Battle of An Lao

Battle of An Lao 1964
Part of the Vietnam War
Date December 7–9, 1964 Location An Lao, South Vietnam Result Viet Cong tactical victory
Belligerents
South Vietnam  United States	Viet Cong
Commanders and leaders
Nguyễn Hữu Có	Giáp Văn Cương
Casualties and losses
300 ARVN 2 US	150

The Battle of An Lão was a battle that took place in the An Lão District of Binh Dinh, just over 300 miles north-east of Saigon. The Viet Cong (VC) captured the district headquarters following an early morning surprise attack with squads scaling the fence and lobbing grenades to disable the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) machine gun positions ringing the base. A second wave of attackers infiltrated the base and ultimately took control. The Viet Cong were successful in repeatedly beating back large numbers of counterattacking ARVN troops, who rushed in by jeep and armored personnel carrier (APC). ARVN troops regained control of the district headquarters only after reinforcements are airlifted in by US helicopters. The battle resulted in approximately 300 ARVN casualties, 2 American deaths, and forced as many as 7,000 villagers to abandon their homes.

The strength of the VC attack in northern Bình Định Province indicated the changing tactics of the VC, who were prepared to switch from small-scale guerrilla actions to mobile warfare.

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