Ambush at Dai Do

In the spring of 1968, the 320th Division of the North Vietnamese Army was preparing for a May offensive that intended to push as far south of the De-militarized Zone as they could and had its sights set on Dong Ha Air Base located 12 miles south of the DMZ.

On April 30th the NVA and Viet Cong forces entrenched themselves near the small village of Dai Do, approximately one mile from Dong Ha sparking a battle that raged until May 3rd, 1968. This series of actions collectively became known as the Battle of Dong Ha.

Situation:

The PAVN & Viet Cong guerilla forces have moved into a series of pre-built mutually supporting bunkers surrounded by booby traps & other improvised defenses in the area of Dai Do. Intelligence suggests these fortifications had been built over the preceding weeks to support a mass attack to the south & allegedly went unnoticed by the ARVN unit who were responsible for security in the area.

Mission:

To establish control of Dai Do village & Do Long bridge and occupy a forward position of operations designated C-3. Task Force Robbie, a Quick Reaction Force, has been assigned to provide security, fire support & mine clearing operations along Hwy 1 and Route 561 to include control of security & traffic of the Do Long bridge.

Execution:

TF Robbie is comprised of elements of the U. S. Army 44th ADAR & elements of 2nd & 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. TF Robbie will establish tactical control of the village of Dai Do as well as the Do Long bridge which spans the Mieu Giang River in order to keep control of supply & local trade routes.

Administration & Logistics:

TFR shall be staffed by 2 squads of Marines, one from 2/3 and one from 3/3 to include 2 Corpsman and a compliment TAD attachment of engineers from 2/3 as well as mechanized elements of B Battery,1st B / 44th ADAR, U.S. Army. TFR will establish tactical control of the village of Dai Do as well as the Do Long bridge. Preservation of civilian movement is a priority. Close in air support will be provided by Marine Air Support Squadron 2, based at Dong Ha & coordinated by the MASS-2 Direct Air Support Center that serves the I Corps area. 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion will provide a squad for road & trail clearing. 3rd Reconnaissance will provide a squad for security & intel. Resupply of material & personnel as well as intelligence coordination & FAC operations will be handled through Direct Air Support Command communications net.

Command & Signal:

Operational control of TFR will be assigned to senior staff officers from 2/3. To preserve operational security, frequencies and call signs will be determined by MASS-2 DASC staff at time of pre-deployment of all elements.