Intelligence

A.        Summary of enemy activity

1.                 General.

(a)               Marked increase in enemy activity throughout the 1/4 area of responsibility is the most significant factor noted during the period.  There appears to be a trend towards larger VC units engaging Marine and PF positions as indicated by the VC platoon attack on Ong Bo Bridge against the PF positions (BT 430109) and the company plus attack on USMC/PF positions at Ky Phu (2) (BT 478050).

(b)               Coordinated attacks involving the use of the 60mm mortar and 57mm RR are indications that Main Force units have integrated with local guerrillas throughout the Chu Lai enclave.  Well-organized and coordinated assaults combined with the willingness to engage Marine/PF units are clear indications that a new trend is underway.

(c)               Enemy activity involving mines and booby traps continued throughout the period.  The enemy concentrated on mining areas where the Marines frequently conduct operations and patrols.

(d)               VC units more frequently encountered during the period were: the A/19^th and the A/21^st local force companies.  The Main Force 94^th Bn was also among the more frequently reported VC units.

B.       Recapitulation of Enemy Activity

A total of 53 incidents, 41 VC initiated, were reported during the period.

35 VCS were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point

24 VC Killed (confirmed)

39 VC Killed (possible)

  2 VC Wounded Captured (confirmed)

20 VC Wounded (possible)

21 VC Confirmed Captured (had connections with VC activities)

15 Curfew Violators apprehended

            Equipment Captured

                        1 Rifle

                        1 Carbine (4 magazines)

                        1. 45cal Piston (2 magazines)

                        3 Czech SMG (12 magazines)

                        1 Thompson SMG (2 magazines)

                        1 ChiCom Automatic Rifle (4 magazines)

                        50 Grenades (ChiCom and home made)

                        16 Cartridge Belts and pouches

                        3 Blocks TNT (1½ lbs. per block)

                        19 Camouflaged scarves

                        Medical Supplies, S/A ammo and documents

            Booby Traps

Of total of 41 booby traps and mines, 6 were detonated and 35 were destroyed in place.

            Punji Traps

57 punji traps were discovered (14 were booby trapped with grenades) and one steel animal trap.

C.              Weather and Terrain (February 1966)

1.               The weather for this period was generally fair with occasional showers and intermittent periods of rain.  A total of 6.23” of rain fell during the reporting period.  Average visibility was 7 miles with periods of low visibility during early morning fog.  Temperatures were generally mild with a range of 89 degrees maximum, 77 degrees mean, and 64 degrees minimum.

2.               The rain filled rice paddies and scrub brush in various areas ---- TAOR, made traffic ability difficult but had no effect on accomplishment of the mission.  Road traffic ability was considered good.

3.               High Tides: Maximum 5.6 feet, Mean 4.3 feet, Minimum 3.0 feet.

           Low Tides: Maximum 3.0 feet, Mean 2.1 feet, Minimum 1.2 feet.

This page last updated 21 August 2011