1^st Bn (rein), 4^th Marines (rein) (-)

Chu Lai, Viet Nam

120800H June 1965

Periodic Operations Report No. 5

Period Covered: 050800H to 120800H June 1965

Ref:     (a) Map:   Viet Nam 1: 50,000 AMS L701 Sheet 6757 III

1.         Own Situation at End of Period.  See Annex A (Situation Overlay).

2.         Information of Adjacent Units and Supporting Troops.

a.                 See Annex A (Situation Overlay).

b.                 HMM-161 provided daily resupply, troop lifts and recon missions.

c.                  Company C, 3d MT Bn.  Transported supplies and troops.

d.                 G Battery, 3/12 in General Support.  Howtar Platoon in direct support from 8-11 June.

e.                 1^st Plat, Co A, 1^st AmTrac.  Provided logistical and resupply support.

f.                    1^st Plat, Co B, 3d Engr Bn.  Strong backed Bn galley and excavated for ammo dumps.

g.                 1^st Plat, Co C, 3d TK Bn.  Direct support.

h.                  1^st Plat, Co B, 3d AT Bn.  Direct support.

3.         Own Operations for Period.

a.                 Infantry.  Aggressive patrolling, consolidation of defensive positions, and search and clear operations continued.  On 8 June Battalion received a warning order and started preparing for Battalion move into TAOR #2.  New Bn CP was opened at 100750Z at GC 526089.

1.                  On 5 June patrolling continued.  Company C found documents at Tri Binh (2) vicinity of 525982.  81mm Mortar platoon displaced 3 sections from 507997 to 541022.  One platoon (+) of Howtars placed in direct support and displaced to 541022.  Engineers continued work on road to 532003 with Ontos as security.

2.                  Based on information provided by District Chief, on 6 June Tri Binh (1) GC 555985 was searched and cleared with the support of PATS Platoon, police chief, interpreters and CIT team.  783 civilians in village were processed of which 14 were sent to collection point as VCS.  Two night ambushes were established with negative enemy contact.

3.                  On 7 June, Company C conducted company size search of vicinity 520982.  Upon completion company lifted to Bn CP at 541021 for defense of CP.  Company B’s lift to Hill 410 (479999) was cancelled, Recon returned from security LZ for lift.  Three patrols out and 4 night ambushes has no enemy contact.

4.                  On 8 June, verbal warning order for movement to TAOR #2 caused future plans to be cancelled.  Preparations were started for the move.  Four night ambushes had no enemy contact.  Several civilians, lacking ID cards, turned in to regimental collection point.

5.                  On 9 June, Battalion continued preparing for move.  Communications forward echelon with platoon Company B for security moved to 525071 to prepare future Bn CP.

6.                  On 10 June, Bn (-) displaced to new defensive positions generally on a line from 528100 to 523091 to 529087 to 531072 and SW to 510056.  Outposts established at 469069 and 499066.  New Bn CP location at 526089 with Company B CP in same location.  Company C CP location 531081.  Company D CP location at 524065.  Company A displaced from 3 hill masses to old CP location 541021 for defense until all of rear echelon departed.

7.                  On 11 June, Company’s continued preparation of new locations.  Company A remained at 541021 to defend supplies remaining in old CP area.

b.                 Reconnaissance Elements.  1^st Plat, Co B, 3d Recon Bn. established ambushes, and observation posts for constant surveillance of villages to be searched and cleared, and recon patrols.

4.         Combat Efficiency.  The 1^st Bn (rein) has an effective strength of 95% with 8 non-combat casualties during the period.  Combat efficiency remains excellent.

5.         Results of Operations.  During the period combat patrolling was curtained as compared to previous periods, due to a change in mission and the requirement for complete Bn displacement.  Several night ambushes were established prior to the displacement.  One company (rein) search and clear operation, netted 14 VCS.  There has been no enemy contact and no noticeable enemy activity within assigned TAOR.  The Battalion’s displacement has required that the emphasis of work be placed on preparation of a strong defense with a combat outpost line of resistance.

6.         Weather.  Moderate rainfall had little or no effect on operations with the exception of vehicular movement.

By Command of Lt/Col R. J. PERRICH

R. W. COULTER

Major, U.S. Marine Corps

Executive Officer

Annex:

A.            Situation Overlay

OFFICIAL:

G. T. BEAUCHAMP

Major, U.S. Marine Corps

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