Battle of Hamburger Hill was the name of the battle between the People's Army of Vietnam with the U.S. Army from May 10 to May 20, 1969 in Thua Thien (now part of Thua Thien-Hue). The battle erupted when the United States concentrated nearly 2,000 military forces under the strong support of artillery firepower to conquer the hill (mountain A Bia, the U.S. called the high point of 937) by two enemy battalions occupied .
The battle took place mostly in the infantry, with the U.S. military to climb hills well Liberation Army attacked the entrenched power. Although backed up by artillery and air force attacks the U.S. has repeatedly repelled by weather, accidents, and especially the effective defense of the Vietnam People's Army. This hill after the battle was American soldiers known as "Hamburger Hill" - Hamburger Hill, as an expression of intense and high casualties of American soldiers. According to Samuel Zaffiri, author of Hamburger Hill, American troops had captured the hill after 10 days of fighting with casualties up to 72 people dead and 372 injured, but had to leave this place a month later.
Background
A Bia is extraordinarily high (937m) between the rolling mountains near the Vietnam-Laos border (a 1.9 km). A Bia Top three tripod feet high cliffs that stand approximately the same, separated by about 400m. Previously, the U.S. had closed up A Bia to picnic, this is the original work, around the cans piled more ... Top A Bia artillery bombed emitting lava, dry stems back to the fire.
The whole mountain range is a rugged, forested wilderness with two or three times the canopy, dense bamboo clumps, and waist-high elephant grass that in some cases higher than an armored M -113. The local people called Ap Bia is "mountain of hidden animals".
Plan of 2 sides
United States
The battle occurred on the high point of 937 in May 1969, the second phase of Operation Apache Snow, a three-phase campaign aimed at destroying Vietnam People's Army in A Sau Valley region ( A Shau), a chain of more routes into South Vietnam Institute. 1966, the People's Army of Vietnam has successfully invade the U.S. barracks in the A Shau Valley (Battle A Shau) and set up presence here. Then the continuous efforts of the U.S. to retake the valley were unsuccessful. Lieutenant General Richard G. Stilwell, commander of 24 Corps of the United States, decided to mobilize the equivalent of two divisions strongly supported by artillery and air force to complete the task.
Forces fighting at Hill 937, including three battalions of the 101st Airborne Division, the commander is Major General Melvin Zais. The unit's 3 Brigade (commanded by Colonel Joseph Conmy) of the 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Lt. Col. Weldon Honeycutt), 2nd Battalion 501 Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion 506 Infantry Regiment ( Lt. Col. John Bowers). Two battalions of the ARVN (2/1 and 4/1) has been tasked to support Brigade 3. The other units participating in the campaign include 9 Regiment, 3rd Battalion of the 5th Cavalry Regiment and ARVN Regiment 3.
Colonel Conmy plan is open for 5 battalion attack by helicopter into the valley on 10-5-1969, to find and destroy ammunition depots of the Vietnam People's Army. Master plan of attack as Marines and reconnaissance units toward the Laotian border while the ARVN units cut roads through the valley. Regiment 501 and 506 will kill the enemy and prevent the escape routes into Laos. If a strong battalions clash with VPA, Conmy will support it by helicopter to one of the other units. In theory, the power of the Ultimate helicopter, Division 101 can react fast enough to prevent any unit that VPA. When a battalion of U.S. detection unit VPA, it will intercept the organization until a battalion can enhance its retreat cut and used superior firepower to destroy the enemy.
However, the U.S. has underestimated the actual strength of the VPA. As master disguise, VPA completely disguise their bases from aerial surveillance of Americans. When traveling, they usually do at night, along the trails under dense forest canopy. They made contact and controlled mainly by letters and telegrams, do not use electronic devices to avoid being tracked. Through experience in larger clash that they often engage in a short time, causing major losses to the U.S. as possible and then quickly withdrawn before suffered overwhelming American firepower . Fighting lasted as at Dak To and Ia Drang battle is relatively rare. Honeycutt anticipated his battalion fully capable to carry out a reconnaissance on High Point 937 without further enhanced, although he had asked the army reserve brigades, and its the Bravo team, ready to assist.
People's Army of Vietnam
After constantly fighting with U.S. Marines during Operation Dewey Canyon in February, the VPA has moved Regiment 6, 9 and 29 in the valley area to refit a grid, additional damage.
A Luoi Valley located northwest of Hue city about 30 km, is surrounded with a high point Dong So at (1,100 m), Ba Lao (1,400 m), A Bia (937m) and Dong Rang ... A Rap River and 14 road along the length of the valley. A northwest with Dap Lim river, A Luoi, connected to Hue by road number 12.
Plan sweep A Luoi of the U.S. was Military Region Tri-Thien previously expected. Thus, from the beginning of March 1969 the Regiment was military zone 3 to prepare the battlefield ready to hit the U.S.. Division Chief Chu Phuong Doi, Nguyen Xuan Tra The committee went with the regiment.
The afternoon of May 7, the regiment Party conference expansion. After hearing Sanyuan Qiao, Party Secretary Regiment thoroughly purposes of deployment requirements, the conference spent time discussing choose one of the combat plans by the regiment commander Ma Vinh Lan presented .
One, with one of the 12.7 mm anti-aircraft guns, one 82mm mortar teams of 1st reinforced infantry battalion, regiment will use the strategy of mobilizing key combination, for the team, the team sorties short, an ambush on American troops clusters picnic. Depending on the specific situation changes, the regiment prepared the plans for mobilizing the key combination regimental, battalion destroy America. To achieve that goal, the regiment was to create clusters of interconnected key to attract more U.S. troops into the deep, and the ability to create the conditions for the advance detachment of troops kill picnic and military applications Research.
Two, do not build key phrase, only mobile force conducting secret set ambushes, raids, short sorties to kill American troops picnic. U.S. aggression, ambition is Vietnam forces sweep away, if meet certain key forces the U.S. will vote to "scan", then the force will be used to maneuver the area ambush on military My shrink.
After several hours of debate, the conference agreed to choose a plan, but also ready to move to the two schemes. A Bia regiment selected to build key phrase.
15 hours of May 8, the release of military units dominate the battlefield. 8 Battalion reinforced the 82mm mortar team build 14 key phrases in A Bia. 7 Battalion located in high areas 903 and 916 points. Great team 16 runs along the west line of section 14 A Shau - A Luoi. Block remaining firepower directly held by the regiment. 9 Battalion as reserve forces, is responsible for the immediate transfer of rice, ammunition from A Rum to A Luoi . The reconnaissance soldiers marching abreast of every American team.
Evolution
Opening battle
10 hours 15 minutes May 10, Battalion 8 by Dinh Xuan Bai battalion commander fired the first public university in the U.S. 3rd Battalion Although high scores on the 400, 500, a northeast around 2 A Beer km. Great team 5 is enhanced two 82mm mortars, divided into three doses, the nose hit the enemy in the squad level, "saddle" and re-emit either direction up along the top of the 500 and 400, in conjunction with two shots hit from behind 500 after tip down.
On the top edge 400, after secretly targeted approach, it's time to shoot, first crushes squad 10 squad in the U.S., later developed into "saddle", in collaboration with 3 hitting platoon upward pressure American troops in the middle.
Meanwhile at the tip 500, 9 squad hit the top, but hit two American mines planted orientation available, most casualties. Nose development from "saddle" on U.S. troops was shot down from the ledge, the team advance in this direction was halted. 5 Great teams have used 82 mm mortars and B-40 shot put from the top 400 to spend, but the hospital is still not definite. Artillery fire on U.S. avalanche tip 400, in combination with two helicopters scanning the tree tops reviewing related, drop grenades around 500 points higher. In this situation, the battalion command team 8 5 A Beer back to continue to build key battlegrounds. Battle played no more than an hour, dozens of U.S. soldiers were killed but eight battalions dispersed by force, do not focus on the target mainly U.S. headquarters, to keep U.S. troops caused many organizations resist losses.
At the direction of Battalion 7, even minute original battalion commander has focused firepower support for the university team beat the highscore 1 903, killing dozens of American soldiers. U.S. helicopters take 6 to hospital and caught 2 more teams here in the south.
U.S. military says it has met the main force, raiding intensity and helicopters used by different armed reconnaissance combat area occurs.
May 11, Honeycutt assigned Alpha and Delta 2 team of scouts to the north and northwest of Mount A beer, while the Bravo and Charlie teams strengthened in the different routes. 13 pm May 11, the U.S. poured down 2 points higher battalions 903, 916 and A Beer. The Vietnam People's Army, the battalion commander ordered 7 to 1 of the 903 children in the area of military, 916, and 3 of the stick maneuver, attack American.
When out helipad (PTT) on the northern slopes, the Bravo team was intense fighting in the area with VPA 1 km at the end of the day. Honeycutt quickly directed the armed helicopters AH-1 Cobra, equipped with rockets and heavy machine guns to support a hasty attack. In the jungle, the confusion Cobra battalion 3/187 in the United States with a landing and the Vietnam People's Army units attacked, killing two people and wounding 35, including Honeycutt. Events this shoot to break the team and the commander, and the battalion had 3/187 retreated into defensive positions overnight. However, contacts confirmed that a considerable force had come VPA, Honeycutt is estimated to increase a platoon or college team.
Also on 11 nights, sapper battalion of the military district headquarters of three U.S. airborne brigade based in Cave Paintings. May 12 Morning America to put two battalions in the regiment 506 A Le Thiem protection brigade headquarters. U.S. to withdraw two battalions of Action Painting, A Beer northern soldiers not hold latch. 3 Steering Committee decision Regiment battalion by battalion 9 Vuong Thuy and political commanders who operate from Lamson tunnels to Guava Beach area. 8 Battalion continued to strengthen key battlegrounds, prepared sugar sorties in A Bia.
During two days, Honeycutt control of his team to the location for a coordinated attack May 13 but was frustrated by difficult terrain and the resistance of the VPA. A unit of the Delta team, fell into a steep muddy ravine on 12 May, suffered very high losses in two days.
U.S. Army to promote offensive
Noon May 13, Airborne brigade commander, Colonel Conmy, has decided it will cut spending and institute of VPA from Laos Honeycutt support A Bia by attacking from the south. University Bravo team helicopter was brought up Hill 916, but the rest of the battalion moved by road, from an area 4 km from Hill 937, and the expected Conmy and Honeycutt Battalion 1/506 will willing to provide assistance no later than May 15 morning. Although the Bravo team went to Hill 916 May 15, it did not participate in attacks until May 19 due to dense forest nearly impossible to move.
12 pm May 13, the team discovered a top 6 VPA U.S. troops in the crater bottom "saddle", is used binoculars to observe the top A Bia. 20 minutes after the U.S. military pulled out in thick ken "saddle". Wait for U.S. troops in the crater climb, the captain ordered Nguyen Tuan discovered the fire deminers. In a mine explosion at the same orientation. In solid black smoke screen, infantry group darted ahead of wife-beating, verbal 82mm mortar team behind intercept. U.S. Army ran the hills. Squad and platoon to flank the Americans hit paddy. Great team 1 though 3 battalion 501 brigade wiped. U.S. Army helicopter rushed the other team down 2 feet high scores determine the team picked up A Bia, but it was dark so back to the old location.
After the battle of the 6 in A Bia, combat plans are confirmed. U.S. forces continued to counter-attack and the high point A Beer 903, 916. VPA Steering Committee decided to continue to use the primary key in A Beer Group 8 and 7 battalions kept high 903 points, making nine battalions operating in A Le Thiem , A Le Loc, and continuous training for special work click on the location of U.S. troops. To implement the policy of the regiment, the 13th night dawn May 14, the special team of 20 to headquarters raid 2 battalion regiment in the high 506 in 1078, killing an officer and soldier of the American cannon, breaking cancel a 105mm artillery.
May 13, though three U.S. brigades organized counter-attack on the high points 903 and 916. 7 Battalion by battalion commanders and political Literature Increase Chen Jiaxuan commander, stick type remote. In the alternative, the battalion soldiers ambushed 7 consecutive U.S. energy consumption, making U.S. soldiers dared not hunt, must constantly moving location, call and assist artillery fire made the belt around the billeted position.
May 14, VPA held 12 border detachments firepower including B-40, B-41, 82 mortars, 60 mortars ly, under the direct command of the regiment deputy Nguyen Hoan intense surprise raid on the team 1 of the shrinking of U.S. military two way peak 916 km to the east, damaging one of the U.S. team, pulled the intention of preparing to conquer the high point of the 2 916 U.S. though.
On A Bia direction, after using bombs, artillery bombardment paved the way for two days 13 and May 14, the U.S. Army 1st Battalion use 101 divided into two regiments front line to A Bia.
On the south-east, round 2 of the counter-attack of the U.S. team was 6 foot pinned under the "saddle" of mines and mortars. When the pass is the "saddle" nibbled to near the summit, the team's sixth mass shootings. The joint combatant Nguyen Van Kien, B-40 gunner Dau Van Nga calm combined with infantry squad opened fire on U.S. troops kill more. Beaten and unexpected close, Americans stepped down feet high scores, and assist fire call.
Know whether 3 U.S. brigade put up A Bia efforts, from May 15 onwards, eight battalions to gain time between two waves retorted tunneling, routing key development towards the north west ridge high point A Beer to avoid U.S. artillery fire coming from the northeast. Trenches built Semi-submersible, basement bedroom, basement floor fight many, many layers. Agency regiments and units turns up A Beer 8 battalion helped build trenches. With this the system, hiding his eight battalions of ground artillery bombs the U.S. has avoided plowed hill day, organized counter-attack broke dozens of U.S. military batch process. U.S. troops with the support of napalm, flame throwers, recoilless cannons forced to proceed with a very slow speed, each of the captured both dearly. VPA also organized around the helipad of the U.S., shot down or damaged firing multiple helicopters though only small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
After 3 days before the key blocked "death" in A Bia, U.S. Army tactical change. Just use fierce artillery hit the key battlegrounds, just use the force of hitting the high points of 916, 900, enclosure to isolate battalion 8, then use large force to attack, invade A Bia .
Noon May 15, the U.S. helicopters pour 1 team (the Bravo Team) 1st Battalion of the brigade though 3 down 916 points higher, and launched two battalions to the direction of peak 900, taking over coordination to A Beer 2 battalion regiment with 506 organizations retorted. The two parties vied for two days. U.S. Army Corps replaced three times, along with Vietnam People's Army forces gradually collapse trenches, could not consolidate. The bottom of the eighth battalion lost, especially towards the bottom 8 teams. Still retains the VPA A Bia.
8 Battalion was cut off from the regiment squad. Department battalion commander decided to confer the 6 teams continue to strengthen the battlefield, enemy from the north; pulled out of 7 teams reinforce key points higher at 991, the core team of 5 additional 8 teams , and the rest as reserve forces. Simultaneously power battalion regiments reported: "The situation is difficult, do not move the wounded soldiers, ammunition shortage, no motive force. Directive am capable of holding up to May 17. Direction retreat south A Bia ".
Party Standing extraordinary meeting Regiment 3 pm May 15 to consider the situation carefully. 3 U.S. tour though was the deal in terms of tactics, from place to hunt actively looking to return to kill the target capture true intentions of the VPA. The meeting concluded: "After nearly a week, the U.S. military has consumed a lot of energy, mental decline. Though I have problems, but this is the time to make plans regimental combat attack campaign whole regiment key combinations in order to destroy more American energy, make A Beer as American paratroopers tomb. "
Board regimental commander for battalion command 8 A beer to keep and attract the enemy, enabling two battalions of 7 and 9 at the flip side of the fire to the south A Beer campaign attacks on military slopes My immediate future to beat the U.S. team at the high point of 916 to repeat the entirely related regiment.
8th Battalion was to obey orders of the regimental commander, for two days 16 and May 17, many battles took place continuously in the hill areas 903, 916 and south A Beer. May 16, 16 border regiment concentrated mortar, B-40, B-41 and the 12.7 mm surprise raid on the U.S. team at The Banana, U.S. helicopters have taken 4 to deal with the consequences.
9 pm May 17, the 2nd battalion commander 7 by spring water, and politics Cao Tran Van Quang, commander, secret woods bike, the first surprise of the U.S. team at the high point of 916. With close fighting style, fierce assault, the second team beat the Americans in tip 1, the survivors fled to tip 2. During the pursuit, Nguyen Van Browse soldiers led the team lineup, using the inter-American soldiers killed dozens. U.S. Army drifted off cliffs running down 2 feet high score of the bottom face 5 teams, 30 more soldiers killed. Two pm May 17, 916 U.S. troops were wiped out. Corridor between 916 and A Beer was opened. Road to 8 battalions to be open. 3 brigade commander despite not knowing anything about the fate of the U.S. team in the 916 should remain high for helicopters ferried troops to the application for this team, so the team was knocked out 2 2 helicopters and soldiers went along.
This time, in the direction A Bia also occur fierce battle. U.S. trying to invade A Bia to remove face and body to pick up teammates killed during the past two days. After 8 battalions cut from the team Regiment 3, 3rd U.S. tour though the two battalions of the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the regiment elected 506 turns around A Beer retorted. U.S. strategy of "large waves overwhelming the enemy" strategy that performs more "seamless waves" that cause stress leading to depression and mental willpower, VPA forced to withdraw tired A Bia .
In two days 16 and May 17, the U.S. artillery along 12th Street toward A Bia pouring bullets, both fired chemical shells cause watery eyes, runny nose. Retorted the final match in May 17th place at 15 o'clock. U.S. Army with 4 nose, using chemical shells hit up A Beer. User of the 6, 1 to 5 on the tip of the soldiers by Tran Van Loi deputy commander, although still slightly contaminated flexibility to maneuver around the battlefield, using a variety of weapons, beat out several times in a row retorted, maintaining battlefield. Mom 3 to 8 soldiers under the command of squad leader Nam Thang Mai fight with one of the United States, killing dozens of soldiers. At the end of the round, only 3 person squad. By 16 hours, 1 of the American artillery to support the advance of closing. Nguyen Trong Phan killing two men at the forefront AK, and blasting more compact scan-oriented Americans. Hoang Van Doi by an effective B-40 to kill some more. Tran Huy Dua on the number of scanning the inter survivors fleeing down the hill, key battlegrounds three soldiers still holds.
At the direction of Team 7, south A Bia soldiers Nguyen Van Hieu alone undertake one direction, using a firearm at three infantry. In May 17, three bombs were buried, Hieu still up and continue fighting. Hieu recorded 38 American soldiers were killed before his battle, hold the final battle.
While U.S. forces are focused in the direction of the team 5 and 6 of the 2nd, 7th Battalion unexpected offensive squad on the left side of the first counter-attack the U.S. team, knocked down foot peak. Final round of the U.S. counter-attack on A Bia Day 17 has been broken.
Angry that were held over five days, the U.S. brigade commander ordered an attack on a combination of two battalions and 18 May, with a battalion of 1/506 attacked from the south and 3/187 attack from the north, trying to isolate enemy forces. University of the battalion's Delta 3/187 was not running close to the hill, but were ambushed and serious casualties, including all of its officers. From an observation helicopter, the battalion commander was trying to coordinate the other team into a great offensive end, but a violent rain reduces air support and battle ends . Battalion 3/187 again to retreat down the mountain. Three's company 1/506th battalion battle for gaining the 900, south of the mountain, also met with strong resistance.
Because of heavy casualties in one week and under pressure from the unwanted attention the press, some commanders seriously consider stopping the attacks. Both the corps commander and the MACV commander, General Creighton W. Abrams, publicly supported this decision. But the local commanders would feel humiliated when to retreat by a force much smaller opponent. So Zais decided to continue the attack, launched three new battalions into combat for the replacement unit was heavily damaged. Battalion 3/187 severe damage, with about 320 killed and wounded more than 60% of the 450 soldiers who have first-hand experience. Two of the four commander and eight of twelve platoon were casualties.
Vietnam People's Army retreated
After 1 week of fighting, two battalions of the VPA completed the assigned goal is to destroy a significant amount of American soldiers. As a common strategy in the battle against America, VPA did not try to grab the battlefield ((fact)) but just trying to cause maximum casualties before the enemy retreated organizations to avoid power mobility and firepower superiority of U.S. encirclement destroyed. The initial plan was drawn on the night of 17, but the good units completed and extended to be 1 day. Night 18, the VPA began organizing mountain retreat from the battlefield A Beer, leaving only a small part as diversionary.
May 19, 2 infantry battalions were airborne landing in the northeast and southeast of the mountain. Both battalions immediately moved up the mountain to get to the location from which they will attack the next morning. Meanwhile, Battalion 1/506 for the third consecutive day to ensure the safety of point 900.
3rd Brigade launched its four-battalion attack at 10:00 on 20, including two of the team's 3/187 is enhanced by the Alpha Team 2/506. The attack was supported by two hours of air strikes and shelling ninety minutes. The battalion attacked simultaneously, 12:00 battalion 3/187 up to the top. Subunit diversionary mission of VPA remaining after the shooting stall U.S. withdrew to Laos in the main unit, and Hill 937 are held in U.S. military 17:00. ((Fact))
Results
U.S. Army loss of hundreds of lives, but ultimately only a hill no military value. Major General John M. Wright ordered quietly withdrew from the hill June 5. The debate on "Hamburger Hill" took place in the U.S. Congress, with particular criticism of the serious Senator Edward Kennedy, George McGovern, and Stephen M. Young. Edward Kennedy called it "The operation insane and irresponsible. Partial lives of U.S. soldiers to be wasted just for the military area commander"
U.S. Press May 25, 1969 A beer is called "Hamburger Hill of American paratroopers," condemning the U.S. military forces threw up a mountain only to turn beer operations "snow on the mountain" (Apache Snow) in "blood fell on the mountain." In the June 27, Life magazine published photographs of 241 American soldiers killed in a week in Vietnam, which is considered a turning point of the war. Although only a portion of them are casualties on Hamburger Hill, many Americans are aware that all those who died were victims of "fighting mad and pointless" .
Controversy over Hamburger Hill battle led to a reassessment of the U.S. strategy in South Vietnam. As a direct result, to keep excessive casualties, General Abrams stopped the policy of "maximum pressure" against the People's Army of Vietnam, while President Richard Nixon accelerate implementation of the new strategy is Vietnam of the war, and declared withdrawal of the first crusaders. Although the battle at the battalion level, but it has become a turning point in the Vietnam War.
With VPA, the results obtained in the battle at A Bia and offensive deployment of 324 in Division A Luoi valley cheered and promote movement raiding "pacification" was developed in the locals. A Bia Victory went into the history of the first traditional 324 divisions since reorganization and the opening level for the period to recover the ball, plain, repeat the following three strategic areas after Tet Mau Than1968.
