Chapter IX - Document A

Translation of VC Document (see map on Pleime Ambush)
Top Secret (VC classification)

Combat Order for an Ambush by the 32d Regiment
Prepared at Regimental Headquarters/Plei-Luc-Chin
At 1500 hours, 12 Oct. 1965, Pleiku, Plei The (YA 815 008)
Map: scale 1/100000 made in 1962

1. After the initial attack on Pleime the GVN will likely send a relief column. The relief column will probably be composed of one ARVN Battle Group and one Armored Battle Group from the 24th STZ. There will probably be one or two US battalions in reserve. The relief forces could come by air or by road, which ever is the most suitable. They could arrive at the battle area in one or two days. Their battle formation could operate up to one kilometer from the road. They could have the infantry and armor elements interposed with each other; as an example an Armor element leading with the infantry 500m to one kilometer behind. After the ARVN elements are ambushed they will pull back to the O-Gri area to regroup. ARVN forces behind the ambushed element will probably move to the area of Po Post (20-14), O-Gri (22-18) and Klan (26-22).

2. In order to defeat the ARVN forces and those American forces engaged, all general activities must be coordinated throughout the battle area. To widen the liberation zone and develop guerrilla movement, the Field Front Headquarters orders the 32d Regiment (minus 7th Company, 966th Battalion) with two anti-aircraft companies, to destroy the ARVN infantry and armor units moving on Provincial Road 21 (TN. Provincial Route 5) from Phu My (AR750 275) to Pleime (ZA150 065).

a. The sector from O-Gri to Chu Von is the main sector (for the ambush),

b. Units are responsible for attacking any enemy units that are air-landed in their zone. The ARVN air landings will probably be at Po and Pia posts.

c. We will destroy the ARVN forces outside of Phu My (AR750 275) and O-Gri by weapons fire, mines and explosives.

d. We will attack the ARVN forces concentrated at the junction of Phu My and O-Gri.

e. We must be prepared to conduct an attack along with the 33d Regiment.

3. The 33d Regiment has the mission of attacking and encircling Pleime thus causing the enemy to send a relief force which will be destroyed by the 32d Regiment.

4. Based on the missions outlined above the 32d Regiment has the following missions:

a. Set up an ambush to destroy the ARVN units on Road 21 (PR5).

b. The ambush will be conducted using the terrain from Hill 538 (16-14-4) to Hill 601 (20-18-9) (4 kilometers).

c. The 334th and 635th Battalions will be at position 1. The 966th Battalion will be at position 2.

5. The 635th Battalion, with one machinegun platoon from the regimental machinegun company and with two 57mm recoilless rifles and two 90mm Rocket launchers (B.40) from the 966th Battalion will deploy on the west side of Hill 538 and Hill Siu (18-14-9); and has the following mission:

a. Occupy one part of the regimental area and block one part of the road into the regimental area. This section of the regimental road is from Hill 538 to the north side of the "lone tree" hill.

b. The battalion will conduct violent attacks on the enemy, attacking from many points in order to separate the enemy forces.

c. The battalion will occupy Hill 538 and the "lone tree" hill in order to canalize the enemy down the valley and destroy them.

d. The 655th Battalion will organize its firepower to destroy tanks and infantry and to shoot down any enemy aircraft bringing reinforcements.

e. The 1 combat formation will be in reserve (TN exact translation and thus meaning, could not be determined. Could mean one company will be held in reserve).

f. The left portion of the combat line of the 334th Battalion, located on the north side of the "lone tree" hill, remains under the command of the 334th Battalion.

6. The 334th Battalion with one platoon of the regimental machinegun company, one platoon of the regimental 75mm recoilless rifle company, the regimental mortar company and one 90mm rocket launcher (B.40) from the 966th Battalion will deploy on the west side and the south west side of the hill at coordinates 20-16-7 and has the following missions:

a. Occupy one part of the regimental area.

b. Blocking one section of the road in the regimental area, within the area from the south side of Hill Blou to the north side of Hill 601.

c. Use violent attacks to cut off the enemy forces in the rear.

d. Cut off the enemy counterattack elements in order to hold the battlefield under friendly control.

e. Attack at many points to separate enemy formations.

f. Seize Hill Blou, Hill 600, and Hill Ngon-Ho (18-18-1).

g. Destroy and capture all enemy troops within the battle area.

h. The battalion will organize its firepower to destroy enemy tanks, and infantry and to shoot down aircraft bringing enemy reinforcements.

i. The 1 combat formation will be a reserve, (TN Exact translation and thus meaning could not be determined. Could mean one company will be held in reserve).

7. The 966th Battalion (minus the 7th Company) with the 2d Anti-Aircraft Company will deploy at Hill 530 and has the following missions:

a. Occupy position 2.

b. Be prepared to move in any direction to support position 1 as follows:

- (1) Hill Blou, Hill 600 and Hill Ngon-Ho.

- (2) The "lone tree" Hill.

- (3) Ready to attack ARVN forces air-landed in the areas of Po and O-Gri

- (4) Encircle enemy troops from the rear at O-Gri or Hill 600.

- (5) Be prepared to attack O-Gri or Po post.

8. 1st Anti-Aircraft Company will deploy on the west side of the Ia Drang River. Mission is to shoot down enemy aircraft and protect the 334th Battalion during its operations.

9. The Regimental Anti-Aircraft Company will deploy on the South side of Hill Siu. Mission is to shoot down enemy aircraft and protect the 635th Battalion and Regimental Headquarters.

10. The regimental 75mm recoilless rifle company (minus one platoon) is the reserve unit for attacking tanks of the enemy armored regiment. The company must first seize Siu village and then destroy enemy tanks on the north side of Hill 536. After the infantry has assaulted enemy elements on the road, the 75mm recoilless rifle company will withdraw and be in reserve for destroying tanks.

11. The Regimental Engineer Company has the following missions:

a. Cau truc Regimental Headquarters. (Cau Truc is NVA military terminology which could not be translated. It could mean "protect" or "secure").

b. Xoi 2 truc to protect the regiment during its operation (Xoi 2 truc is NVA military terminology which could not be translated).

c. Establish two controlled mine fields at O-Gri and Po Post.

d. Establish two deception areas at Hill 516 and on the east side of Ngon Ho Hill.

12. Regimental Headquarters will be located on the west side of Hill Siu.

13. Time of completion and preparation of operation.

14. Report time.

15. Report by direct means.

Regimental Commander: To Dinh Khan

Field Grade Political Officer: Nguyen Chuc

Chief of Staff

(paper torn off at this point)

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