Battle of Bong Son

Battle of Bong Son
Part of the Vietnam War
Troops landing in the valley
Date 28 January – February 12, 1966 Location Bong Son, Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam Result Tactical U.S./South Vietnamese victory
Belligerents
United States South Vietnam South Korea	North Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
Major General Harry Kinnard Archie R. Hyle Colonel Ray Lynch General Nguyen Thanh Sang	Unknown
Strength
1st Cavalry Division: 5,700 22nd Division: ~10,000 Capital Mechanized Infantry Division	3rd Division, ~8,000
Casualties and losses
140 killed and 220 wounded : unknown	US estimate: ~755 killed, 3 captured

140 killed and 220 wounded

The Battle of Bồng Sơn was the second major battle for the US 1st Cavalry Division, an airmobile unit of divisional strength, during the Vietnam War. The battle was part of Operation Masher, also known as Operation Whitewing. A month earlier in 1965, in the Battle of the Ia Drang, the 1st Cavalry used all the division infantry, but one brigade at a time. One of the realizations that affected Bong Son was that with adequate helicopter lift, the traditional need to keep a strong reserve was less required—the least involved unit usually could break away and go where it was needed.

At the operational level, it was begun as a pursuit of the Vietnam People's Army (PAVN) 2nd, 18th, and 22nd Regiments (forming the NVA 3rd Division) by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 22nd Division, commanded by Brigadier General Nguyen Thanh Sang and assisted by the Republic of Korea Capital Division. The NVA fought back strongly and Sang asked for reinforcements by two ARVN airborne battalions, which still were not enough.

During the Battle of the Ia Drang, 1st Cavalry commander Major General Harry Kinnard had considered operations on the Binh Dinh plain, part of the area involved in Bong Son. He now had time to implement those ideas. Even through the ARVN needed help, the Cavalry prepared systematically.

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Wikipedia