OPERATION MCLAIN – June 1968
This was our third, and final, game in a trilogy of scenarios based on actions conducted by the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam.
This game was based around Operation McLain, where the US and ARVN sought to regain control over rural communities they lost during the Tet Offensive. The company was supported by their mortar teams and a firebase of 105mm howitzers dedicated to their operations, plus the possibility of air support from the US Navy. The mission was to locate and engage suspected NVA and VC units in the area.
The NVA comprised a reinforced company atop Hill 435 – three rifle platoons, plus company mortars, and a command bunker with the Company HQ consisting of the CinC, a mortar spotter with radio, plus a HMG. The US forces had advanced too closely on the hill and I could tell that if they requested artillery it would be refused due to proximity of friendly troops. This would cause them a lot of problems. But Cpt Smith wisely called artillery in on the reverse slope so he could walk the artillery in to position.
The VC were in position around the northern village and were an understrength local force company of three platoons. Lt Francis had the job of sweeping through the villages, something he’d also done in the previous game.
The area was not a Free Fire Zone, so authorisation was required for any support from artillery or air. The southern village was neutral, trying to keep its head clean. Whilst the northern village was firmly in the grip of the local VC who were using it to store war materials.
Company Commander’s report of military Operation McLain in the vicinity of Da Lat June 1968.
Our company of 173rd Airborne was ordered to conduct a recce and aggressive sweep to the north of our designated LZ , clearing the two villages in the SE and the NE, taking Hill 435 and to locate and destroy any enemy we engaged. A US press team joined our company and for security reasons I decided they should be attached to the Company HQ.
The company HQ, the weapons platoon and press team made the first Heli drop in middle of the LZ and prepared to give fire to any enemy that may attack platoons 1, 2 and 3 as they came in to land in quick succession.
All platoons came in and landed without any interruption from the enemy. Platoon 1 (Lt. Francis) to the right of Weapons platoon and HQ’s position. Platoon 2 (Lt. King) to the left and Platoon 3 (Lt. Claridge) to the left, just behind and between HQ & weapons platoon and Platoon 2. Lts King & Claridge were ordered to advance their platoons with caution – hunkering down in cover at intervals – towards Hill 435.
Lt Francis’ platoon advanced cautiously towards the village to the SE. HQ and Weapons platoon advanced also.
Hill 435 was likely to be heavily defended, probably by regular NVA. Enemy positions were soon located on the Hill and consequently our weapons platoon commenced to lay down heavy fire with
M60 machine guns and 75mm recoilless rifles with devastating effect. Our company mortars were called in to fall on the north sector of the hill. This was potentially dangerously close to Pltn’s 2 & 3, but with careful direction from our Forward Observer and myself the mortar rounds landed accurately on target. Lts King & Claridge were ordered to temporally halt and hunker down whilst our mortars hit the top of Hill 435.
Meanwhile, enemy mortar rounds started to fall in the vicinity of our HQ and Pltn’s 2 & 3. This seemed to be an enemy observed bombardment as the barrage was steadily moved to the north for several minutes which put more of our platoons in danger.
It was under this bombardment that Lts Claridge and King took casualties including one fatality. Lt King himself had to be medevaced out by Heli along with three other casualties. It could have been worse, but Lts King and Claridge had kept their men hunkered down which undoubtedly protected them from further casualties.
Casualties were also taken by the weapons platoon’s machine gun squad and unfortunately one of the Press team had to be medevaced out by Heli also. Our mortar bombardment of Hill 435 caused regular NVA to move down the hill into the fire from weapons platoon which caused heavy enemy casualties. The enemy mortar bombardment stopped abruptly and we at HQ realised that the enemy mortars and FO were probably on top of Hill 435 and were destroyed by our mortar barrage. I ordered our barrage to cease to allow Pltns 2 & 3 to advance up the hill. A squad from Pltn 2 skirted around the hill to the west to discover an enemy unit of VC irregulars.
Lt Claridge discovered an enemy bunker on the upper slopes of Hill 435. After 2 light assault weapons were fired at the bunker without success it was an M79 blooper round that went straight into the bunker through the slit and despatched it with a devastating explosion.
Navy Air support was requested to engage suspected enemy positions to the north of the hill but was not available at that time.
By this time, the weapons platoon was also engaging enemy units, which looked like VC irregulars, to their front and right front, again pouring withering fire into them from the M60s and the recoilless rifles. Lt King’s platoon, under command of an NCO as Lt King was seriously wounded and evacuated, engaged irregular VC on the slopes of the hill and around the north of the hill.
Lt Francis’ platoon searched and cleared the village successfully in the SE sector and advanced through the dense jungle terrain towards the second village. Despite comms problems, they engaged and routed more irregular VC to the North of the dense terrain area and eventually entered the village. Several enemy bodies were recovered along with a concealed arms cache.
All across our company’s front, the enemy completely dispersed, abandoning several bodies and equipment. The enemy bunker turned out be the NVA’s Company HQ and also contained a heavy machine gun crew which would have been lethal for Pltns 2 & 3 had they managed to open fire before the bunker was destroyed.
The company took relatively very light casualties and all the objectives were taken. Apart from the wounded Press journalist no further civilian casualties were observed or reported.
All in all, I’d say a very successful mission. Very well done gentlemen.
173rd Airborne and the USA are very proud of you all.
AAR – 1st Platoon (Lt A Francis)
As per company orders, 1st Platoon dropped in the SE corner of the LZ behind CoHQ. 1st Squad immediately moved to search the nearby village of Bien Na while 2nd and 3rd took up position along the road, covering the nearby jungle boundary.
Following the all clear from the village, considerable mortar and small arms fire began to be heard from the western side of the LZ where CoHQ and the other two platoons were engaging the enemy on the hill. 2nd and 3rd squads crossed the road and entered the jungle to flush out any enemy towards the village situated NE of the LZ.
At this point, a communications glitch hit the platoon. Radio comms within the squad went down and we also dropped off the company net for a period. I personally was with 2nd squad and managed to establish voice contact with 3rd, but contact was lost completely with 1st who, lacking further orders, held position in the SE village. I continued to lead 2nd and 3rd squads towards the northern treeline although progress was hampered by dense undergrowth and lack of working radios (game note – the umpire accidentally dropped 1st platoon’s activation card on the floor and it was missing from the deck for several turns – hence little activity from the platoon until it was discovered !).
Eventually the radio net was restored; I ordered 1st squad to catch up with the rest of the platoon at the double (since we’d already swept the jungle ahead of them they were able to move swiftly). The jungle was less dense on its northern edge and I took 2nd and 3rd to the treeline, and we spotted a VC platoon in the paddy fields between the trees and the other village. We immediately engaged them with all available firepower, reinforced shortly after by the arrival of 1st squad. Multiple enemy casualties were observed before the survivors fell back; a subsequent follow-up sweep confirmed at least 10 enemy KIA, all VC. The platoon suffered no casualties in return, as enemy return fire was sporadic at most.
Following the cessation of enemy fire, all three squads advanced to the NE village. 3rd squad on our left flank briefly engaged another VC unit along with the weapons platoon who were positioned to our west as we emerged from the jungle. The enemy rapidly withdrew under heavy fire, casualties unknown.
As all enemy activity had ceased at this point, the platoon conducted a post-action sweep of the second village, uncovering a VC weapons cache.
AAR – 2nd Platoon (submitted by Platoon Sergeant R. Turpin 2ic 2nd Platoon, vice 2LT A. King WIA)
2nd Platoon was deployed by helicopter several hundred yards to the south of Hill 435, arriving between 1st and 3rd Platoons. Sgt Turpin with 2nd and 3rd Squads were in the lead, with 1st Squad, armed with an M72 LAW in reserve with the 2LT.
Initial orders from Co HQ were to advance cautiously on hill 435 in conjunction with 3rd Platoon.
On arrival LT King noted the lack of cover in the immediate area of the LZ and ordered the platoon to move toward the cover of some elephant grass between the LZ and hill 435.
During the advance 3rd Squad spotted hostile forces on the hill, estimated at platoon strength, and I passed this intelligence back to the LT. 1st Squad acted on this information laying down fire on the enemy position while the LT contacted the company mortar platoon to request support.
2nd Squad hunkered down and fired on the hill, while 3rd Squad attempted to get into the elephant grass, but were slowed down by the dense grass, making little progress, however they did manage to lay down some fire on the hill. The LT and 1st Squad closed up at the double, the LT’s request for mortar support was denied as the platoon was considered to be too close to the point of aim.
The LT was now close enough to direct 3rd Squad to open fire, while he checked paddy fields to the east of Hill 435 for possible enemy activity, finding none. At this point the LT and 1st Squad came under enemy mortar fire, with PFC Houston KIA.
Shortly afterwards LT King was grievously wounded by the sustained mortar fire and needed to be CASEVAC’d.
As platoon 2ic I took command, and ordered a team from 1st Squad to evacuate the LT and PFC Houston’s body to the dust-off RV point. I ordered the remainder of 1st Squad to move to the west to try to escape the mortar’s beaten zone. 2nd and 3rd Squads managed to advance into the elephant grass and take cover.
2nd and 3rd Squads both engaged the enemy on the hill with effective fire, at least two casualties were seen to fall. The team from 1st Squad saw the LT and PFC Houston loaded onto the dust-off chopper and then re-joined the rest of 1st Squad.
With the LT out of action 2nd Platoon would be vulnerable to accumulated shock hampering movement and reducing the effect of their weapons.
Someone in the chain of command must have persuaded the Mortar Platoon to risk danger close fire as our mortars began to fall on the rear of the hill.
Elements of 3rd platoon to our east advanced upon the hill to discover a well concealed bunker with an HMG. I ordered 1st Squad to deploy their LAW in an attempt to destroy the bunker but the shot missed. 2nd and 3rd Squads were more effective, continuing to fire at the enemy on the hill outside the bunker inflicting more casualties which caused the enemy to withdraw rapidly.
3rd Platoon tried to take out the bunker with their LAW but also failed. One of their Squads had better luck as they appeared to get a grenade into the bunker, destroying it.
With the bunker destroyed by 3rd Platoon, 2nd Platoon’s 2nd and 3rd Squads advanced to search the vacated enemy positions flanking the bunker, finding 8 NVA KIA who had been abandoned by their comrades. We left evaluation of the bunker’s ruins to 3rd Platoon.
There was then a lull in the action (2nd Platoon’s card wasn’t drawn before the end of the turn) as the VC mortar’s fell silent.
2nd and 3rd Squads advanced to the western side and crest of hill 435, but 1st Squad’s follow up was severely hampered by the elephant grass. 2nd and 3rd Squads could see some activity in the jungle to the north of Hill 435 and attempted to identify if there were any enemy forces present, but the results were inconclusive. 1st Squad made slow progress through the elephant grass.
After another lull in the action, 3rd Squad confirmed no enemy presence immediately to the north of the hill, so 1st and 2nd Squads continued their cautious advance. 2nd and 3rd Squads continued their advance across the hill, with 1st Squad still battling their way through elephant grass.
As they advanced 2nd Squad spotted a reduced strength VC platoon in the jungle to the north east of hill 435, 3rd Squad didn’t spot them and 1st Squad FINALLY got out of the elephant grass, only to encounter the jungle on hill 435!
Following another lull in the action 2nd and 3rd Squads laid down withering fire on the VC platoon they had spotted earlier, causing 4 casualties and forcing the VC to withdraw. 1st Squad cleared the jungle and advanced in the clear area to the west of hill 435.
At this point Co HQ confirmed all enemy forces had withdrawn, leaving the Company in control of hill 435 and the surrounding villages.
Post battle analysis confirmed an overwhelming military and political victory for free world forces.
Update: 2LT King was evacuated to Tuy Hoa field hospital where he was stabilised, awarded a Purple Heart, and subsequently flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland for further treatment. The NCOs and other ranks of 2nd Platoon wish the LT a speedy recovery.
AAR – 3rd Platoon (Lt J Claridge)
As part of Operation McLain the company was sent to Da Lat for a reconnaissance-in-force, once again 3rd Platoon were going to arrive last to the LZ. This time the boss said everyone was to be at the LZ before we started moving out so we could bring our full weight against the enemy, this was a welcome plan given last time we went in hot, taking fire on the way down.
Embarking on the UH-1 transports we were en route when the CO confirmed his teams were in place and the other platoons were already deployed on the ground. Then everything changed, radio chatter confirmed 1st Platoon was checking out a local village, 2nd Platoon was advancing into the elephant grass at the foot of Hill 435, while M60’s of the platoon HQ were already engaging targets on the hill. So much for the plan, then the birds took a sharp swing towards the LZ to avoid the ranging shots coming in from enemy mortars, it was going to be another hot landing.
As 3rd platoon arrived at the LZ we were still under orders to hold until the full force was gathered. But mortar shells were already falling to our rear and there was intense fire being poured onto the hill. After a few failed attempts to get clear orders from the CO we decided to head towards the hill and get as much distance from the mortars as possible.
It wasn’t enough, 2nd and 3rd squads got caught in the barrage and were lucky to avoid any casualties. 2nd Platoon was making cautious progress towards the hill while 1st platoon was nowhere to be seen. The CO was in a fierce firefight with the enemy on the hill, but it seemed like they had the upper hand. We finally got conformation to ditch the hold orders and advance on the hill.
Despite getting out of the barrage 2nd squad came under fire from the hill causing a casualty that needed immediate evac. Still trying to avoid the mortar fire and seeing 2nd platoon hunkering down again rather than make progress towards the hill we decided it was time to move. 1st squad ran through 2nd platoons’ positions in the elephant grass and advanced to the base of the hill.
3rd squad rushed past the platoon HQ to the road junction near the hill, taking a shocking amount of fire but managing to avoid any casualties. There was still no sign of 1st platoon.
At last, we saw the first enemy units retreating off the hill and so 3rd squad rushed up the hill to flush more of the enemy out only to run straight into an enemy bunker. 3rd squad quickly hunkered down and radioed in the bunker’s location. Immediately two rockets flew over but to no effect, later 1st squad reported one was theirs, I guess the other must have come from 2nd platoon. With the failure of the rockets 3rd squad engaged at point blank range and the bunker erupted in flames.
With the bunker out and the mortar threat neutralised by our own supporting mortar fire we advanced off the hill to support the platoon HQ. VC could be seen retreating from the jungle opposite the hill, I guess that’s where 1st platoon got to, and from the fields next to the far village. Taking up position, we continued pouring fire onto the remnants of the NVA from the hill and the VC units. 2nd squad regrouped after their casualty was evac’d and joined in to support platoon HQ. The fight had clearly been taken out of the enemy, and we were ordered to halt as they dispersed. Looking forward for some R&R and buying 3rd squad some well-earned beers.
Final Word
I’ve really enjoyed playing these games and learning the rules as we go. But the thanks for that must go to Pete, Andy, Jeremey, and Tony, who all entered the spirit to create a great story and narrative to the games. I think Charlie Don’t Surf (CDS) offers a splendid take on the Vietnam War – we are used to seeing those 28mm games where a platoon approaches a village and takes some fire, but games at the level of CDS give more context to those encounters and more accurately reflect the experience of the Vietnam War where it was all about company and battalion actions rather than the platoon (a certain film from the 80s left us with that impression). A great set of rules that provide a very good game.
