Vietnam War Timeline

32
30 January 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn (1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Charmaine YA999219

Unit Locations:
A 1/35 (-) ZA012174
A Co 4th Platoon LZ Charmaine YA999219
B 1/35 OPCON to 1/14
C 1/35 ZA065180
D 1/35 (-) LZ Charmaine YA999219
Recon LZ Charmaine YA999219
4.2" LZ Charmaine YA999219
2/9 radar LZ Charmaine YA999219

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 30 January 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Charmaine YA999219, Battalion Headquarters (Forward); D Company, A Company 4th platoon, E Company, C Company 4th platoon, counter-mortar section from the 2/9 artillery; A Company ZA012174; C Company ZA065180; OPCON units; B Company OPCON to 1/14 Inf; At LZ Oasis Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Froward); At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).

At 1545 hours C Company reported that they had made contact with approximately a squad size enemy force, the enemy employed M-79 rounds, the contact was broken at 1550 hours, no us casualties and no enemy assessment was made.

At 1925 hours B Company arrived at LZ Charmaine from OPCON 1/14 Inf.

At 2310 hours C Company reported that an EM line no. 123 had been attacked by a tiger.

At 2320 hours the cat came back and he was spotted with a flare that was fired, the perimeter opened up with M-16 on the area where the LP's had been sent out, the LP sustained a flesh wound in the left leg, the company was not sure if the burst of fire had killed the cat or not.

0740 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY-2100 hours 28 January 1969- From the Bde CO to the Bn CO: Request that Lt. Childs be assigned the project officer for the Airmobile demonstration, 21 individuals including 16 skit characters and Lt. Childs will report to the Bde S-3 on 1 February 1969 must have the same skit character as originally trained with the exception of Lt. Childs, he is to be replaced with a capable individual, if he needs to be replaced request 40 troops, 5 NCO's, include 2 81mm mortars with crew be transferred to LZ Oasis on 3 February 1969, individuals other than the skit characters need not be trained previously individuals will report with all the necessary equipment including 3 PRC-25 radios, the individuals will be returned to the parent unit on or about 11 Feb 69, QSL needed by 20 1200 Jan 69.

1225 hours (C) A Co report on the British camouflage nets, used once, too cumbersome, very ineffective, easier to carry the radio on a rucksack.

1355 hours (C) To D Co from the S-3: Move on 301600 Jan 69 from LZ Charmaine to AO 6 to conduct search and destroy operation, through AO 6 (by foot) through AO 4 to AO 6, period of operations 3-5 days, be prepared to be resupplied by air in the AO, carry enough rations to last for three days, take 1 81mm mortar carry enough malaria pills and water purification tablets to last for the duration of the mission, carry one 292 antenna, set up an ambush of at least a platoon size element each night, hourly Sitreps are required, plans for the next day will be reported by 1700 hours daily, a minimum of personnel will remain at LZ Charmaine to man 1 81mm mortar and maintain the equipment not carried.

1342 hours (C) Recon moved into AO 2 grid 311030 hours to conduct search and destroy operations for a period of three days, set up a night ambush each night, hourly sitreps will be reported, take sufficient rations for three days, take sufficient malaria pills and water purification tablets to last for seven days, take a 292 or field expedient antenna which will accomplish the same thing. Report by 1700 hours the plans for the next day to include planned location of the night ambush, be prepared to be resupplied by aircraft, return to LZ Charmaine NST 031100 February 1969.

1545 hours (C) C Co is in contact with approximately one squad of men with an M-79.

1550 hours (C) C Co reports that the contact has been broken and there are no casualties.

1615 hours (C) C Co negative sitrep, they have moved across the river to the north-northeast, they will work out with the artillery.

1620 hours (C) C Co has swept the area negative findings at this time.

1629 hours (C) The VC were about 200 meters away to the northeast when C Co was hit, C Co was crossing the river at the time.

1703 hours (C) Shamrock 97 is on station with scouts and the guns, they also have ARP's on standby.

2130 hours (C) From the Bde CO to the 1/35 CO: The stand down program has been cancelled until further notice.

2310 hours (C) A cat grabbed a man on the west side of the perimeter (line no. 123 of the January roster) and no movement was heard until the man screamed, they shot a flare and spotted the cat, they opened up with M-16's and the man on the LP line no. 134 of the January roster got a flesh wound in the right leg, they are still not sure if the cat is dead at this time, C co requested a Dust-Off for 0700 hours 31 January 1069. They have a good LZ.