Lam Son 719

[markhwalker]

Pete Atack posted this at the home site and CSW. Thought you guys might like to read it.

AAR - LAM SON 719


This one pits two ARVN platoons & 2 M41 tanks vs an NVA platoon supported by a PT76 & 75mm RR. ARVN must clear all NVA heavy weapons from having line-of-sight on the road in the northwest corner of the map.

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T1. SGT Dunk, the US Advisor, & 1 ARVN platoon move up the east flank (covered by jungle and a hill) while LT Ho takes the other platoon and moves up the west flank. Both M41 take up overwwatch positions until the infantry can move up and make sure no RPG teams can close in on the armor. As they begin moving, 1 ARNV squad wanders to close to the jungle edge and loses half their number from small arms fire (4F8); the supporting M41 returns fire, but is unable to get a good fire on the covered NVA position. Sensing the fight about to really open up, the other M41 creeps forward and is engaged by the 75mm RR to no effect. Ducking low in the turrent, the tank commander returns fire with his MG and manages to scatter the crew.

T2. After rallying, the RR and M41 renew their engagement but neither can score a hit. His wingman follows up on the NVA held building again, shaking the squad hidden inside. Trying to overrun the weakened position an ARVN aquad moves up, drawing long range fire form the PT76 which halted their advance. Seeing the ARVN push, LT Khai grabs a squad and RPD and moves off into the tall grass flanking the 75mm RR position. Breaking a trail as they went, they run headlong into an ARVN squad. Caught unaware, the ARVN squad makes a valiant stand and wipes out the NVA.

T3. Using a bit of Kentucky windage, the 75mm RR crew puts a nice shot clean thru the M41 hull. Looing over thier gun sight as the crew bails out, they witness something more distressing - the shaken NVA squad covering the front is flushed out and shot down by a meleeing ARVN aquad. Even more distressing had they seen it was the US Advisor and squad with a LAW moving into position within 2 hexes of the PT76.

T4. Sensing blood, the ARVN discipline breaks down and a general rush begins on the remaining NVA positions. SGT Dunk and 2 squads get hammered crossing some open ground (heading for the 75mm RR). The bright spot - it forced the PT76 to open fire allowing the Advisor spot his position. With a perfect flank shot the PT76 blows apart and the crew staggers out stunned by their misfortune and the hands of the ARVN. On the other flank, the M41 finally draws out the RPG7 crew and attacks (at a range of 2 they can only shake the squad!?).

T5. An ARVN squad melees and kills the 75mm RR team while the Advisor and squad melee and kill and another NVA squad. Assisted by the medic, the RPG7 crew gets back into action and takes their revenge. The RPG round easily cuts into the M41. The resulting explosion and fire takes care of any thoughts of the crew escaping.

T6. At this point the ARVN have met their Victory Conditions (since all the NVA heavy weapons are destroyed). All that's left for the NVA is a shaken crew and 1 squad with RPG7, so this one does not make it into the last turn.

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Notes. The loss of the NVA squad in T2 was key. This loss left the flank largely uncovered (only 1 NVA squad & no leaders to counter 3 ARVN squads, 1 keader, and 1 tank). Should have left these guys inplace as opposed to moving into melee.

The PT76. Left this largely immobile as a light gun and MG emplacement. While some of this was due to the M41s, maybe moving it into the light jungle better covered by infantry may have let the NVA pull out a victory.

Overall the best plan may have been to try and shake as many ARVN squads as possible early on due to their low morale and associated issues with rallying.

[Adam Parker]

I researched this once little known campaign some years back for an article I wrote.

It occured at a time when the Nixon administration found itself under pressure to cut its direct war involvement on the ground. "Vietnamization" became the catch cry, meaning the South Vietnamese themselves were now to lead the ground war. Lam Son 719 (partly explained as being named after a victory over the Chinese in 719 - some say the birthplace of a famous hero with the moniker 1971/route 9) sought to close the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The US Cooper-Church Ammendment allowed the US to run the air aspect and helo transportation.

Results:

NVA-ARVN ground force ratio 5:1
ARVN casualties 7682
ARVN KIA 1764
US casualties 1402
US KIA 215
US Jets lost 8
US Helos damaged 726
US helos lost 108

If I recall correctly, check this LINK out - scroll to the bottom to the audio player and you should hear some chilling cockpit VOX attesting to the horror that Lam Son's DZ's offered to those involved.

Adam.

[markhwalker]

Adam are you saying the NVA had five times more troops than the ARVN or the other way around?

Best,

Mark

[Adam Parker]

My bad! (never post anything first thing in the morning)

That should read 5000 more NVA than ARVN. About 22000 vs 17000. The NVA were decimated yet, still pulled an operational victory.

The US helo losses were staggering weren't they - the bravery of those crews...