240800H July 1965

Operation Plan 211-65 (Operation WELD)

Ref:     (a)        Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 Sheets 6757 III, 6757 IV

(b)              4^th Marines (-)(rein) Frag Order No. 10 of 18 July 1965

(c)               6^th Infantry Regiment, ARVN Operation Order _______

Time Zone:            H

1.         Situation.

a.                 Enemy forces.  Tam Ky Sector reports objective area VC controlled.  Unknown number of VC troops.

b.                 Friendly Forces.

1.                  Units of ARVN 6^th Infantry Regiment conduct coordinated operation landing by helo (BT 418154) at 0700H following ARVN artillery prep fires of LZ from 0640-0655 (3 rounds WP to complete arty prep).  At 0730H unit lands (BT 425163) by APC.  ARVN unit search and destroy VC to SE on island centered (BT 4315).

2.                  VNN Junk Division 15 patrols seaward of peninsula from (BT 4419) to (BT 4915).

3.                  4^th Marines (-)(rein) continues defense of Chu Lai airfield and ancillary facilities.

4.                  3^rd Bn, 12^th Marines (rein) provides light, medium and heavy artillery support as required.

5.                  1^st MAW provides and support as required.

6.                  ACB-1 provides one (1) LCM-8.

7.                  Company B, 3^rd Engineer Bn provides one (1) platoon in direct support of 1^st Bn, 4^th Marines (-)(rein).

8.                  Company A, 3^rd AmTrac Bn provides 10 LVTP and 1 LVTR in direct support.

9.                  Ly Tin District Headquarters provides one (1) platoon of Popular Forces to assist by handling local populace during the operation.

10.             Company C, 3^rd Motor Transport Bn provides transportation as required.

c.                  Attachments and Detachments.  Det, 3^rd ITT.

d.                 Assumptions.

1.                  That planned support requirements will be provided.

2.                  That beach landing will be lightly opposed.

2.         Mission.  Conduct search and destroy operation on peninsula from (BT 4318) to (BT 4714) to locate and destroy VC troops, installations, and supplies located thereon.

3.         Execution.

a.      Concept of Operation.  1^st Bn (-), 4^th Marines (-)(rein) lands one company and reinforced platoon of Howtars by LVT (BT 472145) at 0630H to establish blocking position.  One company and Bn Headquarters land by LCM (BT 435182) at 0700H company attacks SW across peninsula, secures HLZ for third company to land on order (BT 434181).  Two companies attack abreast to SE toward blocking company.  LCM’s and junks patrol seacoast and LVT patrol Truong Giang to prevent escape of VC by boat.

b.      Company A (rein).

1.      Land by LVT (BT 472145) at 0630H establishes blocking positions and provides security for Howtars Platoon.

c.      Company B (rein).

1.      Land by helicopter (BT 434181) on order, approximately 0730H.

2.      Conduct search and destroy to SE in zone of action.

3.      After crossing GL 16 be prepared for movement by LVT to peninsula (BT 460147).

d.      Company C (rein).

1.      Maintain outposts at An Tan Bridge (BT 498067) and Hill 69 (BT 468068) with one platoon each.

2.      Provide one platoon as helo-lift fast reaction force.

3.      Provide one squad to H&S Co detachment to assist in handling civilians.

e.      Company D (rein).

1.      Land by LCM-8 (BT 435182) at 0700H, attack SE across the peninsula.

2.      Secure HLZ (BT 434181).

3.      Conduct search and destroy to SE in zone of action.

4.      Reserve platoon not to be committed in attack to SE without approval Bn Cmdr.

f.        H&S Company.

1.      Provide prisoner handling team and establish collection point on order.

g.      Battalion Reserve.

1.      Reserve platoon Company D be prepared to reinforce either assault company.

h.      Supporting Units.

1.      1^st Plat, Co. A, 1^st AmTrac Bn.

(a)   Land Company A and platoon Howtars (BT 472145).

(b)   Patrol Truong Giang to prevent VC from crossing waterway.

(c)   Be prepared to extract Company A and platoon Howtars from original landing point approximately 1500H.

2.      1^st Plat, Co. B, 3^rd Engr Bn.  On order debark from LCM to destroy caves, emplacements and bunkers when located.

i.        Coordinating Instructions.

1.      Tentative D-Day 25 July, alternate to be announced.

2.      Boundary between USMC and ARVN unit is no fire line.

3.      Contact right to left.

4.      Prevent boats/swimmers/waders departing objective peninsula by firing warning shots in front of boat/etc; if they are disregarded, fire to hit.

5.      See Annex A (Operation Overlay).

4.         Administration and Logistics.

a.                 Water and ammo resupply to B, D, and Headquarters will be from floating dump in LCM-8.

b.                 Company A and Howtars resupply embarked in LVT’s.

c.                  Carry ½ basic allowance for small arms and automatic weapons, 2 full canteens, 1 meal NJC, and explosive ordinance as directed by Company Commanders.

5.        Command and Communications.

a.                 Positive fire support and control communications via ARVN liaison Net and Bn Tac Net.

b.                 Report command posts when established.

c.                  Visual and pyrotechnics.

1.                  Yellow or Violet smoke to mark friendly units.

2.                  White or Red smoke to mark enemy units/targets.