April 7th, 1969 recap
Three Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) teams arrive at LZ Cider. Consisting of six men on each team, these men specialize in covert reconnaissance and surveillance patrols in enemy controlled territory. They will begin their patrols on April 8th, aimed at reconning the area of the March 27th and March 30th contact in order to ensure the area is clear for Alpha Company to begin recovery operations of their fallen men.
April 8th, 1969
The battalion remained in mutually supporting blocking positions along the Cu Kotah and Cu Don mountain range. Alpha, Charlie, HHC, B/6-29 FA near LZ Cider, and Bravo & Delta and the 4.2″ Mortar Platoon on our near LZ D-Handle. The battalion Recon Platoon was OPCON to the 1-22 Infantry. The 1-22 Infantry, inserted into the AO on April 2nd, occupied positions to the west of LZ Cider and south of LZ D-Handle.
Two LRRP teams began to move towards the Alpha Company contact site from late March, but held up short of the contact site after hearing multiple AK-47 shots in the distance.
The battalion Recon team, OPCON to the 1-22 Infantry, was replaced with Charlie Company’s 4th Platoon and returned to LZ Cider.
April 8th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0305 hours
Alpha Company reported having a large explosion 50 meters from the wire. They had movement. M-79 was employed.
0320 hours
Alpha Company 2nd Platoon reported movement about 50 meters from their perimeter. M-79 are being employed. The movement is 90 degree azimuth. The movement is coming at them. The movement stopped.
0525 hours
Long Range Patrol (LRP) 1-4-M starting point (SP) from LZ Cider YA 829799.
0610 hours
LRP 1-4-I SP from Charlie Company’s patrol base (PB) at YA 834815.
0700 hours
Charlie Company will be reconning by fire for their 43 Patrol #1 who will be departing shortly.
0800 hours
Air Cav area of operations (AO) for 8 April is YA 8085-YA 8078- YA 7085- YA 7078
0917 hours
Delta Company Patrol #1 at YA 824853 found a bunker, 3’x5′, 2.5′ overhead cover. Approximately one month old. No recent use.
1010 hours
General Irzyk has arrived at this location. (LZ Cider)
1012 hours
LRRP 1-4-I at grid YA 827813 heard two AK-47 fire at 100 degree azimuth at 50-100 meters. Organics being employed.
1040 hours
Air lift of Charlie Company 4th Platoon from C Co location YA 834815 to Alpha Company 1-22 Infantry location at YA 817795 has started. On return route slicks will bring Recon Platoon (3-12) from A Co, 1-22 location to LZ Cider.
1055 hours
General Irzyk has departed this location.
1056 hours
LRRP 1-4-I has heard some more sporadic AK-47 fire from same location as before. LRRPs think that NVA are firing at birds.
1115 hours
Lift of Charlie Company 4th Platoon and Recon is complete.
1140 hours
Delta Company Patrol #1 at grid YA 826853 found a small trail running northeast to southwest. They found an arrow carved in tree pointing northeast. The arrow had a ‘V’ at the tail. No sign of recent use.
1324 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne.
1350 hours
LTC Larkin has returned to this location (LZ Cider).
1515 hours
LRRP team heard AK fire at chopper suspected enemy location YA 829812. Are employing light organics.
1800 hours
Night locations sent to Brigade and Plan Summary is same as yesterday.
2025 hours
Status sent to Brigade
2140 hours
Bravo Company has movements on south, east, west. Are employing light organics and M-79. But nothing definite.
2200 hours
Negative situation report all elements