Vietnam War Timeline

282
4 February 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div Bn
(1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Charmaine YA999219

Unit Locations:
A 1/35 (-) LZ Charmaine YA999219
A Co 3rd Platoon Rock Quarry 0831
B 1/35 OPCON 2/8 Inf, 2nd Bde
C 1/35 (-) 096217
D 1/35 984154
D Co 2nd platoon LZ Janet 896243
Recon LZ Charmaine YA999219
4.2\" LZ Charmaine YA999219

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 4 February 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Charmaine YA999219, Battalion Headquarters (Forward); A Company (-), E Company, counter-mortar section from the 2/9 artillery; C Company ZA096217; D Company (-) ZA984152; OPCON units: B Company OPCON to the 2/8 Inf, 2nd Bde; A Company 3d platoon OPCON to the 1/69 Armor; D Company 2nd platoon OPCON to the 1/69 Armor; At LZ Oasis Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Froward); At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear). No significant activities occurred in the area of operation during the reporting period.

0005 hours (C) From the Bde CO to the 1/35 CO: All units will place the maximum emphasis on improving fire bases to include clearing fields of fire, adding wire, trip flares and improving the overhead cover. LP\'s and OP\'s will be used to improve the local security.

0100 hours (C) To the CO 1/35 from the Bde CO: On 4 February 1969 not later than 1200 hours 1 company minus one platoon into AO bounded by AR8015, ZA8015, ZA1822 and ZA1815 conduct search and clear operations and move the 4.2\" mortar platoon secured by one rifle platoon in position to support the search and clear operations. An LOH will be available at approximately 0700 hours for a visual reconnaissance A.L. requirements to the S-3 not later than 040700 hours February 1969, the operation will last 3-5 days and intelligence reports indicates that at the location in the vicinity of grid ZA2217, ZA2317 during the past several days enemy forces have moved in reaction to your operation.

0300 hours (From 2/8) B/1-35: 45 SRP spotted 3 individuals in a dugout canoe in blueline, 360 degrees, 600 meters, in midstream. One individual wearing pants. Canoe went to far bank from 45\'s location and dropped off one person. Canoe returned to midstream, visual contact lost at this point.

0600 hours (C) Bn CO informed Bde that C CO would be making a CA today at 1200 hours.

0655 hours (C) Major Losey informed Bde that we want 3 lift ships for the CA. We want a heavy set of gunships to cover the CA, we want an air strike on the LZ in the absence of artillery, we need 4 hook sorties to move the 4.2\" mortar platoon, we want on early load of the 4.2\" personnel to clear LZ Charmaine to prepare the loads.

0725 hours (C) To C Co from the S-3: Be prepared to CA into a new AO bounded by AR8022, AR8015, ZA1822 and ZA1815 to conduct search and clear operations PZ time 1130 hours. Intelligence indicated that there are enemy forces in the vicinity of grid ZA2217 and ZA2317 for the past several days. 4.2\" mortar platoon will go in support and employ one rifle platoon to secure the 4.2\" mortar platoon, Bn CO will conduct a visual reconnaissance to select an LZ at 0730 hours.

0807 hours (C) C Co received 6 rounds of sniper fire from the south side of the village (090203) they are maneuvering the elements, there are negative casualties at this time.

1030 hours (C) Cider 35 is on station and he will have F-100\'s with napalm 20mm cannons and 500 LB bombs.

1130 hours (C) The airstrike is complete.

1135 hours (C) LZ vicinity of grid ZA233185, LZ this time LZ Cold.

1158 hours (C) C Co people on the PZ received 2 rounds of M-79 fire from the village to the north, they have security out at this time, the rounds did not land near PZ.

1630 hours (C) To the Bn CO from the Bde: The 4 bodies of your element have been recovered and they are at the Oasis, you should send somebody immediately to Grave Registration to make the necessary identification of the bodies, Bn CO gives his QSL.

2115 hours (From 2/8) B/1-35 SRP 45 spotted 31 enemy with a starlight scope. They were moving east to west at 360 degrees, 500meters. The enemy had rucksacks and some weapons were observed. Arty was held up until the enemy was in the water (Krong Po\'ko river) SRP observed 3 enemy still in the water when the 1st rounds came in. After the Arty was being employed the 45 & 46 SRP\'s heard moaning, enemy shouting at each other and running through the weeds; SRP 45 observed 3 bodies and rucksacks floating down the river, also possibly 2 other bodies. 10 to 15 enemy were on the far bank when Arty came in, then nothing was observed. 46 SRP also saw 3 possible KIA\'s on the bank and 6 enemy were observed in the water until Arty came in.

2210 hours (From 2/8) SRP 46 has movement on far side of his position, will observe with starlight scope; if activity increases Arty will be employed; Arty now working up data for mission is needed by 46 SRP.

2230 hours (From 2/8) B/1-35 notified to plant SRP\'s 47, 48, 49 and 50 with possibility of enemy approaching river from their rear.

2340 hours (From 2/8) 45 SRP has seen 5 people on far bank, FO is getting grids lined up & cleared & standing by.

Summary from 2/8: B/1-35 remained attached. At 2115 hours B/1-35 SRP reported seeing 31 enemy crossing river (Krong Po\'ko). Firecracker was employed, 3 bodies were seen floating down stream and possibly 2 more. Plans for 5 Feb 69 to secure an Air Cav troop and insert ARP in vicinity of contact with a plt from B/1-35 to reinforce if necessary.