Daily Staff Journal 06-Apr-67

Daily Staff Journals maintained by 1st Brigade
Thanks to Matt Vuolo for obtaining and sharing this report.

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
		Initial log entries contain hourly sit/rep, no change. This "Forward" log does not contain any of the activities going on back at Cu Chi.
		Daily Sit/Rep 051801H to 061800H Apr 67. 1. Operational Summary. a. General: 2/14 Inf continues to defend in sector. Four reinforced squad size ambush patrols were conducted during the hours of darkness. One company conducted a heliborne operation AO BALL to search and seal in the AO. In addition the battalion established platoon size bases in the vicinity of the old and new laterite pits and secured the bridge to OP Ann Margaret and an ASCC was continued at Cu Chi District Headquarters to exploit local intelligence. Also one company maintained responsibility for base reaction company. In addition one company displaced its CP to vic of the new laterite pit. b. Co A secured the old laterite pit with one reinforced squad and conducted two reinforced squad size ambush patrols during the hours of darkness. In addition Co A maintained responsibility for base reaction company and maintained their portion of the bunker line. c. Co B conducted a heliborne operation in AO BALL vic XT684145, results: 1 VC KIA, 2 VC captured and 12 detainees. In addition Co B maintained their portion of the battalion perimeter and secured OP Ann Margaret with one reinforced squad. d. Co C conducted two reinforced squad size ambush patrols during the hours of darkness. In addition Co C secured the new laterite pit with one platoon and maintained the bridge to OP Ann Margaret with one reinforced squad. e. HHC maintained their portion of the bunker line and their portion of airfield security. 2. Operational Plans: 2/14 Inf continues to conduct base camp security operations. The battalion (-) will conduct a combination of heliborne and convoy move to forward base 070700H Apr 67. One reinforced squad will maintain the bridge to OP Ann Margaret and one reinforced squad will maintain the OP. In addition the bunker line will be maintained. 2. Operational Plans (from the Forward Sit/Rep report) 2/14th Inf's tactical elements will fully close the forward base camp and continue to conduct operations in the Luong Hoa area. A motor convoy will dispatch from Cu Chi base camp to the forward area for purposes of resupply. 2/14th Inf conducts airmobile assault on multiple LZ's to exploit an ARCLIGHT to seize canal line from XS625887 to XS637879. Execute detailed destruction of VC fortifications and facilities within AO ST GEORGE, on order. In addition six listening posts will be maintained during the hours of darkness.
		FRAGO 73 to OPORD 3-67 (Operation ALA MOANA) 2/14 Inf's copy of operational orders for 6 April as part of ongoing Operation ALA MOANA. This is a typical example of the detailed orders that were prepared each day for each operation that was ongoing. Each unit involved had to develop its own coordinated plans for what they were doing that day to include times and locations where they would be throughout the day, and what they expected to accomplish.: 1. Situation: a. Enemy Forces: See Current INTSUM. b. Friendly Forces: 1st Bde, 25th Inf continues to defend Cu Chi base camp, conducts operations in Cu Chi District. (2) Co C 2/14th Inf base reaction company (3) 2/14 Inf (-) conducts local security of Cu Chi Base Camp. c. 1 Platoon from A Troop, 3/4 Cav 2. Mission: 2/14 (-) conducts Search & Clear Operations in AO BALL 6 Apr 67 with Co B and one Plat from A Trp, 3/4 Cav. 2/14 Inf will detain all Vietnamese civilians and move them to an assembly area, where they will remain until cleared by the village chief. 3. Execution: a. Concept of Operations: Co B 2/14th Inf conducts an airmobile assault on two LZs vic XT683135 and XT685155, then seals off and conducts search and clear operations in AO BALL. One Plat, A Trp, 3/4 Cav establishes a blocking position vic XT692147 to prevent VC from escaping. With Co B (-) establishing a blocking vic XT675144. b. Fires: Arty on Call. Fire Support Plan, See Annex B. c. Co B 2/14 Inf. (1) 1 Plat airlands on LZ 1 vix XT683135 at 061215 Apr 67. (2) A second platoon airlands on LZ #2 vic XT685155 at 061215 Apr 67. (3) Co B (-) establishes a blocking position vic XT675148 at 061213 Apr 67. d. 1 Plat, Trp A, 3/4 Cav establishes a blocking position vic XT692147 at 061213 Apr 67. e. A collection point for detainees will be established by Co B and located on highway 8A vic XT684145. f. FAC on call. g. 68th AVN Co will provide aircraft support and a light Fire Team. h. One 2-man PSYOPS team with vehicle will join Co B for use in Vin Cu. i. Co C 2/14 Inf. (1) Bn Reserve (2) 1 Plat for downed aircraft reserve on strip alert, 1200-1245 on PZ ROW "T" j. Coordination Instructions: (1) Critical Times. 1115H PSYOPS team reports to Co B 1150H 2 Plats Co B assemble on PZ 1200H C&C departs Viking Resupply Pad 1212H 1st lift departs PZ 1215H 1 Plat 3/4 Cav in blocking position 1215H Co B (-) in blocking position 1215H 1st lift lands on LZ 1400H C&C ship is released (2) EEI: (a) What is the location, disposition, organization and strength of all local force and guerrilla units and infrastructure activities in the AO? (b) What secret base areas and supply activities are located in the AO? What trails and waterways leading to and from these areas are used by the VC for moving personnel and supplies? What is the pattern and schedule of movement? Who are the personalities constituting the infrastructure in the AO? Where are they located? (3) C&C ship depart Viking Resupply Pad at 061200 Apr 67. (4) Effective time of attach/detach: 061100 Apr 67, detach on order (5) Rules of Engagement: (a) Have all civilians move to the collection point without their tools (b) Do not fire at women and children unless they are armed. (c) Do not fire at any civilians unless they engage the friendly force or make a definite attempt to escape. (d) Interpreter will be with each maneuver element. (6) D/T/G Order is effective 051800H Apr 67. (7) The district and village chief will be located in the C&C ship. 4. Administration and Logistics: a. Unit will carry sufficient supplies to sustain them for the operation. b. Emergency resupply on call c. MEDEVAC on call 5. Command and Signal: a. Signal. (1) Current SOI in effect (2) Radio security and a minimum amount of transmissions will be emphasized (3) Pyrotechnics: Friendly positions marked with colored smoke. b. Command (1) Loc of CP: Base Camp (2) Loc of Command Gp: C&C Ship initially. Documents contained a map of the area of operations, an overlay of fire support locations and units available (B 7/11 Arty - "Cannon 9") and air support (7th Air Force provides CAS) as well as an Artillery target list with suspected locations, trails, stream bed and junctions.