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335
8 May 1969
Bravo 2/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg
From the 15 June 1969 issue of Steadfast and Loyal.
8 May 1969
Cacti Blue LZ Attacked; 18 Enemy Killed
"An American Reconnaissance Team Saw Three Individuals Approaching The Company Perimeter. They Waited Until The Three Enemy Soldiers Were Within Eight Feet And Then Opened Up With Their M16s."
By SGT Michael Tousey
Highlander Heights- Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry repelled a night attack killing eighteen enemy attackers ten miles southwest of Kontum City near Landing Zone (LZ) Penny. At 1:50 in the morning, an American reconnaissance team saw three individuals approaching the company perimeter. They waited until the three enemy soldiers were within eight feet and then opened up with their M16s killing all three.
These three NVA soldiers however turned out to be only a probe for the main attack, which began on hour later when Bravo Company was suddenly hit with incoming. "They were firing B40s and recoilless rifles from 25 to 30 meters out," said Specialist 4 Vaughan Connors of Cincinnati. "We turned everything we had on, and called in artillery, mortars and "Snoopy" gunships. I guess that was too much for them and they took off."
During the 35 minute fight Bravo Company received an estimated 75 to 100 incoming rounds, as well as small arms fire.
A sweep outside the perimeter in the morning turned up eighteen enemy bodies, one AK47 rifle with ammunition, seven CHICOM grenades, and one new B41 launcher with five B41 rounds.
398
8 May 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg
3rd Bde 4th Inf Div Bn
(1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Oasis ZA117277
Unit Locations:
A Co CP AR998285
B Co CP ZA107327
C Co CP ZA104420
D Co CP ZA056403
Recon Plt ZA175239
4.2 CP is at LZ Oasis
Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 8 May 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Oasis grid ZA117277; Battalion Headquarters (Forward), 1/35th Command post is at LZ Oasis ZA117277; A Company at AR998285; B Company at ZA107327; C Company at ZA104420; D Company at ZA056403; Recon platoon at ZA175239; 4.2 mortar platoon AR998285; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward) at LZ Oasis; At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).
At 1025 hours on 8 May 69 Bde S2 reported to S2 on the 2/1 Cav incidents. At 071055 hours the 16/96-element radio jammed from vicinity AR945203. At 071713 hours the 2/1 Cav located 1 hut of 75 demolition packs, 600 pounds of explosives, 525 sticks of dynamite, 50 Bongoloid Torpedoes, some shotgun shells, some 57RR rounds, a small amount of rice and 1 AK-47 magazine all in the vicinity AR949202. At 071930 hours the 2/1 Cav received small arms fire and approximately 57 and 75 rounds of fire from unknown size force vicinity AR948203. They engaged the target with Spooky support. They estimated a Company size element and contact was broken at 2040 hours. They found a large cache of munitions. At 1150 hours on 8 May 69 D Co 70B element spotted 2 individuals at ZA052381. When the 2 saw the element they hit the ground. They were assumed as enemy carrying carbines and a check with Bde revealed no friendlies in the area. They fired and no fire was returned from the enemy. At 1211 hours 8 May 69 the element told Bde
S2 that the 2 individuals wore uniforms of the camouflage type similar to the type worn by LRRP's. Enemy was moving in a northeast direction and distance was approximately 50 to 75 meters away. The area is being swept now with no results.
0005 hours (C) From S-3 to B Co: Be ready for pick up at 0700 hours at PZ ZA103321. You will be inserted at LZ AR965215, maps are available from 2/1 Cav and frag 65.10, call sign: above times. Your mission is to sweep east of the LZ, and a company of the 2/1st Cav will be on the LZ, which is secure. Intelligence reports a suspected Bn size force of enemy and the enemy has been jamming frequencies and using various call signs. Be prepared to use Bn retrains push as an alternate if needed. This message requires a QSL from B Co CO.
0057 hours (U) We could not raise C Co on the radio for a Sitrep.
0301 hours (C) Communication with C Co was established and they reported that a man who just came on radio watch seen another sleeping when he came on.
0727 hours (C) B Co to TOC: First PZ is at 0727 hours. 1st LZ is at 0755 hours. Last PZ is at 0823 hours. Last LZ is at 0840 hours.
1310 hours (C) Recon to TOC: We just had a man line #49 May roster bitten by a snake and they killed the snake. We are sending the man and snake back on the resupply bird.
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