Operation Irving Operation Thayer

operation irving, south vietnam, october 1966.

operation irving followed operation thayer. focus of american offensive moved east small mountain ranges near coast of bình Định pavn 12th regiment had fled kim son valley believed be. find, fix, , finish pavn norton had 5 american, 5 south korean, , 2 south vietnamese battalions, total of 6,000 men. each national contingent search different mountain massif rising more 1,000 feet (300 m) out of coastal plain on north-south area of more 15 miles (24 km) , extending more 5 miles (8.0 km) inland sea. allied forces attempted prevent communist forces exfiltrating area.

a problem faced in operation irving large number of non-combatants, farmers, in heavily-populated coastal area. leaflets , radio programs instructed civilians stay put in villages or if caught in battle village leave in direction of allied soldiers.

battle of hoa hoi. operation irving had immediate success on october 2. americans observed communist soldiers in village of hoa hoi, near coast, , sent in helicopter platoon-sized group investigate. platoon took heavy fire , suffered casualties , reinforcements rushed area encircle village. villagers offered opportunity leave hoa hoi , 200 did. nightfall came before attack organized. u.s. navy offshore fired illumination shells night prevent communists, identified pavn regulars, escaping through american lines.

the next morning 2 american companies advanced on village north, forcing pavn either stand , fight or attempt break through americans lines encircling village. american attackers searched , destroyed village , rooted out pavn. end of day, battle over. americans claimed have killed 233 soldiers , taken 35 prisoners out of total pavn force of 300 men. american losses 6 dead.

following successful hoa hoi battle, 1st cavalry searched additional communist forces, shifting focus westward mountainous kim son , suoi ca valleys. south korean , south vietnamese forces clashed viet cong , pavn, south vietnamese, u.s. helicopter gunship support, accounting 135 communist soldiers in battle on 13 september. allied forces, however, not find , bring battle large elements of enemy.

operation irving deemed great success, allies claiming had killed 2,063 viet cong , north vietnamese , captured 1,409 losses allies of 52 dead. americans accounted 681 of killed while suffering 19 dead.