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HEADQUARTERS
3D SQUADRON, 4TH CAVALRY
APO San Francisco 96225
SUBJECT: Combat Operations After Action Report (RCS J3-J2)
Commanding General
25th Infantry Division
ATTN: AVDCOP
APO US Forces 96225
1.
Operation SARATOGA
2.
21 January – 10 March 1968
3.
Trang Bang (XT4919) to Tan Son Nhut (XS8169)
4.
Control Headquarters:
a. 3d Squadron, 4th
Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division
b. 2d Brigade, 1st
Infantry Division
c. 2d Brigade, 25th
Infantry Division
d. 3d Brigade, 25th
Infantry Division
5.
Reporting Officer: LTC
Glenn K. Otis
6.
Task Organization:
Troop A, 3-4 Cav
Troop B, 3-4 Cav
Troop C, 3-4 Cav
Troop D, 3-4 Cav
HHT, 3-4 Cav
Company A, 1st Bn, 27th Inf.
Company B, 2d Bn, 12th Inf.
Company D, 2d Bn, 12th Inf.
Troop L, 3d Sqdn, 11th ACR
7.
Supporting Forces:
a. Air Support: Tactical air was
provided when required. Troop D (Air)
provided light fire teams for close-in support; while UH-1D’s and OH-23’s
provided command and control, resupply, and lift helicopters as required.
b. Artillery Support:
(1) Battery B, 3d Battalion, 13th
Artillery
(2) Battery C, 6th Battalion, 77th
Artillery
8.
Intelligence:
9.
Mission: 3d Squadron,
4th Cavalry performed reconnaissance in force vic Trung Lap
(XT5820). Reacted to attack on Tan Son
Nhut Air Force Base vic (XS8196), conducted search and destroy, reconnaissance
in force missions vic Tan Son Nhut and Hoc Mon (XT7403).
10.
Concept of Operation:
The Squadron moved vic Trung Lap to conduct reconnaissance in force to
locate, destroy, and prevent VC/NVA infiltration in/through that area
subsequently terminating this operation 29 January. The Squadron secured major areas along MSR, characterized by
ambush patrols, listening posts, and radar.
31 January the Squadron (-) reacted to Tan Son Nhut Air Base initially
with one ground troop (-), which was ambushed.
Subsequently reinforcing with one air troop and one ground troop
(+). The Squadron (-) became OPCON to
the 2d Bde, 1st Infantry Division to conduct search and destroy
missions vic Tan Son Nhut to locate and destroy all VC/NVA forces in area,
Operations terminated 7 February. The
Squadron (-) became OPCON 3d Bde, 25th Infantry Division to conduct
reconnaissance in force to locate and destroy VC/NVA forces rocket sites, and
VC/NVA Base Camps.
11.
Execution:
21-29
January
The Squadron conducted road march to vic Trung Lap. CP was maintained near same area. The Squadron conducted reconnaissance in force utilizing three
ground troops with the air troop screening to their flanks. On 24 January Troop A tripped a booby trap
105mm round resulting in 3 US WHA and one VC PW with web gear. On 25 January a tank from Troop C hit a mine
resulting in 2 US WHA. The Troop later
was ambushed receiving 3 RPG-2, 300 small arms rounds. Return fire with organic weapons resulting
in 2 US WHA. On 26 January Troop C
picked up 1 VC PW and 1 detainee with carbine, 1 RPG-2 round, notebook and
paper, 1 M60 machinegun and 1 aircraft radio.
Troop A engaged 1 VC, XT572284, with three hand grenades and 5-10 rounds
small arms, resulting in 1 VC KIA (BC) and capturing 1 AK47 with magazine, 2
batteries and 1 reel of wire, 6ea 2 ½ Lb bags of rice, 4 can of condensed milk,
2 pair brown and 1 pair of black trousers.
On 28 January 3 VC jumped out of spider holes XT567262 and threw grenades
at C Troop. The Troop took under fire
resulting in 4 US WHA, 7 VC KIA (BC), 5 VC PW, and 3 detainees. On 29 January Troop D received fire from 4
VC, XT595304, returned fire resulting in 4 VC KIA (BC), then inserted
Aerorifles, which made heavy contact with unknown number VC. The 2d Bn, 27th Inf. reacted to
them. Results of action 5 US KHA, 6
WHA, 46 VC KIA (BC), 4 VC KIA (POSS), 8 VC PW and 6 detainees. There was 15 pounds of food, condensed milk,
numerous documents and clothing captured.
30
January – 10 March
The Squadron secured major areas along MSR.
On 31 January Troop C (-) reacted to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The Troop was ambushed outside gate 051. The Squadron reacted with Troop D and Troop
B (+). The results of action was 3 APC completely
lost, 1 Tank completely lost, 7 APC damaged, 14 US KHA, 64 US WHA, 309 VC KIA
(BC), 24 VC PW, 1 Chicom radio, numerous weapons and equipment. On 1 February Troop B and C began search and
destroy mission vic Tan Son Nhut to destroy the remainder of VC/NVA forces in
area. The Squadron was OPCON 2d Bde 1st
Infantry Division until the termination of operations 7 February which results
were 3 VC KIA (BC) and 1 VC KIA (POSS).
The Squadron (-) then went OPCON to the 3d Bde 25th Infantry
Division. The Squadron (-) and Co A,
1/27 Inf began search and destroy operations vic Hoc Mon (XT7604). Troop B and Co A 1/27 Inf, were on line
moving through area with Troop C as reaction force when Co A 1/27 Inf made
heavy contact. Troop C moved up to
support Co A 1/27 Inf. The contact
continued until 10 February with no night contact except aerial reconnaissance
and ambush patrols in the area. Results
of the action was 1 tank destroyed, 2 tanks damaged, 3 APC damaged, 10 US KHA,
53 US WHA, 102 VC KIA (BC). On 12
February Troop A went OPCON to the 2d Bde 25th Infantry
Division. They were on search and
destroy mission vic Ap Cho (XT7008) making contact with unknown size VC
force. They were in contact for 4 days
resulting in A Troop being credited with 57 VC KIA (BC) and 6 US KHA, 28 US
WHA. On 14 February Troop C and HHT
returned to Cu Chi leaving Troop B OPCON 3d Bde. On 16 February Troop A and B closed Cu Chi. The next day Squadron
went OPCON 3d Bde 25th Infantry Division. The Squadron moved to vic XS7295. On 19 February Troop C while returning to CP location was
ambushed (XS758979), returned fire resulting in 1 Damaged tank, 2 US KHA, 2 US
WHA, and VC loses were unknown. On 20
February Troop D went OPCON 3/17 Cav.
On 21 February Troop B destroyed 18 bunkers, 4 foxholes, and captured
134 rounds of RPG-7, 1 RPG-2 round, 10 electric blasting caps, 4 22Lb shape
charges at XS702982. Troop C made
contact with unknown number VC/NVA XS719922.
Troop D and A reacted to the contact resulting in 3 US KHA, 20 US WHA, 1
UH-1C destroyed, 1 APC destroyed, 1 APC damaged, 135 VC KIA (BC), 3 VC KIA
(POSS). That evening the Squadron CP
was mortared resulting in 12 US WHA and light damage to equipment, 2 VC KIA
(BC), 1 VC PW. On 22 February Troop C
picked up 1 VC PW WIA with AK47 while sweeping threw the area XS719922. They also located 1 ea. 7.62 type machinegun
on wheels and 2 ea. 9mm pistols vic same area.
Troop C observed one platoon size element moving east to west. Engaged with artillery and spooky with
unknown results. On 22 February Troop B
detonated a dud round resulting in 1 US WHA.
While on search and destroy Troop A and Troop L 3/11th ACR
located 2 VC KIA (BC), 1 RPG-2 and 7 rounds, 4 AK47’s, misc. web gear, and 1
PRC-25. The Squadron received heavy
volume small arms sniper, automatic wpns and RPG fire, returned fire resulting
in 1 US KHA, 3 US WHA, 1 VC KIA (BC).
Troop C observed 15-20 VC moving behind berm, engaged with organic
weapons resulting in 2 VC KIA (BC), 3 VC KIA (POSS), captured 1 AK47. On 23 February Troop A located and destroyed
50 bunkers XS711931, 2 damaged RPG-7 rounds and one box of 7.62 ammo. Troop A later located a bunker which
contained 1 AK47, 1 M-16, 2 ea. 9mm pistols with magazines, 2 Chicom grenades,
2 Lb of documents, 1 medical kit, 1 NVA gas mask, and one field pack. On 24 February Troop C on search and
destroy, vic XS742997 captured numerous medical supplies, documents, 1 NVA gas
mask, 1 AK47 and destroyed one tunnel, one 500Lb bomb, one 105mm round, 2
bunker complexes, 2 round 82mm mortar.
Troop B received unknown number small arms, automatic weapons and RPG
rounds from three sides, followed by ground attack, returned fire with organic
weapons, air and artillery resulting in 1 US KHA, 4 US WHA, and 2 VC KIA
(BC). On 27 February Troop A and B on
search and destroy captured one detainee, and ½ Lbs of documents, while
destroying 30 bunkers. On 28 February
Troop A and C received small arms, automatic weapons, and RPG fire XT742015,
returning fire with organic weapons, artillery, LFT and Tactical air, resulting
in 1 US KHA, 13 US WHA, 1 APC damaged, 1 tank heavy damaged, 7 VC KIA
(BC). On 4 March Troop C and Co D 2/12
Inf on search and destroy vic XT760052 captured one AK47, one set machinegun
tools, 3 Lbs of documents, one RPG-7 sight, destroying 18 Chicom grenades, 138
bunkers, 9 rounds of RPG-2 and 7, 6 RPG boosters, 600 meters commo wire, 1 M-17
protective mask, 300 Lbs Chicom C-4, 200 rounds of AK47. On 6 March, 3d Squadron, 4th
Cavalry received SA, AW, and RPG fire from unknown size VC force, returned fire
with all organic weapons, LFT, arty and Tactical Air, resulting in 1 US KHA, 19
US WHA, 1 APC combat loss, 1 APC damaged, 2 tanks damaged, 2 VC KIA (BC), and
15 bunkers destroyed. 3d Squadron 4th
Cavalry and D 2-12 Inf while on search and destroy mission vic XT7500 located 2
VC KIA (BC) in graves also destroying 215 bunkers, 4 anti-aircraft positions, 1
Chicom grenade, 1 carbine stock and 5 helmets.
On 8 March Troop B and B Co 2-12 Inf captured 8 detainees and destroyed
12 bunkers and 12 spider holes while on search and destroy vic XT7302. CP located at XT712030 received 5 rounds
60mm mortar, returned fire with AW and arty, resulting in 3 US WHA. On 9 March Troop A and D-2-12 Inf captured 1
AK47, documents and a motor bike, they also destroyed 12 rocket positions vic
XS736989. On 10 March Troop A and B on
search and destroy vic XS7099 captured 4 detainees and destroyed 8 individual
firing positions, also destroyed were 3 bunkers and 20 sleeping positions. Operations SARATOGA terminated on 10 March
1969. The Squadron remained in area
OPCON to the 3d Bde 25th Infantry Division.
12.
Results:
a. Friendly:
(1) 780 personnel participated in operation.
(2) Casualties: 57 KHA, 253 WHA.
(3) Vehicles:
Total
Damaged
Total Repaired
Total Combat Loss
Tanks 10 6 4
M113A1 22 14 8
UH-1C 3 2 1
OH-23 1 1 0
b. Enemy:
(1) Enemy Losses: 741 VC KIA (BC), 21 VC KIA (POSS).
(2) Captured: 27 AK47, 4 Pistols, 7 Machine guns,
4
RPG launchers, 19 Lbs documents, 2
M-16’s,
2 radios, and 1 motor bike.
(3) Destroyed: 620 bunkers, 13 rocket firing positions,
272
RPG rounds, 6 tunnels, 12 anti-aircraft
positions,
380 Lbs CKC-C4, 8 gas masks,
22
grenades, 7 RPG weapons.
(4) ENI: Received
SA 37 times, AW 23 times, 3 grenade
attacks, 2
mortar attacks, detonated 5 AT mines 1 AP
mine, 32
VC POW’s and 36 detainees.
(5) FRI: Engaged
enemy 21 times without being fired on first.
13.
Administrative Activities:
14.
Special Equipment and Techniques:
15.
Commander Analysis:
16.
Recommendations:
FOR THE COMMANDER:
JAMES D. MORELAND
CPT Armor
Adjutant
