Operation
Junction City (II)
22February
- 16 May 1967
The
Battle of Soui Tre (FSB Gold)
(This
is the semi official account taken directly, transcribed almost word for word
from the 25th Infantry Division Vietnam 1965 - 1970 yearbook.)
SouiTre,
also known as Fire Support Base (FSB) Gold, began at 04:30 hours on21 March.
At that time, a night patrol from B/3/22 Inf. Operating just outside 2/77FA's
camp reported movement in front of and around their ambush position.
However, no further movement was detected and at 06:30 the patrol prepared
to return to camp. One minute later FSB Gold came under heavy enemy
60MM and 82MM Mortar attack and the 3rd Platoon ambush patrol was attacked
by a large Viet Cong force. Within 5 min., the patrol was overrun,
all personnel killed or wounded. At 06:35,a Recon patrol from 3/22
Inf. Engaged a large Viet Cong force which hadapproached within 35 meters
of the camp's southeastern perimeter. Shortly after, the entire perimeter
came under attack by waves of VietCong firing recoilless rifles, RPG-2s,automatic
weapons and small arms.The heaviest attacks concentrated on the Northeastern
and Southeastern FSB perimeter. As the attack increased, the 3 batteries
of 2/77FA began counter-mortar to eliminate Viet Cong mortar concentrations
continuing to pound the entire camp. During the initial assault,
B Co. reported 1st. Plt. positions on the Southeast perimeter had been
overrun and a reactionforce was needed to reinforce. Soldiers from
2/77FA rushed to help repulse the continuing attacks.
At07:00,
the first of several Forward Air Controllers (FACs) arrived overhead in
an O-1E Light Observation Aircraft. He immediately began directing
AF. Air Strikes against the Viet Cong. At the same time, supporting
fire from two 105 Batteries located at other forward FSBs nearby was directed
within 100 meters of the perimeter At 07:11, B/3/22 Inf. Reported
that 1st. Plt. had been surrounded and overrun. Airstrikes were called
in along the eastern woodline to relieve the pressure on B's perimeter.
The FAC directing them was shot down by heavy automatic weapons. At07:52,
B C.O. requested 2/77 fire "Beehive" into the Southeastern and Southern
sections of his perimeter. At 07:56 B company reported complete penetration
in 1st Plt. sector and desperate need of ammunition resupply. Ammo and
a 20 man reaction force from A Co. were sent to B Co. At 08:13,the
Northeastern perimeter was also overrun. At 08:15, a patrol which
had established a night ambush position just outside, charged into the
perimeter. Somehow,all the personnel had managed to elude the surrounding
Viet Cong. At08:18, A Company C.O. reported the Viet Cong had penetrated
the Northeast section. Ten minutes later, a quad .50 Caliber machinegun
located in the northern sector was hit by RPG-2 rockets,it's crew killed.
As the VietCong swarmed over it attempting to turn it on GIs, it was blown
apart by a well placed round from a 105 crew who had seen the action from
75 meters away. By 08:40, the Northeastern, Eastern, and Southeastern perimeters
had withdrawn to a secondary defense line around the artillery & "gun
pits." The Northern, Western, and Southern sectors had held firm, despite
intense pressure from large numbers of Viet Cong, who had advanced to within
15-20meters of the positions. They were within hand grenade range
of the BN. CP, and only 5 meters from the BN Aid Station. To counter this
new threat, remaining 105s of 2/77FA fired "Beehives" into the attackers.
Air Strikes were brought in within 50 meters of US positions and supporting
105 and 155MM batteries from the other FSBs threw up a continuous wall
of HE all around the perimeter. When 2/77 had exhausted its "Beehives"
it began firing HE Pointblank. The situation had worsened.
The Northern, Western, and Southern sectors were still under intense pressure.
The Northeastern, Southeastern, and Eastern perimeters had pulled in even
closer to the guns, still under human wave attacks. At 09:00 a relief
column from 2/12 Inf. Broke through from the south and linked up with B/3/22Inf.
By linking, Co.B, and 2/12Inf. Were able to counter-attack and reestablish
the original perimeter. The Viet Cong continued massive attacks, many advancing
wearing bandages from earlier wounds. Some were so badly wounded
they couldn't walk, were carried "Piggy-Back" into the assault by comrades.
At 09:12, a Mechanized infantry
and
armor column from 2/22 Inf. and 2/34 Armor broke through the
jungle
from the Southwest. Their 90mm guns firing canister, all machineguns on
*Rock N'Roll, they met the advancing Viet Cong chopping them down by the
score. Shortly after, the enemy began to withdraw, and by 10:45,
the battle of Soui Tre was over.
The crack 272nd Main Force Viet Cong Regiment had been decimated, leaving behind 647 bodies. Documents found in the area showed intensive planning before the attack. The elite 272nd, one of the best organized and equipped guerilla units, was finished as an effective fighting force. It had been long known for it's fighting ability, one of the few units that would engage in day attacks. Its troops scattered in a disorganized rout as artillery and airstrikes pounded at their heels.
