Vitenam Tourney Action Report

[The Rattler]

rattler(u.s) v Tide (nva)

"Incoming!, take cover!" The sky filled with rocket artillery and plumes of smoke were rising from the ground as a landed group of Hueys were hit while refueling. Six more Huey transports damaged or lost along with trucks carrying some reinforcements that never made it to the front lines. How did the NVA know this was one of our mobile supply points? Obviously some VC were in the area supplying information. Further north a hail of mortar fire hit our front lines and such was the accuracy great losses were taken by the infantry.I bit down on my cigar and ordered the capture of the objective we were assaulting. The boys went in hard and unfortunately some civilians thought to be VC were caught in the firefight which will be bad press for us back home.The assault was a tactical success and all NVA were destroyed such was the inspired actions of the assaulting troops after seeing many of there own perish. APC's and loaded trucks moved forwards for further operations to the north.In a Cobra heli I proceeded along with other hueys further forwards to the great mountains and jungle and took some small arms fire as a welcoming from the NVA. Circling above i peered through my binoculars and spotted some hidden mortars and infantry on the outskirts of the jungle and called Skyraider for a run at the Area. "This is Skyraider we are coming in hot, repeat,coming in hot" . Approaching at low level Skyraider lined up the outskirts of the forest and i hoped this display of firepower would shake the foundations and make the enemy scatter before we landed.Some tracer was seen directed towards Skyraider. I held my breath..........
The jungle erupted in flame and surely nothing could survive such a barrage. We approached with Gunship support and dropped behind the disrupted and dazed enemy with speed and precison. A few minor injuries later and the enemy was parceled up and prisoners shipped to the rear for interrogation including some battalion commanders. Only another 500 metres and we will have another objective under control. I received news that the small force of NVA occupying a hill to the west that was previously surrounded had been all but defeated and only some minor resistance was left to mop up.Tallying up results so far i could see that at this rate losses in expensive heli's was getting costly due to the enemies artillery and AA fire. Surveying the maps I looked ahead to the next stronghold where artillery gun flashes had been sighted. I had no idea what sort of strength of force was lurking in that dense jungle but expected the worst as we prepared to move out once again.