Historical Theatre of Operation: Locations

[Boonierat]

Arrival Dates:
11 Sep. HQ 1st Cav Div; 227th Avn Bn (AH) and 228th Avn Bn (ASH); 1/21 Art (105H)
12 Sep. HQ 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bdes/1 Cav Div; 1/77 Art (105H); 2/17 Art (105H)
13 Sep. 229th Avn Bn (AH); 2/20 Art (Aerial Rocket)
15 Sep. 1/9 Air Cav; 1/5, 2/5, 1/7, 2/7, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 2/12 Cav [Ambl Inf]; 2/19 Art
19 Nov. 8th Engr Bn (1st Cav)

SEPTEMBER:
28 Sep.-13 Nov. Op.Good Friend II/Sayonara,1st Cav; 1st Bde, 101st; 2/7 Marines; 22nd ARVN search and destroy, area and route security for Capitol ROK Division deployement between Qui Nonh and Binh Khe
OCTOBER:
1-9 Oct. Op.Red Bayonnet, 3d Bde, 1st Cav security along Highway 19
3-14 Oct. Op.Shiny Bayonet, 1/7, 2/7, 2/12 (1st Cav), VNMC search and destroy in Soui Ca Valley-Deo Mang pass-Binh Khe area
6 Oct.-19 Nov. Op.Happy Valley I & II, 1/5, 2/5, 1/7, 2/12 Cav pacification in Vinh Thanh Valley
9 Oct.-1 Nov. Op.Cobra/Settlement, 2d Bde, 1st Cav security along Highway 19 in Binh Dinh
10-14 Oct. Op.Concord, 3d Bde, 1st Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
14-17 Oct. Op.Lonesome End, 1/8, 2/8 (1st Cav) Highway and area security in Binh Dinh, Mang Yang Pass
19 Oct. The Ia Drang Valley campaign begins when the 33rd NVA Regt attacked the SF camp at Plei Me about 25 miles southwest of Pleiku. This was Phase I of the NVA Field Front battle plan called the Tay Nguyen Campaign. The goal was not to sieze terrain, only to destroy Allied forces. The NVA put Plei Me under siege with the 33rd NVA Regt and laid an ambush with the 32nd NVA Regt to the ARVN relief units. The A-217 SF Det had a large combat patrol sweeping an area nine miles from the camp but still had a good security force of two CIDG companies in the camp. At 2200 the NVA overran the southern outpost and a fierce mortar and recoilless rifle barrage ripped through the camp.
20 Oct. Plei Me reinforced with Project Delta and 81st ARVN Abn Rgr
23 Oct.-26 Nov. Op. Long Reach 1st Cav search and destroy in Ia Drang Valley (Includes Ops All the Way and Silver Bayonet I & II)
23 Oct.-9 Nov. Op. All the Way, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 2/12 (1st Cav), 3rd ARVN Arm Cav, 1/42, 21st and 22nd Rgr Bns (relief force) search and destroy around Plei Me.
NOVEMBER:
1 Nov. 1/12 and 2/12 Cav battle around NVA Regt 33 field Hospital, 8km W of Plei Me (Op. All the Way)
3 Nov. B/1/9 Cav ambushes 8/66 NVA near cambodian border, killing 73 (Op. All the Way)
6 Nov. Battle of LZ Wing (Op. All the Way) 2/8 Cav battle 6/33 NVA Regt
10-20 Nov. Op. Silver Bayonet I, 1/5, 2/5, 1/7, 2/7, 2/12 Cav pursuit in Ia Drang valley/Chu Prong.
10-13 Nov. Op.Hop Out, 1/7 Cav search and destroy in Ia Drang
12 Nov. VC attack on LZ Stadium (Catecka)
14-15 Nov. Op.Corn, 2/12 Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
14-16 Nov. Battle of LZ X-Ray. 1/7, 2/7, 2/5 battle the whole NVA Regt 66 (Op. Silver Bayonet I)
17 Nov. Battle of LZ Albany (Op. Silver Bayonet I), 2/7 Cav ambushed by 8/66 NVA
18 Nov. 1/5 Cav battles for LZ Columbus (Op. Silver Bayonet I)
21-26 Nov. Op. Silver Bayonet II, 1/5, 2/5, 1/8, 1/9, 2/12 Cav pursuit of Ia Drang campaign.
DECEMBER:
3-7 Dec. Op.Clean House, 1st Cav, Capitol ROK, 22nd ARVN clear and secure near Binh Khe
3-7 Dec. Op.Ox Trail, 2/12 Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
6 Dec. Op.Give Up, 2/5 Cav recon. in Binh Dinh
8-19 Dec. Op.Matador, 1st Cav, 22nd ARVN search and destroy between Pleiku and Kontum
9-15 Dec. Op.Sweeping Mustang, 1st Bde, 1st Cav search and destroy in II CTZ
10-14 Dec. Op.Fish Hook, 2d Bde, 1st Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
10-22 Dec. Op.Quick Kick, 1st Bde, 1st Cav security in Pleiku and Kontum
14-16 Dec. Op.Fish Hook II, 2d Bde, 1st Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
17-20 Dec. Op.Scalping Mustang, 1/8 Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
17-21 Dec. Op.Clean House I, 1/8, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav), ROK Tiger Div search and destroy Soui Ca Valley in Binh Dinh Province
22-26 Dec. Op.Clean House II, 1/8, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav), ROK Tiger Div search and destroy Soui Ca Valley in Binh Dinh Province
23-26 Dec. Op.Cherokee Trail, 1st Bde, 1st Cav security along Highway 19.
27-31 Dec. Op.Clean House III, 1/8, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav), ROK Tiger Div search and destroy Soui Ca Valley in Binh Dinh Province
31 Dec.65-13 Jan.66 Op.Matador I, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12 (1st Cav) search and destroy in Pleiku and Kontum Provinces on the
Vietnamese side of the Ton Le San River.

Here's for 1965, 1966 to follow.

[Boonierat]

JANUARY
13-17 Jan. Op.Matador II, one Bn of 2d Bde, 1st Cav reinforces 1st Bde, 1st Cav in continuing Op. Matador
24 Jan.-6 Mar. Op.Masher/White Wing/Thang Phong II, 1st Cav; 1st Regt, CAP Division; 22nd ARVN; 2nd Abn TF ARVN search and destroy in Bong Son Plain and surrounding areas
28-31 Jan. Battle of Cu Nghi, 1/7, 2/7, 2/12 Cav battle 7th and 9th Bns, NVA Regt 22 (Op. Masher)
FEBRUARY
4 Feb.-6 Mar. Op.White Wing, operation rename
16-28 Feb. Op. Eagle Claw (Battle of Kim Son Valley), 1/5, 2/5 Cav clash with 18th and 22nd NVA Regts (part of White Wing)
MARCH
1-5 Mar. Op.Black Horse (Op. White Wing part 5), 2d Bde, 1st Cav search and destroy in Binh Dinh
7-28 Mar. Op.Jim Bowie, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 2/5, 1/7, 2/7, 1/9 (1st Cav) search and destroy around Kon Truck,sweep of the Kim Son/Upper Song Ba/Dak Kon Bung valleys
14-21 Mar. Op.Buchanan/Wyatt Earp/Kam IV: 2d Bde, 1st Cav; 2/35 Inf security along Highway 19
21 Mar.-5 May Op.Benning/Trail Boss, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
25 Mar.-17 Apr. Op.Lincoln I/II/III/Mosby I, 1/8, 2/8, 1/9, 1/12, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav); 3d Bde, 25th Inf; B/1/69 Arm search and destroy around Ia Drang and Chu Pong Massif.
27 Mar.-5 May Op.Buchanan II, 2d Bde, 1st Cav; 3d Bde, 25th Inf security along Highway 19
APRIL
21 Apr.-3 May Op.Mosby II, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12 (1st Cav) search and destroy, recon. in force and interdiction W. of Highway 14 between Pleiku and Kontum
26-28 Apr. Op. Bee Bee, 3d Bde, 1st Cav show of force around Bong Son
MAY
3-15 May Op.Lewis and Clark, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12 (1st Cav) recon. in force from Plateau Gi to An Khe
4-16 May Op.Davy Crockett/Binh Phu 3, 1/5, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav), 3rd ARVN Arm Cav vicinity of Bong Son SF Camp, An Lao, Eagle Claw and Soui Ca valleys
10 May-31 Jul. Op. Paul Revere I/Than Phong 14, 1/14, 1/35, 2/35 (25th Inf) border screening/area control in Pleiku and Darlac with support from 2/5, 1/9, 2/12 (1st Cav), from Duc Co to Chu Amung.
16 May-5 Jun. Op.Crazy Horse/Bun Khe 66-7, 1st Cav, Capital ROK, ARVN between Vinh Thanh and Soui Ca valleys
JUNE
1-21 Jun. Op.Hawthorne/Dan Thang 61, 1st Bde, 101st Abn; 1/5 Cav, 1/42 ARVN, 21st Rgr ARVN search and destroy near Dak To, Tou Morong area vs NVA Regt 24
6-20 Jun. Op.Benning II, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
9-21 Jun. Op. Hooker I, 2d Bde, 1st Cav recon., security and search and destroy vicinity of Cambodian border, Pleiku and Kontum
19 Jun.-1 Jul. Op.Nathan Hale, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav) and 1/327, 2/327 (101st) search and destroy in Phu Yen near Dong Tre and Tuy Hoa valley
30 Jun.-31 Jul. Op.Benning III, 2d Bde, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
JULY
2-30 Jul. Op.Henry Clay, 1/8, 2/8, 1/7, 2/7, (1st Cav), 2/327 (101st Abn) recon. in force along Highway 14 to the cambodian border, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac provinces.
17 Jul.-1 Aug. Op.Hayes, 3d Bde, 1st Cav recon. and screening W of Dak To and Dak Pek
31 Jul.-2 Sep. Op.Benning IV, 1st Bde, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
AUGUST
1-25 Aug. Op.Paul Revere II, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12, 1/7, 2/7 (1st Cav), 1/14, 1/35, 2/35, 1/69 (25th Inf), ROK Cavalry Regiment search and destroy in Chu Pong Massif vs 32, 33, 66, 88 and 95B NVA Regts.
26 Aug.-18 Oct. Op Paul Revere III, 1/7 (1st Cav), 1/14, 1/35, 2/35, C/3/4 (25thInf), 2/8, 1/12, 1/22 (4th Inf) search and destroy, pacification around LZ Oasis, Duc Co and Plei Djereng
26 Aug.66-20 Jan.68 Op.Byrd, 1st Cav economy of force in Binh Thuan province. TF 2/7 Cav assigned for duration, based at Phan Thiet
SEPTEMBER
2-29 Sep. Op.Benning V, 3d Bde, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
13 Sep.-1 Oct. Op.Thayer I, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 1/5, 1/9, 2/12 (1st Cav), 3rd ARVN Abn Bde, 41st ARVN Rgt search and destroy in Kim Son and An Lao valleys, Phu Cat mtns.
29 Sep.-11 Oct. Op.Benning VI, 2d Bde, 1st Cav security in Binh Dinh
OCTOBER
2-24 Oct. Op.Irving/Mang Ho 6/Dai Bang, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 1/5, 1/7, 5/7 (1st Cav), ROK Capital, 22nd ARVN search and destroy around Phu Cat Mountain, Nui Mieu.
18 Oct.-30 Dec. Op Paul Revere IV, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12 (1st Cav), 2/8, 1/12, 1/22 (4th Inf), 1/14, 1/35, 2/35 (25th Inf) search and destroy along Cambodian border on southern boundary of Kontum Province, Plei Djereng
25 Oct. 66-12 Feb. 67 Op.Thayer II, 1/8, 2/8, 1/12, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12, 1/7, 5/7 (1st Cav), 1/14, 1/35, C/3/4 Cav (25th Inf), VNMC search and destroy in Kim Son and Soui Ca valleys
DECEMBER
1 Dec. Battle of Phu Huu(2) 1/9, 5/7, 2/12 Cav W. of LZ Bird (part of Thayer II)
9-14 Dec. Op. Rover, the evacuation of all civilians from the Kim Son Valley, was conducted by elements of the 1st Cav Div. Once the valley was cleared, it was designated a "free-fire" zone
27 Dec. Battle of LZ Bird, 1/12 Cav assaulted by NVA Regt 22 in the Kim Son valley (part of Thayer II)

[narwan]

Since the battles of october '65 in the Ia Drang valley seem to be a possible take off point for the campaign I dug up some info on these:

http://orbat.com/site/history/histor...alley1965.html
(detailed description of battles and includes info on order of battles on both sides)

Two maps of the battle:
http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web...20map%2027.htm
http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web...20map%2028.htm

Eyewitness account of the battle:
http://www.mishalov.com/death_ia_drang_valley.html

[Pyros]

Thanks Stephane & Remco

This is fantastic!

We have probably not only defined the US formation but also the starting point of the campaign.

I think we have made the first serious step for the project.
I don't know if anyone else has to propose something different concerning the US units involved in the campaign?
But the 1st CAV seems to be a good possibility.

If anyone has something good to propose, please do it ASAP, in order to proceed with the selection of the historical missions and the selection of the evolving core force.

As much as I like the idea of 100% historical accuracy, we should allow the player to play all historical battles with his army group, and since this is not the case for a historical army group in the size of a specific division or a specific Brigade, then we should use generalized unit formations. Our core force will be units of the CAV DIV but not any specific one, rather a Generalized formation.
Next we should think how this army formation would have to evolve... For example every few chapters/theatre of operations we could add to the existing core force new formations...
For example from the point that the player will have a company level army core we will give him after a number of Chapters/Theatre of Operations an additional Company.
The question is what type of company?

Anyway, it is much better to add to the core force of the player additional companies at predefined time intervals (as the game evolves) and letting him this way to slowly built up his army group from a company level to a Battalion.

[Boonierat]

The 1st Cav is the obvious choice of course, it's one of the few units of the War to have fought in all four Corps Tactical Zones and in ALL the major and secondary theater of Ops I mentioned above (it even fought in the Mekong Delta in 1968-69, forming a NavCav unit to operate in the numerous waterways of the area, so we can even create a few riverine scenarios for the campaign and still be perfectly historical )

[Pyros]

ok,

Then we should wait a couple of days to obtain the approval from the group members and we may proceed to the selection of historical battles, and then we will have to decide the evolution of the core army group in relation with the battle/operations... Oh-oh... things get serious...

cheers,

[Weasel]

WOW that is a ton of work on the 1st Cav dates; EXCELLENT job. Yeah the CAV had their thumb in every pie, plus I know they still did road security etc so you can still have ground armoured fighting too.

[narwan]

Boonierat said:
(it even fought in the Mekong Delta in 1968-69, forming a NavCav unit to operate in the numerous waterways of the area, so we can even create a few riverine scenarios for the campaign and still be perfectly historical )

Happy happy joy joy!!!!

[Pyros]

narwan said:

Happy happy joy joy!!!!

I think I know who will design the Mekong Delta historical battle... LOL

[Boonierat]

JANUARY
23-25 Jan. Op.Root II, 2/5 Cav search and destroy around Kannack
27-31 Jan. Op.Bullseye V, 2d Bde, 1st Cav and 40th ARVN Regiment recon. in force southwestern Bong Son Plain
FEBRUARY
11 Feb. 67-18 Jan. 68 Op.Pershing I, 1st Cav; 1/50 Inf Mech; 3d Bde, 25th Inf, 22nd ARVN Division search and destroy, cordon and search, pacification of Binh Dinh from Kim Son valley to Quang Ngai province
APRIL
7-22 Apr. Op.Lejeune, 1/5, 2/5, 2/12 (1st Cav); 3/7 Marines logistical operation on Duc Pho
9-10 Apr. Op.Dazzlem, 1st Cav defence of Camp Radcliff
JUNE
18 Jun.-12 Oct. Op.Greeley (Battle of the Slopes), 173rd Abn, 4th Inf, 2/7, 5/7 (1st Cav), 5th and 8th TDNDs, 42nd ARVN Rgt search and destroy in Kontum/Dak To vicinity
28 Jun. Battle of Dam Tra-O lake (Op. Pershing I) 1/9, 2/5 Cav clash with 9/18 NVA 12 miles SE Bong Son
JULY
2 Jul. Battle of LZ Geronimo (Op. Pershing I)
AUGUST
9 Aug. Battle of LZ Pat (Op. Pershing I) 1/9, A/2/8 clash with NVA 32 miles SW Quang Ngai city
22 Aug.-3 Sep. Battle of Nui Mieu cave (Op. Pershing I), A/2/5 traps 100 enemy in cave, kills 33 and captures 41
SEPTEMBER
6-15 Sep. Op. Join Hands, 1/8, 1/5, 2/12 (1st Cav), 40th and 41st ARVN Rgts, VNMC TF Bravo search & destroy on Cay Ngiep mtns
19 Sep. 67-31 Jan. 69 Op.Bolling/Dan Hoa, 1/8 (1st Cav - 17 Sep.-14 Oct.); 1/503, 3/503, 4/503 (173d Abn) search and destroy, recon. in force, pacification in Phu Yen, Tuy Hoa Bassin.
OCTOBER
4 Oct.-11 Nov. Op.Wallowa, 23rd Inf; 1/7, 5/7, 2/12 (1st Cav) search and destroy in Quang Tin and Quang Ngai, Que Son valley
12 Oct. 67-31 Jan.69 Op.Mac Arthur, 3/12, 3/8 (4th Inf); 173rd; 2d Bde, 1st Cav; 3rd Abn Bde ARVN; 42nd ARVN Rgt search and destroy, border protection and recon. in force in the western highlands of Pleiku and Kontum provinces
DECEMBER
6-20 Dec. Battle of Tam Quan (Op. Pershing I) 1/9, 1/8, 1/12 (1st Cav; 1/50 Inf (M); 40th ARVN Rgt assault Tam Quan defended by 7/22 and 8/22 NVA