251500H July 1965

Operation Plan 212-65 (Operation DUKE)

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

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

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.

2.                  3^rd Bn, 12^th Marines (rein).  Provides light artillery battery in direct support with priority of fires to Company D from 290730H to 301600H.  Medium and heavy artillery as required.

3.                  1^st MAW.  Provides air support as required.

c.                  Attachments and Detachments. None.

d.                 Assumptions.

1.                  That support requirements as planned will be provided.

2.         Mission.  Continue mission assigned by reference (b).  Conduct patrolling daily within TAOR west of Grid Line 46 and south of Highway 1.

3.         Execution.

a.                 Concept of Operations.  Company D (-)(rein) lands by LVT vicinity (BT 438127) and (BT 456102) and conducts patrolling along route to join, patrol along axis of advance to daylight harbor site.  Establish defense.  Conducts night patrol to vicinity (BT 427098) and established platoon and /or squad night ambushes.  Continues patrol arriving (BT 465088) for return by LVT to assigned MLR positions.  See Annex A (Operation Overlay).

b.                 Company A (rein).

1.                  Conduct assigned patrols.

c.                  Company B (rein).

1.                  One (1) platoon OpCon Company C at 290630H to assist in defense of MLR.

2.                  Conduct assigned patrols.

d.                 Company C (rein).

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

2.                  Assume Company D sector MLR night of 29 July.

e.                 Company D (rein).

1.                  Conduct company (-)(rein) extended combat patrol with night ambushes to seek and destroy enemy along assigned axis of advance.  (See Annex A, Operation Overlay).

2.                  Land one (1) platoon (rein) at each landing point.

3.                  Harbor vicinity (BT 434078) establish defense from 291100H to 292100H.

4.                  Move to vicinity (BT 427098) establish night ambushes from 292400H to 300500H.

5.                  Attach FAC team and one (1) interpreter.

6.                  Coordinating Instructions.

a.            Tentative L-Hour 290730H.  Alternate to be designated.

b.            Preplan supporting fires along designated axis of advance and harbor/ambush sites.

c.            Preplan and schedule resupply.

d.            Pickup at (BT 465088) approximately 301600H.

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

f.              Short Title:  Operation DUKE.

g.            Operation Overlay.

f.                    Supporting units.

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

(a).            Provide transportation for landing and pickup of Company D.

(b)            Conduct assigned waterborne patrol.  Provide two (2) LVT’s.  Relieve on   station at 292400H.

4.         Administration and Logistics.  Company D submit equipment and resupply request to S-4 by 280900H.

5.         Command and Communications/Electronics.  Company D report location of harbor site/CP’s when established.

ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT.

R. J. PERRICH

Lt/Col, U.S. Marine Corps

Commanding