270800H July 1965

Operation Plan 213-65 (Operation EARL)

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 B from 311100H to 011430H.  Medium and heavy artillery as required.

3.                  FMAW.  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 in reference (b).  Conduct patrolling daily within TAOR west of Grid Line 46 and south of Highway 1.

3.         Execution.

a.                 Concept of Operations.  Annex A (Operations Overlay).  Company B (-)(rein) heli-lifts in LZ (BT 447072) and conducts combat patrol along axis of advance.  Establishes harbor site and platoon/squad ambushed.  Continue patrol arriving (BT 466069) for heli-lift to assigned MLR positions.

b.                 Company A (rein).

1.                  Assume the right (north) platoon sector of Company B MLR.

2.                  Conduct assigned patrols.

c.                  Company B (rein).

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

2.                  Attach FAC and one (1) interpreter.

3.                  Harbor vicinity (BT 418078) establish platoon/squad might ambushes.  Continue patrol 010430H.

4.         Remaining platoon occupy center platoon position of assigned sector MOR and be prepared for help/surface lift as striking force (initially one hour alert).

4.                  Coordinating Instructions.

(a)   Tentative H-Hour 311100H.  Alternate to be designated.  Fifteen (15) to twenty (20) minute air prep of the LZ.

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

(c)   Preplan and schedule resupply.

(d)   LZ for lift to objective area Regimental LZ (BT 530089).

(e)   Submit sit report upon landing and every 30 minutes. Thereafter or as incidents occur.

(f)     Engineer squad direct support on 1 August.  On call.

(g)   Pickup by helicopter about 011430H vicinity (BT 466069).  Alternate by LVT vicinity (BT 464089).  Time to be designated.  (See Annex A. Operation Overlay).

(h)   Short Title:  Operation EARL.

(i)     Operation Overlay.

(j)      Rules of Engagement.  No change.

d.                 Company C (rein).

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

2.                  Assume the left (south) platoon sector Company B MLR.

e.                 Company D (rein).

1.                  Assume Company C platoon sector of MLR.

2.                  Conduct assigned patrols.

f.                    Supporting Units.

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

(a)   Conduct assigned waterborne patrol.

(b)   Be prepared to provide transportation for return of Company B on 1 August in accordance with alternate plan.

2.                  1^st Plat, Co. B, 3^rd Engr Bn.  Provide one (1) squad on call at 1^st Bn CP on 1 August in support of Company B.

4.         Administration and Logistics.  Company B submit equipment and resupply request to S-4 by 300900H.

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

ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT.

R. J. PERRICH

Lt/Col, U.S. Marine Corps

Commanding