200800H July 1965        (CANCELLED)

Operation Plat 208-65 (Operation PETE)

Ref:     (a)            Map: Viet Nam 1:50,00 Sheet 6757 III  

Time Zone: H

1.         Situation.

A.                Enemy Forces.  See Current ISUMS.

B.                Friendly Forces.

1.                  4^th Marines (-)(rein) continues defense of Chu Lai area.  Provides three (3) interpreters for attachment to participating companies and ITT.

2.                  Artillery.  3^rd Bn (rein), 12 Marines provides light artillery battery in direct support of Operation PETE commencing 250530H.

3.                  3^rd Motor Transport Bn.  Provide detachment indirect support to conduct motor march with one (1) company from (BT 529109) to (BT 568057) commencing 250500H.

4.                  District Headquarters.  Provide three (3) platoons of Popular Forces, for attachment to Companies A, B and D.  Provide local law enforcement officials and district/village chiefs to assist and identification of known and suspected VC.

C.                Attachments and Detachments.  One (1) interpreter and one (1) platoon of Popular Forces attached to Companies A, B and D commencing 241800H.

D.                Assumptions.

1.                  That the local officials and populace will cooperate and assist in the search for VC suspects, weapons and supplies.

2.         Mission.  1^st Battalion (-), 4th Marines conduct search and clear operation in villages within assigned objective area to apprehend and detain known VC and VCS and to locate and confiscate enemy weapons and supplies.

3.         Execution.

A.                Concept of Operations.  1^st Battalion (-), 4^th Marines with Companies B (-) and D (-) providing a blocking force/searches villages of Tich Tay (2) (BT 496054) and Tich Tay (3) (BT 502047) with Company A (-) sweeping on line from NE to SW from Route 1 commencing 250600H.

B.                Company A (rein).

1.                  Company A (-) move by vehicles from present position to (BT 508057) commencing 250500H.

2.                  Conduct search and clear operation of villages Tich Tay (2) (BT 496054) and Tich Tay (3) (BT 502407) commencing 250600H.

3.                  Assist the Popular Forces and local officials in processing all civilians.

C.                Company B (rein)

1.                  Company B (-) establish blocking position in assigned sector of objective area.  Tie in with Company D on right flank.

2.                  Move by foot from present location and be in position by 250530H.

3.                  Prevent escape of villagers by surface means and detain all civilians for processing by local officials and Popular Forces in conjunction with Company A.

D.                Company D (rein).

1.                  Company D (-) establish blocking position in assigned sector of objective area.  Tie in with Company B on left blank.

2.                  Move by foot from present location to be in position by 250530H.

3.                  Prevent escape of villagers and detain all civilians for processing by local officials and Popular Forces in conjunction with Company A.

E.                Coordinating Instructions.

1.                  Popular Forces and local officials to search and process all civilians.

2.                  Be especially watchful for young males of military age.

3.                  Company B designated guide company for blocking position.  Guide is left.

4.                  Conduct reconnaissance of assigned sectors during daylight hours prior to execution date of operation. 

5.                  Emphasize booby traps along trails and man made structures.

6.                  Civilian Collection Point (BT 497050).

7.                  Submit sit reports every 30 minutes and/or as incidents occur.

8.                  Short Title: Operation PETE.

9.                  Operation Overlay.

4.         Administrative and Logistics.

A.                Submit logistics and resupply requirements to S-4 on 23 July.

B.                Logistics team will establish supply point at a location to be designated.

5.        Command Communications/Electronics.

            A.            Report location of CP when established.