Quarterly Evaluation Report  14-Jun-69

On a quarterly basis summary reports were prepared for the Brigade S3 describing the Battalion's activities.   This QuartEval Feeder Report has been reproduced to appear like the original.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 2D BATTALION 14TH INFANTRY
(GOLDEN DRAGONS)
APO San Francisco 96225

                                                                    14 June 69

SUBJECT: QUARTEVAL Feeder Report

Commanding Officer
2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
ATTN: S3
APO 96225

 

1. GENERAL:  The Battalion continued to operate in AO Twin Dragon (southern Hau Nghia Province) and specified AO's within the 2d Brigade TAOI during the quarter.   There have been no significant changes in combat power;  however, one rifle company remains on a bridge security mission.  Operations for the period consisted of ground, airmobile, mechanized, (both joint US/ARVN) and VCI raids and ambushes.   Operations were conducted with the emphasis on night activities.  During the reporting period, the battalion tested the XM571 articulating vehicles, worked with CIDG forces, conducted an eight day operation in the Filhol, and worked with the new mine and tunnel dog reams.  These operations and their results will be discussed in subsequent paragraphs.

2.  SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONS:  The battalion continued to exert heavy pressure against the local force and VC Infrastructure in the immediate area.  Operations based on intelligence from both US and ARVN agencies, were conducted to interdict and destroy main force VC/NVA units attempting to use the Ba-Tu/My Hanh infiltration corridor into the Saigon area.  Success was achieved on 14 April, when Alpha Company established contact with a VC/NVA reconnaissance party at XT604069.  The company was advancing on a two axis route with the element took two individuals under fire.  The two VC returned the fire and attempted to move away from the friendly troop by moving into a swampy area.  Another element mounted in the XM571 carriers, outflanked the retreating VC and at the same time discovered the entire recon party.  The VC element was decimated within minutes.  Results of the action were:  8 VC (body count), 1 POW, 1 Chicom radio, 5 AK-47, 1 RPG-2, 1 K-54 pistol, and assorted ammunition and web gear.  Alpha company received negative casualties during the action.  The XM571 vehicles with its cross country capabilities in swampy areas was the key to the units success.  On 7 May, the battalion conducted a two company airmobile operation in AO Tong south of the Vam Co Dong River.   Elements of the CIDG camp at Trai Cu accompanied our elements and proved a valuable asset in pointing out booby trapped areas and navigation over unfamiliar terrain.   Results of the one day operation were:  5 VC (body count), and 1 POW.   Friendly units received no casualties for the action.  From 15 to 23 May the battalion operated north of Cu Chi base camp in the Filhol.  One company from the 2d Battalion, 34th Armor, with an attached mechanized rifle platoon, was OPCON to the battalion for the operation.  The most significant find during the period was a rocket firing position.  The site had been prepared for firing with string tied between two short bamboo stakes laid on the desired firing azimuths and cross bamboo stakes prepared to hold the rockets prior to actual firing.  Nearby in a tunnel, 7 107mm rockets were found.  The rockets were complete with the exception of the fuse assembly.  The unit, Delta Company, placed an AP near the site of the night of the find but had negative results.  Results for the 8 days were:  29 (body count), 4 POWs, 10 detainees, 9 assorted weapons, 7 RPG rounds, 8 107mm rockets, unnumbered tunnels, spider holes and bunkers destroyed.  Throughout the quarter, joint US/ARVN operations were conducted with elements of the 49th ARVN Regiment and Duc Hoa District RF/PF forces.   The battalion CRIP platoon operated on a daily basis with the District Chief and has achieved excellent results.  Intelligence MEDCAPS were conducted with battalion medical personnel and elements of the CRIP at least three times a week.  Also during the quarter, the battalion has received and has been testing the Mine and Tunnel Dog Teams. The mine dog accompanies the MSR engineer and security elements and has proved an excellent asset.  The tunnel dog team has accompanied ground elements on daily sweeps but as of this date has not had significant findings.

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES or OCCURRENCES:  Two major projects have been underway by the battalion during the quarter.  In early May, the FSB was redesigned and re-built.  The existing bunkerline was torn down and with engineer support a new bunkerline with a six foot berm was constructed.  Major fighting bunkers were constructed along the berm line, fields of fire cleared, and many interior positions moved to create a better defense.  All bunkers were constructed to be above ground in anticipation of the monsoon season.   More recently the battalion has been ordered to move and a new fire support base is now under construction.

4.  SUMMARY:  The battalion has accomplished it's mission in its assigned AO.  The elimination of the VCI and interdiction of main force units, mostly reconnaissance parties, has denied the VC/NVA easy access to the area.  Although there were no major contacts made during the period, Incl 1 reveals the battalions overall success for the period.

5.  ASSESSMENT:  Combat operations on a whole have been successful and good results achieved.  The ARVN elements in the AO are active, well trained, and conduct many operations.  Excellent coordination has been established between all units and intelligence is passed on a daily basis.  The rapport and cooperation with nearby ARVN elements has played an important part in the accomplishment of the mission.

                                    RICHARD L GAFFNEY
                                    MAJ, Infantry
                                    S3

 

Inclosure I                    TOTALS FOR PERIOD

BODY COUNT                     142                

POWS                            36

DETAINEES                       90

HOI CHANH                        2

SMALL ARMS WPNS                 47

RPG 7/2 LAUNCHER                 6

107 ROCKETS /122                 9

MORTARS 60/82                   3/5

AMMO SA/AW                    580/1080   

RPG 2/7 RNDS                    4/19

MINES                           50

HANDGRENADES                    43

BBT                            126

MED SUPPLIES                     5 lbs

DOCUMENTS                       39 1/8 lbs

BUNKERS/TUNNELS                458/53

SAMPANS                         17

RICE                            41 lbs

SVN $                          $40,000

This copy of the QuartEval Feeder Report was obtained by and has been generously contributed by Paul North, Echo Co., 2/14th Inf.

14 Jun 69 Quarterly Evaluation Report
Copyright © 2008 Kirk S. Ramsey
Last modified: January 20, 2020