Vietnam War Timeline

401
11 May 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div Bn
(1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Oasis ZA117277

Unit Locations:
1/35th CP is at LZ Oasis
A Co CP YA982285
A Co 3d plt at the Rock Quarry
B Co OPCON to the 2/1st Cav
C Co CP ZA066409
D Co OPCON to 1/10 Cav
Recon Plt ZA082231
4.2 plt YA982285

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 11 May 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Oasis grid ZA117277; Battalion Headquarters (Forward), 1/35th Command post is at LZ Oasis ZA117277; A Company at YA982285; B Company is OPCON to the 2/1st Cav; C Company at ZA066409; D Company is OPCON to the 1/10 Cav; Recon platoon at ZA082231; 4.2 mortar platoon YA982285; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward) at LZ Oasis; At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).


At Approximately 0207 hours on 11 May 69 LZ Oasis stated incoming rounds. At 0221 hours on 11 May 69 the bunkers reported receiving small arms fire. Incoming stopped for a moment at 0355 hours. At 0800 hours on 11 May 69 A Company reported the approximated grid of fire ZA015275 and rounds were coming into the Oasis. At 0805 hours on 11 May 69 A Company 01 element had cleared the gunships to expend on grid YA992274. The Company had clearance to fire the 4.2 at 0830 hours but could not due to air traffic. At 1015 hours on 11 May 69 TOC reported to A Company in reference to a report from the National Police dated 5 May. On 5 May an NVA platoon moved to the bivouac location at Plei Net Xo (ZA017340). Men of this unit wore khaki uniforms and were armed with 3 bars of 18 AK-47's, 3 Colt pistols and individual assorted weapons. On 6 May this unit was reported digging combat trenches and setting up a watch station 100 meters south of this hamlet. Purposes and intentions were unknown. At 1020 hours on 11 May 69 TOC reported to A, C and Recon about a captured document. It described delayed action fuses for 82mm mortar rounds that will cause them to detonate from 2.5 to 8 hours after impact. Delay is caused by a resistor eaten away by acid solution in a glass tube, which is broken on impact or fire. Four different colored solutions are used for 2.5 hours, red for 3.5 hours, blue for 5 hours and violet for 8 hours. This suggests possible use in the Division AO. At 1050 hours on 11 May 69 S2 made a reference to the attack on LZ Oasis. From) 210 to 0440 hours 20 by 60mm rounds, B-40 rockets and probable 57RR were used in the 1/35th area. The following equipment was found at daybreak: 10 by 60mm expended mortars, 1 B-40 Rocket booster. Estimated rounds came from the southwest on an azimuth of 265 degrees. At 1120 hours on 11 May 69 C co and all elements from the 70 element report that they found 10 to 12 bunkers used recently at ZA054405 and they were not GI bunkers. At 1130 hours on 11 May 69 A Company reports 122mm coming from grid ZA025270 and hitting the Oasis. The 4.2 platoon got clearance on a firing position. At 1200 hours on 11 May 69 C Company reported the bunkers found by the Water point could sleep 2 to 3 men, used in past 2 days and were tunnel connected. They found 1 rice bowl, 1 bottle in a bunker. At 1220 hours on 11 May 69 C Company 70 element (water party) seen 10 persons with weapons and uniforms. The y used 81mm at ZA058408. At 1207 hours 11 May 69 C Company 70 element seen 65 VC/NVA in the clear. At 1420 hours 11 May 69 C Company 70W found 1 NVA pack with AK rounds, NVA clothes, bags at the location were they found the bunkers. At 1500 hour 11 May 69 TOC reported to brigade a readout on the pack found by C Company. It was US stamped, similar to an old combat pack with unusual keepers. It contained 2 parachutes from parachute flares, 2 bundles if cotton un-ginned, 1 piece of black cloth 36 x 12, 1 piece of plastic the type used in NVA poncho's, 1 piece of gray cloth size of a handkerchief, 1 pair of blue green drawe4rs with pocket and 13 rounds of AK ammo. At 1545 hours 11 May 69 the 2/9 artillery reported 30 VC/NVA were seen in the open at ZA054270. At the same time the 1/10 Cavalry was in contact at ZA055295 and ZA054270 with an estimated 2 companies. At 1630 hours on 11 May 69 Brigade S-2 reported that the 1/10 Cavalry contact 1t 1545 hours with estimated NVA Company vicinity ZA054296 and ZA054270. They employed Artillery and gunships and had no further information.

1001 hours (C) From S3 to C Co: Get all elements into a LZ for pick up and you are still on standby to CA.

1500 hours (C) From C Co to TOC: 1st PZ is at 1545 hours, 1st LZ at 1545 hours, 1st LZ at 1556 hours.

2015 hours (C) A Co is to go on full alert.

2355 hours (C) Bde to S3: From Lt. Clark to Cpt Scott - The "B" element will return UPCON effective 121999 hours and the PZ will be 963212 and the PZ control will be run on B Co's organic push. The LZ will be worked out with Major Hudson.