Page:Airmobility 1961-1971.pdf/191

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MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1968
175


MAP 5


(Map 5) They received enemy artillery during the assaults, but secured their objectives without serious difficulty. We now had six air cavalry battalions and supporting artillery deep in enemy territory.

I was anxious to get the 26th Marine Regiment out of their static defense position as soon as feasible; so, on D+3, I ordered Colonel Lownds to make a battalion-size attack south from Khe Sanh to seize Hill 471, a strategic piece of terrain affording a commanding view of the base. Following a heavy artillery preparation, the Marines successfully seized the hill killing thirty of the enemy. On the same day, the 2d Brigade of the Cavalry Division assaulted one battalion into an old French fort south of Khe Sanh. Initial contact resulted in four enemy killed. The remaining uncommitted brigade was moved into marshalling areas.

On D+4 (5 April), the 2d Brigade continued its attack on the old French fort meeting enemy resistance. Enemy troops attacked the Marines on Hill 471 but were gallantly repulsed with 122 of the enemy left dead on the battlefield. The tempo of this battle was one of the heaviest during the operation. The 3d Airborne Task Force, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, was alerted to prepare to airlift one rifle company from Quang Tri to effect linkup with the 37th Army of the Republic of Vietnam Ranger Battalion located at Khe Sanh. Units of the 1st Brigade under

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