Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Here we will make a collection of the forces that fought in the LZ_X-ray battle.

First we will make a post for each unit and the we will research in order to see how we will achieve historical accuracy with the units provided in the stock OOB.
Since this is a scenario, (if needed)we shall make small adjustments/modifications to the existing units (leader's name, experience, moral ,ammo..etc)

When we will finalize and agree on the units, I will post/update this front-post with the selected Units.

1. For the ARA Helicopters, I propose a modified UH-1B SS-11, with weapons configurations 4 slots of 4 x 2.75in FFAR, correct ammo to simulate a load of 48 rockets and a slightly modified Fire control, Range finder and Rate of Fire (in order to simulate better the lethality of the ARAs).

Cheers,
Pyros

ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) Hogs were Hueys equipped with side mounting 24 round 2.75 inch rocket launchers on the XM3 armament subsystem. Carrying a total load of 48 Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFARs), the Hogs were used effectively in the combat assault role.

picture
UH-1B Hog 64-14040 at LZ Hammond (late 1966) of C/2/20 Arty, 1st Cav Div

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/uh1bara.jpg

Gunships UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1C
 

UH-1As armed with two .30 cal. machine guns and two eight-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers were first used in late 1963. The UH-1A was armed with various combinations of 7.62mm machine guns, 20mm cannon, and a chin-turret mounted 40mm grenade launcher. Some early Huey gun ships were armed with quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns mounted on the M6 aircraft armament subsystem.
UH-1 Huey with quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns on M6 armament subsystem.

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/uh1m60cs.jpg


UH-1B/UH-1C Hueys were used with moderate success as a gun ship with door mounting M60D 7.62 machine guns on the M23 armament subsystem. They could also be armed with a pod or side-mounting six-barrel minigun and seven-tube XM157 or M158 2.75 inch (70mm) rocket launcher on the Emerson Electric M21 armament subsystem, and the M5 chin-turret mount for a 40mm grenade launcher. The UH-1B was also armed with two fixed-mounting M24A1 20mm cannon on the XM31 armament subsystem. The M60A1 reflex sight was used for sighting guns and rockets on the UH-1B, UH-1C, and UH-1M Huey. With the fielding of the larger UH-1D as the Army's primary utility helicopter, the smaller UH-1Bs/UH-1Cs assumed the gunship role as their primary mission.

1st Cavalry Division UH-1D with pintle mounted M60D 7.62mm machine gun on M23 armament subsystem.

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/uh1m60d.jpg

UH-1B with side mounting M134 minigun and seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launcher on M21 armament subsystem

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/uh1bm21.jpg

(Slicks) UH-1D
 

Bell (model 205) UH-1D (1962) had a longer fuselage than previous models, increased rotor diameter, increased range, and more powerful Lycoming T53-L-9A or T53-L-11D 1100 shp engines, with growth potential to the Allied Signal Engines (ASE) T53-L-13B 1400 shp engine. The "towel rack" FM antenna and pitot were located on top of the cabin on the UH-1D. The UH-1D also featured a larger double windowed sliding door, and small single window hinged door, just behind the pilot's door. The UH-1D, redesigned to carry up to 13 troops, with a crew of two, reached Vietnam in 1963. The MedEvac version UH-1V could carry six stretchers and one medical attendant. The UH-1D has a range of 293 miles (467km) and a speed of 127 mph (110 knots). UH-1Ds were built under license in Germany. The primary armament subsystem used with the UH-1D/UH-1H Huey is two door mounting M60D 7.62mm machine guns on the M23 armament subsystem.


1st Cavalry Division UH-1Ds; in these first battles they didn't have any mounted weapons

http://www.militaryunits.com/LZNAM.gif

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

I was thinking of includeing this in an OOB, as it's quite important in Veitnam (I'm amazed it's been missed so far).

The most realistic version I've created was one armed with CLuster weapons. That way it can pin dug in troops over an area.

Oh and the ARA's where also known As "Hogs" as they where very overloaded, so maybe a reduction in speed as well?

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

David,

what is the Rate of Fire of a Hog [48 Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFARs)]

IMO, It should be able to fire in one turn all 48 rockets(unless receives suppression from return fire or moves).

Anyway, for the battle we may use a UH-1B with FFARs in all four weapons slots and a total FFARs of 48 (also we have to see if the rate of fire is good to simulate that all shot can be fired in one turn, 5 minutes)

Questions:

1. How long it took for a ARA to shoot 24 Rockets (1st salvo)?

2. What was the combat/cruise speed of that chopper?

3. How long did it take to re-supply all the 48 rocket slots for one Helicopter (important for ammo depot simulation)

4. How much time it required to fly to the nearest Resupply airbase or camp?

5. What was the nearest re-supply base for the ARAs (PleiMe) ?

cheers,
Pyros
p.s Also the UH-1D should have no mounting weapons for this battle (should be removed); see other post.

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

Questions:

1. How long it took for a ARA to shoot 24 Rockets (1st salvo)?

After an hour on google and other search engines I got this:
System - M3 armament sub-system.
"The rockets may be fired in single pairs or in ripples of 2, 3, 4, 6, or 24 pairs at the rate of 6 pairs per second."

2. What was the combat/cruise speed of that chopper?

Unknown, but seems to be close enougth to the huey.

3. How long did it take to re-supply all the 48 rocket slots for one Helicopter (important for ammo depot simulation)

Dunno. How long does it take to re-load a 2.75" rocket tube?

4. How much time it required to fly to the nearest Resupply airbase or camp?

5. What was the nearest re-supply base for the ARAs (PleiMe) ?

I'd guess it was An Khe. As the ARA had to be re-fueled every third trip. Which fits with the UH-1 refueling. So I'd Guess, An Khe, 13 mins away.


Other Stuff I've found:

MG platoon D co, 9x M60's, Comanded by: Sgt Warren Adams.

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

David nice research,

More questions:

1. Historical Platoon model (type and ammo levels)?
What was the typical equipment and ammo load of a US, NVA and VC platoon during this battle (for instance there were AT sections that fired LAW against anthills, how many of them, what about M-79 and HMGs) ?

2. Suggestions about experience & morale values for US, NVA and VC forces?

3. How many ARA and Gunship participated in the battle of LZ X-ray (each phase)?

Thanks David,
Pyros

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

1. Historical Platoon model (type and ammo levels)?
What was the typical equipment and ammo load of a US, NVA and VC platoon during this battle (for instance there were AT sections that fired LAW against anthills, how many of them, what about M-79 and HMGs) ?

I belive each squad had an M60, and an M79.
I DO know that each squad was issued with an M72.

2. Suggestions about experience & morale values for US, NVA and VC forces?

Urk, someone else can catch this one. however for this game I think the US would have Very good morale so they can keep on fighting, even when suppressed and their leaders are down.

3. How many ARA and Gunship participated in the battle of LZ X-ray (each phase)?
7 I belive, 6 from the battery (look in the other thread), and the Comander's ship. That battery flew for the whole time of the battle.

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

What about this modification for the simulation of ARAs?

For the ARA Helicopters, I propose a modified UH-1B SS-11, with weapons configurations 4 slots of 4 x 2.75in FFAR, correct ammo to simulate a load of 48 rockets and a slightly modified Fire control, Range finder and Rate of Fire (in order to simulate better the lethality of the ARAs).

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

I used a UH-1 gunship, with the above (the correct ammo load out is 3).

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

The difference between the 2x 2.75in FFAR and 2x 2.75in FFAR is just the valye HE Kill from 15 (for 2x) to 20 (for 4x). So it may be better to use 4 slots of 2x 2.75in FFAR with 6 ammo each.

But again, since this will be a modification and the scope is to achieve the historical lethality of the ARA units... we could make accept a model of 4 slots of 4 x 2.75in FFAR with 6 ammo.
This should be decided from playtesting and the it is a way to strenghten the efficiency of the FFAR by modeling that the 4x 2.75in FFAR is only firing 1 tube per shot

Concerning the Gunship model for modification if we adopt the UH-1B gunship will use the wrong sounds for the weapon slots 1 & 2 (MG), on the other hand the UH-1B SS-11 is using "rocket sounds".

The latest test that I conduct is with modified Hogs against Regional NVA units on clear terrain.
My goal is to achieve a good model of ARA from a firing distance of 3-4 Hexes 150-200 meters.
So far a unit with control & range finder set to a value of 30 has as a result that it will inflict 1-2 casualties from a distance of 3-4 hexes (stabilize 5-10).
Also, I have set the ammo to 12 (in order to simulate that each shot is one tube).

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

48 Rockets, Divided by the number of weapon slots (4), divided by the number of Rockets per weapon (4).

Thats how I came up with the HE ammo of 3.

As I said A new OOB with the right unit added would be the best answer.

In my tests I tried it on VC dug in, in a wood hex. The aim was to pin the enemy.

Note: How does the spalsh damage effect the weapon? I only tested in the old version.

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

Odly enough I haven't seen any splash damage in my tests...

The logical ammo allocation is 48 divide by 4 slots =12
and then (weapon slot) 12 divided by (number of tubes) 4 = 3 as you correctly stated.
But the point is that I find that the rockets should be more powerful (at least shooting at an NVA platoon [not pinned on clear terrain] from a distance of 3-4 hexes should make 1 kill, so since we use the stock US OOB, then a way to magnify (4x) the efficiency of the FFARs is by assuming that each salvo of an 4x 2.75in FFAR is only one Tube (instead of 4) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

Not in my estimation.

Each Hex is about 2500 square meter's (50x50). Each salvo fires 16 rockets. That's roughly 1 rocket for every 156 meter's of terrain, throw in tree's, and Fox holes and you'll see what I mean.

From my understanding, ARA and the Gunships where used to pin the enemy, While the Huey's where landing the troops. That is the point of maximum danger as the troops are bunched up together, and a Huey killed on the LZ will lower the amount of traffic the LZ can handle.

The Idea with the ARA's and gunships seems to be to throw as much lead into the tree line as possible to make anyone covering the LZ to keep his head down long enough to get the UH-1's in and unloaded.

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

David,

We will better decide this while playtesting the scenarios.

Just keep in mind that the existing UH-1B Gunship with a seven-tube (if it is based on the 7-tube) 2.75 inch rocket launcher is simulated in the game as a pair of 2x 2.75in FFAR with ammo of 9.
This makes a total of 2 x 2 x 9 = 36 rockets instead of 14 rockets that should theoretically be.

Anyway, it is much better to decide these issues as an overal gaming experience.

cheers,
Pyros

Re: ARA 2nd Bn 20th Artillery 1st CAV Div
 

David this could be interesting (FFAR warhead):
Upon detonation, the warhead fragments into thousands of small, high velocity fragments. The bursting radius is 10 meters; however, high velocity fragments can produce a lethality radius in excess of 50 meters.


Here is info concerning the ordnance of the attack heli on the LZ X-ray battle

Eight-tube Rocket Launcher. Two eight-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers were installed on new UH-1B Hueys as they arrived at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam from late 1963-1964. This system, a predecessor to the XM3 armament subsystem, was used in combination with the M6 7.62mm quad-machine gun mount. For more information and photos, go to Armament Subsystems used at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, 1963-1964.
http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/HUEYARM1.JPG

M16 Armament Subsystem (1963-1972). The M16 was a combination of M6 flexible quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns and two XM157 or M158/M158A1 seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers for use with the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey". The M16 was upgraded to the M21 by up-gunning from quad M60C machine guns to M134 high rate of fire machine guns. An M60A1 reflex-type sight was used by the pilot for sighting both guns and rockets. The copilot's sight was for sighting guns only. The M16 was type classified Standard B (461 units were built).
M16 quad M60C machine gun mount with XM157 launcher on HU-1B "Huey"
http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/m16m60c.jpg

M21 Armament Subsystem (1964-1975). The UH-1B/UH-1C/UH-1M "Huey" could be armed with twin side mounting 7.62mm "miniguns" and two XM157 or two M158/M158A1 seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers on the Emerson M21 armament subsystem. The M21 was an up-gunned M16 which used M134 "miniguns" in place of quad M60C machine guns. The M134 used a MAU-56/A delinking feeder. The pilot used a XM60 reflex-type sight for both guns and rockets. The copilot used a flexible reflex sight which depressed or flexed the "miniguns" only. The M21 was type classified Standard A (over 406 units were built).
XM21 armament subsystem with XM157 launcher (with M6 quad M60C machine gun mount)
http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/m6m21.jpg


http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/m21m158.jpg

XM3/XM3E1/M3 Armament Subsystem . UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey" Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARAs) were armed with up to two side-mounting 24-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers on the M3 armament subsystem. The MK8 reflex sight was used for sighting the M3 rocket launchers. The M3 saw limited production. Also see the Maxwell system (XM3/M22 hybrid) and Armament Subsystems used at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, 1963-1964.
UH-1B ARA with XM3 24-tube 2.75 inch rocket launcher
UH-1B armed with XM3 armament subsystem (Source US Army AMCOM)
http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/uh1bxm3.jpg

concerning the lethality of the 2.75in Rocket I have found this:

The M151 HE Warhead is the 10-pound anti-personnel warhead -- traditionally referred to as the "10 Pounder" -- which was designed and developed by the Army and is currently in production. It consists of two main parts, the nose and the base, which are welded (brazed) together. The bulk of the lethality is obtained from the nose section which is fabricated using nodular, pearlitic malleable cast iron. The nose end of the warhead is threaded to receive the M423 Fuze. The M151 can be used M423, M429, and M433 fuzes. The base section is fabricated using steel or cast iron and is threaded for attachment to the rocket motor. The total weight of the loaded, unfuzed, warhead is 8.7 pounds (3.85 kg), of which 2.3 pounds (1.04 kg) is composition B-4 High Explosive (HE). Upon detonation, the warhead fragments into thousands of small, high velocity fragments. The bursting radius is 10 meters; however, high velocity fragments can produce a lethality radius in excess of 50 meters. Temperature limits for storage and firing the M151 are -65 F to +150 F.

Company A 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion
 

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The infantry unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water, and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have experienced a much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters (2-4 hexes) of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman’s selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance, and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

228th ASHB was the 1st Cavalry Division's Chinook Battalion. The Bn had three companies of CH-47 aircraft. Each company had 16 "Hooks." The Battalion Headquarters (HHC) had a UH-1D/H "Slick" and one OH-6A "Loach." Guns-A-Go-Go was originally the 53rd Aviation Detachment and became the 1st Aviation Detachment when it was assigned to the
1st Cavalry Division in November 1966

Air support at Ia Drang
 

Preparatory phase
The aerial artillery came on the heels of the tube artillery fire and worked over the area for 30 seconds expending half their load, then went into a orbit nearby to be on call. The lift battalion gunships took up the fire and were immediately ahead of the troop transport Hueys.

Close Air Support by 7th air force's 1st commando
Strikes in support of ground operations in Ia Drang

740 CAS sorties were flown, mainly in support of LZ X Ray and Albany.
Air Force tactical air provided continuous support with a fighter bomber on a target run on an average of once every fifteen minutes;
- A-4 Skyhawks
- A-37 Dragonfly
- F-4 Phantoms
- A-1 Skyraider
- AC-47 "Dragonship"
- AC-119 "Stinger"
- AC-130 "Spectre"
- F-100 Super Sabre
- B-52 (Modified for conventional bombs)

[B-52 missions[/b]

Five B-52 missions with 96 sorties were flown.

The most devastating support was provided by B-52 bombers which struck without warning six kilometers west of X-RAY. Though the bombers had been employed initially in Vietnam some six months earlier, this was their first use in direct support of U.S. troops on a tactical operation. For the next five days, the big bombers systematically bombed large areas of the Chu Pong Massif.

Quantity of Air and Arty support in the final stage of the battle
ARA
In his after action report, Colonel Moore noted that aerial rocket artillery had been extremely effective. His commanders had confidence in bringing such fires extremely close to their own positions. He also had noted that tube artillery, aerial rocket artillery, and tactical air can be used at the same time without seriously downgrading the effectiveness of the fire or endangering the aircraft. The aerial rocket artillery and Tactical Air flew perpendicular to the artillery gun-target line in those cases when they were making a simultaneous attack on the same target areas. This technique was possible by close teamwork between the forward air controller and the artillery liaison officer.

Artillery support at Ia Drang
 

Before the attack began Batteries A and C, 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery, were deployed at LZ FALCON.
These Batteries fired over 4,000 rounds of high-explosive ammunition during the night of 14/11 in close support of X-RAY.

To provide additional artillery support, Landing Zone COLUMBUS was established 4 1/2 kilometers to the northeast of X-RAY. This landing zone was midway between X-RAY and FALCON, where Batteries A and C of the 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery, were located. Battery B of the 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery, and Battery C of the 2d Battalion, 17th Artillery, were now moved into COLUMBUS.

The enemy broke contact and filtered back into the mountains after suffering tremendous losses. He was pursued with heavy firepower: cannon artillery continually pounded the area;

The division fired 40,464 artillery rounds and rockets during the campaign.

The artillerymen had learned much from this campaign. First, the concept of displacing and supplying artillery by air was proved valid, particularly in support of an airmobile force. During the campaign, artillery units of the cavalry division artillery had made a total of 79 tactical moves-67 of them by air. Continuous air movement by maneuver and support forces unsettled the enemy. Properly executed airmobile operations could keep constant pressure on him, wearing him down and destroying his will to resist. Second, aerial rocket artillery was shown to be extremely responsive and effective in augmenting cannon fires. Ground forces learned that aerial rocket artillery was reliable and extremely accurate, characteristics that were particularly important in close support missions. By controlling helicopter fires through artillery fire support channels, as was done with aerial rocket artillery, cannon and helicopter fires could be closely coordinated by a single individual, thus insuring that both were complementary. Third, artillerymen learned of the necessity of having artillery positions that were mutually supporting. Though Landing Zone COLUMBUS had stood off an enemy attack without mutually supporting artillery, its defenders had required air support, which in poor weather might not have been available. Fourth, because of the rugged terrain and dense foliage, target acquisition was a definite problem. Forward observers were still the best means of target acquisition because they were always with maneuver companies. To augment the forward observers, aerial observers were added whenever possible and were particularly effective in support of overland ground movements. Fifth, it was shown that the 105-mm. howitzer was a particularly good weapon for reconnaissance by fire. As the unit moved, the artillery forward observer would adjust artillery rounds in advance of the unit. This provided two benefits: the artillery could disrupt any activity or ambush site the enemy might have, and the location of the last round fired was a good indicator of the unit's location. This second advantage would allow for rapid delivery of artillery in the event the enemy ambushed the ground force.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

From LCol Moore's AAR this was the TO&E of 1st Btn engaged at the battle.

A Coy: 5 Off, 115 M
B Coy: 5 Off, 114 M
C Coy: 6 Off, 106 M
D Coy: 4 Off, 76 M

His HQ consisted of himself, SM, S2, radio ops, and a montagnard(?). His S3 and FOOs were kept orbiting the battle field.

His lift consisted of 16 UH-1D.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

The montagnard was a Mr Silk IIRC, he left with the POW captured during the inital landing at X-ray.

The reference to the AC-47 "Dragonship", is intresting becuase Hall Moore dosen't mention one, What he does mention was a C-47 flare plane.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Thanks Chris,

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Yes,

This might be a problem... FLARES!!!

How do we simulate this??
Maybe if we have a FO with high vision values (40+)?

Thoughts?

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Not 40+. Otherwise he'd look through smoke as well.

The best way to I can see is have the visablity higher than it normaly would be.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

whoops..

The Montagnard was a Mr Nik.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

What about (Heavy) Machineguns (Co support weapons) ?

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

OOB:
Rifle companies:
3x Rifle platoons.
1x Mortar Platoon.

Each paltoon had three rifle squads, and an M60 support squad, with 2 M60's.

1x Mortar platoon, with three 81mm's.

D Coy:
1x mortar platoon.
1x MMG Platoon.
1x Anti-tank platoon (swapped to a 2nd MMG Platoon).
Recce Platoon.

I belive that the total M60's in D coy was 9.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Thanks David,

Then what about the info concerning that each Co (A, B, C) would carry one mortar with full ammo?

I guess we follow that and then we add the 3x 81mm from Co D to a total of 6x 81mm.
By the way, has anyone checked how much lethal is mortar firing?

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

Moore says each Rifle Coy has a mortar troop with three mortars each.

One reference in the book says the mortars had 40 rounds.

However with the companies under strength I'm wondering if that wouldn't effect the number of tubes.

Re: Units used in the LZ_X-ray battle
 

David,

In the After action report of the LZ X-ray battle it says that each rifle Company took just one mortar with max ammo:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...n%20report.JPG

Heavy artillery used during \"Broken Arrow\"
 

http://www.lzxray.com/day3.htm

Synopsis:

X-Ray. Day 2, 15 Nov 1965

Before dawn, Moore orders his company commanders to meet him prior to an attack to rescue the still cut-off platoon. Before this meeting takes place, the PAVN launch a heavy attack which shatters the early-morning stillness like a huge explosion. The attack is carried out by the 7th Bn, 66th Regiment and the H-15 Main Force Viet Cong Bn.

C Company of the Cavalry Battalion bears the brunt of the assault and is soon involved in hand to hand combat. The right portion of D/1/7 is also struck. The code word "Broken Arrow" is sent out over the radio by the Battalion Forward Air Controller. Within minutes, all available fighter bombers in South Vietnam are headed for X-ray to render close air support to "an American unit in grave danger of being overrun". A 3 hour battle that features non-stop 105mm artillery (8" artillery also participated), aerial rockets, and determined American Infantrymen, results in Charlie Company holding it's ground in a stunning display of personal courage and unit discipline. But it pays a terrible price - no officers left and only 49 men unhurt. 42 officers and men killed; 20 wounded. Scores of slain North Vietnamese and their weapons litter the bloody battleground.