03/16/1969 Sitrep AO RAPIDSTRIKE III

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

From: S3 Operations, Task Force DIXON, LEE, MASON, STONEWALL & GRANT

To:.  (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

DATE/TIME:  Time action 03/16/69

Weather

Sunrise: 06:01 hrs

Sunset: 17:26 hrs

Max: 22°c | Min: 20°c

Rain: 18.90 mm

Wind NE. 5 mph Gust 7 mph

Cloud 95%  - Humidity 98%  - Pressure 1009 mb

TF DIXON

-Re supply completed without incident

-Insertion of B Battery 2/319 lifted Completed Received HMG fire area 110 630

-1100 1^st Plt B Co. 1/502^nd Booby trap 045 632 1 WIA RTB

-1700 MORTAR ATTACK From SW.  1 KIA 5 WIA          

TF MASON

Resupply conducted without incident

-2300 Night Ambush N. or perimeter opens up on what turns out to be false contact

.

TF LEE

-1100hrs 3rd Plt Bravo 1/501st    estimated REINFORCED SQUAD 214 604 2 KIA from 11 Co. 1st Battalion, 320th Division NVA. Rest of enemy escape SW, Plt return to FSB LEE           

-2200hrs Night Ambush open fire enemy squad return fire 1 blood trail no bodies, Heading SW. 229 601

-1st Plt B Troop 2/17th Cav to conduct Route patrol N. along Route 344 and Return to FSB LEE, Conducted without incident

TF STONEWALL

FAB Stonewall

-0400hrs RPG ATTACK from S. No cas                  

-1400hrs MORTAR ATTACK  2 WIA 2/17^th Cav                          

-2200hrs Night AMbush S. of FAB Opens fire on suspected enemy, possibly false contact

TF GRANT

-Golf Co & Recon Plt Reinforce DP around 018 808,

-1800hrs ROCKET ATTACK from SW. 1^st Plt 2 WIA      

-2100hrs S. of perimeter, no return fire or sign, probably false contact

-Fox Co. & Bn Mtrs Strengthen DP around 012 807

-2300H MORTAR ATTACK from S. No Cas

389th TFS “SHADOWFAX”

Flew 12 Total sorties delivering Snake & Nape against 2x per co-ordinates

016 794

016 792

015 795.   

018 795

023 796 

022 796 

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03/16/1969 ORDERS TASK FORCES LEE, STONEWALL & GRANT

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

From: TYPHOON 6 CYCLONE 6 

To:.  Task Force LEE, Task Force STONEWALL, TAskForce GRANT

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

DATE/TIME:  Time action 03/16/69

Weather

Sunrise: 06:01 hrs

Sunset: 17:26 hrs

Max: 22°c | Min: 20°c

Rain: 18.90 mm

Wind NE. 5 mph Gust 7 mph

Cloud 95%  - Humidity 98%  - Pressure 1009 mb

TF LEE

Units to Prepare for ground operations in coming days. Rotate Stand to of perimeter units, send out Daylight Perimeter patrols, OP, and Night LPs and Ambushes

3rd Plt Bravo 1/501st Patrol back to FSB LEE from 190 591        

1^st Plt B Troop 2/17^th Cav to conduct Route patrol N. along Route 344 and Return to FSB LEE

TF STONEWALL

Units to Prepare for ground operations in coming days. Rotate Stand to of perimeter units, send out Daylight Perimeter patrols, OP, and Night LPs and Ambushes

TF GRANT

Golf Co & Recon Plt Hold current Position around 018 808,

Fox Co. & Bn Mtrs Hold current position around012 807

Improve defensive perimeter and rest and reorganise in preparation for further ground operations in coming days Rotate Stand to of perimeter units, send out Daylight Perimeter patrols, OP, and Night LPs and Ambushes

389^th TFS SHADOWFAX

Request to conduct airstrike against enemy bunker locations. Coordinates below;

016 794

016 792

015 795.   

018 795

023 796  

022 796  

NOTE:- resupply to FSB's every three days unless requested before. 105mm munitions resupply to consist of HE general purpose, WP and M546 (A PERS-T) BEEHIVE rounds.

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03/16/1969 Redesignation 2nd Squadron 17th Cav, from Armd to Air

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

From:       Division HQ., Operations

To:.         Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division (S2) Intel (S3) Ops

           

DATE/TIME: 03/16/69

RE: Resignation 2/17^th Cav Armored to Air

As part of the ongoing transition of the Division from Airborne to Airmobile, the 2^nd Squadron 17^th Cav, is transition from Armored Cav to Air Cav.

This will entail retraining personnel, and re-equipping units.

One of the Squadron Armored Troops will become the Air squadrons D Troop Armored and The Current D Troop Air will become C Troop..

With 2^nd Squadron units involved in the AO of Rapidstrike III, Units will be released at your first convenience.

If your operational requirements are for further Air Cav units while 2/17^th are undergoing retraining the slack can be taken up by 7/17^th Units.

If you need further Armored Cav units, The Division will seek to provide them.

Also be advised that if the removal of armored units unduly affects your ability to secure the Operational objectives within the AO. Then II Corps have notified that this command that additional ground unit’s may be provided

101^st Division HQ

PP Gen. Melvin Zias

Officer Commanding

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03/16/1969 Orders Task Force Dixon & Mason

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

From: (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division

To:.  (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ, TF Dixon, TF Mason. 158th AH Bn, 159th ASH Bn, 478th HHC, 160th Aviation Group

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

DATE/TIME: 03/07/1969 issued Time action 03/16/69

Sunrise: 06:01 hrs

Sunset: 17:26 hrs

Max: 22°c | Min: 20°c

Rain: 18.90 mm

Wind NE. 5 mph Gust 7 mph

Cloud 95%  - Humidity 98%  - Pressure 1009 mb

TF DIXON

0800. 1^st Plt B Co. “Lancers” 158^th Assault Helicopter Bn Start Resupply of ammunition, (small arms) food and comforts to FSB DIXON. 6hr duration.

10:00hrs, duration of lift 6hrs arrive \Begin arriving LZ DIXON 12:30hrs

10:00hrs B Battery 2/319 lifted by 1^st Plt  B Co. “Varsity”, 159^th Assault Support Helicopter Bn. “Liftmaster” (Personnel) and artillery by 478^th Hevey Helicopter Company “Hurricanes” CALLSIGN: UHAUL five four.

At LZ DIXON 12:30hrs to establish FSB DIXON

Elements of 1/502nd at FSB DIXON to rotate Stand To status. Night patrols, LP's and ambushes 2km radius from Base.

TF MASON

Start 0800. 1st Plt B Co. – “Lancers” 158^th Assault Helicopter Bn fly Resupply of ammunition, (small arms) food and comforts to FSB MASON 6hr duration.

1/42nd rotate Stand To status. Night patrols, LP's and ambushes 2km radius from MASON

NOTE:- resupply to FSB's every three days unless requested before. 105mm munitions resupply to consist of HE general purpose, WP and M546 (A PERS-T) BEEHIVE rounds.

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03/15/1969 SItRep AO Rapidstrike III

CLASSIFIED 

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

From:         1/501^st Inf

2/501^st Inf

1/502^nd Inf

2/319^th Arty (105mm)

B/326^th Engineers

            2/17^th Cav

7/17^th Cav

To:.         (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

           

DATE/TIME: 03/15/69

Weather

Hi29° Lo 18°

Mostly clear

S.w. 5 km/h

Humidity: 93%

Pressure: 1012.40 mb

Cloud Cover: 27%

Ceiling: 7468 m

Dew Point: 19° C

Visibility: 11 km

Day - Sunrise: 5:47 A Sunset: 5:21 PM Duration: 11:34 hr

Night - Moonrise: 5:19 PM Moonset: 6:14 AM Duration: 12:55 hr

Wind Chill  20° 

FSB LEE

-0430hrs FSB Lee.... rpg attack from East 5 round incoming. Bravo 1st Plt 1 WiA 2nd Plt                     

Charlie 1/42nd ARVN, - Spent day in perimeter

1/501^st

3^rd Plt Bravo Co. NDP Hill-622 189 588

Follow Trail South 025 590, East 196 589 where trail ends. Pick up again 195 587 Then North West 190 591 Set Up NDP

B Troop 2/17^th Cav - Rest and refit in perimeter

D Btty 2/319^th Arty (105mm) - Improve positions, no missions fired

1/B/326^th ENGRS - Continue work on Base

 

LZ MASON

1/42^nd ARVN

Alpha & Bravo - Work on Perimeter

1^st Plt Alpha Request replacements have suffered 17 casualties

CHARLIE Co. 1/42^nd ARVN Spent day at FSB LEE

2nd Plt B/326th Engineers – work on perimeter and bunkers

-1100hrs

UHAUL 54 begin airlift A Btty 2/319 Arty to FSB mason...  

-1500 hrs

UHAUL 54 insertion of artillery FSB MASON complete. Received sporadic fire from lone sniper on last lift. No casualties only minor damage. Arty beginning set up firing positions...

LZ DIXON

Delta Co

Continue constructing bunkers and working on Perimeter

3^rd Plt B/326^th ENGRS

Working on Perimeter and bunkers

FAB STONEWALL

2/17^th Cav Armd

HQ & A Troops

Work on Perimeter and Bunkers

2/501^st Inf Hotel Co.

Work on perimeter and bunkers send out perimeter patrols.

C Troop 2/17^th

Dak Sor (020-813) NDP

-0300hrs

NDP under mortar attack from south 8 round land in perimeter with C 2/17th no casualties                     

-O700hrs

C 2/17th leave Golf & Fox 2/501st return to FAB STONEWALL.                     

TASK FORCE GRANT
2/501st HQ, Recon Plt, Motar Plt Fox Co. Golf Co.

Dak Sor (020-813) NDP

-0300hrs

NDP under mortar attack from south 8 round land in perimeter with C 2/17th no casualties                     

-O700hrs

C 2/17th leave Golf & Fox 2/501st return to FAB STONEWALL.                     

Fox Golf begin Patrolling south toward Yok N Krach Hill 641...                     

-0730

Golf find well used trail heading south 019 809. follow trail.                    

-0830

Golf followed trail to 017 800. Trail ends over.. Continue to move south.                     

-0900hrs

Fox Co. Troops in contact... lead elements encountered enemy troops in bunkers...  022 796 situation fluid and developing.      

-0930hrs

Fox Co. 2nd and 3rd platoons attempting to probe enemy defensive line... bunkers continue to 018 795 & 023 796 situation developing                     

-0930hrs

Golf moving to flank enemy position from North West.                

-1030hrs

Golf Co. Engaged by enemy troops in bunkers 015 795....

-1300 hrs

Golf Co. Probing for flanks of bunkers..  Defensive lines continue to 016 794 & 016 792...      

-1330hrs

Golf Co. & Fox Co. report receiving both mortar and recoiless rifle fire... making no progress against well emplacement bunkers... under heavy canopy -1430 hrs

Golf C. & Fox Co. No progress vs bunkers. Casualties and ammo low. Company withdraw under cover of airstrikes from Shadowfax.

Fox Co. Move to high ground 012 807 Fox CO. to 018 808. Request ammo, water and food resupply MedEvacs. ASAP to Route 427.

-1630hrso

Golf Co. & Fox Co. reach locations for NDP and recive resupply and extract casualties.

Casualty report as follows.

Fox Co.

1st Plt 5 WiA

2nd Plt 1 KiA 7 WiA

3rd Plt 9 WiA

Golf Co.

1st Plt 1 WiA

2nd Plt 4 WiA 

3rd Plt 1 WiA 

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03/15/1969 2nd Bgde Provisional Orders

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

From: (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division

To:.  (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

DATE/TIME: 03/15/69 [issued 03/07/1969]

07:00hrs

C Troop 2/17^th Cav returns to FAB STONEWALL ASAP back along H427.

07:00hrs

2/501st will leave the road and patrol South to Yok N Krach (020-791 hill 641) They will establish a secure area and perimeter (LZ GRANT) three column

10:00hrs,

Duration of lift 5hrs arrive at LZ MASON 12:00hrs

10:00hrs A Battery 2/319 lifted by 1 CH47 (Personnel) and artillery by 273rd AVN Co. (HH) 12th AVN group CALLSIGN: UHAUL five four. At LZ MASON 12:00hrs to establish FSB MASON.

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03/14/1969 Tactical Areas Of Responsibility (TAOR) with AO Rapidstrike III

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

From:       (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

To:.         1/501^st Inf

2/501^st Inf

1/502^nd Inf

2/319^th Arty (105mm)

B/326^th Engineers

           2/17^th Cav

7/17^th Cav

DATE/TIME: 03/14/69

RE Tactical Areas of Responsibility (TAOR)

These are given as two grid referances that are the top left and bottom right of a larger section of map for each TAOR.

FSB LEE Boon Tsuk airfield.

TAOR 0816-1365 to 0825-1356

A. B. C. D. Bat HQ, Mortar Plt, Recon Plt. 1/501st.

B Troop 2/17th

7/17th AirCav

HQ and D Battery 2/319th

FSB GRANT

TAOR 0800-1382 to 0807-1371

Bn HQ, Mortar Plt, Recon Plt. Golf Co Fox Co  2/501st

B Troop 2/17th

C Battery 2/319th.

FAB STONEWALL

TAOR 0817-1382 to 0824-1377

Hotel Co 2/501st

HQ, A, C, D, Troop 2/17th

FSB MASON

TAOR 0818-1375 to 0824-1370

HQ, A, B, C, Co Mortar Co, 1/42nd ARVN

A Battery, 2/319.

FSB DIXON

TAOR 0799-1367 to 0810- 1356

B, C, D, Co Mortar Co, 1/502nd

B Battery 2/319th

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03/14/1969 SitRep

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

From:       1/501^st Inf

2/501^st Inf

1/502^nd Inf

2/319^th Arty (105mm)

B/326^th Engineers

           2/17^th Cav

7/17^th Cav

To:.       (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

          

DATE/TIME: 03/14/69

Weather

Light rain shower

Min 20 °c  37 °c

Sunrise: 05:39 AM Sunset: 05:59 PM Moonrise: 06:11 AM Moonset: 06:40 PM

Precip: 14%

Wind: 3 mph from SSW

Humidity: 100%

Pressure: 1009 mb

Cloud Cover: 90%

Visibility: 10 km

FSB LEE

1/501^st

3^rd Plt Bravo Co. Discover trail 212 600 follow It contouring West Set NDP Hill622 189 588

B Troop 2/17^th Cav

1^st Plt Travel South to Link up with Charlie Company 1/42^nd ARVN, RV and escort to FSB LEE with no incident

2^nd Plt Route Clearance West side of river. 11:00 engaged by est squad sized element, exchange fire enemy withdrew… Completed route clearance.

1500hrs On return took sniper fire from West 190 655 return fire. No cas RTB.

3^rd Plt, Route clearance East side of river, no contacts

A Btty 2/319^th Arty (105mm)

Improve positions, no missions fired

1/B/326^th ENGRS

Continue work on Base

  

LZ MASON 1/42^nd ARVN

Chinook repaired over night and flown out

2nd platoon of 326th Engineers

Insert took several Sniper rounds No Cas  and begin work

Aplha & Bravo

Work on Perimeter

1^st Plt Alpha

patrol North to hill 656 at Chu Bong Kran 210 758 1430hrs encounter enemy force, estimated at 3 platoons, Suffered casualties, pulled back calling in fire support from Mortar Platoon and CAS from 7/17^th Cav Air. RRF from Mason Alpha Co. Break contact… Policed up and returned with casualties to LZ MASON, RRF acting as screening force, 5 KIA 12 WIA

CHARLIE Co. 1/42^nd ARVN RV with 1/B Troop 2/17^th and make way to FSB LEE. 670th Company- 10th Transport Battalion. To overnight and leave in morning

LZ DIXON

Overnight 5 mortar rounds land in operimeter, no casualties, Stand too no attack followed

Units continue work on perimeter

Delta Co 1/502nd 

Insert without incident. Begin constructing bunkers

3^rd Plt B/326^th ENGRS

Insert without incident, begin work on Perimeter and bunkers

start 07:00hrs duration per lift with refuel and loading etc 4hou

1/502nd A Co. to remain at base as RRF

FAB STONEWALL

2/17^th Cav Armd

HQ & A Troops

Work on Perimeter and Bunkers

2/501^st Inf

Hotel Co.

Work on perimeter and bunkers send out perimeter patrols.

C Troop 2/17^th RV with 2/501st Fox, Golf, HQ, Recon Plt, Motar Plt

in 71st Transport Battalion trucks Entering AO on the H427

1500hrs Contact est. Enemy squad 040 820, return fire, enemy break contact South, convoy continue to Dak Sor (020-813) establish NDP. @ 17:00hrs

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03/14/1969 ORDERS

CLASSIFIED

YOK NAM LOA MASSIF AREA

From: (S3) Operations Col Eyles. 2/502nd. (CO ACTING) 2nd Brigade HQ 101st Division

To:.       (S2) Intel (S3) Ops 101^st Division HQ

           326^th Engineers

           1/502^nd Inf

           2/501^st Inf

2/17^th Cav

7/17^th Cav

          

Operation RAPIDSTRIKE III -

DATE/TIME: 03/14/69

Weather

Light rain shower

Min 20 °c  37 °c

Sunrise: 05:39 AM Sunset: 05:59 PM Moonrise: 06:11 AM Moonset: 06:40 PM

Precip: 14%

Wind: 3 mph from SSW

Humidity: 100%

Pressure: 1009 mb

Cloud Cover: 90%

Visibility: 10 km

LZ MASON

start 07:00hrs 08:30 duration per lift with refuel and loading etc 4hours

07:00hrs 2nd platoon of 326th Engineers 1 CH47 Chinook and weapons Plt from 7/17th CAS. At LZ MASON

1/42nd. FSB MASON.
Engineers to repair, refuel downed CH47 at earliest convenience. Specialist if needed to fly in with first resupply
- Patrol to reconnoiter enemy strengths between MASON and hill 656 at Chu Bong Kran 210 758 mortar co to support patrols.
- Once artillery is establish at MASON,
- B Company 1/42nd and mortar co will patrol to Chu Bong Kran and establish a defensive base with pre-determined fire support coords from MASON.
Other patrols as needed to inform and protect the surrounding area of FSB MASON.

C Company 1/42nd ARVN Enter AO 06:00hrs arrive FSB LEE 10:00hrs by truck along the now secure H344 by 670th Company- 10th Transport Battalion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LZ DIXON

start 07:00hrs duration per lift with refuel and loading etc 4hours

07:00hrs D company 1/502nd arrive LZ DIXON 08:30hrs

11:30 ETA 1330 3rd platoon of 326th Engineers 1 CH47 Chinook and 7/17^th Wpns Plt provide CAS

1/502nd A Co. to remain at base as RRF

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11:00hrs

2/17^th D Troop 2/501st

2/17th D Troop to move to meet 2/501st Fox, Golf, HQ, Recon Plt, Motar Plt travelling in Brigade transport and  71st transport Battalion trucks (tbr) West along H427 and escort them to Dak Sor (020-813) establish NDP. 17:00hrs

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