztr,.. (-) OONllote airlift to intuit" (rr 33)900) and conduct,., rooome1ssuDoo in t:JrOO operations in that aroa. '

(S) Phaso v, (0$0600 Jan 68-010100 Jon 68) )..22 Inrontrr (-) o~cb:ts a1rlltt book to nm T1ang Daoo Csip and co1lducts l'OComniIJaanco in foroo oparationa in tho HLchclin Plantation. (Soo Incloeuro nI)

(6) I'haao VI. (C1{OlOO .lOll 68-2.)081$ Jan 68) )...22 Inr_iT ( ... ) is airl.Utod back to P'SB BURr (l'l'18~) ond cClDtb7t loo:U. l"OOoana1a-' saaoo 1n tOl"OO operations 1n that .roo and prorl.doe ~t1' for FSD BOR1'. (So<> Incl..oftre IV)

(7) Pba80 VII, (2)08lS 11111 68-$400,/81 68) )..22 Int'lmtaT ( .. ) 11 QUuttod back to Dnl TSDnc Bo.c Co1llp, NFUJs o~ of 3-22 J:n(Dutr;r ate in DIu T!onc Ba.e Cuap :and ~tII l.ocal rooomaitUJ3llCe ' in forGO opcnt1ontl ~!l ttl:! 'tlchoUn Plantat.1ca. (Ice n.ol .J IDO IDc1 VI, rotor PG'Q~ 11. 1tOl& (26)1 Sao Incl VII, retar pat .... 11. ita. (2"/»

b. ftiio •• Art11.1.otT ~iJI't r... I'D :lair, LIf An1J.l.alT ed 2 ... 77 ArtUl.ory (.) ricin1ty lTl&988t16. .

, ,

! . c. RafOl"ODCOSI 3d ~do, IS_ tnt...,. 1afS..a1& OPCllJ) 40..67 t ..

dltod 26 Ibo fIT oM 3d Dattal1oli;; 224 latentry 0IatD l.8.67, dItocl ~ DIe 6'7. PalO <mERS 1 thrya 3 to OPOB!) ~a:: ~do, ISth oInt...,. DlT1810n tmd I'lWl 0ItD.B 1) thI'a S to 0JIaU) . .)4 lI"",t .. as JIItwk,.

u.. (C) BUJJm(lf s i

0( ."!! ":. liP'''' .. 1,

.,......-'

I

(2) )0C620 Doc - Fa loon forward roceiVed 10 60mm mort.ar t'OI.Ind8 outatido of pori.ll1oter.

(3) 30l30) Lbo- I.t XTb74820, D Co had corrtaot wiih unknown !'tUIIIbar" of' VC. The VC uaed am "lll'Jd S/ .... firo rosult.1.ng in one (1) US KII., 2 US WIA. VC onSUo.'lltiOB unknown..

(4) JllJO$ Doc - At XT)05B16, A 26 ongnged onu (I) VC nth S/A with nogative results.

($) )l2OOO Doc - D Co porilDoter roce1vod 10 rounds of' DIlx­od ILno and 6Qmu lOOr1:&lr tiro rosultine in ono (1) US WIA.

(6) 312130 Doc - l..'j XTSOOOO), 1>. 1.6 sprung their lIIIIbush resulting in two (2) VC KIA. (BC)! 1 POW, 1 9tlm pistOl, 1 pair or f10ld :;lassos, :lssortod documents and US cOlllp<lss. L. 16 roooived om (1) nro t'Oeultin!:; in throe (3) ~ WIll. ilio. found was 1 K-1.6 with blo::>d on it.

(7) 0ll8$0 Jan - I. 36 J.P receiwd Rro and S/l. firo at

nnd S/l_ i'irG .. (8) 0118$) Jan - Falcon parilnotor roooivod spol"D'tllo 6Qam

(9) 0l2.lJ0 Jan - Spor::Itic firing centinuod resulting in 2 US KII. and 2 US WIll.

(1~ 00.01)0 J:m - FSIl BURT C!l1'IIO under hoavy nttacb at: r",\}s, 6Oin1ll mortars, l'l13 and S/.l followod b'T ground :lttnck in Fau,on A :!nd Falcon C arO:! of pcriJootoi'. Ground attack Jastod until 0$00 and cm­toot UOs brokon at 0630 hours.

(n) 02($X) Jan - Falcon ~do a sWoop in front of their pozoiJ:\otor rosu.lt1ng :in In VC !WI. (iX:) and $ POWs. Documents tran doad VC ind1oato tho VC wcro f'r0l'l 27l6t :Ibd 272d VC Rcgiulonts which h:ld joinod t:> form a si~ roinforcod rorr:\.mcnt.

(12) 07122$ Jan - Ful.cm reaoi vcd 32 r~ of 6Chn DJOrtar rosul.t:ng in 2 US V'A.

(13) 071400 Jan - Falcon roocivod 12 r~md.." of 6<hm morttJr nth nogat1 YO C!I sun 1 t i.oa.

(14) 09191$ Jan - Falcon rocoived 10 rounds of' 60Mn llm'tD.r ro8U1ting:.n 2 US WIA.

(IS) 10l.21a5 Jan - Falcon received 12 rounds of 60Drn l11:>rtar u:l..th ncgnti-ro ca3Ulltioe.

(16) lll.OSO Jan - Falcon rocoivod 8..J..O ramds of 6Cl1aa morlar with I»gDt1w casualtios.

(17) 1213$$ Jon - At XT478798, B Co roooiv.;d IIprroximato.q' 2) romde of 1ncaId.ng M-16. Rot:umod firo" nnd swept Q1"Oa t~ ano (1) bunJa:Jr with 011: and axpondod M-16 oaslnga, VC vob ,lIDr, and protoot1ve -sJc. \

(1&) l2llUO Jan - At 1'1'474796, D Co lDtt t1A* atGrtod rooo1'ring ts..l.6 81l1por t1rc. Spom4tc tiring oontimlod _U l500 hours with noptiw OIlSUll1tioe.

(19) 1Sl232 Jan - Load alomont of B Co l"OOOl"fOd RPG and c1aymro firo trOll an· o8t1r.lated V'C squad. .

(20) i$12$O Jan - D Co ehot 1 VC aut at .. w.o, i VC Ill. (00), no VOflpoRe

(21) lSl6)J Jan - B Co 1M ~II bOoII!r tNp ~~

, "I .. ' . ,

1. 06 Jon - 3-22 In.fo:1try (-) rt:M1ns at l))u 'l'1one Doso CnIlP (rr497102). At ~OO hours COIVCnios D nnd C dB;xtrtod t')r III1as1on in tho 1t1ch01in Plontl\U'J1le At 082~ hours Co~:1V ! reportod that tho bricJeo ::It 1.'1'S12474 had beon bbwn. At 0)00 hours CO~',"y /I. dotl1inod eCV'On (7) V1ot­tlnll108C with a truck. One hal: 0 map of tho M1.chol~J ')ru:J \IOIII.nO h~d 7,400 pi.:lstors -(rrS07U93). At 0930 h:>Ul'1I C')DtX'ny' B (rr)10477) dostroyod two (2) Ox carts. At l(y')() h'lUrB Ccr:tPany I. dotdnod 'J'OO (1) VlotnalJlOso r_th Conbod­~.on monoy :l.'"l his pOSlto3S1"JO. CO"l'.:lnio8 A ond ;) closod Ibn T10Il8 na '0 CllII(> by 1S)1) hours, NOr'tltho cont.Ltct :ls of 241)0 hours.

3. 07 Jlln - At 0720 h~s 3-22 Infnntl"j (-) bogan n1.rl1.t't bock to FS1) DURT (n498804). At 091S hours the airl1.tt wn~ c'llploto. At 122$ -­hours FS!3 Ilm.T rocoivuu ~Wax:1m.,to1y- 32 rO~'nds ?t 6Qnm mort.ar firo result­!.l'-1 in t\ro (2) US VIA. At l400 hours FSD BUnT recoivod 12 ro~ of 6Qma r})rtnr fire nth nogativo furt.hor C"fltact IlS of 2400 hol:~.

lee '06 Jon .. 3-22 Inftmtry (.) relD:linod. at FSB l3URT and eondtd;.. O(~ 1x:1 roconnais8E.IrlCo in forca oporations. Hegativo c?ntact as of 21&00 hours.

1. 0) Jan .. At llUO hours eo.upa1V B (l'l'4B2792) f<W\d throo 0) C2m..':1 :!tOrtttl' rounds, 1$6 6QIm am-ter ro~~, forty-one (41) casas m (80 blocks J.Xr cnso), twonty--tive· (2» 011808 CUt olavdl (11) caS08 7.62BID rourMlS (l1C, -?I.:uds pot' caso), and throo OJ casas of blast1~ c3ps (J.400 ~-ps). At 1915 hours FSB Ut1RT rooo1vod ten (10) 60an mrtar rounds rasalt-1ng in two (~) ns WIll from 3-22 In.f:mtry (-). Nogativo furthor c')ntlict as of 2400 bourft.

111.. 10 Jon .. 3-22 Infantry (-) romo1nod. at FSB BURT (ITSOO6OS) v1.th ~tiw contact llS or 2400 hOl.U'8.

n. 11 .len .. .3.22 Infantry (-) at FSB Dtm (rrsOO6OS) l'OCe1vod CJl:n-orlJDotoq 16-20 1ncom1nc 6tl:tm I!lCIr't:lrs between f713$ and WS hours. Nognt1vo Cllsun1t1es. I.t 1600 hours Iklt1..D.l.i:Jn (.) oatnbl1shod a lnogol' rntdtinn lit coorc.-.inotos (ITSOOOOS). Nogative contact a8 of 2400 hours.

e'" --]2 Jan - At f71Sl hours, Gompany I. dopnrtod ?ID BURT on Il 8t1VCp lI\ission. At 113S hours, C~ I. found Qn old VC b.aso 'ce!lp (rr47S-810) eot:ta1ning lSI) f?:xhol.oe (l&It.3x3) v1.th 2' OHC, ono (1) .'.X-k7 IIIIlstJdno mo (1) VC cnntoon, L() AI-47 alllll¥> boms, SO .tors of C')1InO wire, one (1~ wo:u. riwo (5) doct:lIICmta. old- clothes v1.th blood 8t.Ltins. Conrpa1V I.return­od to FSD nmr. I.t 07Sl houre Co~~ B doparteu on evc'Op alasion. A.t 1.33$ hCAlrs COlllptlny'D (n'47819A> rocoivod opprox1lll::itoq 2S rCWlds of M-l6 m4>or tiro rosulting in nocatiw ca8UGl.t1011. round ono (1) blmtlair with axpondod K-16'cns1n(;s (~) with 2' 011:, cont~iDod. aDO (l)--.ot it vob eoar COIIPlote. At 11&30 hours C?Jq,lIIrv B (zrU14796) I'Oco1ftd K..l6 sniper tiro roault1ng in negati" ouualt1ae. CoIprv n I"8turnDd to rsn ~. llO"'UTO C?ntact as ot 2b.:n houN.

p. 13 Jan to )-22 Intant27 ( .. ). ~ at f&l JDtf (Il'StJCS<)S) vi th DOgatiTO contact 48 of 2lcOO, ~ q. 1h Jan ... )-22 ~..,. ( .. , IWIOtM4 at na1lJlf (zrSOCllOS) with noentiTO C'jm.ct ~. of ~')O MIlne

.-.----

... ' ..

t.. 17 Jnn - 3-,2 Intnntry (-) Z'OTIIlIinod nt FSD r.uru ond C'Xlduct-100n1 roc')nnd.88l!nCC in [')roc opor.:lt.ions in that Grone NOff.1tivo cant..,et ns ,t 24 j() hours.

u. 18 Jon - At l240 hours Contp<lny I .. nt rrlJ387e7 found twelvo (12) bunkers (4x6x4) with 2' CliC, tvo (2) trenchos 1')) lOOters lone run. n.in8 Mrth nnd 8~lth6 At 1331 hours C'lI!IP<,ny t. (XTuM7B7) hifl tl bo"by t.rnp:>Od ruttoTfiy ool1\b r08ul~i~ in u US rill •• t.t 1340 hours C')!;!)nny;\' (XT43ll7B7) found nnd dostroyod two (2) (..wn 11\:.n.ar rounds booby trappod. i:~ntivo contnct ns 'If 2400 hours.

v. 19 Jon 3-22 rnttntry {-} rOllldnod at FSD DtlRT Dnd e~tod b08J"roc~ma1a3anco in toroo oporntiona. Negativo contact DS of 2410 hours.

v. 20 Jan .. 3 .. 22 Int:mt.ry ( .. ) rOIMinod nt FSD Bmn' (rr51)J805) wit.h no~~tivo contact ns or 2400 hours.

x. 2l Jon - At 0000 hours C::>lQnny D, 3-22 Wontry C .. ) and CoII:P:lllY' C, 2-12 Infnntry (OPOON to 3-22 Infmtry) do~ FSD ::rum for roconm1as~nco oporotbns. C:m;l:'ni08 C and D at 085'5 hours found sevan (7) bmlcors 3xB with 11 OHC and 10.') III6'tors at trcnch l1no (i-."Tla/39009). At 0920 hours C?IIQ~nios C nnd D found two (2) bunkors 2x6 with 11 olle (IT-4860(9).

'1'- 22 Jnn ... Co~~ny D, 3-22 Inf;lntr,y ( .. ) nt 0000 hours bepn l"OCai1naissneo m t:roo oporations tro. FSO Il.1Rl', with nogat'Ulro contact as at 24)1) h?UrS.

s. 23 Jan - 3-22 rnfnntr,y (-) WIlS nirlU'tod b.r CR-47 fl"QlQ FSD TIum (n5'00805) nnd roturnDd to Illu Tiule Daso c.tp to c :m~~ct opor­.tiOrllJ in tho Hlc:helin Plantati ')1'1. Noenth'O c"ntact as of 2.~Q.'J hours.

on. 24 Jan - At mOO hours Recon olomont clopartou Inu Tiong Doso Comp as socurity for Tay tanh canvay. t.t 0015 hour~ Co~nios I. and D dopnrtod Dtlu Tiang DIlso Cnm;J to coorluct civil oporat1.:as ot LF 6 ~is nnd X:I DiOO ~ouc_ I.t 0938 hours C.,,,,anies A end D Worc at Ap 6 ::.s. ".&t 09SO hours CanpalV t. suffered ono (1) WI.L. lIS a r08ult of a b:>oby tr~P. ·At IllS hQ\JX's COIIl;>QlV l. nnd D oo;xJrtod Alp 6 tis om'JUto to III Dinh Ph?UC. At 1h45 hours Conr;>~lV t. (l'l'S2640S) t'JlUld tvo (2) old spidor holos 2x2x4 contoininc tvr; (2) Chicom lIDrt.ar round bams. At 1S03 h~urs Rocon oloIoont n1th convoy closod n:tu 'i'iune iloae Co~. At IS16 h::>urs Co~ony D clcsod ~ D1nh Ph'lUc. At 1635 hours Corvnny D dctninod ono ~I) VC suspect (:L'$J44i)2) woo hlId .tMo (2) 60an mrlnr r:JWlds, one (1) 1-1-79 round, nnd throe '3) K-l _::azinee. CI)!!par.i08 .. ond D closod Dau Tiona Bnse Cnmp by lC. hOU1'8. Hogativo contact as of 2400 hours.

bb. 2$ Jnn - .&t (fl00 hours noaon oloelont dopartod Ilcm Tic..ne Deao Cn!llp as socurity for Ta.r 1fim oomroy. t.t ~lS hours C:lll{Xlnios D and D doported DIN Tomg BUD CaIllP for locd l'OccmnaWIlDCe m f?reo OlXllMltiona in the l!i.cholin Plnritat1on. Lt 133$ houre Ca.:x&nY i) (rrSJ&).. 1;56) rocciYod 4-8 rcundIJ of fJt-Ul tire, noentha casualtioj. At lJ6S bJal"ll Ilocon oloIDont nth CorrfOy closod Ihu Hone DaIlO Co....,. At 1610 hoars Coapt!nios D and D o1nod Ik:u 'lions ~so On..,_ HO£Ilti'fO ~or contact GIl of 2400 hoIanI.

12. ~C) RlBULTSa

a. US toe •• _ l'Gnonnol. 22 .':TA, 98 WIl, 211U. (JIII.).

b ...... 14 ... '

(1) Ponoanol, 11S ru, 6 ~' •• , Dattd---(2)

J

1 iUU-7 Launchor

CLO'llfDlG

IJ P1ato1:Jolt" 4 aD Ifni! ~rllllS 7 (US) PtJnch·)fI 12 (te) C~ntool'l5 1 VC Cont\..on 20 VC S~ CnPl' 1 VC Web Goal' 2 vc Protocti V'O ~8lm

1 M-l Mo[,,'8zino 1 T'.:ry:mot 1 Pr Pliors 1 US C:xrtp~8S 2 pr Field Glos!! uR

en ~o~ Equ1~ont Ceptnrof! and Doatroyoc4

184 JunkDrs 300 Hetot"R Trench .3 Spider l~" 8 Hoot::hos

ORIWlCE

16 r.:r Hihes 6 Ch1CIJIII Qronadoo 4 lOSlII1l Rounw, S4 ~ 11.o\mcla 12 Kl DrUe ot Amnr> )0 4[-47 ltlCIlSinoa v/p.rtff1A 1 6ln1n Horta. nound .3 32m KJrtnr rIounds ) 1S5111i1 flounds 163 6Q:n !hrtor ;lounds 31 Casos 'nIT 25 Casos C4 13,650 f.K-47 'tounds .3 CasOlS ~8t1n~ Cnpe 24 Trip Flare"

13. (c) A.."JIDIIS'l'RATIVE W.TT~:

1 D1cyclo a ~lo FrnDloa 2 Ox CIIrts

1 Plastic ;:lopo 50 Hotora Coli\!!¥) Wiro

a. Porsonnola During tho operation thJ Dottllllon B-1 Sootil)ft Oi)()ftl~d .tMm h T10ng with reports boine tOl'li8rdod trOll! tho tOl"llOrd loc~t1on. '

(1) Jtd.rrt.onanoo ot Unit stronetha Average dc:l.l.r atronr!th to/t' tho twont,- olcht (26) &y por1od (29 fuoomber 19~7-25 Jaruory 1968) ~I

(2) ~nt emil »tautCdMO ot ~

ea) ~cmt tho 4zrat11J1'l of tid .• opcnUon tho ~ttalJ..aft ~. CJ.b1l •• ablo to .,rcft40 an adequto euppq or N1A rofIwtaete. TbI.e' •• llCo~J.1l1lhod b7 .erial. I"OINppq lfh01lO'\'W tho e1tutiGll ,.n:ttM4e ~ 1IWO ftJZT t_ ~oa.sAN dl.lZ'trw tho poriod tlMlt tIM bocIr 1M IOdI oould not bo F,tPPJ.1.od tro. the roll" 8'l"Ol'1.

(b) Inc,m1ng IIIIU ._ tnlllllpClriod dLd~, ~ llIn.1 ft..orIc .80 c.p to thea t01W!'d .roo b.r air, durirw I'OnpplJ'. OQtedng

uU._ tl"Qnsport~ da1.l.1' tr-r tho r~,d ar~ ~1ng_ erxtraotion.

'II, C ~ .. , 1''-\ \- \ DEN T lI\ L .

J

CON F\ \) (:. \"4 T \ f\ L (e) Cnthol.1c and ~otoatant rei.1«ioua SOrvic08

WON eon:\ietod in tho r")lowrd araa by ,3d Dr1cOda, 25th Infantry Div1sion Chc itllin8 •

. b. Supp~. Tho logiaUCnl bupport for thia opomtim WOs two­fold."Cl.aaa n :)nd tv emao trom;}tu Tiang, Clns8 I ond'III calllO tr:)lll irlltum, lrith oU rOlNPillT con.!uotod by' Helicopter CH-Ui'.

Tho princi.pJ.e lISupportine Aeonc:!.o.,- tor tho .ourooa at l'OIII1pp~ nne SOl"V'1oo. aro as toU:N'88

(1) Ilnttnl10n 8-4, "ltu T1ane

(2) St\ 'i>ort Im1.'.'ll.ion (Prov) ;..w Tianc .ooc Dattlll.1al S-:. (?1lJ),

(ll) C()~~1V A. 25th 8 t, T Dattalim

(b) C~ D, 725th tttintCnBnco DattnJ.j.on

(c) 1.25th Si~l C~n:r

(3) 22'~t.'l Sorvico and SuPIiJ.1' ~ttalion" 'l'aT Ninh

(4) COlIpan:Y C, SOOth ~r :Jattn1bn, Om T1.ontt

(5) Coq.....'V'D, 6Sth ~oor Dat~l1on" ntu T10ng

c. Hn1Jltoncv:Ol 1tIintcmanc() and 1ilinton::la::o Sup?Ort. Sol"VicllDs proved lldoquDto t~t tho oyorat1on.

d., Status of BDah Clue of Sup'll:'s

(·1) Clou I QtW!TiTI

Cor.blt a"tione 23,5IJS itA" !:A t1 Jt1lJ lD,3l6 Sunt!ry ?:)cb 120 Ioe 1.2,000 lbe

(2) Clnsa IT

Trouser, Junelo 150 3h1rt, Jun:-.lo 150 Poncho ldnors 200 Holmot, 8t...ol. 15 Lt.nor, Holmot stool 15 Air Matt"L'OltS 70 Poncho 7S Doote, ProtootiTO, J~ 60 TOII'Ol.e 150 80cb l$O~ Boat 'ablot. 1,SOO bani fbpel' :'1atOll 20.000 Kniw., Forb" Spo:lM 80;000 Cap8 Papor 206fX1O Dattorlo. :34.:)0 17 !"atter1otl Jt.;Ja6 2S1a DGttorieo JA;200 12 Dattoriot'J ~OO/U Dattor1oe DA.~ ~ Dattor1oe nt.-~ laO hoot llopollant ~OOO~~ roat i'~ " OIle. Cloani.rl3 rntobos lC'J Cn .. &nd~. ".0:0

() 0111 .. III

Oil OP 40s .34 ... 1&, tub oU, 4 01\ tube» ....... DLo.al \ 1068, 11'11 Ifoap. . ~2ln t'I!l1 Oil pI

, . - -1) \ LO N F\\'.; r.N \" AL

.t

/

L ~ ) N \- \ \':) r: \'\1 "\ \ 1\ L

1 ~s wiro WD-lTT

.!! .'~I.- redio oquipmont

~ 1 1/4 t~n vehicle

6 1 Suitchbeard SD22 -1 2 T:.-l Telophonos

t 1 1'JI\W' Geno!'ntor

" 2 Li~ht1ne; Sets .. e. Kld1cnlr

(1) Tho 1IDdicW. O!lOrotion c:mtiruod itts throo ~l:lSO- concept ldlich consists of primry ooro by line medic lit ('ompo~ level, rcfornl to sonior moUio with o'Jlll11::nd IF'OUP, and finally lM!ouation to Dnu 'l'ione f-:Jr mora axt,.nsivo cnro.

(2) In nd<11tion an U1'\d.srcround aid BtIltion staffod ~ ttro I1IOd1.cnl. lr.JOCinlists and D:lttol1on Sur~oon wns 08~bl1shod::lt FSD :.~m, after tho :3Qtt..".l1on roturned to thnt 1oc:ltion on 7 Jnt1U:lry 1968.

(3) No 1IDd:Lcnl. prob1011lB were encountorod durine this oporati.m.,

l4. (C) SPEmt.L FBUIi:'IUrr lJm 'm:HNI9U!: I Nona

1$. (C) COMI-YJ!!E'5 AIUJ.· ..... SIS:

(1) Tho wall bu1lt Wnkor, us1ne II deop foxhole wi th heavy ovorhood cover cl)ntrlbutod to tho ability of tho p:>sitia:lS to withstruld lIl~r rounds .. i:.'G hits nnd sf A firo.

(2) IJ's proved to bo a vnlunblo assot m tho datoct1C'tl of VC IIlOVOmont· lind ::lctivity. ld.kMso tho I.Pcould bo uMU£od as a ~j ololllOnt :lbng with tho abll1ty to cneneo 8Iilnll oIlOOV forces, thWl J1.srupt1ne 1IIUCh of tho VCts :;>l:lns and nctivitios.

() Tho WiO of Pona Prhno holpod to· roduco tho thst !,rob1..c.m an UI.It praYOd of cr<mt value in lllnding, t.1l'llr.:Indine awl boardine of hol1copt8l"lI.

Cia) ~loy1.ru tho 1~ (Can1ator) ~ oonjunction wi1h tho "Cloot ~" thus, allClldnc tho battery froe traverso 1IIOvomnt and bo1nc ablo to tdl:r oorar the ptrlmter was of grant holp. This allowed porsmnol tiM to oonstruct datons1V8 poeitioM lilo othondso wulc1lutvo lx;on \Wod to r.nn tho por1lllOt.JT'.

16. .C) UCCOltlmj)\,TIOHS. None

ron THE OO)HJflBt,

Inol ,

••

l C \'\ ~ \ \)e r--\ T l/\ '-_ .. -_.- --- ... -

j /

(4) Cl£lss V

7.621nm 5.56rnm 50 C:'Il. 4():,1':l

DlIll 01rrn IU~ 9llnm C 4.2 P.E Frog Grcn:ldo Slno~:o

UW H-72 Cl:lymorc::J Tnp Flares

Tot:u Vohiclc lfi1Q1'Ieo

Pistol Cal. 45 ;~iflc 5.S6mM CantccruJ Plott1.ne ::'o::rd '~,-cc1vor, IJf/;:"IT-9 Transmittor, !. 1/~T-4 wrist Wat.ch IP, f.J.nrm sm-. Ant:!.-.lntrusi'ln Dinocul.'JrfJ &(30 Ieunchor Grenado M-79 :"~yonot H7 r.a(~b Sot AJ4/~';:J:,-25 Ib~k i'rotoctlvo 1{l7 SUrgic;":l In:Jtru!'Iont Sot

26,sOO 61 , f40 3,700 3,7,)0 45 1,512 10 3,4SJ 1. ~65 515 73 73 11J4

1 7 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 10 2 20 2

(1) 'Tho prmc:;t.ty of the nntt~lion t.:) fuu Tione !):)so :~np Cid n)t :>ami t thu usc of w..roct rcrlio COOlllllIDicotions vith:mt tho uno of n rotrnns st:ltion, l.:>eo":.oc! nt :!ui :-:0 i)cn.

(2) Landllno cammmicnt'1ons woro ootn')lishod to FSD i~T;j~T :md wcro h1.~y offactiV'C, 'howovu' • thoro wort) occlIsion.,l brooks causod by 1.?C:J crossine tho li008. Alii' t't'obl\Jll\ was solvod by either ~,..ry.l.ne tho ~blo- or roroutine tho Un08 around problem nrotls.

(3) In conor~ oO!:ll!l.lllicnti'ms wore. excellent. Torrain oo~nsi'll'UlIJy int< rforod with radio t:"afl~mis:J1on how(''Vor lone antonnas nearly alwnys o11minctorl tho prob1ome

(0) Itnxilll.Ult personnal utUizoi by :~:lt·::.nllo!l CCImIDO &-~t.1on at any ono tiJllO ror1.nc all ph:lSOSt

! 1 Communications Officer

2 - 4 !t1romon

J :3 nadio Oporntors

14 l n&I& Chio!a

1. , &t&ld1o Hoohtln1ca

6 S Sri tohboord O:>G!'CltlJftl -1 ], Goncm'otot- O!,*,at'Jl'

(b) .~. .-'d durtl\.{ .u 1ll.l.CIt'J", of ·-pomr10n: 1 ,m AntonnlH' 1 - '·1 ___ ~~TA312- Tolri)h~~ -- --.--~ ! - 1-1/ \, \-·N t' G r: \~\ t' I~t-

J

. ... .... --

~, Hop, am, 1,SO,OOO, Se ..... L70ll" Sho, .. 62)1 I, IV,

6232 n, fir

-----------_ ... _----_. __ ._-----_.-

Nor TO SCJJ.g

4 . i

-f-, I

N ~ .

Pbu .. I, II, nI

r fJ '-(. .It. "t •

. ;'7 ~(,I t'

2 -.- ." .............

-

! . I

4·

4-.,'. ----

-

-

Rat.renee. MaP. RVN, 1350,000, Sen .. L70l..4. Sheeta 62)1 I, IV, 62)2 II, III

I AC8J

-t- 4& 48

I

i .. ~ • '\ . i " ;' I.- ,'_ ' •.•

71 \

-t 50

55"

i \t)f- N\\I=\\....

f·

, .: ~ r.' 't,I.'. ..' .

o.r._ . .......... hSl:J.OOO. _ L= ....... 6231 I. Iv,

6232 II, III

4-J

I

)

" .

\

Pbue VII

B.ateUDCi8 Map, RW, 1aSO,OOO, Sen. L701.4, Sheet. 62)1 I, n

+-49 97 '

o _----_l

f\ A ___ --, e e ___ -

c. ----, '" HC~ .. 2.."-=-. __

1:\1-

+4-5 50

()/

Phue 'fI1

Retvenoe, ilap, Rft, 1.SO,OOO. s.n.... L70lla, Sheet. 6231 I, IV, 62)2 II, m

(----;k--

"

...

Phue VII

Reterence Map, RV'If I 1150,000, Seria L1014, Sheets 6231 I, il, IV, 62)2 II, Ln

--_____ CON ,""\\)E N~'AL ---j.: ,~C L VII 'h.

:": .... c..1 S-

----._---- -'

(