Vietnam War Timeline

345
21 March 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div Bn
(1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ English 102694

Unit Locations:
1/35 CP LZ English 102694
A 1/35 (-) 026687
B 1/35 (-) 017712
C 1/35 LZ English
D 1/35 (-) 044640
Recon 027673
4.2" mortar plt 027673
CSF 1 Co 082699

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 21 March 1969. Unit locations: At LZ English 102694; Battalion Headquarters (Forward), A Company (-) 026687, B Company 017712; C Company LZ English; D Company 044640; Recon 027673; 4.2" mortar 027673; CSF 1 Co 082699; At LZ Oasis; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward): At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).

At 0413 hours received information that the Special Forces Camp at Plei Mrong was receiving incoming mortar rounds, Plei Mrong received 20 rounds 82mm mortar rounds from grid 075689, rounds landed 250-300 meters outside of their perimeter to the north and west, incoming ceased at 0423 hours, 21 rounds of 155mm artillery was employed on the suspected enemy mortar location. At 1000 hours A Company reports that their 23 element is in contact at this time with 8 VC/NVA they are employing artillery and the location is grid 021702, as a result the FO says that A Company 23 element has 3 WHA at this time, A Co CO says that the 23 element spotted the VC/NVA ion the open and they are still receiving sporadic fire at this time, contact ended at 1117 hours, A Co reports that line no. 33 is KHA, the NVA with which A Company had contact were carrying AK-47 rifles moving west to east. At 1446 hours A Company again reports making contact, they are sweeping 25-30 meters outside of the perimeter, 23 element made the initial contact with the enemy. At 2115 hours B Co reports finding a bunker complex at grid 033707 approximately 100 meters long, trail running north and south, regular NVA type bunkers, also found 5 NVA rucksacks 2-60mm mortar rounds 100 pounds of rice, cooking utensils, AK-47 rounds, 1 protective mask gauge type, 2 hole cooking stove, ID cards DONUI DG28 (on one), DONUI E2/8/5 (on another), notebook supply or a First Sergeant's AK-47 CKC breakdown, A-31, A-41 North Vietnamese newspaper and a map of Chu-Pa with arrows showing a report of operations, rucksacks with protective masks and carrier.

0045 hours (C) Message from Bde to Bn S-3: Subject is the AO change, following AO change between the 2nd and 3d Bde's in effect immediately upon receipt, ZA0472 east 0972 west, east along Ia-Roy River ZA106730 east 123727 east along Ia-Por river to ZA156721 Bn S-3 will acknowledge NLT 21 Mar 0800 hours; Subject Flack Jackets: CO's are reminded of the predicted heavy enemy offensive during the next 1-5 days, during this time the EM on Fire Bases and convoys another exposed areas should make maximum use of flack jackets.

0625 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY-0413 hours 21 Mar 69- At 0413 hours received information that Plei Mrong CSF camp was receiving incoming mortar rounds, readout: Plei Mrong received 20 rounds of 82mm mortar from approximately grid ZA075689, rounds 250-300 meters to the north and west of their perimeter, incoming ceased at 0423 hours, 21 rounds of 105mm artillery was employed on the general area of grid ZA075689.

1000 hours (C) A Co reports that their 23 element is in contact with 8 VC/NVA at this time, they are employing artillery and the location is grid 021702.

1010 hours (C) A Co is moving out at this time, A Co does not have commo with the 23 element.

1020 hours (C) FO says that the 23 element has possibly 3 WHA.

1050 hours (C) A Co reports that the 23 element has 3 WHA, 1 serious CO says that the 23 element spotted VC/NVA in the open they are still firing from time to time.

1113 hours (C) A Co says that the condition of the casualties is as follows, one in the foot, one in the back and one in the hand, the one in the head is serious.

1132 hours (C) Gunships are on station, Buccaneer 3.

1138 hours (C) Aloha 2 is returning to our location.

1140 hours (C) A Co says that they now have one KHA.

1204 hours (C) A Co reports that line no. 33 is KHA (Sgt John Valero), line no. 162 has the chest wound and line no. 99 has the leg wound, WHA's.

1205 hours (C) A Co said that the enemy appeared to be moving from west to east but they may have come from the north, large trail in the area spotted 8 NVA carrying AK-47's, heard a moan from the initial contact.

1329 hours (C) Shamrock says that the Dust-Off will not be able to land on the LZ, slope is too great to land therefore request a Dust-Off with a hoist also if the Dust-Off get there within the next 30 to 40 minutes Shamrock guns will cover for the Dust-Off.

1330 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY-1006 hours 21 Mar 69- First round of smoke was fired for A Co C Battery 2/9 Artillery fired and they expended a total of 6 smoke, 56 HE and D 5/16 8" 13 HE.

1356 hours (C) Aloha 2 has lifted out the 2 A Co WHA's.

1410 hours (C) B Co 21 element had negative findings in the area but they did find some old US bunkers on the top of the hill with trash, they are moving south down the fingers to the Blue Line, 23 is checking out the area which looks like two knobs they did find a blood trail in the area where they shot at the VC/NVA yesterday negative further at this time.

1514 hours (C) A Co CO informs us that he has move WIA, he is trying to pull his 2 squads who have contact back to his location.

1446 hours (C) A Co reports that they have made contact and they have sent out a sweep element 25-30 meters from the CP, 23 element made contact with the enemy.

1448 hours (C) Gunships are on station.

1458 hours (C) 23 element is still receiving small arms fire at this time.

1501 hours (C) Blackjack 400 is on station (AMC).

1506 hours (C) A Co reports one WIA, the enemy is between the 23 element and the CP and in front of the 23 element, they are now trying to pull back the 23 element back to the CP.

1514 hours (C) A Co reports a total of 2 WIA, one walking, one litter, CP now has contact.

1535 hours (C) Prep started for D Co insertion.

1617 hours (C) First LZ for D Co, LZ Cold.

1803 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY-1530 hours 21 Mar 69- A Co reported that the enemy contact had been broken.

1910 hours (C) To the CO 1/35 from Bde: 1/35 is to physically take this to Plei Mrong 1st Division Bde, Bn air squadron commanders will insure the distribution of the following to all US elements US Advisory Personnel and CSF Camps within respective areas regardless of ordination, indications are that 22 Mar is the date that the enemy plans to launch a country-wide offensive the activity 21 Mar appears to be confined largely to CTZ, we believe further attacks by fire can be expected toning and within the next 48 hours, we expect the emphasis to be as it was on the night of 20 Mar 69 against installations and villages, we also expect on 22-23 Mar more ground action with conjunction with attacks by fire particularly in village areas, S-3 gives QSL.

2115 hours (C) B Co found a bunker complex at grid 033707, approximately 150 meters long no estimation of depth, trail running north and south contouring system, regular NVA type bunkers, some made with US sandbags, Findings: Very conservative, 5 NVA rucksacks, 2 60mm mortar rounds, 100 pounds of rice, cooking utensils, AK-47 rounds, 1 NVA protective mask, rubber, 5 NVA protective mask, gauze type, 2 hole cooking stove, 2 I.D. cards, cards had DONUI DG 28 (on one) DONUI E2/8/5 (on another), notebook supply or First Sergeant AK-47 and CKC breakdown, A-31 unit, A-41 unit North Vietnamese newspaper, map of Chu Pa showing a report of operations with arrows and US and NVA units, Pleiku area US rucksacks with protective mask carrier, brown paper envelope (US type) unit on it 8th Green Cylindrical Cardboard Tube 3 x 1 1/2 Russian writing.