~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
 
TET Offensive After Action Report by II Field Forces
Republic of South Vietnam
II Field
Forces

III Corps Tactical Zone, Republic of South Vietnam

Note: This is an excerpt regarding Xuan Loc from the original document. The acronym's have been expanded to allow those not familiar with military terminology to better identify the units involved. Several links have also been used to further identify the type of units and weapons involved. To view the after action report in its entirety Click Here
 

Commanding General United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

s.     Action at Xuan Loc.

NOTE: The enemy objective in the attack was to take and hold the city of Xuan Loc and the 18th ARVN (Army Of The Republic Of Vietnam) Infantry Division Headquarters.

        From the early morning hours of 1 February, numerous reports of enemy activity indicated that an attack on Xuan Loc was imminent.  Reports of VC (Viet Cong) movement and actual sightings caused many local people to leave their rural homes and flock to Xuan Loc.  At 0115 on 1 February all ARVN and allied forces were placed on red alert status.

        At 1550 the first attacks were made on Xuan Loc from the southeast and southwest of the city. Enemy units later identified as the D440th VC Battalion, 84th VC Rear Service Group and a Xuan Loc Local Force VC Sapper Unit took part in these attacks.  
        After the initial attacks, elements of the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th US Infantry Division moved to reinforce Xuan Loc closing (engaging the enemy) at 1630.
9th Infantry
Division
 

        The VC attacks were directed at the Province Headquarters, 18th ARVN Division Headquarters, headquarters and base camps of the 43rd ARVN Regiment and against the 54th U.S. Artillery Group and the 2nd Battalion 35th Artillery Compounds.

        Mutual support between compounds, particularly by mortar and artillery fire, was highly effective in stopping the VC assaults.  Howitzers of C Battery, 1st Battalion 83rd Artillery (8” guns) fired in close support of the ARVN 52d Ranger Battalion compound to halt several attacks.  Direct fire by howitzers was used on numerous occasions.
 
     Actual recording of  attack along the main gate and bunker line of the 18th ARVN Infantry HQ Compound.
 

        After their first assaults were repulsed, the VC reinitiated attacks on 2 February at 0130, 0300, and 0700. The 3rd Battalion 5th ARVN Cavalry Squadron, and Troop C, 3rd Battalion 5th U.S. Cavalry Squadron conducted a sweep around the periphery of Xuan Loc breaking up VC units while the 43rd ARVN Regiment Regional Forces/Popular Forces and National Police cleared the city.

        At 2245 on 2 February the VC attacked again, were repulsed, and by 0700 the next day the city was cleared for the last time.

        Although there were several harassing attacks and reported attempts by the VC to launch other attacks the VC did not seriously threaten Xuan Loc again.

 
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