Colonel Ross R. Miner's 7th Marine Regiment with all three of its battalions had the responsibility for the northern, western and southwestern sectors. at Bien Hoa Air Base, those in II Corps were consolidated at Tuy Hoa Air Base, and those in I Corps were consolidated at Da Nang Air Base [Carmichael 1972; Cecil 1986; Hull 2002; Young 2006]. . The task force headquarters and its two battalions returned to Chu Lai Base Area the following day. The skirmishing south of the headquarters near Ha Vang, however, continued. He arrived with 19 other soldiers, eight of whom were embalmers. Cam Ranh Bay AB: US Army 6th Convalescent Hospital debris by Sapper Attack! Caught east of the Cm L Bridge and Highway 1, on a small island formed by the convergence of the Cu , a small tributary of the river and the Vien Dien River, the VC turned to fight. According to Marine pilot reports, the PAVN/VC had approximately 250 men in the area equipped with automatic weapons, including at least one .51-caliber machine gun. If we went a week without a few rockets coming we knew something was in the works. The U.S Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF (AW) 232, also based here, lost some of its F-8E Crusader aircraft in this attack. The first U.S. air strikes also occur against the Ho Chi Minh trail. Hill received a telephone call at 03:45 on the 30th from Colonel Thomas Randall, the III MAF G-3, who asked him "to send three platoons to blocking positions south of I Corps headquarters." Since you were there, Colonel, you can verify that there were no fewer than 26 rocket attacks on the Da Nang. Apparently the forces were a mixed group from several different units interspersed together. Local villagers told the Marines that at least one VC had been killed in the brief skirmish. Other disturbing intelligence tended to confirm this analysis. According to the U.S. In fact, elements of both regiments had reached jump-off points just south of the Cau Do River. Battle in Vietnam involving the United States in early 1968, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tet_offensive_attacks_on_Da_Nang&oldid=1098267255, Battles of the Vietnam War involving the United States, Battles and operations of the Vietnam War in 1968, Battles and operations of the Vietnam War, Articles needing additional references from August 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 July 2022, at 01:30. Just 19 when he arrived, the horrors he witnessed would forever shape him. It wrapped around the base and city. He and Randall agreed that they would deploy one of the battalion's two reserve provisional Quick Reaction platoons composed of headquarters personnel. About an hour later, PAVN troops who had infiltrated Duong Lam rushed the CAP compound. Cam Ranh Bay AB: US Army 6th Convalescent Hospital damaged by Rocket Attack! While successfully beating back the PAVN attack, the CAP leader called for help. About 01:00, a Marine platoon from Company G, 2/7 Marines, positioned near the Nam Bridge on Highway 1 crossing the Cu River north of Da Nang, saw another two enemy on a raft with a wooden box. Marble Mountain Air Facility supported USMC helicopter operations throughout southern I Corps. Air Vietnam also used the facility from 1951 to 1975 for civilian domestic and international flights within Southeast Asia. "[1]:144, By evening on the 29th, the 1st Marine Division at Da Nang was on 100-percent alert. The first half of my year in Vietnam (1967) I was stationed at the large U. S. base in Danang. At Da Nang, III MAF knew that the PAVN/VC were on the move. Liked the Oriental rock bands came to the Club: III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) had its headquarters at Hill 327 west of the Air Base, while ARVN I Corps had its headquarters north of the Air Base. On 11 February, Cushman observed the 2nd Division "appeared to be withdrawing from contact southward" and ordered his subordinate commanders to continue to press the attack. 15 July 1967Unknown number of VC attacks Da Nang air base in Quang Nam Province with an estimated 50 rounds of suspected 122mm rockets. The Marines failed to determine whether this mixed force had a specific mission or consisted of remnants from units that had participated in the earlier attack on the I Corps headquarters. PAVN/VC gunners then replied with a mortar barrage, which resulted in two Marine dead and two wounded. [1]:154, South of Da Nang, in Hi An, on the 30th, the ROKMC, reinforced by elements of the ARVN 51st Regiment, tried to tighten the loop and began preparations to retake the city. Company M advanced toward a hamlet to the south of the ARVN. In the attack, the PAVN/VC fired 122mm rockets at Marine artillery positions at An Hoa, Hill 55 and Hill 10. Its two runways accommodated a take-off or landing every 60 seconds. AP Photo U.S. Marines landing in Da Nang, March 8, 1965. The two PAVN prisoners identified themselves as members of the H-2 Engineering Company, part of the 2nd Sapper Battalion. Mar 3, 2021. 1st MAW ComdC. In both these sectors support troops doubled as infantry, manning fixed defensive positions and conducting patrols. Under pressure from the South Vietnamese relief forces and the Marine MP platoon, the VC retreated with the allies in pursuit. In the pursuit, which amounted to a rout, the VC lost nearly 100 dead. From their night positions, Company G observers saw large numbers of PAVN approaching them from the north. According to this former member of the VC 401st Regimental Security Guard, local VC cadre stated that "the war had lasted too long and the Front had to seek a good opportunity to stage a great offensive that would bring the war to an early end." In the Da Nang Vital Area, the artillery regiment, the 11th Marine Regiment, continued to oversee the Northern Sector Defense Command and the 1st Tank Battalion, the Southern Sector Defense Command. Rockey, the 3/5 Marines commander, commented on the "increasing frequency and ferocity" of enemy contacts. [1]:146, Lieutenant Colonel Twyman R. Hill's 1st MP Battalion operated directly under III MAF and was responsible for the "close-in defense" of the Da Nang Air Base, the two bridges between Tiensha Peninsula, Marble Mountain Air Facility and the Naval Hospital on the Tiensha (Tin Sa) Peninsula. Suspected excavations camouflaged with tree branches were seen on a peninsula 6 miles southwest of Da Nang. Two other platoons took up positions around nearby hills 244 and 200. The Snack Bar was halfway between the barracks and Base Comm. Linking up, under artillery and air cover, the two Marine companies continued their advance until forced to halt because of darkness and then took up night defensive positions. The struggle for Hi An would continue into the following day. The Marines and PF troops fired at armed members of the crowd who appeared to be directing the march. The ARVN 51st Regiment operating in the southern sector of the Da Nang area of operations came across evidence including documents pointing to a buildup of PAVN/VC strength together with probes of Allied defenses. Elements of the VC R-20th and local force units which participated in the attack on Ha Vang and I Corps headquarters attempted to escape the dragnet of Marine and ARVN forces. It was damaged by the fire of the adjacent aircraft (BuNo 152588) on the night of 29-30 January 1968. With the departure of the 5th Marine Regiment to support operations further north in I Corps, there was only one Marine infantry regimental headquarters in the extensive Da Nang Tactical area of responsibility (TAOR). As various outposts reported their sightings to the Division FSCC, the artillerymen then shifted these fires to actual sites. From the details of the other recovered documents, the VC obviously were making an extensive reconnaissance of the Da Nang area giving descriptions of military structures, distances, weapons and other information that would be of value to an attacking force. [1]:1478, The Marine response to the bombardments was rapid, the 11th Marines artillery units "initiated counter-rocket fires" at suspected avenues of approach. It was decided that two battalions from the Americal Division code-named Task Force Miracle would be moved into the northern sector of the 3/5 Marines near Route 1 south of the Cau Do. The South Vietnamese quickly rushed the newly arrived ARVN 5th Ranger Battalion into the area. [1]:1445, In scattered and intermittent attacks beginning before 02:00 and lasting about one-half hour, PAVN/VC gunners fired both mortars and rockets that landed near positions of Marine artillery, antiair missiles, and the Force Logistic Command at Red Beach Base Area. All attacks from 02/27/67 forward were by rockets. Flares light up the Da Nang area to make it easier to spot infiltrating guerrillas. 17 apr 1966: arab 511, an a-1h (buno 135398), lt (jg) william l. tromp, va-115, went down following a night attack on coastal targets, near approximately 1818 . At in Bn, the 51st Regiment reinforced by the ROKMC contained the attack. The PAVN fought a delaying action as they began to withdraw. Approximately 16 rounds impacted in the Marine Aircraft Group 16 sector and another four in the Army aviation company area. [1]:144, Shortly after midnight, Marine sentries from the 1st MP Battalion, posted near the main I Corps Bridge connecting Da Nang to the Tiensha (Tin Sa) Peninsula, spotted two swimmers near the span. At Da Nang city the Military Region's main force 2nd Division, sapper battalions, the Quang Da province local force battalions and mass forces participating in the political struggle had been preparing since October 1967. In the ensuing firefight fought at a range as close as five meters from one another with the Marines achieving the upper hand. 17. Because of an air observer on station, the Marine gunners checked their fire. The company arrived at its dispositions at 01:00 the following morning . by Edward H. Phillips 2/1/2017. The Marines killed two and wounded the third. The aircraft may have been one of those used by Air America. There were still ominous signs and actions that the enemy push on Da Nang was not over. It was a helicopter facility that was constructed in August 1965 and served as home to Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), the 5th Special Forces Group and an assortment of other squadrons until May 1971. The National Police arrested 25 of the crowd and quickly dispersed the would-be demonstrators. This demonstration may have been planned to coincide with an attack on the city which never developed. Military Photo: Rocket Attack On The Eve Of The Tet Offensive. According to Murray, "from then on until Tt was over, there were just constant attacks." In the northeast, near the Force Logistic Command sector, villagers from Nam (160654N 1080744E / 16.115N 108.129E / 16.115; 108.129) just south of the strategic Nam Bridge, told PF troops, members of the CAP Q-4 platoon, that the VC planned to attack the CAP compound. "The call for assault to achieve independence and liberty has sounded; According to Marine intelligence sources, Rummage may well "have rendered a reinforced battalion combat ineffective, forcing the enemy to modify his plans at a critical time." With part of the force establishing blocking positions north of the hamlet, the rest of the provisional company and Rangers moved through Nam O. SAIGON (UPI) - Communist troops blasted the city of Da Nang and nearby military installations with nearly 200 rockets or mortar rounds early today in their heaviest attack on the Northern coastal area in a year, spokesmen said. "The soldiers and cadre of the "South Vietnam Liberation Army" were to move forward in the attack: Army advisor attached to the ARVN unit. In the extensive Da Nang TAOR, the early morning hours of 31 January were almost a repeat of the events of the 30th. Bldg. 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines was in the north, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was in the center and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines was in the south. According to a VC after-action report early in the offensive, the writer complained that the "commander did not know [the) situation accurately and that orders were not strictly obeyed ." Four ARVN M113 armored personnel carriers reinforced by a reconnaissance squad maneuvered to contain the attackers. A 19-year-old sentry assigned to a listening post at a U.S. air base gets caught in the crossfire during a Viet Cong attack. . Obtenez des photos d'actualit haute rsolution de qualit sur Getty Images [1]:1445, At 03:30 PAVN/VC forces launched an assault against General Hong Xun Lm's I Corps headquarters. He seems to think there was only one rocket attack at Da Nang in 1972. The most eastern of the battalions, the 2nd, shared its area with the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, which was responsible for the coastal sand flats south of Marble Mountain. Davis notified the division headquarters of his findings. [1]:163 29/30 January 1968 According to a South Vietnamese account, the ARVN Rangers killed 150 of the enemy and captured another 18 in the battle for Nam O and in other fighting below the pass through 31 January. According to Marine sources, the heavy action on this small island resulted in 102 VC killed, 88 prisoners of war, 13 VC suspects and 70 laborers. The Marine squad lost one killed. NASM.2018.0025 The armored force pushed through the hamlet and encountered only occasional small-arms fire. Below the Marine battalions, the ROKMC 2nd Marine Brigade secured the Hi An sector and the southeastern approaches above the Ky Lam River to Da Nang Air Base. The 11th Marines fired an artillery mission with unknown results. DaNang earned the nickname Rocket City during the Vietnam war, having been attacked over 900 times in 10 years. Robertson observed that the delay of the 2nd Division into the picture may have been because the PAVN forces "got their signals mixed " The VC were supposed to be inside "when the [PAVN] division came marching down main street. You comrades should act as heroes of Vietnam and with the spirit and pride of combatants of the Liberation Army. Reinforced by the remainder of Company L and two platoons from Company M together with two tanks and an LVTP-5, the Marines engaged the PAVN. They collected some 200 people that they detained for further questioning. Material and equipment losses, however, were much more extensive. Another PAVN soldier, who infiltrated from North Vietnam after receiving a year's training as a radioman in Hanoi, was thrust into one of the attacking battalions south of Da Nang so hastily that he never learned the name of his unit let alone those of his officers. A conglomeration of internal security forces threw back the VC force from the east that tried to use similar tactics to get inside the compound from that direction. [1]:157, There were two serious incidents in the 7th Marines sector. [1]:159, On the ground in the 7th Marines sector, PAVN units hit several of the CAPs, especially in the 3rd and 1st Battalion areas. [1]:147, After a lull of about an hour to an hour and a half, the enemy gunners renewed their assault on the Air Base and Marble Mountain Air Facility. The Vietnam Security Police Association Web site features several additional recordings of rocket attacks on Da Nang Air Base. [1]:157, About 5,000 meters to the northwest, later that night, a squad from Company C, 1/7 Marines encountered an enemy force possibly from the same PAVN regiment. In the northern sector of Da Nang, PAVN/VC main force troops entered Nam O once again and killed the hamlet chief. [1]:154, The ROKMC sent three companies to close the southern link and then moved forward into the attack. By daybreak, the engineers held their own and the situation in Hi An was at a stalemate. The reaction force itself came under automatic weapons fire and RPGs disabled the two tanks. [1]:1489, In the Da Nang area of operations, outside of attacks by fire on the Marine base and outlying positions and the two ground assaults on Marine command and communications positions, the PAVN/VC infantry units largely concentrated on the South Vietnamese units. No rockets fell on the main airbase but Marble Mountain sustained some damage. In the 7th Marines sector, the Marines described the same type of activity as well as increased enemy infiltration. South Vietnamese and Korean casualties probably equalled or slightly exceeded the U.S. losses. Countermortar fire quickly silenced the enemy tubes. [1]:143, PAVN/VC forces throughout South Vietnam were about to strike. Apparently the division was slow in moving into the Da Nang area and was not in position to support the local forces in the earlier phase of the offensive . He later confided to Davis, "Bill, your phone call was right on the money! The attack started at 12:25 AM and an estimated 50 rounds of 122mm rockets were fired at the installation. The rockets destroyed five aircraft, nine items of ground equipment, two vehicles, and one warehouse outright. 15 January 1968 U-10D Courier 66-14334 unit unknown, USAF, base unknown A mortar attack on the airfield at Luang Prabang in Laos destroyed a U-10D Courier. 1969. Stationed with 1882n Comm Gp., 1969-1970, worked in the Base Comm Center. Robertson remembered that "the ceasefire was to be in effect and the regimental commanders reported intense fire from the enemy and requested authority to continue artillery fire, if necessary" Robertson granted the request and then "about 18:40 we got the word from III MAF that the ceasefire had been called off.[1]:142, For some time, the American forces had been aware that the PAVN/VC was about to launch some type of major offensive. On the ground a patrol from Company A, 1/7 Marines, operating below the battalion's command post on Hill 10, saw about 10 PAVN soldiers just south of the Ty Loan River preparing positions. By the afternoon of the 31st, the Marines and Rangers had completed their sweep. See our A-Level Essay Example on Vietnam war, Modern European History, 1789-1945 now at Marked By Teachers. The ROKMC, while not finding any sizeable forces, continued to encounter small enemy units and boobytraps which took their toll. Vietnam Rocket City 1971-1972, Palm Bay, FL. *** The first time that rockets were used in the Republic of Vietnam by the Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Milantoni replied, "General Lm just gave it. At 18:35, Recon team Ice Bound, positioned in the mountains about 8 miles (13km) northwest of Da Nang observed an enemy rocket unit prepare a firing position for their missiles. Rockey then directed Company G of the 3rd Marines, also attached to him, to move up along the banks of the Bau Xau River toward a blocking position southwest of the ARVN base to seal any escape route in that direction. Losses, however, continued City 1971-1972, Palm Bay, FL Nang TAOR the. 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