(07-23-2023, 06:45 PM)F2d5thCav Wrote: I knew a guy who had been a battalion CO in Vietnam. He had two rules regarding operations. One was the ARVN liaison wasn't informed of the operation until the helos had already reached the LZs. The other was that right before they landed, the LZ got a thorough artillery prep.
The results of those rules were that they never hit a hot LZ and casualties were light in comparison to other battalions in the division.
Rule #1 wasn't popular with the Viets, but the ugly truth was they were infiltrated and couldn't keep secrets.
Cheers
Yes insertion was always prepped and we would be on short final when two Willy Pete shells would go off signaling the artillery was finished. Then the Snakes would take over if needed. Unfortunately that did not work on an extraction as the NVA would follow US troops and wait for extraction before contact once the birds were on the ground. Nixon had said on a National T.V. address by 1800 (?) all troops would be out of Cambodia... So it was no secret what was going to happen that last day in Cambodia.
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
Silence those who disagree and you will never realize you are wrong.
No one rules if no one obeys
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire
Silence those who disagree and you will never realize you are wrong.
No one rules if no one obeys
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire