Drafted By – 2                                    Priority

Date 7 May 1967

Fm:     First Battalion Fourth Marines

To:       Ninth Marines

1.                  First Bn, Fourth Marine Intsum #33

2.                  Period 060801H to 070800H May 1967

3.                  Summary of Enemy Activity

A.    Ground

(1)               080245H to 081100H – the Con Thien perimeter vic YD 117701 was attacked with a coordinated mortar attack and infantry assault by an estimated NVA Bn (rein).  The Con Thien position received 250 to 300 rounds of 82mm/60mm mortar fire.  The enemy assault troops breached defensive wire with bamboo Bangalore torpedoes and satchel charges, scattered pockets of resistance were driven out of the position as late as 080730H with some enemy stragglers still in contact as late as 081100H.  Retreating NVA were taken under fire by Arty, air and friendly ambush (D/2/1/4).  Enemy losses listed in line 4 this Intsum.

(2)               081205H – C/1/4 rec’d S/A fire from est. 3-4 NVA at YD 138716.  Returned S/A and M-79 fire.  Swept area with negative results.  2 NVA KIA (prob).

(3)               081615H – C/1/4 and D/1/1 Vic YD 127703 rec’d 15-20 incoming 82mm mortars at YD 127703.  Returned fire with 81mm mortar.  Results unk.

4.                  Enemy personnel and equipment losses.

A.                197 KIA (conf) body count; 199 NVA KIA (prob); cumulative totals (Prairie IV) 226 NVA KIA (conf) 199 KIA (prob)

B.                 None

C.                 8 POW (NVA)

D.                Individual wpns captured 79

Crew served wpns captured 3

E.                  Equipment captured/destroyed

(1)               Weapons: 42 AK-47’s, 5 SKS, 19 B-40 (RPG), 3 Flame throwers (LPO), 3 RPD, 100 ChiCom grenades, 5,000 rds 7.62mm ammo, 470 lbs. TNT (taken from satchel charges and bamboo Bangalore torpedoes)

(2)               Equipment: 1 ChiCom radio, comm. Wire, misc documents and personal gear.

5-8.           Negative

9.                  No change

10.             Negative

11.             Conclusion:  the NVA attack on Con Thien was well planned and rehearsed.  The NVA assault troops wore a camouflaged jacket and cap and shorts.  The assault troops, to a man, carried satchel charges.  Many of the NVA bodies had bandaged wounds, which suggested they had been wounded once, treated; and then continued in their assault.  Small pennant shaped paper-flags, stuck in 6 inch long reeds and then stuck into the earth were used to mark the lanes through the barbed wire.

12-14. Negative

This page last corrected 29 August 2011