FIRE MISSION

Although the artilleryman has had little fanfare for the more than one million rounds he has fired against the enemy in the 4th Division area of operations, every infantryman will agree that the "Redleg" is worth his weight in gold.

The division receives artillery support from its organic units of Division Artillery and also from the 52nd Artillery Group. The organic units of Division Artillery include three battalions of 105mm light towed howitzers and one composite battalion of 155mm and 8-inch howitzers. The 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery is direct support of the 1st Brigade; the 4th Battalion, 42nd Artillery is direct support of the 2nd Brigade; and the 5th Battalion, 16th Artillery is in general

8" Guns Throw Out 200 Pounds Of Lead

Preparing 105mm Rounds For "Charlie"

support of the division. The 2nd Battalion, 9th Artillery is in direct support of and attached to the 3rd Brigade, which is further attached to the Americal Division.

With the aid of Chinooks and "Cranes" for airlifts, the artillery has maintained the mobility needed to support the infantry in the remote jungle areas.

During Operation Francis Marion, the artillery fired more than 400,000 rounds in thwarting the monsoon offensive by the NVA in western Pleiku Province. The 2nd Brigade, supported by 4/42nd Artillery, had two major contacts in the area south of Duc Co with an estimated NVA regiment. In the two contacts more than 400 NVA were killed.

In November 1967, the 1st Brigade, supported by the 6/29th Artillery, made contact with an estimated three NVA regiments in the area of Dak To. The ensuing Battle of Dak To involved three US brigades, supported by 17 batteries of artillery, and resulted in more than 1600 NVA killed in action.

The devastating firepower of the artillery continues to be a major factor in quelling the enemy offensives and in demoralizing and defeating the NVA forces.