April 5th, 1969 recap
With the exception of Recon Platoon, all 3-12 Infantry elements remained in the same positions as April 4th. Additional short range and ambush patrols were sent out. Several elements responded to sightings of movement or trip flares outside of their positions by employing light organic weapons on the suspected enemy locations. No enemy casualties were reported. The 1-22 Infantry, which had occupied positions west of LZ Cider and south of LZ D-Handle, makes contact with a well entrenched NVA unit on Hill 880 (located one kilometer south of Million Dollar Hill.
After several hours of intense fighting, D/1-22 is forced to withdraw to an night position to the west. Eight D/1-22 soldiers are KIA or MIA (presumed dead) and another 17 wounded. NVA casualties are at least double that amount.
April 6th, 1969
The elements of the 3-12 Infantry remained in blocking positions along the Cu Kotah and Cu Don mountain ranges. A well entrenched NVA unit, dug in to the steep jungle ridges south of LZ D-Handle and north of LZ Cider continued to resist all efforts to root them out. Each company undertook a “mad-minute” on the morning of the 6th, which attempted to draw a response from the NVA, thus revealing their positions. Artillery and airstrikes were brought to bear on any suspected sources of return fire, and also targeted known NVA bunker complexes and fighting positions.
The 1-22 Infantry, bloodied in an engagement south of LZ D-Handle on April 5th, pulled back to occupy night defensive positions on the high ground west of the NVA positions. Together, the two battalions (3-12 Infantry and 1-22 Infantry), along with Charlie Company, 3-8 Infantry sent out over a dozen short range and ambush patrols, aimed at limiting NVA movement in the area of operations.
April 6th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0030 hours
Change on message sent 1 or 2 days ago concerning Intelligence officers conference.
Subject : Intel officers conference
I – Reference to message established 10-11 April as the date for conference. Change date to the 21-22 April.
II – Schedules and subjects to be presented will be published in a few days.
0530 hours
All elements are on Stand-To at this time. All elements report Stand-To complete.
0635 hours
Bravo & Delta companies completed their mad minutes at this time. Charlie Company detected AK-47 fire at unknown distances at azimuth of 280 degrees. SRP 21 detected AK fire at a 145 degree azimuth at 250 meters.
0651 hours
Delta Company had a man wounded lightly because of a malfunction of an M-60. He had a double feed and round blew up. Wound was in forehead. Doesn’t need dustoff.
0845 hours
Charlie Company mad minute completed
0852 hours
Alpha Company mad minute completed
0910 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne.
0924 hours
1-22 Infantry night locations
Alpha Company and Recon 3-12 – 817195
Bravo & Delta Company – 808821
Charlie Company – 811797
Charlie 3-8 Inf – 804817
Recon Platoon – 806826
4.2″ Mortar Platoon with Bravo Co 3-12 Inf
0955 hours
LTC Larkin has returned to this location.
1040 hours
Bravo Company Patrol #1 at YA 815837 found 15 bunkers. They will be destroyed when B Co obtains the proper demolition.
1132 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location (LZ Cider).
1233 hours
Colonel Knight has departed this location.
1400 hours
Bravo Company Patrol #1 at YA 814838 found 15 bunkers. Possibly more. Three feet of overhead cover. 3’x5′. One month old. Hit by napalm recently.
1415 hours
General Irzyk has arrived at this location (LZ Cider).
1500 hours
General Irzyk has departed this location.
1535 hours
Bravo Company has a patrol going out to blow the bunkers at YA 814838. They said they could blow 10-15 with what demo they have.
1707 hours
Bravo Company patrol closed. They blew eight bunkers and one kitchen. 12 bunkers are still intact.
1805 hours
Night locations sent to Brigade. Plans summary is the same as yesterday.
1807 hours
Status sent to Brigade
1851 hours
3-8 Infantry and 1-22 Infantry night locations
Alpha (1-22) & Recon Platoon (3-12) – YA 817795
Bravo & Delta Company (1-22) – YA 808821
Charlie (1-22) – YA 812798
Charlie (3-8) – YA 805819
Recon (1-22) – YA 805825
4.2″ Mortar (1-22) – YA 817838
1950 hours
Brigade sent to our S-3 a message about our A8R on M-79 high explosive ammo.
2050 hours
Message from Brigade:
Brigade wants to know any patrols going out tomorrow morning. They want their routes tonight if they leave before 0830 hours tomorrow. LOH will pick up overlays of any patrols leaving after 0830 hours. All companies will call their route in before 0600 hours and no patrol will leave before 0830 hours.
2157 hours
Delta Company reports movement to north about 75 meters. Sounds like one man. Employing M-79 rounds.
2105 hours
Delta Company reports movement has stopped and have negative situation.
2116 hours
Delta Company will put some 81mm mortars where they had movement earlier or safety precaution.
2158 hours
Bravo Company reports that they believe they see three truck lights on azimuth 30-40 degrees. Approximate grid YA 856869. Redleg will be employed.
2211 hours
Delta Company reports movement to his south about 75-100 meters. At least two individuals. Will employ light organics.
2305 hours
Bravo Company SRP21 has movement moving west seems to be a group of people about 300 meters from them. Light organics are being employed.
2335 hours
Bravo Company SRP21 reports movement stopped at this time.