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2d Combined Action Group III Marine Amphibious Force FPO San Francisco, California 96602
1. In accordance with the provision of references (a), (b) and (c),
enclosure (1) is submitted.
2. Downgraded at 3-year intervals, declassified after 12 years, DOD Dir
5200.10.
2d Combined Action Group III Marine Amphibious Force FPO San Francisco, California 96602 COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 1 April 1970 to 30 April 1970 INDEX
Attached Units
Det, Kit Carson Scouts, 1st Marine Division G-2 (C-1) 2. Location 1 April 1970 to 30 April 1970
3. Staff Officers
4. Average Monthly Strength
5. End-of-Month Unit Diary Strength
General: During April the enemy initiated Phase I of the K700
campaign. This campaign was designed to discredit and neutralize
pacification efforts in Quang Nam Province which apparently are deeply
felt by the VC infrastructure. The enemy has placed increased emphasis
on the political objective of destroying the people’s faith in the GVN
as a viable form of security. 2d CAG aimed its efforts to countering
this renewed enemy push in both the military and political area.
During April, the enemy hit District Headquarters, political offices
of the GVN and civilian
centers. On the first of the month Dien Ban District Headquarters, colocated
with CACO 2-3 Headquarters
was hit by 82mm mortar fire. The CACO returned mortar fire causing the enemy
fire to stop. Also on the
first the VC mounted a major terrorist attack on a hamlet 1.8 km east of Dai
Loc District Headquarters.
They burned homes, kidnapped civilians and stole 3 water buffaloes. The
enemy left behind propaganda
leaflets. CACO 2-2 contacted PsyOps, which did an excellent job of turning
this terrorist attack into a
propaganda victory for the GVN.
2d CAG small units have been thoroughly briefed on the dangers of
pulling down VC/NVA propaganda
or flags without first checking for trip wires. This training paid off on
the 3rd when a CAP 2-7-6
patrol discovered a VC flag on a flag pole 6.4 km SW of Hoa Vang District
Headquarters. Checking it out
with the aid of a 1st Marine Regiment Mine Team, they discovered it to be
connected to two M-26
grenades, doubled rigged with trip and pressure release type firing devices.
The two SFDs and flag were
destroyed in place. On the 4th CAP 2-3-2 while conducting a MED CAP 800m NE
of Hieu Nhon District
Headquarters was the target of a terrorist attack. The MEDCAPs have been an
outstanding success, with 2d
CAG units conducting both formal and informal MEDCAPs. Whenever possible, 2d
CAG has had the PF Corpsman
help with the MEDCAPs, bringing across the the people that loyalty to the
GVN has advantages. The VC
realize the success of these MEDCAPs, thus this attack, in an attempt to
frighten the people away from
MEDCAPs. Here again, PsyOps was employed to show the people that the GVN is
looking out for their
welfare.
In line with the field MEDCAPs, conducted by the CAPs, 2d CAG
Headquarters personnel working
with the 2d CAG medical department held daily MEDCAPs for adjacent villages.
In April 2d CAG HQ's
Medical Section started the construction of a building to be used for this
purpose within the compound
area.
On the 11th, the quick deployment of a CAP 2-3-5 patrol in reaction
to a VC kidnapping incident
prevented the capture of two GVN hamlet officials. The VC dressed in 51st
ARVN uniforms entered Trien
Trung Hamlet, killed the hamlet Chief and fled with the two other hamlet
officials. 2-3-5 took the enemy
under fire, at which time the GVN Officials escaped. 2-3-5 captured 2 VCS,
while CAP 2-3-4 captured 1
VCS. The three VCS were turned over to District Headquarters for questioning
and PsyOps was brought in
to use this incident against the enemy. On the 13th the VC attacked the Cam
Chau village office, killing
1 civilian and wounding 9 civilians. Headquarters personnel
from CACO 2-4 gave medical assistance to the wounded and handled their
Medevac to a local hospital. 2d
CAG HQs supplied personnel to go on a combined operation with PBR and UDT
elements of the First Coastal
Zone Advisory Group on the 15th. The patrol discovered 5 bunkers, which were
then destroyed and captured
one individual weapon, later to be delivered to District Headquarters. The
2d CAG HQs unit has in the
past (and continues to do so) given the PBRs stationed at 2d CAG assistance
with man power needs for
sweeps, security elements and blocking forces.
On the following day, the 16th, a multi-CAP operation of CAPs 2-3-1,
2-3-3, 2-3-2, and 2-3-6 had
excellent results with a sweep, discovering (1) 500 lb bomb rigged for
command detonation, (1) 155mm
round, (1) 105mm round, (1) 82mm HE round and 3 bunkers. All ordnance and
the 3 bunkers were destroyed
by the CAPs.
On the 18th in a combined operation with PBR elements of the 1st
Coastal Zone Advisory Group, a
CAP 2-4-2 patrol discovered, and with the aid of a fixed wing attack
destroyed an enemy, company size
base camp. The camp showed evidence of recent use. The CAP captured 100 lbs
of foodstuffs, documents, 2
NVA packs, 1 NVA helmet, and destroyed 15 bunkers.
The CAP personnel of 2d CAG have been trained to be alert to their
surroundings, to pay
attention to any unusual activities and to be able to know most of the
civilians, military personnel in
their area on sight. This training paid off on the 19th when CAP 2-7-5
apprehended a VCS dressed in an
ARVN uniform. The man was unfamiliar to the CAP Marines, a check proved him
to be lacking an ID card and
to be unresponsive to questioning. The VCS was turned over to District
Headquarters for further
interrogation.
On the 30th a CAP 2-2-1 ambush was taken under fire by the enemy.
The CAP returned fire and the
enemy fled in an unknown direction. Returning from their night activity, the
ambush discovered that the
enemy had burned 6 VN civilian homes, kidnapped 50 VN civilians and wounded
1 VN civilian and 1 nonCAP
PF minor. In addition to contacting PsyOps, the CAP arranged for lumber and
sheet metal and gave the
civilians, both the materials and their help in rebuilding the damage caused
by the VC. This type of
assistance, unasked for by the villages, has won the CAP Marines strong
supporters in the villages and
hamlets.
Because of the friendship, trust, that exists between the
populations of hamlets protected by
CAPs and CAP Marines, the Marines receive timely intelligence. On two
incidents, both on the 30th,
intelligence was received from villagers which led to the capture of VC
POWs.
A CACO 2-7 Headquarters patrol captured 2 VC who had attempted to
assassinate the Hamlet Chief
of Thanh Minh. They arrived in time to apprehend these two VC, due to
receiving intelligence from local
villagers on the assassination attempt. CAP 2-4-3 captured 6 VC after the
enemy location was revealed by
local RD Cadre members.
(CONFIDENTIAL)
Training: During April training was carried out by the CACOs
in accordance
with Group Bulletin 1500. All training plans were submitted to the
Commanding Officer, 2d CAG by the
CACOs prior to those plans being used. Training emphasis was placed on
educating the PFs in the use,
care, and repairs of the M60 machine gun and in the use, preventive
maintenance, and lessons in radio
procedure of the PRC-25 radio.
Inspections: During the month of April a regular schedule of
staff inspections was conducted
throughout the CAP’s. These inspections consisted of detailed critiques of
undesirable trends and were
submitted to CACOs so they could take corrective action. Also inspected were
records being kept and
coordination accomplished on both the CACO and CAP levels. Supply and
communications inspections were
also conducted in order to evaluate the state of readiness at the CAP and
CACO level, based on usage
data compiled at 2d CAG Headquarters.
Conference/Meetings:
Staff Conference. 2d CAG Headquarters continued to
hold weekly staff meetings
where matters of multiple staff cognizance were discussed.
Combined Action Company C.O.’s Meeting. During the month of
April meetings were held on
a weekly basis for all Combined Action Company Commanders and the
Headquarters Staff. These meetings
were specifically designed for the purpose of working out problems of
support and coordination, in
addition to promulgating command guidance. At each of these meetings the
individual CACO C.O. or his
representative gave a projection from the DIOCC (District
Intelligence/Operations Control Center)
concerning intelligence in their area for the coming week.
CAP Commanders Conference. In April, at the monthly CAP
Commanders Conference, the
following subjects, approved by the CACO Commanders, were discussed, the
National Police Field Force,
call signs used when receiving a VIP visitor, weapon safety and methods of
handling VC/NVA flags found
flying in the CAP TAOCs.
OJT for 4th CAG Personnel: During April 2d CAG received 6 men
from 4th CAG for on the job
training with 2d CAG’s CAPs. This program is producing excellent results,
with the majority of the 4th
CAG personnel receiving combat experience.
SEQUENTIAL LISTING OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
CONFIDENTIAL 2. Neutralization of Enemy Forces
3. Casualties Sustained
4. New Techniques Employed Negative 5. Command Relationships There were no significant problems in the command relationships between 2d CAG units and coordinating units, Vietnamese, American or Korean. 6. Significant Accomplishments of Attachments
a. ARVN Interpreters/Translators, III
MAF
b. Kit Carson Scouts 1st MarDiv
(G-2) c. Scout Dogs 3rd MPs 1st Mar Div
CONFIDENTIAL 2d CAG made extensive use of Mine and Booby Trap dogs and the Scout dogs from 3rd MPs lst MARDIV. The dogs proved to be a valuable asset to the patrols of 2d CAG small units. 7. Lessons Learned Negative 8. Logistics
The following equipment was received from the Supply Center at Barstow, Calif:
(3) During this period two (2) M37B1's were code H and were sent in for
repair.
(4) This command received during this period (1) M151A1 and (1) M37B1 for the
group motor transport section.
(5) Average deadline times were as follows:
e. Airlift:
(1) During this time period no airlifts have been
scheduled.
f. Messhall:
(1) Approximately 9,570 meals were served during this
period in the
2nd CAG's messhall.
(2) A total of 2,720 meals were distributed to field
units from 2nd CAG's messhall.
g. Armory:
(1) The armory has repaired a total of 65 weapons during
this period. Forty Five (45) weapons were sent in for repair to lst FSR for
3rd echelon maintenance.
h. Miscellaneous Services:
i. Supplies: Supplies are generally satisfactory. Lag periods in
document status continues to delay completion time frames.
j. Problem Areas:
(1) The command's "Critical Problem Areas" has been the
failure to receive the following:
(2) Failure to receive the above mentioned items causes a marked loss of
logistic efficiency. This is especially true as in regards to the PU-482
generators.
(3) Failure to hold (108) 60MM Mortars is the largest deficiency of combat
essential equipment. Unlike generators the failure to have the 60MM Mortars
on hand causes no impairment of this command's tactical efficiency.
9. Civic Action/Psychological Operations 1. During the month of April Civic Action NCO's from the 2d Combined Action Group continued their efforts to act as liaison between Hamlet, Village and District Officials, in initiating Civic Action and Community Development. Civic Action efforts in MedCaps, education, distribution of commodities, personal response and construction projects continued at an acceptable level. 2. The Civic Action NCO's have been working to better their relations with the Vietnamese people by helping them in repairing their homes and roads; also by doing this they have become better acquainted with the people. 3. Several CAPs have been giving out trash barrels to their hamlets and villages under conditions where the people have to hold regular police calls in their own area. The CAPs have made arrangements to pick up the trash barrels for them, and the Hamlet Chief provides the people to dump the trash. The Hamlets have been holding daily police calls due to the trash barrels and the CAP Marines. 4. During the month the CAP Civic Action NCOs have received numerous gifts from people in the United States. These gifts have been clothing, toys, soap and personal hygiene kits. These gifts have been given to the most needy Vietamese in the CAP areas. 5. Several of the CAP Civic Action NCO's have been building bulletin boards in the Hamlets where the Vietnamese can post their important events so that all the people in the hamlets can receive the information. The bulletin boards have become very useful for the Vietnamese people and are therefore appreciated.
6. Commodities distributed during the month of April were as
follows: 7. During April, CAP personnel of the Group assisted the Vietnamese civilians in completing the following projects: fences, 18; public heads, 2; public showers, 4; wells, 21; dwellings, 1; pagodas, 2; bridges, 5; school class rooms, 4; family bunkers, 2. 8. Medical assistance in support of civic action saw MedCaps resulting in the treatment of 10,637 Vietnamese civilians and 36 dental cases were treated. Vietnamese medically evacuated during the month of April were 52 adults and 36 children. 9. CAP corpsmen continued to train Vietnamese civilians in the basics of first aid. During the month 47 such civilians were under going training.
CONFIDENTIAL These aides assist in MedCaps and serve as interpreters for the corpsmen. 10. Psychological operations activities employed by 2d CAG during the month of April included the use of air-dropped leaflets and hand dissemination of leaflets and Vietnamese newspapers. (1) Approximately 30,000 "CAPs are here to help you" leaflets were air dropped. (2) Approximately 40,000 "safe conduct passes" were air dropped. (3) 50,000 reward leaflets were air dropped during the month of April. (4) Approximately 45,000 Vietnamese newspapers were hand distributed by CAP Marines. 10. Personnel and Administration a. Personnel Transactions. During the month of April the following personnel transactions were completed.
CONFIDENTIAL b. Promotions: During the month of April the following promotions were effected:
c. Legal Matters
d. Award Recommendations
e. Congrints/Splints/Welreps The command has responded to:
f. Morale and Welfare
CONFIDENTIAL 1. R&R: The command has utilized the following number of quotas to the R&R areas listed.
2. Mail. Daily average bags of mail processed:
3. Hospital Visitations. All Incountry Hospital patients are visited weekly by their respective CACO Commanders. g. Career Planning
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11. Intelligence
Captured enemy documents in Quang Nam Province revealed that the
enemy started in late March, early April the Phase I of the K700 campaign.
Other captured documents and agent reports revealed the enemy planned to
return to guerrilla warfare with an emphasis on the more traditional
insurgent tactics of widespread hit and run raids, sabotage, terrorism,
attacks-by-fire, and intensified political - economic warfare. Actual combat
experience in 2d CAG confirmed these reports with a high rate of terrorist
incidents recorded during April. English language enemy propaganda was
directed against CAG units. The CAP program is a threat to the VC
efforts.
The terrorist incidents and VC propaganda during April
were directed against GVN officials and buildings. In some cases the VC
directly attacked civilian groups in an effort to destroy the peoples'
faith in the GVN as a viable form of security. After these attacks the
VC left behind
CONFIDENTIAL
propaganda statements to the effect that the GVN cannot be much good if it
can not protect your lives, homes and fields.
The enemy is having problems with both troop morale and
logistics of vitally needed foodstuffs. Captured documents in Dien Ban
District revealed that VC units in the area are not receiving cooperation
from local villagers. The local villagers refuse to sell them food and those
who are willing to traffic with the VC are prevented by CAP checkpoints from
getting their foodstuffs to the VC. A POW captured from the 141st NVA
Regiment stated that the troops of this Regiment are close to a state of
mutiny due to bad morale and constant setbacks suffered at the hands of
allied forces.
Other reports from POWs and captured documents substantiate the
visual sightings of mixed NVA/VC units, as mentioned in last months
chronology. This farming out of NVA regulars to local force VC units
indicates two things. One, the enemy has suffered man power losses and two,
that he is indeed reverting to guerrilla type warfare.
Political activity by the enemy as revealed in captured
documents are aimed at discrediting GVN land reform activities. VC agents
were instructed by this directive (10/CT/TV) dated 6 April 1970, to motivate
the villages in Hoa Vang District to boycott the GVN land reform program and
to refuse to supply the GVN with documentary records concerning land
ownership of the villages.
12. Communications
a. Problem areas
This command received batteries for the AN/PRC-25 which were outdated, thereby causing a high rate of battery use.
b. Communications:
1. Radio Relay. A period of 6 hours down time was recorded for the MRC-62. 4 hours of this time was due to a frequency blockage caused by another radio relay using the same frequency. 2 hours of down time was due to the breakage and replacement of an antenna.
2. Battery usage BA 396. 1428 batteries were used during the month, 149 AN/PRC-25 radios were in use.
3. Combat Operation Center. The following communications traffic was passed through the combat operations center over various nets.
| Incoming Messages | 362 | |||
| Outgoing Messages | 198 | |||
| Spot Reports | 265 | |||
| Intelligence Reports | 4 | |||
| Casualty Reports | 31 |
CONFIDENTIAL
| Serious Incident Reports | 0 | |||
| Commanders Daily Summary | 243 | |||
| Total Traffic | 1103 |
4. Communications Supply. Components of end items were in adequate stock throughout the entire month. The following list reflects requisition status of communcation items.
| Requisitions Submitted | 0 | |||
| Requisitions Completed | 5 | |||
| Requisitions Outstanding | 47 | |||
| Total Outstanding | 47 |
5. Maintenance. Excellent maintenance support on repair of components of end items was provided by Electronic Maintenance from FLSG-B. Total support provided by FLSG-B Electronic Maintenance was as follows:
| Work Requests Submitted | 126 | |||
| Work Requests Completed | 126 | |||
| Work Requests Outstanding | 0 | |||
| Total Outstanding | 0 |
13. Fire Support
During April 2d CAG units called in (8) artillery missions, (6) 81mm mortar fire missions, and (3) 60mm mortar fire missions on either suspected or known enemy targets.
14. Air Support
During April (2) fixed wing missions were flown in support of 2d CAG units. There was no other type of air support requested during the month of April.
15. Activations, Deactivations, Redesignations, Relocations of CAPs
Negative report
16. Combined Action Force School
2d CAG, in April sent 57 Marines to Combined Action Force School.
17. Combined Action Force Vietnamese Language School
2d CAG, in April sent (7) Marines to Combined Action Force Vietnamese Language School.
CONFIDENTIAL
18. Medical Detachment
a. General:
During the month of April,
Headquarters 2d Combined Action Group, Medical Section continued to expand
its MedCap capabilities at CAG level with outstanding success.
The CAG Headquarters Supply
system was up dated to provide better and more effective service for the
Corpsmen and Marines in the field. This was accomplished by increasing the
T/O of medical personnel to three permanent medical personnel.
b. Personnel:
| 1. | Medical Department Representative: | J.H. BRYSON, | HMC | |||
| 2. | Administrative/Sick Call Petty Officer: | J.F. COMBS, | HM1 | |||
| 3. | Supply/Sick Call Petty Officer | J.A. EGGINK, | HM2 |
| (a) | Detached RTD | 3 | ||||
| (b) | Transferred to 3rd CAG | 2 | ||||
| (c) | Transferred to CAF DIR | 1 | ||||
| (d) | Transferred to Air Wing | 1 | ||||
| (e) | WIA | 3 | ||||
| (f) | Joined | 10 |
c. MedCap:
1. During the month of April Combined Action Platoons treated 10,637 Vietnamese civilians through routine MedCaps.
2. Headquarters Group Aid Station treated 623 Vietnamese civilians through daily Med Caps. This is an increase of 430 over last months total.
d. Training:
1. CAP Corpsmen conducted a total of 59 classes with an attendance total of 505 Health workers, PF Corpsmen and civilians. This is a decrease of 4 classes and 71 people in attendance.
e. The decrease in MedCaps, classes and attendance was the result of a shortage of Corpsmen for most of the month of April.
19. Special Services
1. The month of April was a good one for Special Services. One Hong Kong trip was made and proved to be quite successful. Our monthly income was $1,752.50.
CONFIDENTIAL
2. During April the weekly issue of beer and soda to the CAPs was continued. The weekly allotment of beer and soda was changed due to the increase or decrease in the amount of personnel assigned to the different CAPs. During the month 364 cases of beer and soda were issued to the field.
3. One organizational party was held by the S-1 section. Beer and soda were furnished by Special Services.
4. Special Services also received paperback books during the month of April. The paperback books were distributed to all the CAPs.