2LT K. Grorud Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 WARNING ORDER The Battle of Long Tan 001 South Vietnam - 1st Australian Task Force - Phuok Toy Province - 1966 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITUATION OPERATION TIME: 1900 EST IN-GAME TIME: 1200 IGT ORGANIZATION: 1. REGION: Song Be, South Vietnam 2. WEATHER: Clear Skies; 38F ; Wind <1kn NNE; Dawn 0415 IGT; Dusk 1900 IGT 3. TERRAIN: Mountains, Highlands, Jungle, Rolling plains The 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) began arriving in Phước Tuy Province of South Vietnam between April and June 1966. Following the establishment of its base at Nui Dat in Operation Hardihood, standing patrols were established outside the base in the evening and clearing patrols sent out every morning and evening along the 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) perimeter. Daily platoon patrols and ambushes were initially conducted out to Line Alpha (4,000 metres (4,400 yd)), which was the range of the Viet Cong (VC) mortars, but were later extended out to Line Bravo (10,000 metres (11,000 yd)) to counter the threat from artillery. Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam All inhabitants of Long Phước and Long Hải villages within Line Alpha were removed, and resettled nearby. A protective security zone was established and a free-fire zone declared. Although unusual for allied installations in Vietnam, many of which were located near populated areas, the Australians hoped to deny the VC observation of Nui Dat, and afford greater security to patrols entering and exiting the area. While adding to the physical security of the base through disrupting a major VC support area and removing the local population from danger, such measures may have been counter-productive. The resettlement resulted in widespread resentment. The VC continued to observe the base from the Nui Dinh hills. Movement was heard around the perimeter over the first few nights as they attempted to locate the Australian defences under the cover of darkness and heavy rain. Although no clashes occurred and the reconnaissance soon ceased, they were believed to be preparations for an attack. On 10 June reports indicated that a VC regiment was moving towards Nui Dat from the north west and was about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. The same day three 120 mm mortar rounds landed just outside the base. That night Australian artillery fired on suspected movement along Route 2, but no casualties were found the next day. Further warnings of an attack hastened the call-forward of 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), which arrived from Vũng Tàu 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the south on 14 June. No attack occurred, and the initial reaction to 1 ATF's lodgement proved unexpectedly limited. 1ATF have been taking regular shelling by the VC with mortars and old japanese guns. To be able to operate in the area, we have to take them out sooner rather than later. We know of four locations the VC launch their attacks from, and we need to quickly determine which one they attack us from this time, so we can push out and take it out. a. Enemy Disposition Unknown disposition of Vietcong Irregulars Large in number but not well equipped Static Weapons, Light Mortars and artillery guns Complete control of the countryside Heavily mined possible US landing zones b. Friendly Disposition 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment In contact with various elements of the 275th and 274th Regiment of the 5th VC Battalion Royal New Zealand Artillery "Kiwi Artillery" c. 1960s - Rules of Engagement On order from your commander, enemy military and paramilitary forces are declared hostile and may be attacked subject to the following instructions: Positive Identification (PID) is required prior to engagement. PID is a reasonable certainty that the proposed target is a legitimate military target. If no PID, contact your next highest commander for decision. Do not engage anyone who has surrendered, or is unarmed or wounded. Any requests for fire support or close air support within 600 Meters of a civilian center must first get authorization from commanding officer. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Maps of the Province: *How to Zoom in: Open spoiler> Right click on photo > Open image in new tab > Congrats, you can now zoom in. Map of the AO: Notes from Commander: All requests for Close Air Support/Medevac/Resupply/Insertion are to go to Mako 1-6 on FREQ 60.0. Mako 1-6 will contact Rattler 1-6 on FREQ 50.0 to request an asset to assist 1st Platoon as necessary. Once the asset is in the area of Operation for Mako 1-6, Infantry can contact the bird via CAS Net FREQ 45.0 to guide in the bird/direct close air support. If an infantry element is in threat of being overrun and requires immediate assistance, they may declare a "Tactical Emergency" to Mako 1-6, who will then have Rattler 1-6 redirect all available air assets to Mako 1-6's Area of Operation to prevent the unit from being overrun. Expect the enemy to utilize grenades when in close combat. Bring this in your kit ITEM - Zippo if you want to burn the huts When burning a hut make sure to stand back, and let one person burn the hut, as to avoid friendly fire. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MISSION 1st Platoon, A. Company, 1/7th Cavalry 1st Platoon will stand by as a QRF to move out and seize/destroy the enemy artillery to secure safe operations in the area 1st Platoon PRIMARY TASKING: 1st Platoon will stand by at base untill we can locate which of the four objectives go live this coming evening SECONDARY TASKING: N/A TERTIARY TASKING: N/A 71st Assault Helicopter Company 71st AHC is to support 1st Platoon and be on standby for emergency CAS or to pick up prisoners/suspects. PRIMARY TASKING: Rattlers will transport 1st Platoon. SECONDARY TASKING: Provide Emergency CAS, Resupply, and medevac. TERTIARY TASKING: N/A ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMAND & SIGNAL Call Signs "Mako 6", 2LT K. Grorud "Mako 1-6", 1LT J. Kauffman "Mako 1-6 R" TBD "Mako 1-1", SSG D. Jordan "Mako 1-2", SSG V. Handberg "Rattler 1-6", N/A "Rattler 1-1", CW3 T. Sadler "Rattler 1-2", N/A Hand Signals Control + Num 5 = Rally/Set//Affirmative Control + Num 2 = Halt/Hold/Stop/Negative Control + Num 6 = Engage Control + Num 4 = Go/Move/ ROLE REQUEST FORM: Head of 71st Assault Helicopter Company Call-sign: Rattler 1-6 Link to comment
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