Mission Assigned
Regimental Frag Order #10 of 18 July provided a six-fold mission for the Battalion: (1) Occupy and defend along trace of the MLR in the right sector of Regimental TAOR; (2) Maintain OPLR within sector; (3) Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel overt landings and prohibit infiltration; (4) Maintain outpost for defense of bridge at (BT 498067) and continue a traffic control point to check entry of civilians and vehicles into Regimental TAOR on Route #1; (5) Provide Liaison Personnel to effect positive coordination with District Chief, Ly Tin District; and , (6) Be prepared to provide Battalion (-) on order, for employment as Reaction Force to be heli-lifted or road transported anywhere in the Division Zone.
During the first half of the month, the Battalion continued to concentrate its defenses along a line running roughly north and south and bisecting the Peninsula, from (BT 525115) to (BT 527103) to (BT 530080) to (BT 509059). Night patrolling consisted principally of defending this line and conducting Squad Patrols, on the average of one per Platoon, to the water’s edge and back. During the same time the Battalion manned a Forward MLR along the water’s edge every fourth or fifth night. Platoons patrolled to the water’s edge after dark and returned to the Rear MLR before first light. Although the Forward MLR provided Superior Observation and Fields of Fire, it was not defended continuously because of a complete lack of defensive materials. The use of two MLR’s combined with several security patrols every night, was designed to confuse the enemy and keep infiltration on the Peninsula to a minimum. Infantry patrols were augmented by night LVT waterborne patrols, conducted almost nightly to enforce curfew and restrict infiltration by boots, particularly in vicinity (BT 5008) and (BT 5109).
Regimental Frag Order #11 of 18 August further amplified the Battalion’s mission in view of the fact that an enemy attack would be especially likely during the period 18-25 August, in commemoration of the release of Viet Nam from Japanese occupation. In response to the order to maintain an increased defensive posture during this period, the Battalion conducted only limited offensive combat patrolling within the TAOR and concentrated on intensive night patrolling on the peninsula. During the period 191800H through 211200H, the Rifle Companies manned the Forward MLR along the water’s edge with two squads reinforced with weapons from each platoon, and patrolled each platoon sector continuously during the hours of darkness. Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was attached to the Battalion during the period 181000H through 201500H and defended sector on the Battalion’s left flank. Company B, 3rd Recon Battalion continued defense of same sector from 201500H through 221300H.
Following the period 18-25 August, the Battalion continued intensive night squad patrolling along the water’s edge. Each rifle company conducted an average of three squad night patrols to the Forward MLR and along the water’s edge continuously during the hours of darkness. Strong points, or patrol bases, were maintained along the former, or Rear, MLR, while emphasis was placed upon the intensive patrolling along the water’s edge to inhibit VC infiltration.
During the month the Battalion maintained liaison with Headquarters by having an Officer and Communicator at the Headquarters at all times. Numerous artillery and mortar fire missions were fired both within and beyond the Battalion TAOR upon request of the District Chief, but a difficulty existed in that surveillance promised was rarely provided. District Headquarters has been utilized on several occasions to provide Popular Forces units for USMC operations involving handling of Vietnamese local nationals.
Aggressive combat patrolling in the western portion of the TAOR has continued, as directed by Regimental verbal order of 20 July, although diminished by two factors: (1) non availability of required helicopter support, and (2) emphasis on the defense during period 18-25 July. Patrolling of Ky Xuan Island (Centered BT 4807) and Ky Hoa Island (centered BT 5013) has continued, with apprehension of several VCC and VCS.
The Battalion has continued the defense of two outposts. These are the Platoon Combat Outpost on Hill 69 (OP #1), located at (BT 468068), and the Platoon Checkpoint/Outpost at An Tan Bridge (OP #2), located at (BT 497066). Both are designed to withstand intense and sustained enemy attacks, although the defenses still suffer from lack of materials, principally concertina, long stakes, and sandbags. Only 30% of the designed protective wire has been laid, and neither outpost yet possesses tactical wire, mines, or barriers. Both outposts have a sufficient number of positions bunkered and over headed to provided protection to personnel during mortar and/or artillery bombardments.
In the accomplishment of its mission, the Battalion has sought to enhance its image with local villagers and at the same time gain their confidence and co-operation by means of an increased civic action program. A Battalion Civic Action Out-Patient Clinic has been established to provide badly needed medical assistance on a regular basis to residents of Ky Ha Village. Several conferences have been held with the Village Chief of Ky Ha to determine additional means of possible assistance. Several other types of supplies, such as clothing , books, and athletic equipment, have been provided to the villagers. The villagers have responded by cutting stakes for use in building a fence in front of real property authorized for military use and by moving graves from site of proposed heli-pad vicinity (BT 526116).
This page last corrected 15 September 2011