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- D.c"" Caeualt7 I: Streagth Statistic.

~r?[)_ Wqn. P. Orr ColeDel, OSAP Chief, PID

DECEMBER

AIR MISSICfiS REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

TACTICAL AIR STRIKES Qm;!!

~ Total Air Force Marine Corps ~ ~ ~ PsyOps AC-119

1 36 31 5 0 6 89 3 2 2 59 41 14 4 7 117 15 ·2 3 64 46 18 0 6 157 4 1 4 84 59 21 4 7 151 3 2 5 101 78 23 0 2 165 4 11 6 73 60 13 0 7 124 21 15 7 80 64 16 0 9 137 26 10 8 106 80 24 2 5 167 4 11 9 86 76 10 0 4 127 6 13

10 79 62 6 11 6 108 5 10 }l 70 56 6 8 6 121 18 0 }2 102 69 24 9 10 190 10 1 l3 88 64 17 7 7 153 26 1 14 44 35 9 0 5 120 23 0 15 69 61 6 2 6 149 16 0 16 78 68 10 0 5 155 26 0 17 89 60 25 4 9 197 30 0 J.B 79 44 31 4 7 185 7 0 19 85 60 25 0 4 199 9 2 ;~o 71 45 26 0 7 233 4 1 21 90 59 31 0 5 176 2 0 ~,~2 56 43 13 0 6 131 19 0 23 45 29 16 0 4 139 3 0 24 68 39 29 0 0 141 4 0 25 83 52 31 0 7 158 22 1 ;'6 2 2 0 0 6 83 18 1 ;"7 59 48 11 0 6 127 18 0 28 52 36 16 0 2 114 18 0 29 55 46 9 0 1 131 26 1 JO 66 37 29 0 3 152 39 0 31 61 35 22 4 5 151 31 0

TOTAL 2,180 1,585 536 59 170 4,547 460 85

REVIEW OF EVENTS

DECEMBER 1970

GENERAL

Ene~ activity remained generally low throughout the Republic during the month of December, with the exception of a slight increase toward the end of the month in Military Region 2. }bst activity was characterized by scattered attacks-by-fire and limited ground attacks.

MILITARY REGION 1

In northern Mili~1f Region 1, ene~-initiated activity remained at a low level comparable to that noted in November. In the northern provinces, enemy activity was at a low level, with friendly units encoutering occasional sma]l contacts. Most significant actions were the interdiction of the Hue - Da Nang railroad twice during the month and an ambush of a friendly convoy on 19 December enroute to Phu Bai. This was the only reported ambush of a convoy on Route 1 in the past quarter.

MILITARY REGION 2

In Military Region 2 during December, enemy-initiated activity was at a reduced level; however, there was a slight increase in harrassment attacks and attacks-by-fire over the previous month. In the northern sector of the region, major enemy forces remained out of contact, and probably continued logistic activity. Enemy-initiated activity in this area was characterized by scattered attacks-by-fire against Allied units and installations, and was primarily centered in Pleiku Province.

MILITARY REGION 3

During December, enemy-initiated activity was at a low level, consisting of anti-pacification operations, limited ground attacks, and light attacks-by-fire. There was a slight increase in attacks­by-fire in the middle part of the month. Indications are that the enemy's control over the populace in Phuoc Long Province is decreas­ing, mainly through the presence of Allied forces and effective psychological operations. In the Saigon area, there were five terro­rist incidents including exploding charges at two U.S. HOQs, a charge in front of the Tin Sang newspaper office, and several fire bombings of U.S. vehicles. In addition, on 19 December, two l22mm rockets impacted in Saigon.

1

MILITARY REGION 4

In Military Region 4 during December, enemy-initiated activity vas light, vith scattered ground fire and attacks against isolated outposts. Kien Hoa Province had the largest number of enemy-ini­tiated incidenta, followed by Kien Giang Province.

2

------------------

DECEMBER

B-52 MISSIONS SOUTH VIJ!."DfAM

~ !:!!Y. -~ MR3 tml.. Total

] 0 0 0 2 2 ,

0 0 0 0 0 " 0 0 0 0 0 0 L. 0 0 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 ? 0 0 0 0 0 fl 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0

10 0 0 0 0 0 L 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 lL. 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 1'1 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 0 0; 2') ., 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 2L. 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 ZI 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 29 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 )1 0 0 0 0 0

Total 0 0 0 3 3

3

"--'--

DECEMBER

LAOS AIR OPl!ru.Tlm:S

Ho Chi Minh Trail Interdiction Support - Royal Laotian Forces

!!!k !!§g !!§!. ~ 13-52 !!§g ~

1 I I I I I 2 I I I I A 3 I X A I I 4 X I I I I 5 X I I I A 6 X ..l I ..l Jl

7 X X X X X 8 X X I X I 9 X X I I I

10 X X X X I 11 X X I I X 12 X X I I I 13 X I I A X 14 X X ..l I A 15 X A I I J..

16 X I I I X 17 X I A I I 18 X X ..l Jl X 19 I X X X I 20 I X A I A 21 X X I X I 22 X X I I I 23 I I A I A

24 X I I I I 25 X X I I X 26 X Jl X A X 27 X X I X I 28 X X X J.. X 29 I X I X A 30 X I X X X 3l X A J.. X X

4

DECEMBER

AIRCRAFT LOSSES

SOUTH VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Vate Province Location ~ T;ype Alc W WIA ~

1 Dec Pleiku 29 ENE Pleiku UNK USA OH-58 4 0 0

3 Pleiku 7 ESE Ple1ku GF USA UH-I 0 0 0

4 Khanh Hoa 33 NW Nha Trang UNK USA OR-58 4 0 0

8 Binh TIman 12 NW Phan Thiet GF USA OH-6 1 1 0

:i3 Phuoc Long 43 SE Phuoc Binh GF USA OH-6A 1 2 0

13 Binh 'fuy 35 NE Tanh Linh GF USA OH-6A 0 3 0

14 llinh Tuong 3W~Tho GF USA UH-I 0 2 0

15 Tlma Thien 47 NW Hue GF USA OR-58 0 2 0

15 Binh 'fuy 28 NE Tanh Linh GF USA OH-6A 0 3 0

16 Tlma Thien 9 IDI A Luoi GF USA OH-6 0 0 0

}8 Kien Giang 32 SW Rech Gia GF USA OH-6 0 3 0

19 Binh Duong 9 SSE Phuoc Vinh GF USA OH-6 2 0 0

19 'fuyen Duc 8 E Delat GF USA OR-6 2 0 0

J9 Tlma Thien 14 3''' Rue GF USA OH-6 0 2 0

19 Bac Lieu 31 WSW Bac Lieu GF USN UH-l 6 0 0

;'·4 Binh Long 10 NNE An Loc GF USA AH-l 2 0 0

;'5 Binh Long 10 N An Loc GF USA OH-58 0 1 0

;9 Quang Ngai 11 NE Quang Ngai GF USA OR-6 0 0 0

,,0 'fuyen Duc 12 NW Delat GF USA UH-l 0 5 0

UNK - Unknown

GF - Groundfire

5

-----~---

NAVAL OPERATI(I{S

December

NAVAL GUNFIRE RliiPI!RT,TC Of vTR'l'!lllM

GaIltire support m.8IIicII1s 117 warsbips of the SWfIIlth neat totaled 299 during the mDnth ot DecElllber. They covered the entirety ot the Re­publlc ot Vietnam and. 1I8l'e directed aga:i.Mt 2,'Zl4 targets. Damage to the enell\1 war eftort included the toJ.l.cnd.Dg 4amaged or destroyed: 130 fIIlEIIV stractures, 76 fIIleIV bunkers, 21 eampans, 16 caves, eight ~ each_, one base camp, one rice cache, 59 figbtillg POS:l:UOII1S and. a1.gbt fIIlEIIV soldiers killed.

Alao destroyed or damaged were two t1DllleJ..s, one suppl.;y point, 115 meters of trenchll.ne, one dock, and. one bunker oomplax:. Forty-tour seconda ..,- ax:­plosions and 26 secondary tires were reported 117 spotters. Interdicted trails totaled 2,605 meters.

Ships of the Strrflllth nest; taking part on the tiring l:lne were the Coast Guard cutter Rush, the cruiser USS 0kl.ahaDa City, and. the destroyers USS Goldsbol"Ollgh, Rowan, Wallace L. Lind, I\YDde McCormick, Buchanan, Benjamin Stoddert, Ll.o7d ThoIDas, and John R. Craig. Also on the tiring l:lne were the Coast Guard cutter MiDrganthau, the Australian destroyer HMAS Perth, aud the American destroyers USS Semers, DeHaven and Keppl.er.

***

6

DECEMBER

ATTACKS BY FIRE

OVERNIGHT 24 HOUR PERIOD • (1800 - 0630) (0800 - 0800)

Date SIG US !§. IQI TOT !!2 SIG ill ru 1 4 0 8 12 15 2 7 Light 2 18 3 9 27 28 3 17 Light 3 3 0 5 8 14 0 3 0 0 4 7 0 4 11 13 0 7 0 0 5 4 0 3 7 14 0 8 0 2 6 4 1 3 7 11 1 4 0 0 7 4 0 6 10 11 1 3 0 0 8 6 1 3 9 12 1 7 Light 9 5 0 4 9 1.3 0 6 0 0

10 5 0 9 14 17 0 6 0 0 11 1 0 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 12 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 13 5 0 5 10 12 0 6 0 0

Memo to Correspondents on 12 Dec 1970 informed them that only U.S. statistics vould be reported by MACV commending on 14 December 1970. ARVN vould report for their forces and attacks against the civilian cODlJDlDlity. Free World Forces other than U.S. vould be reported as determined by the forces concerned, i.e., Korean, Australian and Thai.

(1800 - 0630) (0600 - 0600)

SIG IS TOT ~ DAM. 2N !§. m ~. !MH.

14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 1 0 1 0 Light 1 0 1 0 Light 17 2 0 2 0 Light 2 0 2 0 Light 18 2 1 3 0 Light 2 1 3 0 Light 19 1 0 1 Light Light 1 0 1 0 Light 20 1 2 3 Light 0 1 2 3 Light 0 21 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 22 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 1 0 1 Light 0 1 0 1 Light 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 1 0 1 Light 0 1 0 1 Light 0 28 1 0 1 Light 0 1 0 1 Light 0 29 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 30 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 31 1 0 1 Light 0 1 0 1 Light 0

SIG - Significant Attack-qy-fire (Causing casualties and/or damage) IS - Insignificant Atteck-by-fire (Not causing casualties or damage).

7

DECEMBER

EXEMY MATERIEL LOSSES

(Captured/Destroyed)

NEAPONS MIL! MR2 ~ H&.. ALL MR'S

Small Arms 600 321. 387 1,086 2,397

Machineguns 1 4 6 2 13

RPG Launchers 0 18 28 2 48

RocketcLaunchers 0 0 0 0 0

Recoilless Rifle 0 1 0 1 2

Mortars 3 1 3 3 10

Other Crew-served 46 4 0 98 146

Artillery 0 0 0 1 1

AMMUNITION

Small Arms 23,304 25,700 129,744 76,320 255,068

Mortar 783 402 1,388 444 3,017

Artillery 55 0 30 30 115

Recoilless Rifle 36 154 30 1 221

AT Grenades 412 7 836 48 1,303

Grenades 1,325 64 346 976 2,711

Rockets 31 3 0 0 34

FOOD STUFFS

A total of 115.51 tons of rice and .74 tons of salt.

8

--~~-.--

1 Decedler

SUMMARI

OF

SIGBIFICABT EVENTS

- RQ MACV - At approx1lllat~ 1500, a U.S. ArI1q 011-58 helicopter crashed and 11811 dest1'07ed rr- U1Ik:DotIn causea in Ple1ku Province, 1!J lIIll.ea ERE of P1«i.-1m Cit,.. Four U.S. pel'llODJle1. were Idlled in the crash.

- (!'El!ATI(Il Gl!JIEVA PAllJ[ (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At about 1900, an elEllllellt of the 198th Brigade, 23rd Infantry DivisiOll (AMEBICAL), discovered a three ton eIlmv cache 11 lIIilea )IIi' of Quang Ngsi Cit,.. The nce, l.ocal.lT gl'01lll, 11811 stored in drums. AJ?out halt the rice 11811 spoiled and 11811 destro:ved in place. The rene1nc1er of the -cache was 8V'acuated.

2 December

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At about 1030, an element of the 198th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL), discovered four tons of rice lIhlle operating 11111ll.ea NW of Quang BaaL Cit,.. ~ OIle ton of the rioe, bur:l.ed in barrels, 11811 considered uaable and was 8V'acuated. The r""llin1ng three teDa were destro:ved.

- HQ HACV - A U.S. Air Force aircraft. crashed from undetemdned caues in the lower panlJandle area of Laos and 1111.8 dest1'07ed. Both crelllllElll were reaoued in good CODdition •

.3 December

- RQ HACV - A U.S. Aztq UH-1 helicopter 1188 hit 1>7 8IlElQ' ground tire, crashed and was deetro:ved in P1e1ku Province, seven miles ESE of Pleiku City. There were no casuaJ.Ues in the crash.

4 December

- HQ HACV - A U.S. Al'II\Y OH-5S helicopter crashed from unkn_ causes and was destro:ved in Khanh Hoa Province, 3.3 mUes NW of Nha Trang. Four U.S. pereamne1. were ldlled in the crash.

5 December

_ XXIV CORPS (QUANG TRI PROVINCE) - At 0005, an element of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), engaged an undetermined size ellentY force is mUes NW of Quang Tn Cit,. and a halt mUe aouth of the DMZ. The troopers Ellllplo7ed organic weapons and were supported 1>7 helicopter gun­ships. Five EIIlElQ' eoldiers were Idlled and two individual. weapons were captured. U.S. casual.ties were one ldlled and one wounded.

9

------

- IFFV (LAX DONG PROVINCE) - At 1510, a U.S. Air Force forward air controller spotted an estimated 40 eneu;y soldiers in an open area 32 miles WNW of D:I. Linh. U.S. artillery snd helicopter gunships were called in and following the strikes and fire m:I.ssions, the bodies of eight of the eneu;y were ob­served. There were DO U.S. casualties.

6 December

- HQ MACV - The crash site of the second 0-123 aircraft, the one that has been missing since '1!J November, has been found in central South Vietnam. TMo U.s. survivors have been recovered snd nown to a military bospital. In spite of the treacherous terrain snd axtremel7 unfavorable weather, a rescue team of U.S. and Vietnamese mUitary personnel were inaerled into the crash site. The survivors are Sergeant Gary Lee Aldredge (USAF) of Navato, ca.li!omia and Sergeant Vincent Fairbrother (USAF) of Riverside, R.I. Sergeant Aldredge's condition was described as fair, while Sergeant Fairbrother is considered seriousJ.:y ill. Rescue operations are continuing. Search operations also continue for the 0-12.3 aircraft lost on 'Zl November.

- OPERATION GENEVA PARK (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At about 1850, an element of the 19Sth Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL), supporled by an avi­ation element !rom the division, engaged an undetel1llined number of eneu;y 10 miles NW of Quang Ngai City. Three eneu;y soldiertl were ldlled by the helicopter gunships and another six ldlled during the ground action. U.S. casualties were one liOunded.

- IIFFV (BINH DUONG PROVINCE) - At about ll50, an element of the llth Armred Cavalry Regiment found seven enem;y bodies while on a l5W8ep of an ambush site five miles HE of Lai Khe. In addition, one individual weapon was found in the area.

7 December

- HQ MACV - The 0-123 aircraft missing since 27 November has been found in the mountainoua terrain of central South Vietnam. A para-rescue team was inserled iIIt.o the area but found. no surv1\Jrs in the iDmed1ate area. The aircraft carried six U.S. military personnel and 73 Vietnamese personnel and their dependents. Recovery operations continue for both C-12.3 air­craft.

- IIFFV (PHU BON PROVINCE) - At 1615, helicopter crewmen from an element of the 17th Combat A'f:1ation Group spotted an estimated 10 eneu;y in a bunker complax: 29 miles NNW of Cheo Reo. The crEnilllen engaged the enemy and tac­tical air strikes were called in. Follow:Lng the strikes, the bodies of eight enemy were observed. There were no friendly casualties.

- mlAC (KIEN HOA PROVINCE) - At 1010, U.S. Navy 011-10 crewmen engaged an undetermined size eneIV force eight miles WNW of Phu Vinh. Following the strikes, the bodies of seven eneu;y were obsel"V"ed. In addition, three structures were destroyed. There were no friendly casualties.

10

- XXIV COBPS (QUANG TIN PRO'ImCE) - At 12l0, an element o~ the llth Brig­ade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL), wh1J.e operating ~our mUes west o~ Tam K;v, had one o~ its anaored personnel carriers detonate a mine. Two U.S. persormel were ld.lled and 22 wounded. The APe 'l1li8 damaged.

8 DecElliber

- HQ HACV' - A U.S. Artsq 00:-6 helicopter 'l1li8 hit by enav ground tire, crashed and 'l1li8 destl"07ed in B1nh Thuan Province, 12 mUes HW o~ Phan Thist. One U.S. c~Elllber 'l1li8 killed and one 1f8IS wounded in the crash.

9 DecElliber

- XXIV COBPS (QUANG BAH PROVmCE) - At 0515, the night det8ll81ve position o~ a Combined unit Pacification Program (CUPP) Team of U.S. Marines and Regional Force soldiers, located 24 mUes SSE of Da Nang, recEd.ved about tive rounds of 82am mortar tire and a ground. attack ~1'0111 an estimated 40 to 50 enaar;r. The enaar;r employed EIIIIIll am8, automatic weapons, rocket­grenades and hand grenades during the attack. The Allies returned tire with organic weapons and were supported by artillery. The attack was re­pulsed about an hour later with 23 enav killed. In addition, eme crSlf­served and seven individual. weapons and a small quantity o~ munitions were captured. Regional. Force casualties were light. Mar:lne casualties were five wounded.

- OPERATION FREDEIlICK HILL (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At about l4OO, an elEllllent o~ the 196th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Divison (AMERICAL), discovered a 2i ton rice cache 'Z1 mUes SSW o~ Da Nang. The locally grown, unpolished rice was in good condition and will be ElVacuated.

10 December

- IIFPV (LONG KIWIH PROIJ'INCE) - At about 1920, an element of the 2nd Brig­ade, 25th Infantry Division, ambushed IUl undetermined number of enEllllf soldiers nine mUes west of Xuan Loc. Small am8 and automatic weapons fire was exchanged and the troopers were supported by helicopter gunships. Five enEllllf were ld.lled in the action, and four individual. weapons were captured. There were no friendly casualties.

II December

_ OPERATION GENEVA PARK (QUANG NGAI PROVrnCE) - At 0350, an elEllllent of the 19St.h Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMElUCAL), wh1J.e in a night defensive position 11 mUes NW of Quang Ngai City> observed and engaged six enEll\1 soldiers. The troopers were supported by artillery and contact was lost a short time later. Contact was reestablished lIith an undetermined size enEll\f force at about 0640 and continued until 0915. In the t'WO actiOns,

II

-----------_ .. - --

13 enemy soldiers were ld.lled, six were detained and six individual wea­pons were captured. Friendly casualties were one U.S. ld.lled and one wounded.

- I'MAC (AN XUIEN PROVINCE) - At about 1650, helicopter Crelilllell from the 164th Combat Aviation Group observed and engaged an undetermined size enemy force Zl miles NW of Ca Kau. Twelve enemy soldiers were ld.lled. There were no fri~ casualties.

- IFFV (KHANH HOA PROVINCE) - At about 1224, a U.S. A.rmy convoy was ambushed by an estimated enemy company while travelling on High~ 21 about 25 miles NW of Nha Trang. The enemy employed BIIIIlll arms, rocket-grenades and mortar fire. The convoy was supported by a Republic of Vietnam in­fantry element and helicopter gunships. Contact was lost at about 14.30 and enemy casualties are unknol<il1. Seven U.S. soldiers in the oonvoy were wounded and convay vehicles sustained light damage.

-

- OPERA'UON mON MOUNTAIN (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At about 1520, an element of the 11th Brigade, 2.3rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL), uncovered an en­emy weapons cache 17 miles south of Quang Ngai City. The cache contained five machineguns, six sub-machineguns, three 81m:n mortar tubes, two radios and a smal.l 8IIIOmrt. of munitions. The cache was estimated to have been in place two IIIOIlths, was in good condition, and was evacuated.

12 Decamber

- HQ MACV - The fo1low:l.ng MEMORANDUM Fm COllRESPONIJENTS was released with toda;r's evening release: Reporting of Indirect Fire Attacks. The U.S. C'.onnsnd news releases have heretofore reported total. indirect fire attacks in country. Effective 14 December, the MACV releases will ~ report those attacks against U.S. installations or units. The RVNAF will release information on indirect fire attacks against the RVNAF and populated areas.

- IFFV (BINH DINH PROVINCE) - At 2020, an element of the l7.3rd Airborne Brigade ambushed an estimated enemy squad 16 miles south of Bong Son. Helicopter gunships supported the action and contact was lost at 2200. Five enemy soldiers were ld.lled and four individual weapons were captured. U.S. casualties were five wounded.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Air Force F-l.OO aircraft was hit by ElIlerq ground fire, crashed in Kompong Cham Province of Cambodia, and was destrayed. The pilot was rescued with no injuries.

HQ MACV - A U.S. Air Force B-57 aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire, crashed in the Lower Panhandle area of Laos and was destrayed. Both crelllllelllbers were rescued. Their condition is UIlknOlill at this time.

12

.------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG TRI PROVINCE) - At about 1930, a member of a U.S. patrol from the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechamizell.), was wounded, «i.ther by a booby trap or an anti-personnel mine. The pat:roJ., 1IIb1le evacuating the 1IOUJIded man in the dark, inadvertently entered an old U.S. mine field one lI1le south of the DMZ, and detonated an undstenained number of anti-perscmnaJ. mines. Total. U.S. casualties were six Idlled and tllO wounded. The two SUl"Iivore were flV'acuated to the 18th Surgical. Hospital..

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Air Force 0--2 aircraft. failed to retum from its mission over the Lower panhandle of Laos. Ext.ans1ve search and rescue operations have not found the aircraft. The aircraft is presumed dolIIl and the two cr8Wlll.Ellllbel'll are listed as missing in action.

13 December

- IFFV (PIUOC LONG PROVINCE) - At about 1630, a U.S. ArIfII 00-6 helicopter was hit by en8II\Y ground fire, crashed and was dest.l'01ed Z7 mUes SE of Phuoc Binh. One U.S. cr8ll!ll8ll was Idlled and two U.S. were wounded.

- IIFFV (BINH TUY PROVINCE) - At 0950, a U.S. ArrrT3 OH-6 helicopter was hit by enav grou:ad fire, crashed and was destl'01ed 22 mUes NE of Tanh Linh. U.S. casualties were three wo1Uldecl.

14 December

_ mAC (VINH LONG PROVINCE) - At about 1015, helicopter c~en from the 164th CGImbIrt. Aviation Group observed and engaged an undetenained size enenw force lIhile in an area 14 miles SW of Vinh Long. Ten enenw bodies were obserV'ed in the area follow.!ng the strike. There were no friend1:1 casuaJ.ties.

15 December

_ IIFFV (BINH TUY PROVINCE) - At about l4l5, a U.S. ArrrT3 OH-6 helicopter was hit by 8llell\.V" ground fire, crashed and was destl'01ed one mile west of Gio Linh. Two U.S. crewmen were wounded in the crash.

_ IIFFV (BINH TUY PROVINCE) - At about 0930, a U.S. A.rIrv OH-6 helicopter was hit by enenw ground fire, crashed and was destroyed 28 miles NE of Tanh Linh. Three U.S. were wounded.

_ OPERATION FREDERICK HILL (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At about 0930, an element of the 196th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) , uncovered a 3-ton rice cache lIhile operating in an area four miles SE of An Hoa. The rice, stored in 55 and 3D-gallon drums, was in good condition and was evacuated.

1.6 December

- ID'FV (BINH DINH PROVlliCE) - An undetermined size enemy force combined smaJ.J. anus, automat.ic weapons and rocltet-grenade fire in a l.at.e night. ambush against a U.S. calNoy travelling east on ~ 1.9, eight mUes east of An Khe. Members of the convoy returned fire and were supported by helicopter gunships and U.S. Air Force F-1.00s from t.he 35th Tactical. Figlrt.er Wing. Enemy casualties are unknown. U.S. casuaJ.t.ies were one ld.l.l.ed and eight liOunded whil.e materiel. damage to the convoy was light.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. ~ OH-6 helicopter was hit by enf.1117 ground fire, crashed and was destroyed in Thua Thien Province. There were no U.S. casualties.

1.7 December

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Marine Corps F-4 was hit by enemy ground fire, crashed and was destroyed in the Upper PanhaDdl.e of Laos. Both crelllllElllbers were recovered in good condition.

1.8 December

- HQ MACV - Two U.I. ArIsI;r OH-6 helicopters collided shortl;y atter take­off tron Vinh IDng Air Fiel.d in Vinh Long Province. All tour U.S. cre~u!IIDbers were ld.l.l.ed and both aircraft were destroyed.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. ~ OH-6 helicopter _s hit by enea;v- ground fire, crashed and was destroyed 32 mUes SW of Bach Gia. Three U.S. personnel. were lIOunded.

- :mv CORPS (QUANG !WI PROVlliCE) - At about 0700, an element of the 5th Regl.ment, 1.st Marine DivUion, engaged an estimated .30 enf.1117 soldiers in an area 20 mUes SSE of Da Nang. The Marines were supported by artilJ.er,y and the bodies of eight enf.1117 soldiers were found in the area. In addition, tliO enf.1117 were detained. U.S. casualt.ies were one lIOunded.

- X1J.V CORPS (THUA THIEN PROITINCE) - A U.S. convoy, travelling on Highway 1 to-ro Phu Bai, received small anus and IIDrtar fire from an undetermined size enemy force 1.3 mUes NW of Da Nang at 1.51.5. The enemy tire was ret.1Il"Ded and t.he calNCIy was supported by helicopter gunships. Enemy casualties are unknow. U.S. casualties were one ld.l.l.ed and four lIOunded. Light. materiel. damage was reported to the calNoy.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Air Force 0'l-1.0 aircraft crashed from unknown caues one mUe east. of Chu Lai in the South China Sea. The pilot was killed in t.he crash.

14

19 Decanber

- XXIV CORPS (QUMlG TRI PlIOVINCE) - At 0145, an element of the lOlst Airborne Division eogaged an estimated 15 en~ soldiers 28 miles west 01' Quang Tri City. The troopers were supported by helicopter gunships. Ten en~ soldiers were killed in the action and there were no friendly cuualties.

- XXIV CORPS (THUA THII!1I PROVINCE) - During a two-hour period t~, helicopter gunships Cl'8lGeJl fram the 101st Airborne Division eogaged an undetermined size en~ force s:i.x different times. The actions took place 'llithin a three-mile area centered three miles NE of A Luoi. Thirteenen~ soldiers were killed by the gunships, and four crew­served weapons were destroyed. In addition, t'110 1ndividual. weapons were .aptured. There were no fri~ casualties.

- ~ MACV' - A U.S. ~ OH-6 helicopter was hit by en~ ground fire, crashed and was destroyed in Thua Thien Province, 14 miles SE of Hue. The t1olO U.S. crewmen were wunded.

- IFFV (NINH TlRJAN PROVINCE) - At about 1235, a U.S. forward air controller, while on a reconnaissance mission 15 miles north of Phan Rang, spotted an undetermined size enemy force in a bunker complex. U.S. Air Force F-4 aircraft fram the 12th Tactical. Fighter Wing were directed onto the en6lll1 position and six en6lll1 were killed. III addition, five enEIIIY bunkers were damaged or destroyed. There were no friendly casualties.

- IIFFV (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At about 1645, a U.S. convay travelling south on ~ 4, received rocket-grenade and small almS fire fram an undetermined size en6lll1 force about 11 miles NE of Tay Hinh City. The mel!lbers of the COTI'Iay returned fire. One enEIIIY soldier was detained. U.S. casualties were one killed and three llOunded. Light:. materiel damage to the convay was reported.

- HQ MACV' - A U.S. Navy UH-l helicopter crashed fram unknown caues and was destroyed in Bac Lieu Province. Six U.S. persoIUlel were killed in the crash.

20 December

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG TRI PROVINCE) - At about 0800, helicopter crewmen from an aviation elEl!lent of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), observed and engaged an estimated seven enemy soldiers 18 miles NW of Quang Tri City and about t'WO miles south of the DMZ. A short time later, an aerial. rifle elEl!lent was inserted into the area and engaged an undetermined size enEIIIY force. Seven enemy soldiers were killed in the combined action, and one radio was captured. One fanner enemy soldier, acting as a scout for the rifie element, was killed.

15

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NAM PROVmCE) - At about 0545, an element of the 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, wbil.e in a night defensive position, observed 12 enElllW soldiers nine miles Si'l of Hoi An. The Marines Elllgaged the enElllW 1d.th small arms fire and were supported by artillery. EnElllW losses in the action were seven ld.l1ed and one detained. Two U.S. Marines were liOunded.

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG TIN PROVmCE) - At about lloo, an el.ement of the 196th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (AMEIlICAL). uncovered an enemy rice cache stored in an 8 :r; 10 foot structure nine miles WSW of Tam Ky. The six tons of rice, unpolished and in good condition, 1ii1l be evacuated.

21 December

- IIFFV (PHUOC WNG PROVINCE) - At approximately 1215. an element of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cwalry Division (Aimoblle). engaged an estimated enemy squad 26 miles ESE of Phuoc Binh. One enemy soldier and tliO individual weapons were captured. There were no U.S. casualties. The 2nd Brigade also ctl.scovered a t'WO-ton enemy rice cache stored in bins at the site. The rice was in good condition and estimated to have been in place for about \liO IOOIIths.

- HQ MAC\T - A U.S. Air Force F-4 aircraft crashed 1'ram unkno1II!l causes and was destroyed in the Lower Panhandle of Laos. Both Crellllell were recovered in good conctl.tion.

- oo.C (KIEN HOA PROVmCE) - At about 0300, a U.S. Navy SEAL Team EIlt­

changed small arms fire 1d.th an undetermined size enemy force six mil.es NE of Ben Tre. Enemy losses are unknown. U.S. casualties were tliO killed and one wunded. In adctl.tion. a former enElllW soldier acting as a scout was wunded.

22 December

- IIFFV (PHUOC WNG PROVmCE) - At about 0040, an eJ.ement of the 1st Cwalry Division (Ai:nnoblle), operating 22 miles NE of Phuoc Binh, discovered an enemy cache stored in three huts and contained tliO tons of unpolished rice, 40 pounds of com, two indiv:JAual weapons, two radios and a small amount of mectl.cal supplies. The cache was in good conctl.tion and estimated to have been in place tliO IOOIIths. The rice and corn were destroyed and the other items were evacuated.

23 December

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At about 1045, two reconn&isSBnce elements of the 1st Marine Division engaged an undetermined size enElllW force at a cave entrance 2l miles NSW of Da Nang. The Marines were supported by helicopter gunships and. artillery. and the bodies of .. Clq" soldiers were found following the action. One lJarine was liOunded.

16

- IIFFV (LONG KHANH PROVmCE) - At about 2100, an element ot the 2nd Brigade, 25th In!antry Division, received an undetermined. number ot hand-grenades from an undetermined. size enq- torce nine mUes west ot Xuan Loc. The troopers retumed. fire with organic weapons II!ld were supported. by helicopter gun8hips. Five enq- soldiers were ld..lJ.ed. in the action. There were no tri~ casualties.

24 DecelJlber

- m MAr (DA NANG) - Lieutenattt General. Donn J. Robertson assumed COIIIDand ot the m Karine Alllphibious Force at 0830 at Camp Brooks, Da Nang.

- HQ MACV - United. States, Republic ot Vietnam and other Free Werld. torces suspended COIIIbat operations at 1800 in observance ot Christm8ll. Operations will. remain suspended until 1800 tomorrow.

- XXIV CClU'S (QUANG NOO PROVINCE) - At 1700, helicopter gunships ot the 23rd In!antry Division (AMERICAL), received. small arms fire 1'rom an undetemined aise EIIl~ torce 25 mUes WlIW ot Quang Ngai City. The helicopter crSllllElll EIIlgaged the enq- with onboarci ordn.ance II!ld the bodies ot six enEII\Y soldiers were siehted in the strike area tollowing the action. There were no trien~ casualties.

..... HQ MACV - A U.S. Air Force A-l aircraft crashed from unknoIIn causes in the Plain or Jars region in Laos and was destroyed. The pilDt is missing.

- XXIV CORPS (THUA. THIEN PROVmCE) - At about 1615, an element ot the 1st Brigade, 101at Airborne Division while in a night detensive position II mUes SW ot Hue, received one round ot 105mn artillery trom a U.S. artillery position. U.S. casualties were nine ld..lJ.ed and nine wounded. In add1tion, one tormer enq- soldier serring as a scout was wounded. The incident is under investigation.

- IIFFV (BINH LONG PROVINCE) - A U.S. AnIv AH-l helicopter received eneJIIY eround fire, crashed and was destroyed in Binh Long Province 10 mUes NNE of An Loc. Two U.S. cre\'allen were ld..lJ.ed in the crash.

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At about 1515, an element of the 5th Reg1Jnent, 1st Marine DiviSion, while operating seven mUes SE of An Hea, engaged an estimated eneJIIY squad with organic weapons. EneII\Y losses were five ld..lJ.ed and two detained. In addition, five ind1viduaJ. weapons, three radios, 24 back-packs, and about 300 pounds of rice were captured. U.S. casualties were two wounded with no tatalities.

17

25 December

- HQ MACV - United states, Republic of Vietnam and other Free World forces lJUSPended combat. operations at 1800 yesterday, 24 December. All of 1200 today, tm erlEIIIY initiated incidents were reported against U.S. forces, of which one was significant. U.S. c88Ulll.ties reported for the first 18 hours of the truce period are one 'IIOUllded.

- HQ IWW - A U.S. Army 00-58 helicopter was hit by eneDij'" ground fire, crashed and was destroyed 10 mUes north of An 10c in Binh Long lIrovince. One U.S. crewmen was 'WOunded.

26 Decenber

- HQ MACV - United states, Republic of Vietnam, and other Free World forces suspended combat operations from 1800, 24 December to 1800, 25 December. During the period, 26 enent{ initiated incidents were reported against U.S. forces, of which five were considered sign­ificant (those incidents in which erlEIIIY or friendl;y casualties occur). As a result of the significant inCidents, U.S. casualties were four \iOunded with no fatalities. Enemey losses were five ld.lled, one detained, and three 1nd1v1dual weapons captured.

- mv CORPS (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At abo~ 1220, a U.S. Marine Combined Unit Pacification Program (CUFF) Team of the 5th Reg:l.ment, 1st Marine Div1si.on, engaged an undetermined size enElll\1 force six mUes west of Hoi An. The Drines were supported by helicopter gunships and the bodies of three enEIIDY soldiers were found in the action area. In addi.tion, seven enq- soldiers were detained.

Zl December

- IFFV (KONTUM PROVINCE) - At 1150, helicopters on a visual reconnaissance mission spotted an enEIIDY base camp 15 mUes NNE of Kontum. A forward air controller (FAC) was contacted and tactical air strikes were called ia. The FAC conf1nned 14 e:nent{ ld.lled and the base camp destroyed.

28 December

- IFFV (BlNH THUAN PROVINCE) - At about 0220, an undetermined size enElIlY" force launched an:.' undetermined number of mortar rounds and a ground attack against IFl'V artillery Eilements one mUe SW of Phan Thiet. U.S. forces returned fire and contact continued .for about II) minutes. EnEIIDY losses in the attack are unknown. U.S. casualties 1rere nine wounded with no fatalities.

18

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) ... At about 1230, a reconnaissance element from the 5th Regi:mll!lt, 1st Marine Division, found three caves 10 miles NW of An Ho.. The caves contained three tons of unpolished rice in poor condition, four indiv:!.dual weapons and one 5OO-pound bomb. The rice .... destroyed.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Navy A-7 aircraft crashed from unknown causes and was destroyed in the Upper Panhandle of Laos. The pilot was re­covered in godd cond:i.ticm.

- IIFFV (BINH TUI PROIlINCE) - At about 2045, an element of the 3rd Brigade, 1st CavaJ.rr Division (Airmobile), engaged an undstem:l.ned size enemy force 11 miles south of Tanh Linh. Enemy losses in the action were seven ldlled. In addition, three individual weapons were captured. There were no U.S. casualties.

29 December

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Arm3 OH-6 helicopter was hit by enemy ground fire, crashed and was destroyed in Quang Ngai Province, 11 miles HE of Quang Ngai City. There were no casualties in the crash.

30 December

- HQ MACV - A U.S. UH-l helicopter was hit by enemy ground tire, crashed and was destroyed in Vinh Binh Province 17 miles WSW of Phu Vinh. Two U.S. personnel were wounded in the crash.

- XXIV CORPS (QUANG NGAI PROVINCE) - At about 0900, a U.S. Air Force forward air controller (FAC) spotted an unknown size enemy force 23 miles WSW of Quang Ngai City. Tactical air strikes were called in and ldlled six lI!lemy soldiers.

- HQ MACV - A U.S. Arm3 UH-l helicopter was hit by enemy ground fire, crashed and was destroyed in Tuyen Duc Province, 12 NW of Da Lat. Five U.S. personnel were wunded.

- HQ MACV - The Fifth Increment of Troop Redeployment, which began in mid-Qctober, was completed today with the departure of the U.S. Navy1s River Assault Squadron 15 from the Republic of Vietnam. Included in this increment were 38,100 A:rary, 1,300 Navy and (f;X) Air Force spaces. Major elements in the Fifth Increment were the 25th In1'antr,y Division less one brigade, and the 4th In1'antr,y Division. These redeploymll!lts reduced in-countr,y strength authorizations to 344,000, and, as previously announced by President Nixon, will. be further reduced to 284,000 by 1 May 1971.

19

-------------------

31 December

- HQ MACV - The fol.l.owi.ng MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDl!m?S was released toda;y: Subject: Interdiction of Ho Chi M:i.Dh Trail. A large North Vietnamese Aras:r truck park and storage area located along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. in Laos was stwck by aircraft of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy betlftll!l!l December 19 and 28. Pilots reported destroying or damaging over 40 trucks, igniting more than 7,000 seconda17 explosions, and causing some 225 sustained fires. The target was discovered by a U.S. Air Force forward air controller (FAC). Fighter­bombers and B-52 aircra.rt lftlre directed to the s~ and truck build-up in the IDwer PlIZIhandle of Laos. Aircratt:. encountered heavy North Vietnamese anti-aircra.rt fire to hit the targets but no planes lftlre lost. The mmnm 1:tion and supplies destroyed lftlre destined for CODlDlm1 st forces operating in C8IIbodia and in the Republic of Vietnam..

- HQ MACV - United States, Republic of Vietnam, and other Free World forces suspended combat operations at 1800 todq for a 24-hour period.

- IIFFV (TAY NINH PROVINCE) - At about UOQ, an element of the 1st Br:I.gad.e, 1st Caval.17 Il1vision (Ail'lllDbile), received small. ama, autCllllatic weapons, and rocket-grenade fire from an lDl.detendned size eneuw force in a bunker complc 11 m:!.les NE of Tay Ninh City. The troopers returned fire with organic weapons and were supported by helicopter gunships and tactical air strike.. Eight eneuw soldiers were killed in the air strikes, and five bunkers and a 20 X 20 foot structure lftlre cl.:royed. U.S. casuaJ.tiss lftlre 16 woUDded.

- IlMAC (KIEN GIANG PROVINCE) - At about UOO, a U.S. Navy river logistics cra.rt received fire from an undetendned size eneay force 20 m:!.les east of Rach Gia. Eneay casualties are unknown. U.S. casualties were five U.S. Navy personnel killed.

20

g~!2~!:!~~fi .Q.A§'llA~~TX &!3.:r.R~!iQ:r.H !2.:r.~:r.!!2.:r.!Q~

';f~ KIA Since KIA Since iiIA ·,iI.A ',;lJ,. Sin.ce ',iIA Since

!:JiPlilG Ky. ;l,. ~. afl .. 6). ;3 Jan. 70 H.osI' Non-lios!, 1 .. J~._6). 3Jan. .79

5 Dec 'Zl 44,115 4,078 103 92 292,540 29,755

12 Dec 29 44,144 4,107 205 172 292,917 30,132

19 Dec 23 44,167 4,1)0 108 52 29),077 )u,292

26 Dec 41 44,208 4,171 67 80 293,224 30,439

Yearly US KIA low to date: 19 Dec 70 (23) • Yearly US KIA high to date: 16 May 70 (27) •

\"JEEK EN KIA Since EN KIA Since

ENDING. !'JYJ. EN,IqA 1 Jan 61 3 Jan 70

5 Dec 1,434 1,436 686,297 99,726

12 Dec 1,430 1,392 687,687 101,118

19 Dec 1,431 1,433 689,120 102,551

26 Dec 1,432 1,253 690,373 103,804

;·;je/I as of J Jan 70: 1,356

STRE;NY,TH-::JN-CO\lliTRY

WEEK COAST US OFF-SHOru;

Jj;RDING A,RMY MARlllli.!2. Am FORC,):; NAVY GUARD SUB-TOTAL f\'IMAF (!i131' -- _ USCG)

3 Dec 263,900 25,300 43,300 17,100 100 349,700 67,500 18,500 - 500

10 Dec 258,300 25,000 43,300 17,000 100 343,700 67,500 18,500 - 500

17 Dec 253,800 25,300 43,300 16,700 100 339,200 67,400 18,500 - 500

24 Dec 252,400 25,600 43,100 16,700 100 337,900 67,400 18,500 - 500

31 Dec 250,700 25,400 43,100 16,500 100 335,800 67,400 18,500 - 5UO

Peak US Strength Apr 69: 543,400; DO.1I1 from Peak Strength 31 Dec 70: (;oJ 207,600; Authorized Strength 31 Dec 70: 344,000

21

1 Dec

1 Dec

1 Dec

1 Dec

1 Dec

1 Dec

1 Dec

2 Dec

2 Dec

2 Dec

2 Dec

3 Dec

" Dec

, Dec

8 Dec

10 Dec

10 Dec

10 Dec

10 Dec

12 Dec

DECF>ffiER

TROOP REDEPLOYMENTS

(Fifth Increment)

---------.-----

Unit Service Spaces

45th General Support Group USA

243rd Fld Svc Co (as) USA

560th Light Maint. Co. (00) USA

188th Ordn8Ilce Co (Ammo) USA

HHC, 4th Inf Div USA

Coastal Squad #1, Coastal Div #13 USN

11th PI Det USA

1st lb, 27th Arty USA

561st Tr8IlS Co; 3 ~ Det; USA 30 Mil Biat Det; 853rd Sig Det

25th MP Co USA

543rd Tr8IlS Co USA

25th AG Co USA

HHC, 25th In!' Div USA

HHC, 25th Div Support Command USA

Color Guards, 4th 8Ild 25th Inf Div. USA

74th Radio Research Co USA

54th Info Det USA

48th Ar~ Postal Unit USA

758th Sup & Svc Co USA

669th Tr8IlS Co USA

22

90

60

185

120

175

185

20

540

170

150

180

355

85

105

145

160

20

10

170

160

!:!m Unit Service Spaces

12 Dec 385th 'olM Det USA 10

15 Dec Mine Div - 112 USN 70

15 Dec 19 Eng Bn USA 810

15 Dec HHC, 79th Eng Gp USA 110

15 Dec 12th Evac Hospital USA 305

15 Dec 190th Assault Hel Co USA 290

21 Dec River Assault Squad 5 USN 255

23