On 5 May, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, in response to the aerial reconnaissance sighting reports, displaced into the northern half of the complex which had been dubbed "the city". Immediately upon entering the suspected area, the Cavalry troopers reported finding numerous storage bunkers measuring 16 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet deep. Subsequent reports indicated that most of the bunkers contained large quantities of weapons and munitions and that the enemy had just recently evacuated the area. Throughout the period 5-13 May 182 storage bunkers, 18 mess halls, a training area and a small animal farm were discovered in the area. The logistical storage bunkers contained clothing, food stocks, medical supplies, weapons and munitions. The bulk consisted of ammunition. Generally, all types of equipment and supplies were
in an excellent state of preservation and in good operating condition when discovered. "The city" (Map 10) covered approximately three square kilometers and consisted of a well-organized storage depot that was capable of rapid receipt and issue of large quantities of supplies. Judging from the general condition of the oldest bunker and from translation of supply documents found in the area, it was apparent that the storage depot had been in operation for two to two and one-half years. Some bunkers had been constructed within the last six months.
Captured supply records indicated that the supply depot primarily supported the 7th North Vietnam Army Division. Based on the discovery of classroom facilities, numerous mess halls, firing ranges, as well as large stocks of items of personal clothing and equipment in the cache site area, it was determined that "the city" was also used to provide refresher military and political training to recent replacements from North Vietnam.
Selected items of equipment captured at this cache site complex included:
1,282 individual weapons
202 crew-served weapons
319,000 rounds of .51-caliber/12.7-mm ammunition
25,200 rounds of 14.5-mm antiaircraft machinegun ammunition
1,559,000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition
2,110 grenades
58,000 pounds of plastic explosives
400,000 rounds of .30-caliber ammunition
16,920 propelling charges for 120-mm mortar
22 cases of anti-personnel mines
30 tons of rice 8 tons of corn
1,100 pounds of salt
From the Center for Military History-Vietnam Studies Air Mobility 1961-71 Lt. General John J. Tolson
Above from Delta Company Photos
During May and June of 1970 the 1st Cavalry Division invaded Cambodia although a strategic success was somewhat hampered by a restriction of 30-kilometer advance.
" Mr. Michael O'Neil " (PILOT) - D/229th Avn Bn - "Cobra10
Col. Kirby Lawson USA (Ret.)
1969-1970 Commander, C Company, 227th CAB, 1st Cav
Led first flight into Cambodia, 1 May 1970
Legion of Merit [2]
Distinguished Flying Cross [3]
Bronze Star [2]
Air Medal [54]
Chinese invent toilet paper--had to; Do You Know Who I Am snatched up all the copies of his book:
