The Mauling - Battle of Ap Nha Mat - Campaign Series Vietnam 1948-1967

Jason Petho
5 December, 1965
[Long Nguyen Secret Zone, Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam]: [SIDE A / H2H] [HIS] [CSL]:

After the disaster that befell the ARVN 7th Regiment in the Michelin Plantation on November 27th, 1965, the U.S. 3rd Brigade was sent to their rescue.

The 3rd Brigade's mission had changed after intelligence surmised that the VC 271st and 273rd Regiments were still operating in the Long Nguyen Secret Zone, east of the Michelin Plantation.

The 1st/16th and 2nd/2nd Battalions of the 3rd Brigade were tasked with clearing the area under the guise of Operation Bloodhound (later changed to Bushmaster II).

On December 1st, both battalions conducted an air mobile assault into the Michelin Plantation and began their sweeps to the east. Over the course of the next few days, while expecting to run into the VC Regiments, the two battalions had managed to uncover several camps and caches. A Viet Cong prisoner was captured who revealed that the units were retreating east.

On December 5th, while clearing between phase lines Arizona and Colorado, both battalions had begun running into heavier resistance.

The 1st/16th uncovered a training centre, hospital, mess hall and other supplies, while the 2nd/2nd engaged some Viet Cong in entrenched positions not far from the village of Ap Nha Mat.

Artillery support from Fire Support Base Lai Khe and Fire Base Dallas, airstrikes and gunship support helped the two battalions to accomplish the mission.

After contact was made, both the Americans and Viet Cong were jockeying for position, attempting to outflank each other before the ensuing mauling.

[ALL, NO VV] [CSEE, Variable Objectives] [1.00]