I Field Force Vietnam Lessons Learned 7 April 1969

8/3/2019 I Field Force Vietnam Lessons Learned 7 April 1969

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Distribution authorized to U.S. Gov't. agenciesand their contractors; Administrative/Operational Use; 12 FEB 1969.Other requests shall be referred to Office ofthe Adjutant General, Department of the Army, Washington, DC 20310.

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THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTIONS 793 AND 794. THE TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS I N ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON I S PROHIBITED B Y LAW.



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C O N F I D E N T I A L DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20S10

• wiv mtftn TO

AGAM-P (M)(28 Mar 69) FOR 0T UT 91186 April 1969 SUBJECT: Operational Report Lessons Learned, Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam Artillery, Period Ending 31 January 1969 (U )

SEE DISTRIBUTION

1 . ubject report is forwarded for review an d evaluation in accordance with paragraph 5b, AR 525-15. Evaluations an d corrective actions should be reported to ACSFOR 0T UT, Operational Reports Branch, within 90 days of receipt of covering letter.

2 . nformation contained in this report is provided to insure appropriate benefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations an d ma y be adapted for us e in developing training material.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

J aMk* 1 Incl * KENNETH G. WICKHAM a s ajor Central, USA

Tha Adjutant Ganaral DISTRIBUTION: Commanding Generals

US Continental A r r a y Command US Army Combat Developments Command

Commandants US Army War CollegeUS Army Command an d General Staff College \

US Army Air Defense School US Army Aviation School US Army Combat Surveillance School US Army Field Artillery School US Army Infantry School US Army Missile an d Munitions School US Army Ordnance School US Army Transportation School

R e g r a d e d u n c l a s s i f i e d w h e n s e p a r a t e d f r o m c l a s s i f i e d i nc losure .

C O N F I D E N T I A L



w. r m m m m a -w . . , - w . n w u

DISTRIBUTION (Cont'd) Copies furnished: Office, Chief o f Staff, U S Army Deputy Chiefs o f Staff Chief o f Research and Development Assistant Chiefs of ^taff Chief o f Engineers OSD(SA) Assistant

f o r Southeast Asia Forces

C G , U S Army Weapons Command C G , I Field Force Vietnam Artillery Deputy Chief o f Staff, Air F o r c e , Plans & Operations Director, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group Defense Documentation Center Research Analysis Corporation Security Officer, Hudson Institute Commanding Officers

U S Army Limited War Laboratory US Army Logistics, Doctrine Systems & Readiness Agency



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CONFIDENTIAL DEPARTMENT F THE A RM !

HEADQUARTERS FIELD FORCE VIETNAM A R THLRR T

APO 9 6 3 5 0

AVFA-AT-D 1 2 February 1 9 6 9

SUBJECT: perational Report o f Headquarters and H e a d q u a r t e r s Battery I Field Force Vietnam Artillery for period 1 November to 3 1 January 1 9 6 9 , RCS CSFOR - 65 ( R 1 )

SEE DISTRIBUTION

1 . ection 1 ( C ) ignificant Crganisatton o r Unit a c t i v i t i e s .

a . e n e r a l . uring t h e reporting p e r i o d , I FFORCEV Arty continued « u p - p o r t of ARVN, R F / P F , R O K , U S and USSF/CIDG forces in II C T Z . he I F T C f t C E T Arty organisation

1 remained unchanged from that reported 3 1 Get 6 8 . Tmo

group headquarters e a c h with four b a t t a l i o n s a t t a c h e d , t h r e e s e p a r a t e b a t t a - l i o n s , t h r e e s e p a r a t e batteries and ten d e t a c h m e n t s s u p p o r t e d o p e r a t i o n s conducted by allied maneuver u n i t s in a r e a s of o p e r a t i o n s ( A O )

2 *«*w—+-> b e l o w .

I FFORCEV Arty

U l s t Arty Gp

52d Arty Gp

5 t h B n , 2 7 t h Arty Btry B , 6th B n , 8 1 » t h Arty Btry C , 5th B n , 22d Arty

6 t h B n ,

32d Arty

Btry C , 6th B n , 8Uth Arty

- S e e Ihclosure - S e e Ihclosure Fon ©TUT

63 HAS

Inclosur*

Man euv e r Unit 2 2 d A R V N Div Cap O E Inf Div 173dAbn Bde 2U t h R V N STZ

23d A R V N Div U th Inf Div 2 3d A R V N Div Task Force South

2 2 d A R V N Div

23d A R V N Div C ap O K Inf Div 9th O K Inf Div

Indicated

AO

DAN SINH - COCHXSB

BINR TAT - MACABTRTB

DANTHANO - MCLAIN

CRID

9th ROK HF DIV

D £ 2 i r o n . 1 0

C O N F I D E N T I A L GROUP k

DOWNGRADED AT 3 TEAR INTERVALS I DECLASSIFIED AFTER 1 2 TEARS



CONFIDENTS AVFA -AT -D 2 February 1969 SUBJECTf Operational Report of Headquarters nd Headquarters Battery I Field

Forte Vietnam Artillery or period ovember o 1 anuary 196?, FCS S F C R 0 R1)

T h e i t h B n , 6 o t h A r t y ( A W S f ) , w i t h a t t a c h e d B t r y B . 2 9 t h A r t y ( S L T ) a n d B t r y t l , U 1 s t A r t y ( M G ) , a n d H H B , c t h B n , 2 6 t h A r t y ( T A B ; w i t h t e n a t t a c h e d c o u n t e r - m o r t a r r a d a r d e t a c h m e n t s c o n t i n u e d o p e r a t i o n s i n s u p p o r t o f a l l i e d f o r c e s t h r o u g h o u t I I C T Z .

b = I n t e l l i g e n c e .

( 1 ) H o s t i l e a r t i l l e r y a c t i v i t y w a s c o n c e n t r a t e d i n t h e t h r e e n o r t h e r n P r o v i n c e s o f K o r t u m p

" i » * . i k u a n d B i n h D l n h d u r i n g N o v 6 8 . S i g n i f i c a n t a s - p e c t s o f t h i s a t t i v x i y » e r e t h e e n e m y e m p l o y m e n t o f 1 0 5 > m m a r t i l l e r y f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e o n t a r g e t s n e a r B e n H e t , K o n t u m , a n d h i s e m p l o y m e n t o f t h e 1 0 0 m m g u n o n « a r g e t s n e a r D u e C o , P l e i k u . T h e e n e m y a r t i l l e r y c a p a b i l i t y i n c r e a s e d a s t w o n e w b a t t a l i o n s w e r e c a t e g o r i z e d a s " c o n f i r m e d " a n d o n e

b a t t a l i o n a s " p o s s i b l e " I n O B h o l d i n g s .

( 2 ) E n e m y a r t i l l e r y a t t a c k s a n d e x p e n d i t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t I I C T Z f o r t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d a r e i n d i c a t e d b e l o w z T y p e w e a p o n s e m p l o y e d I n c l u d e d m o r t a r s , r o c k e t s a n d r e c o i l l e s s r i f l e s .

M C H T H T T A C K S / E A T D S / D A I

N o v 6 8 1 D e c 6 8 B J a n 6 9 1

A p p r o x i m a t e l y 0 0 $ o f t h e e x , e m y a t t a c k s o e c u ^ r e d i n t h e W e s t e r n H i g h l a n d s

w h e r e k $ % f t h e e n e m y ' s a r t i l l e r y c a p a b i l i t y I s s u s p e c t e d t o b e l o c a t e d .

( 3 ) T h e e n e m y a t t a c k o n P h a n R a n g A F B o n 2 6 J a n 69 s n o t e w o r t h y i n t h a t C M E C i d e n t i f i e d t h e r o u n d s a s 1 0 7 m m r o c k e t s . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t r e - p o r t e d e m p l o y m e n t o f t h i s w e a p o n i n I I C T Z o

( U ) C o u n t e r m o r t a r R a d a r O p e r a t i o n s .

( a ) D u r i n g t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d , e o u n t e r m o r t a r r a d a r s ( G M R ) c o n t i n u e d t o b e d e p l o y e d a t t h o s e i n s t a l l a t i o n s a n d f i r e b a s e s w h e r e e n e m y a r t i l l e r y h a s b e e n a c t i v e - P a t t e r n a n a l y s e s o f a t t a c k s i n t h e D u e L a p , D u e C o a n d A n K h e a r e a s t o i n c l u d e p a s t e n e m y a r t i l l e r y f i r i n g p o s i t i o n s , c a l i b e r o f w e a p o n u s e d , a n d t i m e o f a t t a c k w e r e c o n s t r u c t e d t o p r o v i d e t h e C M R ' s a

p r i m a r y s e c t o r o f s e a r c h . P a t t e r n a n a l y s e s o f a l l a r e a s w h e r e C M R ' s a r e d e p l o y e d a r e m a i n t a i n e d b y t h e S 2 , I F F O R C E V A r t y a n d u p d a t e d a f t e r e a c h a t t a c k .

CONFIDENTIAL



-T^ BBjSB r^W . V Ü - VWWf' !

CONFIDENTIAL A V P A - A T - D 2 February 1969

S U B J E C T : Ope r a t i o n a l R e p o r t of Headquar t e r s and Headquar t e r s attery I Field

Forc e Vie tnam Artillery for period ovember to 1 anuary 1969»

R C S C S F C R R 1) ( b ) ach month the degree of CMR operational effectiveness is measured

by comparing the number of hostile firing positions located with the total number of attacks received. he average percentage of operational effectiveness during this reporting period was $1%. CMR's deployed In areas that frequently receive enemy artillery attacks are the most effective. or ex - ample, 2^3d FA Det deployed at Due Lap was 8# effective an d the 77th FA Det located at Pleiku AFB was 7 3 5 6 effective during the reporting period. om- munications to all major units that can supply the CMR with rapid notifica- tion of possible enemy firing positions has enhanced the CMR operations.

( c ) lthough the effectiveness of CMR's are analyzed monthly the best measure of any target acquisition means is obtained when a ground sweep of the area is performed. round sweeps were conducted for J>% f the 26 5 enemy artillery attacks occurring in Dec 68 and Jan 6 9 . his was a slight increase over previous months.

( d ) uring November 1968, a maintenance contact beam modified all A N / t t F Q - b i countermortar radars in RVN to enable them to detect low trajectory artillery weapons more accurately. his modification was in- stalled in the 13 Q-k MR's located in II CTZ by mid-November and has proved successful as indicated by increased detection of low trajectory weapon attacks.

( e ) n 2 No v 68, the 256th FA Det located at FSB 12 ( 1 6 km East of Dak To) was - . r e n d e r e d a combat loss by enemy artillery, ithin 3 6 hours

a maintenance float Q-k, located

with the 62d

Maint Bn at

Pleiku, was

airlifted to the Dak To area as a replacement.

( f ) o utilize more adequately countermortar r a d a r - assets, the AN/ MPQ-10A deployed in the Cam Ranh Bay/Dong Ba Thin area was re-deployed to Ban Me Thuot due to the lack of an enemy artillery threat In the CBS/ DBT area. he Q-k radar at Ban Me Thuot was re-deployed at LZ Sherry in the Fh&n Thiet area, thereby giving Task Force South a Q-U countermortar radar capability.

c . perations an d Training Activities.

( 1 ) perations.

(a) n 10 Nov 68, the Darlac Province Combined Fire Support Coordina- tion Center (CFSCC) began operations as the second ARVN/DS CFSCC established in II CTZ. he first CFSCC was established in Binh Thuan Province in «Ld- Aug 6 8 . he Darlac CFSCC is collocated with the 23 d ARVN Div TOC la Ban Me Thuot City an d consists of an operations section, targeting section and liaison officers. he CFSCC ha s reduced by at least five minutes the time

CONFIDENTIAL



iW.U

CONFIDENTIAL AVFA -AT -D 2 February 1969 SUBJECTS Operational Report of Headquarters nd Headquarters attery I Field

Force V i e t nam Artillery for period o v emb e r o 31 anuary 1969, R C S C S F C R H 1)

r e q u i r e d f o r g r a n t i n g c l e a r a n c e s t o a r t i l l e r y , g u n s h l p e a n d T a e A i r . P r i o r t o t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f C F S C C i n t h e s e a r e a s t w o m a j o r p r o b l e m s w e r e e n c o u n t e r e d .

1 _ I t w a s d i f f i c u l t t o i n t e g r a t e t h e f i r e p o w e r o f a l l i e d n a t i o n s c a p - a b l e ' o f f i r i n g I n a g i v e n a r e a . T h i s f r e q u e n t l y n e c e s s i t a t e d s e l e c t i o n o f a l e s s s u i t a b l e w e a p o n f o r a t t a c k i n g a p a r t i c u l a r t a r g e t o r t h e l o s s o f a l u c r a t i v e t a r g e t w h i l e a t t e m p t i n g t o c o o r d i n a t e t h e r e q u i r e d f i r e s u p p o r t .

2 T h e o b t a i n i n g o f p o l i t i c a l c l e a r a n c e o f t e n r e q u i r e d a n e x c e s s i v e a m o u n t o f t i m e w h i l e a n F S C C , w o r k i n g t h r o u g h a l i a i s o n o f f i c e r , a t t e m p t e d t o o b t a i n c l e a r a n c e s f r o m p o l i t i c a l h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d s e v e r a l m i l i t a r y h e a d - q u a r t e r s . T h e C F S C C a l l e v i a t e s t h e s e p r o b l e m s b y c o l l o c a t i n g i n o n e i n t e - g r a t e d f a c i l i t y , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m e v e r y f i r e s u p p o r t o r g a n i s a t i o n a n d c l e a r a n c e a g e n c y o p e r a t i n g I n a g i v e n a r e a . T h e a d v a n t a g e s a r e t h a t t h e m a n e u v e r e l e m e n t s r e c e i v e q u i c k r e s p o n s e s t o c a l l s f o r f i r e b e c a u s e t h e

f i n a l a u t h o r i t i e s f o r s e l e c t i n g t h e b e s t a v a i l a b l e w e a p o n t o a t t a c k t h e t a r g e t a n d f o r o b t a i n i n g p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y c l e a r a n c e a r e l o c a t e d w i t h - i n t h e S i n g l e f a c i l i t y .

( b ) D u r i n g t h e p e r i o d $ - 1 2 D e c 6 8 , B t r y B , 1 s t B n , 9 2 d A r t y ( 1 $ $ T ) a n d B a t t e r i e s B a n d C , 6 t h B n , 1 2 | t h A r t y ( 8 / 1 7 $ , S P ) s u p p o r t e d e l e m e n t s o f t h e U t h I n f D i v a n d A R 7 N i n o p e r a t i o n D E A D E N D . T h e o p e r a t i o n w a s c o n - d u c t e d a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y ' s r o a d n e t w o r k i n t h e n o r t h w e s t e r n a r e a o f B l n h T a y - M a c A r t h u r A O . T h e b a t t e r i e s ' e x p e n d i t u r e s A i r i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n w e r e a s f o l l o w s :

U N I T O U N D S

B / 1 / 9 2 2 8 B / 6 / 1 1 * 2 7 $ C / 6 / 1 U , 0 8 8

T O T A L fW ( c ) O n 1 6 D e c , a p r o v i s i o n a l b a t t e r y w a s f o r m e d c o n s i s t i n g o f t w o

1 0 $ m m h o w i t z e r s d e p l o y e d a t D u e L a p D i s t r i c t H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d t w o 1 0 $ m m h o w i t z e r s , l o c a t e d a t t h e D u e L a p T J S S F / C I D Q C a m p . T h e t w o h c v i t z e r s a t t h e D i s t r i c t H e a d q u a r t e r s a r e m a n n e d b y $ 2 d A r t y O p p e r s o n n e l . O n e h o w - i t z e r c r e w a n d o n e o f f i c e r o f t h e $ 2 d A r t y Gp a r e l o c a t e d a t t h e D S S F / C I D G C a m p t o p r o v i d e t h e p l a t o o n w i t h a F I R E C R A C K E R c a p a b i l i t y . T h e h o w - i t z e r s a r e m a n n e d b y C I D G p e r s o n n e l f o r n o r m a l m i s s i o n s . T h e m i s s i o n o f

t h e p r o v i s i o n a l b a t t e r y i s t o p r o v i d e s u p p o r t f o r t h e D u e L a p a r e a w h e r e

t h e e n e m y c o n t i n u e s t o p o s e a m a j o r t h r e a t . n 3 1 J a n 6 9 t h e u n i t w a s o f f i c i a l l y d e s i g n a t e d B t r y D ( P R O V ) , $ t h B n , 2 2 d Arty (10#) by $ 2 d A r t y O p .

CONFIDENTIAL



CONFIDENTIAL AVFA-AT-D 2 February 1969 SUBJECTS perational Report of Headquarters an d Headquarters Battery I Field

Fore« Vietnam Artillery for period 1 November to 3 1 January 1969, RCS CSFCR ( R 1 )

( d ) n 1h an 69, 1st B n , 92d Arty assumed responsibility for fire support coordination In northern Kontum Province from the 6th B n , 29th Arty, hth

Inf Div A r t y , , n ARVN/US Combined Fire Support Coordination Center was established at Kontum City, the third CFSCC to begin operations in the U TZ . The CFSCC staffing an d operational responsibilities are similar to those of the Darlac CFSCC.

( e ) n 17 Jan 6 9 , 5 th B n , 27th Arty relocated its tactical command peel from Phan Rang to Dalat for purposes of expediting coordination activities with H q , Task Force South. ommanding Officer, 5 th B n , 27th Arty, is the Fire Support Coordinator for the Task Force South area of operations.

( f ) n k an 69 four howitzers of Btry C , 1s t B n , 92d Arty 0 5 5 T ) began support of 2 l i t h Special Tactical Zone Operation Binh Tay U8 and U 9 . he four ARVN battalion search and clear operation was conducted in the mountainous

terrain west of Plei Mrong an d east of Se San River, he 1st B n , 92d Arty, 3 d Bn, 6th Arty and 6th Bn, 1 l t t h Arty provided forward observer parties for each maneuver battalion an d 6th B n , lUth Arty provided a Liaison Officer to facilitate rapid clearance of artillery fire. s of 3 1 Jan 69 Btry C , 1st B n , 92d Arty expended more than 6,000 rounds in support of the operation which continued through the end of the reporting period.

( g ) ire Support Coordination Element (FSCE)«

1 _ An average of two ships were on station in II CTZ coastal waters each day öf the reporting period to provide naval gunfire support for the 173d Abn Bde, GRID, 9th ROK ' I n f Div an d Task Force South. he USS New Jersey supported operations of the 9th ROK Inf Div and Task Force South during the period 5-7

Nov 68 and returned 26-28 De c 68 to again support the 9th ROK Inf Div. he following are the total naval gunfire expenditures for the periods

MISSIC T O OUNDS EXPENDED 3 70 7,075

2 The average of 1922 Immediate Reaction/Hangfire targets developed each m o n t h " was comparatively the same as for the previous repvrting period. he number of targets by month, Increased as shown below?

HCNTH ARGETS November 1239

December 1 8 5 3

January 268U

CONFIDENTIAL



_ CONFIDENTIAL AVFA-AT-D 2 Fe b r u a r y 1969 SUBJECT: p e r a t i o n a l Report o f H e a dq u a r t e r s a n d H e a dq u a r t e r s B a t t e r y Field

For ce V i e t n a m A r t i l l e r y for p e r i o d November t o 3 1 J a n u a r y 1969, RC S CSFOR (Rl)

Sever a l h i p - s h o o t s / r a i d s were c o n d u c t e d . h e mos t n o t a b l e wa s a t e n - d a y in- t e r d i c t i o n p r o g r a m e m p l o y i n g 175mm g u n s in an a r e a o f h e a v y e n e m y a c t i v i t y n o r m a l l y b e y o n d the r a n g e o f o c c u p i e d fire bases. t o t a l o f 935 r o u n d s (175mm) wa s expe n de d o n thi s o p e r a t i o n .

3 _ SCE issue d a n a v e r a g e o f n i n e ARC Lig h t s u p p r e s s i o n s o f 175mm f i r i n g e a c h d ay o f the r e p o r t i n g p e ri od. o m m a n d e r s were r e q u e s t e d t o repo r t in- f o r m a l l y o n t h e e f f e c t s o f the s e s u p p r e s s i o n s on t h e i r un i ts ' m i s s i o n s . h e r e s p o n s e i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e s u p p r e s s i o n s h a d n o t s i g n i f i c a n t l y a f f e c t e d o p e r a t i o n s .

4 l a n s were m a d e d u r i n g J a n u a r y for a p h a s e d t ak e o v e r t o t he A r t i l l e r y FSCE o f t h o s e ARC Lig h t f u n c t i o n s c u r r e n t l y p e r f o r m e d by G3 Air, I FFORCEV. Th e takeover will be c o m p l e t e d 5 Feb 69. h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f t his dual in- terest s h o u l d p r o v e to be a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l y m o r e e f f i c i e n t in a d d i t i o n to r e c o g n i z i n g t h a t t he p r i m a r y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for s u c h a c t i o n b e l o n g s with a FSCE.

( 2 ) r a i n i n g . ( a ) h e I FFORCEV Arty Forward Observer Training Course (FOTC) an d the

Fire Di r e c t i o n Officer Training Course (FDOTC) continued to train a r t i l l e r y Li e u t e n a n t s a n d other US a n d RVNAF personnel.

1 _ our different programs of instruction have been developed to accomo- date the various personnel receiving forward observer training: 5-day

course conducted for artillery Lieutenants an d ARVN personnel; a 4-hour course conducted fo r 1st Cav Div (AM) an d 173d Abn Bde replacements; an

8-hour course conducted for RF/PF Ranger School; and a 16-hour course conducted for RF/PF and RD personnel. he total output for the period July -

De c 68, was 3108 personnel fo r the four courses. total of 618 were ARVN personnel. uring'Jan 69, 5 0 US personnel attended the FOTC.

2 n the latter part of Dec 68, I FFORCEV Arty initiated a FADAC assistance program. team of tw o instructors from the FDOTC an d tech- nical representatives from the 1st LO G Cmd visited I FFORCEV Arty units during the week 22-28 Dec 68. he team will continue to conduct visits to the subordinate units approximately every six weeks to improve opera- tor proficiency an d decrease FADAC non-operational time.

(b) S Artillery Assistance an d Support to RVNAF.

I The three assistance programs, USSF/CIDG, Associate Battery and RF/PF an d RD, continued during the reporting period. mprovement in the proficiency

CONFIDENTIAL



-"'" "- ■ ■ ■ .; ■ !. 'W..JJ IJj m— ■ ■-

CONFIDENTIAL AVFA-AT-D 2 February 1969

SUBJECT: perational Report of Headquarters an d Headquarters Battery I Field Force Vietnam Artillery for period November to 31 January 1969, RC S CSFOR (Rl)

of CIDG camp artillery in the II CTZ continues. ore effective coordination

between ARVN an d US Artillery units in mutual support an d increased proficiency in the ARVN artillery battery operations an d maintenance procedures was noted.

2 n Nov 68, approximately 9 7 7 . of the RF/PF units in the II CTZ were located within the range capabilities of allied artillery. orward observer training for RF/PF continued to receive emphasis during the period. G, II

Corps (ARVN) directed that forward observer training schools be established by ARVN Artillery units in each province. S artillery units assist in the training as requested by ARVN.

3 n coordination with CORDS-RF/PF, I FFORCEV Arty developed a require- ment fo r US Advisors to submit a report on the status of RF/PF capabilities to obtain artillery fire support. series of questions pertaining to forward observers assigned, communications available, an d the artillery support provided were distributed to the Advisors through CORDS channels. hen re- sponses have been received they will be used to isolate problem areas an d initiate corrective action to improve the fire support fo r RF/PF.

(3 ) ther

(a) rtillery Seninar. he Third Allied Artillery Seminar was hosted by CG, I FFORCEV Arty in Nha Trang on 29 Jan 69. enior commanders selec- ted staff officers an d associate US artillery advisors of ARVN, ROK and US artillery organizations attended the one day conference. he seven topics included a progress report on RF/PF forward observer training and artillery

survey an d mapping

problems presented by the ARVN Artillery; innovations in

gunnery techniques by the ROK Artillery; an d countermortar/defensive targets programs an d an informational topic pertaining to the operations of the Darlac CFSCC presented by US Artillery. he day's program was con- cluded by a demonstration of the Radar Chronograph, M 3 6 - .

(b) mmunition Expenditure Analysis. he Ammunition Analysis Section, established in Sep 68, has enabled a more comprehensive analysis of I

FFORCEV Arty ammunition expenditures in the II CTZ. esulting from the weekly and monthly analyses, expenditure trends were emphasised or cur- tailed by command action and target analysis, target acquisition, fire planning and coordination continued to be more effective. or the si x month period, Aug 68 - Jan 69, 15 % of I FFORCEV Arty expenditures were

in the interdiction category, while 3 2% and 20 % were in the more profit- able acquired an d confirmed target categories, respectively.

CONFIDENTIAL



CONFIDENTIAL AVFA-AT-D 2 February 1969 S U B J E C T s p e r a t i o n a l Report of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery I Field

Force Vietnam Artillery for period 1 November t o 3 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 6 9 , DCS CSFOR ( R 1 )

( c ) Artillery S a f e t y . he a c t i v i t i e s of t h e Artillery Safely S e c t i o n , established in O c t 6 8 , included publication o f an Artillery Accident/In- cident Investigating O f f i c e r ' s Checklist for uniform preparation of I n v e s t i -

g a t i o n s ; publication o f n i n e lessons learned from analyses o f artillery a c c i d e n t s ; publication o f t w o l e t t e r s distributed by I FFORCEV regarding clearances j publications of five safety policy documents which were d i s t r i - buted t o I FFORCEV Arty u n i t s ; and preparation of four c h a n g e s t o t h e I FFORCEV TAC SOP regarding safely p r e c a u t i o n s . Analyses o f Investigation reports revealed t h a t approximately 2 0 $ o f t h e accidents occurred as a r e - sult of improper c l e a r a n c e s . oordinated action i s being taken by allied artillery o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o Improve clearance p r o c e d u r e s .

( d ) During t h i s reporting p e r i o d , both Ul st Arty Op and £2d Arty Op operated o r g a n i c calibration t e a m s using the Radar C h r o n o g r a p h . H 3 6 . n addition to calibrating the tubes o f attached b a t t a l i o n s , the U1st Arty Op provided support t o t h e 3d B n , 3 1 9 t h Arty and the £2d Arty GF provided

support t o 6th B n , 32d A r t y . he USARV Calibrationr^eam provided support t o t h e 5th B n , 2 7 t h Arty and o t h e r artillery units located I j f t ^ h e Task Force South area of o p e r a t i o n s .

( e ) The I FFORCEV Arty Command Inspection program continued during ^e reporting p e r i o d , nits inspected wares 1st B n , 92d Arty ( 1 8 Nov 6 8 ) ;

7 t h B n , 15th Arty ( 2 $ Nov 6 8 ) ; 5th E n , 22d A . r t y ( 9 Dec 6 8 ) ; 7 t h B n , 13th Arty ( 1 6 Dec 6 8 ) ; 3 d B n , 6th Arty ( 6 Jan 6 9 ) ; 6th B n , lUth Arty ( 2 0 Jan 6 9 ) ; 6th B n , 8Uth Arty ( 2 7 Jan 6 9 ) . All battalions except o n e , received a satisfactory r a t i n g . The unsatisfactory battalion was deficient in personnel a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , motor maintenance, and property a c c o u n t a b i l i t y .

( f ) G , I FFORCEV Arty continued t o perform duties as Sub-Zone V C o o r d i - nator for administrative and security matters for US major installations in Khenh Hoa Province and Cam Rann Special S e c t o r . Responsibilities include publishing appropriate directives and conducting security inspections of the t h r e e installations in Sub-Zone V .

( g ) Meteorological Quality Control Team ( M J C T ) .

1 o maintain the quality of ballistic meteorological d a t a in TL T Z ,

t h e T FF0RC3V Arty M J C T checked the following number of s o u n d i n g s during t h e reporting period with results as i n d i c a t e d .

CONFIDENTS



CONFIDENTIAL AVFA -AT -D 2 February 1969

SUBJECT s Operational Report of Headquarters and Headquarters attery I Field

Force Vi e t n am Artillery for period o v emb e r to 31 anuary 1969»

RCS C S F O R B1) M C W T H C g S O O N D I N G S C H E C K E D U N S A T I S F A C T C R Y U N S A T I S F A C T C t t Y

N o v e m b e r

3 0

. 6 *

D e c e m b e r 6 7 . 9 *

J a n u a r y 0 0 . 2 $

2 T o i n s u r e t h a t a r t i l l e r y u n i t s a r e p r o v i d e d w i t h a c c u r a t e w i n d d a t a , t h e B k j C T e x p a n d e d i t s c h e c k i n g s y s t e m o n 1 6 J a n 6 9 . P l o t t i n g e q u l p c e n t « a s a c q u i r e d a n d o n e m e m b e r o f t h e M Q C T n o w r e p l o t s a s a m p l i n g o f $ 6 > o f w i n d d a t a o b t a i n e d e a c h m o n t h „

( h ) T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f a r t i l l e r y p i e c e s a v a i l a b l e i n I F F C R C E V A r t y a s s e t s w a s 1 6 0 t u b e s « T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f r o u n d s f i r e d b y a l l c a l i b e r s ,

I F F C R C E V A r t y w a s 3 0 0 , 7 1 7 .

( 1 ) P e r s o n n e l o f H H B , I F F C R C E V A r t y w e r e e n g a g e d i n 9 2 d a y s o f m i s s i o n s o r i e n t e d o p e r a t i o n s d u r i n g t h i s r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d .

d . P e r s o n n e l .

(1) Personnel strength of Q & Q Btry, F C R C E V Arty on 31 an 69 was?

O F F W O E M

Autfa 3 U 2 15 0

Assg U 3 3 18 0

Present for Duty U 2 3 17 3

CPf'S FA AM

Au t h 110 1 1 »

Assg 97 U 3

-1* +29

3-See Inclosure 3

LT'S F A A D A

Au t h 208 20

Assg 2^0 2 1

+1J2 + 1

CONFIDENTIAL

( 2 ) I F F C R C E V A r t y u n i t s c o n t i n u e d t o b e s h o r t F i e l d A r t i l l e r y C a p t a i n s . I n a n a t t e m p t t o o f f s e t t h i s s h o r t a g e , e x c e s s l i e u t e n a n t s ( A D A a n d F A ) h a v e b e e n a s s i g n e d . S t a t u s o f b a t t e r y g r a d e a r t i l l e r y o f f i c e r s s



CONFIDENTIAL AVFA -AT -D 2 February 1969

SUBJECI t Operational Report of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery I Field

Force V i e t nam Artillery for period ov ember - 31 anuaryl969, RCS CSFCR ( R 1 )

The shortage o f Field Artillery c a p t a i n s has remained a problem for the last nine m o n t h s . The lack o f tube artillery firing battery e x p e r i e n c e of newly assigned c a p t a i n s c o m p o u n d s t h i s p r o b l e m . f the 3 7 replacement FA or ADA c a p t a i n s assigned since 1 Nov 6 8 , 7 6 $ h a v e t u b e artillery e x p e r i e n c e . he

p e r c e n t a g e o f lieutenants with t u b e artillery experience i s u ° J t . onse- q u e n t l y } extensive In-country t r a i n i n g i s required before t h e s e officers can b e considered effective in a firing b a t t e r y .

( 3 ) Enlisted personnel s t a t u s I n d i c a t e s i m p r o v e m e n t , with the overall input offsetting t h e l o s s e s during t h i s p e r i o d . s of 3 1 Jan 6 9 » enlisted s t r e n g t h for t h e command i s 1 0 0 $ j h o w e v e r , there are shortages in ritical MOS as Indicated b e l o w :

THIS MOS

Field Artillery NC O

SHORTAGE 6 0 DAI HIOJECTED LOSSES

1 3 B U 0

Field Artillery O p e r a t i o n s and

Intelligence NCO - 13EU0

Field Artillery Crewman - 13A10

Automatic Weapons NCO - 1 3 F l * 0

8 6

2 5 1

8 1

39

15

1* 0

9

( U ) uring the reporting p e r i o d , 3 2 graduates of t h e HCO Academy, Fort Sill were assigned t o I FFQRCEV A r t y . As of 3 1 J a n 6 9 , t h e total number of assigned g r a d u a t e s , by M O S , are listed b e l o w :

M O S

13BU0

13EU0 13E20

93F20

17EliO

3 1 G J 4 0

TOTAL

5 7 3 12 5

1 2

_ ? ' 9 8

( 5 ) The following a c c i d e n t s were recorded during t h i s period for I FFORCEV Arty U n i t s :

Vehicular

Fatal

Non-fatal

Other

NOT

8

5 3

DEC

1 1 »

5 9

J A N

k 1

3

CONFIDFNTIAI 10



CONFIDENTIAL

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 u 13 12

103 98 62 5 1 1 3

131 16 8 110 0 1 0

2 1 3 6 7 6 5 7 5 " 55? 7

25 ?

AVFA-AT-D 2 February 1969 S U B J E C T : perational Report o f Headquarters and Headquarters Battery I Field

Force Vietnam Artillery for period 1 N o v e m b e r - 3 1 January 1 9 6 9 » BCS CSFOR ( R 1 )

( 6 ) The following awards and d e c o r a t i o n s were processed for I FFORCEV Arty u n i t s .

MONTH TTPBO? AWARD OVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY

D S C DFC LOH S S SM BSM " V " BSM ARCOM " V "

ARCOM AM " V "

AM FH

TOTALS

( 7 ) Morale and discipline continued t o be excellent throughout the p e r i o d .

e . ther

( 1 ) FFORCEV Arty A v i a t i o n .

( a ) q , I I S A R V announced a program for distribution of 0H-6A and O H - 2 3 0 aircraft by l e t t e r , A V H A V - L O Q j dated 2 9 Nov 6 8 . ubsequent t o the receipt o f the implementing instructions for aircraft issue to I FFORCEV Arty ( H q USAEV M s g , 8 2 1 * 3 8 , dated h ee 6 8 ) , s e v e r a l conferences were conducted with t h i s headquarters S U , Q U , I FFORCEV and Direct Support U n i t representatives attending t o establish the AS L r e s p o n s l

V4" Mtie8 for the

a i r c r a f t . o problems were foreseen far 0H-6A aircraft because of the number of 0H-6Ä on hand in command and the adequate n u m b e r of DSU in II C T Z . ince t h e r e are only seven OH-230 aircraft being stationed in II C T Z , o n l y o n e ASL could be p r o v i d e d .

( b ) Two o f f i c e r s were provided by H q , U S A R V , t o I FFORCEV Arty t o assist in coordinating t h e i s s u e o f aircraft and organisational t o o l s . The t o o l s were " t a g g e d " at the Saigon Depot to expedite requisitioning.

Aircraft were forecasted for issue during t h e period Jan - Mar 6 9 .

( c ) Aircraft Allocations and DSU D e s i g n a t i o n s .

CONFIDENTIAL 1 1



--"*« "•— CONFIDENTIAL

AVFA-AT-D 2 Februa r y 1969

S U B J E C T t Op e r a t i o n a l R e p o r t of Headquar t e r s and Headquar t e r s Battery I Field

Fo r c e Vie tnam Artillery for period ovember-31 annaxy 1969» R C S S F C J R R 1)

U N I T

H H B ,

F O R C E V A r t y

U 1 at A r t y Op«* 52 d A r t y O p

5th Bn, 7 th A r t y

6th Bn, 2d A r t y

T O T A L

0H-6A OH-230

0

3 * 2* 0 0 T

D6Ü/L0CATI0N

6 0 8 DSC/Dong Ba Tain

7 9 D S C / G u i Hhon 60U DSC/Flelkn 608 DSC/Dong Ba Thin 7 9 DSC/Qui Hhon

«OH-23Q aircraft «ill b e s u p p o r t e d by 7 9 t h D S C , Qui H h o n . ♦ « T w o o f t h e s e aircraft t o b e utilized by Uth B n , 60th Arty and H H B ,

2 6 t h A r t y .

( c ) FFORCEV Arty SU Section «as augmented with an Afiation Officer t o assist in t h e c o m m a n d ' s aviation program t o i n c l u d e p e r s o n n e l , training

and maintenance.

( 2 ) The ^-millionth artillery round expended by I FFORCEV Arty units «as fired on 1 9 Nov 6 8 at Ninh H o a , Khanh Hoa P r o v i n c e . O , I FFORCEV and C G , 9th ROK Inf M.v joined i n p u l l i n g t h e lanyard o f 175mm gun in Btry B , 6th B n , 32d A r t y .

( 3 ) The I FFORCEV Arty Information o f f i c e , comprised of one officer and t w o enlisted m e n , «as established in Hov 6 8 . he p u r p o s e of the office is t o assist s u b o r d i n a t e units vith p u b l i c information a c t i v i t i e s . dditional duties include publication of the "Afternoon Hews S h e e t " , a d a i l y , concise summary of current e v e n t s ; and " T h e Artillery Review", a bi-monthly publication containing news of a w a r d s , decorations and other news worthy items about I FFORCEV Arty men and u n i t s .

2 . ection 2 C ) Lessons L e a r n e d : and Recommendations.

C o m m a n d e r s O b s e r v a t i o n s , E v a l u a t i o n s

a . e r s o n n e l . o n e .

b . p e r a t i o n s .

( 1 ) learances for Artillery F i r e .

( a ) B S E R V A T I O N . learance a g e n c i e s d o not specify t h e limits of

t h e target a r e a cleared for artillery fires.

( b ) E V A L U A T I O N . Failure t o specify t h e boundaries of a cleared target area i s a hazard t o friendly elements which may be operating in t h e vicinity a s well as t o friendly residents living n e a r b y . This is

CONFIDENTIAL



CONFIDENTIAL AVFA-AT-D 2 February 1969 S U B J E C T S perational Report o f Headquarters and Headquarters Battery I Field

Faroe Vietnam Artillery f o r period 1 November t o 3 1 January 1 9 6 9 , RCS CSFCR ( R 1 )

particularly significant in an adjust mission «here deviation from the original grid can b e e x p e c t e d . f t h e clearing agency i s requested to clear a grid and a specified area around t h e g r i d , the possibility of an artillery accident could b e r e d u c e d .

( c ) RECOMMENDATION. hat clearance agencies b e requested to clear a grid and a specified area around t t e grid Into which artillery fire may be d i r e c t e d .

( 2 ) oordination for Registration Using Aerial Observers ( A O )

( a ) B S E R V A T I O N . Valuable aircraft t i m e is lost and firing battery registrations are delayed when proper coordination for an aerial registration h a s not been e f f e c t e d .

( b ) EVALUATION. In s o m e I n s t a n c e s , aircraft t i m e has not been efficiently utilised and registrations have been delayed b e c a u s e t h e tiring battery did not receive advance notice t h a t an aircraft and an AO were a v a i l a b l e . o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e battery was not prepared and appropriate g r i d s were not cleared when t h e aircraft arrived over t h e t a r g e t a r e a . Advanced coordination between the aircraft controlling agency and the firing battery will preclude d e l a y s in registrations and a s s u r e full utilisation of aircraft "on s t a t i o n " t i m e .

( c ) RECOMMENDATION. hat t h e aircraft controlling agency notify t h e f i r i n g battery o n e day in a d v a n c e that aircraft will b e available for registration and that t h e battery initiate grid clearance requests s e v e r a l hours prior to t h e planned r e g i s t r a t i o n .

( 3 ) mployment of Improved Conventional Munitions ( I C M )

( a ) B S E R V A T I O N . u r r e n t rules of engagement d o not permit artillery t o attack t a r g e t s detected by electric d e v i c e s ( A H ) , I R , S C A R ) with I C H .

( b ) EVALUATION. u r r e n t l y , ICM can be employed only against counter- battery targets and observed t a r g e t s , which represent a s m a l l percentage of t h e total t a r g e t s engaged by a r t i l l e r y . argets acquired by e l e c t r o n i c detection and verified by targeting agencies are lucrative candidates for engagement with IC H because o f the munitions large radius of e f f e c t .

( e ) B J 3 C C M M E N D A T I C N . T h a t r u l e s o f engagement b e revised to permit t h e use of ICH for attacking t a r g e t s acquired by electronic detection means.

c . Training. one

d . n t e l l i g e n c e .

Employment o f Night Observation D e v i c e , Medium R a n g e .

CONFIDENTIAL



CUNHUtN IIAL A V F A - A T - D 2 F e b r u a r y 1 9 0 9 S U B J E C T : O p e r a t i o n a l R e p o r t o f H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d H e a d q u a r t e r s B a t t e r y I F i e l d

F o r c e V i e t n a m A r t i l l e r y f o r p e r i o d 1 N o v e m b e r t o 3 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 6 9 , R C S C S F O R ( R 1 )

( 1 ) O B S E R V A T I O N . T h e N i g h t O b s e r v a t i o n D e v i c e , M e d i u m R a n g e , a p o r t - a b l e b a t t e r y - p o w e r e d , e l e c t r o - o p t i c a l I n s t r u m en t , c a n a c c u r a t e l y d e t e c t p e r s o n n e l t o r a n g e s i n e x c e s s o f U , 0 0 0 m e t e r s d u r i n g t h e h o u r s o f d a r k n e s s . T h e d e v i c e , w h e n e x p o s e d t o b r i g h t l i g h t o r f l a s h e s , s u c h a s i m p a c t i n g a r t i l l e r y p r o j e c t i l e s , w i l l b l a n k o u r ( w h i t e o u t ) f o r a 2 0 - a e c o n d p e r i o d t h e r e b y p r e c l u d i n g c o n t i n u o u s o b s e r v a t i o n .

( 2 ) E V A L U A T I O N . D u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e N i g h t O b s e r v a t i o n D e v i c e b l a n k s o u t w h e n o b s e r v i n g i m p a c t i n g a r t i l l e r y p r o j e c t i l e s , i t s h o u l d b e u s e d s o l e l y f o r t a r g e t a c q u i s i t i o n , a n d n o t f o r a d j u s t m e n t o f f i r e . A f t e r a t a r g e t h a s b e e n a c q u i r e d w i t h t h e d e v i c e , a r t i l l e r y c a n b e a d j u s t e d

u s i n g s t a n d a r d o p t i c a l i n s t r u m e n t s s u c h a s t h e B C s c o p e o r b i n o c u l a r s .

( 3 ) R E C O M M E N D A T I O N . T h a t a r t i l l e r y u n i t s u s e N i g h t O b s e r v a t i o n

D e v i c e , M e d i u m R a n g e , i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h B C s c o p e s o r b i n o c u l a r s t o a c q u i r e a n d p l a c e f i r e o n t a r g e t s d e t e c t e d d u r i n g h o u r s o f d a r k n e s s .

e . L o g i s t i c s .

R e q u i s i t i o n i n g o f S u p p l i e s a n d E q u i p m e n t .

( 1 ) O B S E R V A T I O N . M a n y r e q u i s i t i o n s f o r s u p p l i e s a n d e q u i p m e n t a r e l o s t o r m i s p l a c e d i n t h e l o g i s t i c s c h a i n b e t w e e n t h e u n i t , d e p o t a n d U S A r m y I n v e n t o r y C o n t r o l C e n t e r , V i e t n a m .

( 2 ) E V A L U A T I O N . I n r e s p o n s e t o s u b o r d i n a t e u n i t s ' r e q u e s t s , t h e S U , I F F O R C E V . A r t i l l e r y c o n t a c t s t h e a p p r o p r i a t e d e p o t t o f o l l o w - u p o n

n u m e r o u s r e q u i s i t i o n s . E x p e r i e n c e h a s s h o w n t h a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y h a l f o f t h e r e q u i s i t i o n s c h e c k e d a r e I n v a l i d d u e t o n o r e c o r d a t d e p o t o r U S A I C C V . I t i s a p p a r e n t t h a t r e q u i s i t i o n p r o c e s s i n g p r o c e d u r e s I n t h e l o g i s t i c c h a i n r e q u i r e r e v i e w i n o r d e r t o c o r r e c t t h i s d e f i c i e n c y .

( 3 ) R E C O M M E N D A T I O N . T h a t d i r e c t s u p p o r t u n i t s a n d d e p o t s r e v i e w p r o c e d u r e s f o r p r o c e s s i n g s u p p l y r e q u e s t s a n d t a k e p o s i t i v e a c t i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t v a l i d r e q u i s i t i o n s r e m a i n I n t h e s y s t e m .

f . O t h e r . N o n e .

*&&L 3 I n c l I C H A R D A . E D U A R D S , J R . a s r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l , U S A

C o m m a n d i n g

CONFIDENTIAL 1



CONFIDENTIAL ,(JIMhll I h - N I ai A f FA -AT -D 2 Fobmary 1^69

SUBJBCTt Opmtional npo o r t of Hoadqurtori and HtadqurUrt Bottory I fULd

Fore« Yiotnaa irtULnj for poriod Nortabtr to 31 anuary 1969, BCS arat (ai)

DISTK IBUT ICH : 2 -C IHCÜBIBP1C , TTN i OPOP -DT

3-00, OABV , ATTO i AVHAQ -C -DST

U -CQ , FFCfiCEV, TTN : AVFA -OC -D

$-nFFCRCE7 5-XHV C o r p s 5 -USAAM3 5 -Ua i ADS

2oa-Ulst Arty Op J > 2 d Arty Op 5th to, 7th Arty

6th E b , 2d Arty

U th Eta, 0th Arty

1 -HHB , th Ba, 6th Arty

1-Flla

CONFIDENTIAL 1'



-"— ■ » W - « ! ! ' . ' - -,w*W" ■■ "u ■'"

A V F A - G C - O T 12 Fe b 69) 1st nd

S U Q J 3 C T i Op e r a t i o n a l R e p o r t of Headqua r t e r s and Headquar t e r s Battery I Field Force Vie tnam Artillery for period ovember to

3 1 January 1969, CS C3FOR-65 Rl) U ) D A , eadquar t e r s , Field Force Vie tnam, P O 96350 2 7 F E B tfW

T O i Comand ing Gen e r a l , nit ed States Army Vi e tnam, T T I I t A V H G C - D 3 T ,

A P O 96375

(U ) T h i s headquar t e r s h as e v i ew ed ubject report and oncurs with

its on t en t« FO R H E O M M A N D E R !

SA.CRAIFOW AS8T.iM|

C y furnt 2 - AC S FOR , A

1 FORCBV Arty

16



JJüKiJ >._)!.!. ill

AVHGC-DST ( 1 2 Fe b 6 9 ) 2d Ind SUBJECT: peration al I eport of Headquarters and Headquarters Dattery

I Field rorce Vietnam Artil lery for period 1 November 1968

t h r o u g h 31 January 1969, RCS CSFOR-65 (Rl) '[LAnqUA'THJ, UNITED STATIC ARMY, VIETNAM, APO Sa n Francisco 96375 1 4 MAR 1 9 6 9

T O : o n u a a n d e r in Chief, United states Army, Pacific, ATTN: POP-DT, APO 96558

1 . his headquarters has reviewed the Operational Report-Lessons Learned f o r the quarterly period ending 31 January 1969 from Headquarters, I "ield Force Vietnam Artillery. 2 . omments follow:

a . eferen ce item c on cerning Improved Conventional Kunitions (ICH), page 1 3 , paragraph 2b(3); concur. n it i s referred to COhUSMACV Secret lessage, Cite 9239, DT G 14O150Z February 1969, a nd CQMUSMACV Secret l i e s - sage Cite 10336, DT G 190050Z February 1969, both of which were furnished as information to C G , I Field Force.

b . eferen ce item c on cerning requisitioning of supplies and equip- ment, page 1 4 , paragraph 2e(l); n on c on c ur. st Logistical Command Regu- lation 700-16 "Recon ciliation of Backorders" an d 1st Logistical Command Regulation 700-40 "General Su pp l y Instruc tions" apply t o a l l requests/ renuisitions for items of supply processed t h r o u g h USARV supply c han nels or supplies from 1st Logistical Command. st Logistical Command Regula- tion 700-16 co ntains procedures for a reconciliation o f backorders between t he DS U and th e using unit a t least every 60 days. e c o n c i l i a t i o n o f backorders on a c on tinuous basis will assist in ensuring requisitions are valid. ollow-up ac tion by th e originator of t he request/requisition in ac c ordan c e with Appendix A , 1st Logistical Command Regulation 700-40 will ensure requisitions are kept c urrent in the logistic chain. h r o u g h the proper utilization of follow-up procedures a nd reconciliation of backorders, DSUs and Depots ca n m o r e effectively supervise an d monitor the requisition processing procedures. • O R THE COMMANDER:

t*u . 0. WILSON

ILL GC AMhttnt Adjutant Gtns ra l

Cy furn: I 7FV Arty I FFV

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GPOP-DT ( 1 2 Feb 69) d I n d ( U )

SUBJECT: perational Report of HQ I Field Pore« Vietna» Artillery for Period Ending 31 January 1969, ECS CSFOE-65 (El)

HQ, US Aray, Pacific, APO San Frenclaco 6558 20 MAR 1 9 6 8

T O t aalatant Chief o f Staff for Force Development, Department of the Aray, Washington, D . C . 0310

Thla headquarters haa evaluated subject report and forwarding indorsements and concurs In the report as indorsed.

FOE THE CCMfANDEE IN CHIEF:

I r l*L INFTDt

Cofc>n»l ,AGC Deputy djutant Gsns ra f

1 %



1 1 CONFIDENTIAL

QRGANIZATICH I FIELD FORCE VIETNAM ARTILLERY

3 1 W»M 8f$1Q 6 9

I Field Force Vietnam Artillery 5t h B a t t a l i o n , 2 7 t h Artillery (105», T ) 6th B a t t a l i o n , 32d Artillery ( 1 7 5 / 8 I n c h , S P ) Ut h B a t t a l i o n , 60th Artillery ( A W S P )

Battery B , 2 9 t h Artillery ( S E T ) Battery E , Mst Artillery ( »)

Headquarters B a t t e r y , 8th B a t t a l i o n , 2 6 t h Artillery ( T A B ) 7 7 t h Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 237th Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 2 1 * 1 e t Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 2U2d Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 2U3d Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 2 U t t h Field

Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r )

253d Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 25Uth Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 2 5 5 t h Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r ) 256th Field Artillery Detachment ( R a d a r )

Wat Artillery Group 7 t h B a t t a l i o n , 13th Artillery ( 1 0 5 m m , T) 2d B a t t a l i o n , 1 5 t h Artillery (105mm/l5£»* T ) 7 t h B a t t a l i o n , 1 5 t h Artillery ( l 7 5 m m / 8 i n c h , S P ) 6 t h B a t t a l i o n , 8 1 t t h Artillery 055mm, T)

52d Artillery Group 3d B a t t a l i o n , 6th Artillery ( 1 0 5 m m , SP) 6th B a t t a l i o n , 1 l » t h Artillery ( 1 7 5 / 8 i n c h , S P ) 5th B a t t a l i o n , 22d Artillery ( 1 7 5 « « / 8 l a c h , S P ) 1st B a t t a l i o n , 92d Artillery 055m, T)

Incloeure 1 CONFIDENTIAL M



A R E A F OFBUT IOH II C O R P S TACTICAL O N E

1 la h T a o r - MM irifav

2 ltar

3 an Siah - CMUM

$ nRM- Bdllag

6 thHX]tf M r

7 nTkaM-MB Lala

FIDENTIAL

\ 1 IT

b *? 111 ii A O

O 20 2|0 60 80

Inc lo sure

C A M B O D I A

S O U T H C H 3 X A

CONFIDENTIAL



CONFIDENTIAL ARTILLERY T R E N G T H A ID

A M M U N E F I C N STAT IST ICS

z irncif A R T I L L E R Y

1 o r 68 to 31 an 69

1. C ) Artillery strength as of 31 an 69 ncluded 72 - 10$« Hoeltsers, 1 * 0 - 155«1 Hoeltsers, 6 - 175»« Quns and 22-8 nch Hoeltsers for a total of 160 ab e s *

t 2. C ) Asanmltlon expenditures by target category*

T A R G E T

CAI SOCE I

C O N F IR M E D

A C Q U I R E D C O U N T E R B A T T E R Y

P R E P A R A T IO N

INTERDICT ION SPECIAL U R P O S E

O T H E R

T O T A L

N O V E M B E R

R O U N D S I S S IONS

19,335 93 28,$8U ,151 3,097 33 lUi053 9 1 11,993 * 0 2 1 2 , 0 1 * 1 ,732 1.332 55 TOS? 77357

J A N U A R Y

R O U N D S MISS IONS R O U N D S MISS IONS

15*1*57 36,81*8 1,957 9,875 15,973 12 ,623 1 .399 3*73?

709

7,693

2ltf 586

9 , 1 * 1 1 * 1,61*9 110

2 6 , 1 * 0 8 3* (C ) Aanmltlon expenditures b y calibers M O N T H CALIBER R O U N D S j O T A L

S o b Total

S ub Total J A N U A R Y

S ub Total

105sn 1 * 6 , 1 * 8 6 51 * 155s« 18,0<1* 20* 175« 13*256 1

8 in 12,679 ife

1 0 5 m n l iUi279 U7* 155»« 19,850 21* 175« 18*309 2 0 9 C 8 in 11 i69U

TTSof 10ÖBB

155m

175» 8 in

57,055 27,569 18,609 12.91 m

( B A N D T O T A L

«Fro-rated Av e r a g e

Inclosure 3

TO

300,717

50*

2 3 3 « 16$

T o T 5 %

al

1 8 > 3 U 1 1|6,156 1,350 9,712 23,31*8 15,061 2,162

115,155

900 9,352

1 3 1 6 7 1

11,003 1,807 86

W& 6 HD S AUBE / D A I

2 1 15 17 %

20 16 23 &

26

2 2

23

23*

CONFIDENTIAL

J



Documents

I Field Force Vietnam Lessons Learned 7 April 1969