Contents

Glossary

THE EASTER OFFENSIVE OF 1972
by Lt. Gen. Ngo Quang Truong

CHAPTER VI

Enemy Offensive in the Mekong Delta

The Setting

As major battles of the Easter Offensive began to develop in other military regions throughout South Vietnam, the Mekong Delta remained unusually quiet. But this quietness was deceptive because the enemy maintained at least six regiments within the territory of MR-4 and had the capability to reinforce with the 1st NVA Division located just across the border in Cambodia. Although the enemy's objective in MR-4 was not as clear cut as in other military regions during the initial stage of the offensive, a very plausible theory held that he might contemplate two things. Militarily, he could try to pin down IV Corps forces, the 7th, 9th, and 21st ARVN Divisions, at home, preventing them from being re-deployed to other areas. Politically, he would certainly endeavor to wreck our pacification achievements in the Mekong Delta, and by the same move, strangle its economic lifeline to the nation's capital.

Map15: The Mekong Delta, MR-4

In the final analysis, perhaps it was the Mekong Delta that mattered the most. The heartland of agricultural South Vietnam, it encompassed the fertile alluvial plains formed by the Mekong River and its main tributary, the Bassac. With its sixteen provinces, the Delta contained about two thirds of the nation's population and yielded the same proportion in rice production. (Map 15)

The terrain of MR-4 differed radically from other regions. Flat and mostly uncovered, it consisted of mangrove swamps and rice fields crisscrossed by an interlocking system of canals, natural and artificial. Except for some isolated mountains to the west near the Cambodian border, few areas in the Delta had an elevation of more than 10 feet above sea

level. During the monsoon season, most of the swampy land north of Route QL-4, generally called Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds), was inundated, especially when alluvial waters raised the level of the Mekong River from July to October. Other undeveloped swampy areas along the coast had turned into havens that sheltered enemy main force units just as the scattered mini-bases inland offered good refuge for local guerrillas. (Map 16)

Map16: Enemy Base Areas in Military Region 4

ARVN forces under the control of IV Corps consisted of three infantry divisions, two mobile and six border ranger groups. In addition, the territorial forces of MR-4 totaled about 200,000, by far the most numerous among the four military regions. The 7th ARVN Division was headquartered at Dong Tam Base in Dinh Tuong Province; the 9th Division was located in Sa Dec and the 21st Division usually operated in the Ca Mau Peninsula from its headquarters at Bac Lieu. Despite the substantial combat support and significant advisory effort, both military and civilian, provided by the United States, primary responsibility for the combat effort in MR-4 had always been Vietnamese, even during the period when U.S. units operated in the Mekong Delta.

To present a comprehensive view of the military situation throughout MR-4, it is necessary to go back to early 1970. As a result of COSVN's Resolution No. 9 disseminated in 1969, which emphasized the strategic importance of the Mekong Delta and conceived it as the principal battlefield where the outcome of the war in South Vietnam would be decided, the enemy infiltrated the 1st NVA Division Headquarters and its three regiments, the 88th, l01D and 95A into MR-4. This effort succeeded despite heavy losses. IV Corps forces were thrown off balance and the pacification effort declined as a result of extensive enemy attacks and shellings. Not until after the enemy's sanctuaries beyond the border had been destroyed during the Cambodian incursion and his capability to re- supply from the sea eliminated were these 1st NVA Division forces compelled to break down into small elements and withdraw. Part of these elements fell back into mini-bases within MR-4; others retreated toward Cambodia.

IV Corps was therefore able to regain the initiative during 1971. Its efforts during the year consisted of continuing operations on Cambodian soil to assist the weaker National Khmer Armed Forces and interdicting enemy supply routes into the Mekong Delta. Concurrently, it also emphasized the elimination of enemy's mini- bases in the Delta. This effort was crowned with resounding success as ARVN forces penetrated and destroyed most of these bases. In addition, they also established a new system of outposts to maintain GVN control over what had been the enemy1s long established base areas. The most significant achievements during this period were the neutralization of the extremely heavy enemy fortifications in the That Son (Seven Mountains) area by the 9th ARVN Division, the continued destruction of enemy installations in the U Minh Forest by the 21st ARVN Division, the coordinated activities of the 7th ARVN Division and territorial forces in Base Area 470 on the boundary of Dinh Tuong and Kien Phong Provinces, and finally, the successful pacification campaign in Kien Hoa Province, the cradle of Viet Cong insurgency.

As a result of these achievements, the situation in MR-4 was particularly bright by early 1972. About 95% of the Delta population lived in secure villages and hamlets. Rice production had increased substantially and education was available to every child of school age. Prospects for the Delta's future looked promising as key GVN programs such as Land-to-the-Tiller and Hamlet Self- Development were gaining solid momentum. The four year Community Defense and Local Development Plan that the GVN had initiated in March 1972 presaged an even brighter future for the farmers of the Mekong Delta.

Map17: Enemy Regimental Disposition in MR-4, 1 April 1972

This was how the Delta looked before the enemy offensive. During the quarter that preceded it, enemy activities were at a low level, consisting mostly of small unit attacks, harassment of outposts and scattered road interdiction. The enemy seemed to be concentrating his effort on building up supplies in his base areas, particularly in the U Minh Forest and in Dinh Tuong Province, undoubtedly preparing for future attacks. At that time, enemy forces in the Mekong Delta consited primarily of six local force regiments, all implanted in their

safe havens. The 18B and 95A Regiments were in the U Minh area; the Dl and D2 Regiments were reported southwest of Chuong Thien Province; the D3 Regiment was scattered along the common boundary of Vinh Long and Vinh Binh Provinces; and the Dong Thap 1 Regiment was located in an area south of Route QL-4 in Dinh Tuong Province. Probable reinforcements from beyond the Cambodian border included the 1st NVA Division which might be introduced into Chau Doc and Kien Giang Provinces and the Z15 Regiment north of Kien Tuong Province.(Map 17)

During this time, the defense of the border for MR-4 was assigned to the 44th Special Tactical Zone (STZ) whose border ranger and armor forces were deployed as a screen along the Cambodian border from the Mo Vet (Parrot's Beak) area to the Gulf of Siam. In addition to its territorial defense responsibility inside MR-4, the 44th STZ also operationally controlled two major bases in Cambodia, Neak Luong, at Route QL-l ferry crossing of the Mekong River, and Kompong Trach, some 20 km north of Ha Tien. Both bases were secured by ARVN ranger forces. The 9th ARVN Division was then conducting operations in the upper U Minh area and in Chuong Thien Province while the 21st Division operated in the lower U Minh area and in the southern portion of Cape Ca Mau. Meanwhile, the 7th ARVN Division was responsible for the two contested areas of MR-4, Dinh Tuong and Kien Hoa Provinces, and other provinces sandwiched between the Mekong and Bassac Rivers.

In mid March, an ARVN intelligence report indicated that the entire 1st NVA Division was moving southward in Kampot Province (Cambodia), to an area deeper south than where it had been in late 1970. Two other enemy regiments, 18B and 95B, were also reported leaving the U Minh area and moving eastward in the direction of Chuong Thien Province. These movements undoubtedly presaged major actions in the Mekong Delta during the 1972 dry season.

Kompong Trach: The Opening Road

The battle for Kompong Trach was to have a considerable impact on the military situation in the Mekong Delta for the remainder of 1972. It started 22 March with an engagement between elements of the 42d ARVN Ranger Group and the enemy l01D Regiment and did not abate until the end of April.

Kompong Trach was a small Cambodian town located near a road intersection in a lightly forested area north of Ha Tien City, about 15 kilometers north of the border. IV Corps maintained an operational base there which controlled one of the enemy's major supply routes from Cambodia into the Mekong Delta. Apparently, it had not been the enemy's choice to fight a major battle in this area at this time. The initial engagement, however, developed into a significant battle as reinforcements kept pouring in from both sides. The fighting was fierce and tough. On the ARVN side, a large force was committed which eventually consisted of four armored cavalry squadrons, including the 7th Division's organic squadron, deployed across the entire width of MR-4 from its easternmost corner over one hundred kilometers away, six ranger battalions, artillery units and supporting engineer elements. The enemy initially committed only one regiment, the 101D, and supporting elements of the 1st NVA Division Headquarters. Eventually, however, he was forced to throw in two additional regiments in rapid succession, the 52d and E44, which were then on their way into MR-4.

In spite of heavy losses incurred by both sides and the fact that eventually the ARVN base at Kompong Trach had to be evacuated, this battle resulted in a major defeat for the enemy. For one thing, the 1st NVA Division, which was the enemy's single division size unit committed to the Mekong Delta at that time, had been forced to exhaust its combat potential on Cambodian soil whereas it was apparently needed to conduct major actions inside MR-4 in concert with the offensive in other areas of South Vietnam. Fighting this battle, the enemy did not succeed in breaking the household china, his primary objective;

he managed only to cause minor damage to the outer fence. In other words, his mission to destroy the pacification progress in IV Corps was unsuccessful; he caused only minor disruption. Even then, the price he had to pay for it was outrageously high. The hugh losses which had been inflicted on him by our armor firepower and the devastating U.S. and VNAF airstrikes during his massive infantry assaults finally reduced the 1st NVA Division into a unit that was no longer combat worthy for the rest of the offensive.

The battle of Kompong Trach took place in an area far removed from our normal supply lines. Access by road and waterway to the battle ground was limited. As a result, IV Corps had difficulty in the movement of troops and supplies for the support of the ARVN effort(1). In fact, the battle was just an exchange of military assets and it did not involve the lives and properties of the Mekong Delta's population.

The Hau Giang Under Attack

While the battle at Kompong Trach was raging, the enemy initiated offensive activities in the Mekong Delta with a series of attacks on 7 April. Most of these attacks occurred in the province of Chuong Thien. They were conducted by four local main force units, the 18B, 95B, Dl and D2 Regiments, which almost in unison endeavored to destroy all friendly bases and outposts along the enemy's communication routes. These routes originated in the large U Minh base area, ran through the provinces of Chuong Thien and Phong Dinh, then connected the Hau Giang area (the provinces west of the Bassac River) with the Tien Giang area (the provinces east of the Mekong River).

Map18: Enemy Attacks in MR-4

Elsewhere in the Delta, enemy main force and local units also surfaced to put pressure on our territorial forces in an attempt to

disrupt GVN pacification achievements. Despite the fact that these attacks were spread over a large geographical area, the enemy offensive affected only remote outposts and territorial forces, almost to the exclusion of ARVN main force units. (Map 18)

To help maintain tactical balance for MR-4, U.S. tactical air and B-52 strikes, which had not been used in the Delta since the beginning of 1972, resumed in support of ARVN forces at Kompong Trach and in other areas under contest throughout MR-4. This support from the air had a significant impact on the final outcome of the enemy offensive. Without it, it is doubtful that the ARVN ground forces, which fought so well at Kompong Trach, Kien Tuong, at the Elephant1s Foot and in Dinh Tuoung would have been able to defeat so decisively the large enemy forces engaged in these battle areas. At best, ARVN might have been able to achieve a stalemate in some of those engagements.

On 7 April, the day enemy attacks began in MR-4, the 21st ARVN Division was ordered to prepare for movement to MR-3. Three days later, the first elements of this division were already deployed along Route QL-13 north of Lai Khe. Then, about a month later, on 12 May, another MR-4 unit, the 15th Regiment of the 9th Division, was deployed to MR-3 in the effort to relieve enemy pressure on An Loc. These redeployments resulted in big voids which would affect the defense posture of MR-4. Consequently, IV Corps had to readjust the tactical areas of responsibility over the entire border area with its mobile and border ranger units, to include a ranger group just released from its reinforcement mission in MR-1. The 9th Division (-) took over responsibility for all the provinces in the Hau Giang (Bassac) area while the 7th Division was given responsibility for the Tien Giang (Mekong) area with the majority of its effort concentrated north of Route QL-4.

In spite of the over extension of its forces and the increasingly strong pressure coming from the Cambodian border, IV Corps continued to meet the challenge effectively. Major General Nguyen Vinh Nghi, who had replaced me as IV Corps commander in early May, proved to be the man for this challenge because of his familiarity with the Mekong Delta. His actions were timely and responsive. A cautious man by

nature, he nevertheless accepted reasonable risks whenever required in order to resolve combat situations. His energetic drive and talent for maneuver left an excellent impression on his adviser, Major General Thomas M. Tarpely, DRAC commander. They worked hand in hand in close association in almost every situation to ensure that the Delta remained secure during the enemy offensive.

On 18 May, elements of the enemy 52d and l0lD Regiments, 1st NVA Division attacked Kien Luong, a district town in northern Kien Giang Province, some 20 kilometers southeast of Ha Tien. This was the first instance of significant enemy re-infiltration into the Mekong Delta since this division was driven out of the That Son (Seven Mountains) area in April 1971.

The battle took place around the cement plant and in the town's market area. Enemy sappers initially succeeded in penetrating and holding the plant's personnel living quarters and a few blocks in town. They quickly organized these areas into solid defense positions. Fighting continued for ten days before ARVN ranger and armor forces, in coordination with local RF and PF units, forced the NVA troops from both areas. Enemy forces withdrew toward the Cambodian border, leaving behind hundreds of bodies scattered among the ruins.

After the battle, the situation in the provinces west of the Bassac River returned to normal. The four enemy local force regiments in this area were unable to renew any significant activity, battered as they were by successive B-52 strikes and our constant attacks by ARVN forces. They managed only to harass isolated bases and outposts manned by the RF and PF.

In the meantime, indications were being obtained by ARVN-U.S. intelligence of a strong enemy buildup in the Parrot's Beak and Elephant's Foot areas near the border in northern Kien Tuong Province. These reports pointed toward major actions in the Tien Giang (Mekong) area for which the 7th ARVN Division was responsible.

Actions in the Tien Giang

On 23 May, a small engagement took place between ARVN ranger and armor forces of the 44th STZ and the NVA 207th Regiment in an area on the Cambodian side of the border1 some 15 kilometers north of Cai Cai, a district town located on the common boundary of Kien Tuong and Kien Phong Provinces near the Cambodian border.

During this battle, ARVN forces captured some enemy documents which contained plans for the infiltration of NVA units into northern Kien Tuong Province and subsequent attacks against Moc Hoa, the provincial capital. Then on 10 June, prisoner sources disclosed that the 5th NVA Division - which had failed in its earlier effort to take An Loc in MR-3 - was being re-deployed to the Elephant's Foot area on Cambodian territory. Eventually, this unit was to move into Base Area 470 in the Plains of Reeds.

To the IV Corps commander, who had participated in MR-3 operations during the initial stage of the siege on An Loc, it became evident that after being defeated there, the hungry enemy was trying to seek refuge in the food rich Mekong Delta. He was determined therefore to deny the enemy this refuge. Actually, a new phase of the enemy offensive was about to begin that would involve IV Corps forces in major battles not only in the Tien Giang area but also in Cambodia.

Within 48 hours, General Nghi moved the 7th Division Headquarters and two regiments into the Elephant's Foot area north of Kien Tuong Province. Soon this division was joined by its remaining elements. At the same time, U.S. tactical air and B-52 strikes repeatedly pounded away at targets of enemy troop concentration in.the area. IV Corps's quick action was timely and effective. It successfully stopped the enemy's effort to infiltrate his major units into MR-4; it also afforded IV Corps more time to consolidate the defense of Dinh Tuong Province which from all indications had been the enemy's choice for refuge and future actions.

Subsequently, several heavy engagements occurred in the Elephant's Foot area. The enemy had brought along a powerful array of antiaircraft

weapons to include the heat-seeking SA-7 missile which was used for the first time in the Delta. These weapons curtailed the activities of our helicopters and observation planes and inflicted extensive damage on our aircraft but intercepted by the 7th Division forces while on the move, enemy units were surprised and suffered heavy losses. After 20 days of combat, the 7th Division was in total control of the area. Following this victory on 30 June, the division commander, Brigadier General Nguyen Khoa Nam, pushed his forces farther north. Again, his effort was crowned with resounding success.

But the enemy seemed oblivious to the serious losses he had incurred. He shifted his movement westward, pushing his regiments - two of the 5th NVA Division and the 24th and Z18 - deeper into the Tien Giang area toward Base Area 470 where these units were to join forces with the Z15 and Dong Thap 1 Regiments. By early July therefore, a total of six enemy regiments were reported in northern Dinh Tuong Province, about 65 kilometers southwest of Saigon. Dinh Tuong Province was about to become the area for a major contest, and perhaps this was the primary goal of his offensive in the Mekong Delta.

In the meantime, and in conjunction with his effort to infiltrate the Tien Giang area, other NVA units, probably elements of the 9th Division, began moving toward Kompong Trabek which they took in mid June. With the support of local Khmer Rouge units, these NVA forces were endeavoring to tighten control over Route QL-l from the Parrot's Beak area to Neak Luong on the Mekong River. By 2 July, only two towns remained under National Khmer control in this area, Neak Luong and Svay Rieng.

Since the National Khmer forces were unable to dislodge the enemy from Kompong Trabek, a combined Khmer-ARVN operation was launched to retake this town. After 22 days of fighting, ARVN forces succeeded in freeing Kompong Trabek and clearing Route QL-l westward after a link up with Neak Luong. However, the enemy was determined to keep this town under his control since it was located between two of his main supply lines. Consequently, as soon as ARVN units re-deployed to the Delta, NVA forces would return and occupy the town. This occurred not once

but several times. Finally, enemy pressure within MR-4 became so heavy that ARVN forces could no longer afford to recapture Kompong Trabek for the benefit of their National Khmer allies. After all, their very rear, the prosperous province of Dinh Tuong, was facing a serious threat from the enemy's newly infiltrated regiments.

Attack in Dinh Tuong

The enemy took advantage of the void left in Dinh Tuong Province by the 7th ARVN Division, which was then conducting operations in Cambodia. He launched a series of coordinated attacks against three district towns, Sam Giang, Cai Be and Cai Lay during the period from 17 May to 11 July. The attacking forces initially consisted of elements of the Dong Thap 1 and Z15 Regiments. All of these attacks were driven back by territorial forces with the strong support provided by U.S. tactical air and helicopter gunships. The enemy was finally forced to withdraw into his base area (470) to refit and recover for future actions. His losses had been heavy.

Despite initial setbacks enemy pressure was also mounting at this time on Route QL-4, the vital supply line between the Delta's rice bowl and the nation's capital. Indications were that the enemy was bringing into the area more troops. As a result, IV Corps had to move the 7th Division back into its tactical area of responsibility, leaving behind only one regiment to form a screen along the border. By that time, the 15th Regiment, 9th ARVN Division had accomplished its mission south of An Loc and was released by MR-3 for return to MR-4. It was immediately deployed to Dinh Tuong at the same time as two ranger groups and the Ranger Command of MR-4. To defeat the enemy's effort against Route QL-4 in Dinh Tuong, B-52 strikes were concentrated on enemy bases in the Delta whenever fighting became intense and profitable targets were detected.

In mid August, as the situation in Binh Long Province became stabilized, the 21st Division was returned to MR-4 and reassigned the responsibility for the southern Hau Giang area, its former territory.

Elements of the 9th Division which formerly operated in this area were directed to the Tien Giang area where they concentrated on Dinh Tuong. These redeployments enabled the 7th Division to devote its effort to Kien Tuong Province in the north and the border area. The 44th STZ meanwhile was assigned the responsibility for the area west of the Mekong River and south of the Cambodian border, to include the eastern part of Kien Phong Province. The 7th Division was assigned a similar area of responsibility east of the Mekong River, to include the entire province of Kien Tuong.

As a result of this influx of ARVN forces in the Tien Giang area, there was an urgent need for IV Corps to provide better command and control. General Nghi therefore established IV Corps Command Forward at Dong Tam Base and placed Brigadier General Nguyen Thanh Hoang, his deputy for operations, in charge. This rather conventional approach to command and control greatly assisted General Nghi. It facilitated the execution of two major tasks that IV Corps had assigned to its subordinate units, namely to maintain contact with the enemy and destroy his units in the Delta, and to interdict his movements of men and supplies from Cambodia into South Vietnam.

During this period of command and control restructuring, the ranger forces and 9th Division, which were occasionally reinforced with the 10th and 12th Regiments, 7th Division, fought many fierce battles in Dinh Tuong Province and in Base Area 470. In early August, the ranger forces under MR-4 Ranger Command fought a major battle in the Hau My area, west-northwest of My Tho, and completely cleared this area of the enemy. This enabled IV Corps to rebuild a system of outposts along the Thap Muoi Canal and reestablish GVN control over this area which had been subverted by the enemy since the beginning of his Easter Offensive. By the end of August, enemy activities in Dinh Tuong Province had been seriously impeded by our quick and aggressive reactions on the ground and continuous pounding from the air by U.S. tactical air and B-52's.

In late August and early September, IV Corps shifted its effort toward the That Son area in Chau Doc Province where intelligence reports strongly indicated reinfiltration by elements of the 1st NVA Division.

In a quick move, IV Corps brought its forces westward into Chau Doc and across the Cambodian border into an area west of Nui O. At the same time, it moved the 44th STZ Headquarters back to Chi Lang with the mission of engaging the 1st NVA Division, turning over the province of Kien Phong to the 7th ARVN Division.

The Aftermath

During the month of September, the situation in the Delta remained relatively uneventful. Not until early October did enemy initiated actions resume again at a high level. The enemy's increased effort appeared to have some connection with the cease-fire agreement which was being finalized in Paris. In this effort, the 1st NVA Division sent its two regiments, the 42d and l01D, south into An Giang Province and concurrently west into the Ba Hon Mountain area near the coast in Ha Tien Province. East of the Mekong River, elements of the 207th NVA and the E2 Regiments, which were operating in the area of Kompong Trabek and north of Cai Cai, also infiltrated into Kien Phong Province. South of the Bassac River, the enemy's 18B, 95A, Dl and D2 Regiments simultaneously moved eastward, establishing blocking positions along lines of communication and among populous areas. This fanning out pattern clearly indicated an attempt by the enemy to extend his presence over the Delta, undoubtedly in preparation for a standstill cease- fire. However, by the end of October when the cease-fire agreement failed to materialize, these activities declined significantly.

In late October and early November, the 7th ARVN Division made several contacts with the enemy in Kien Phong Province During a battle in the Hong Ngu District where the Mekong River crossed the border, elements of the division, in coordination with territorial forces, annihilated one battalion of the 207th NVA Regiment, taking a total of 73 prisoners during eight days of engagement. This turned out to be the largest single group of enemy prisoners ever captured during the war Most of these prisoners were teen agers, ill-fed and ill-equipped, some without weapons or ammunition. They disclosed that they had been

abandoned by their leaders who fled when the fighting became tough.

Along the common boundary of Kien Tuong and Kien Phong Provinces, the 10th Regiment, 7th ARVN Division also harvested repeated success during contacts made with infiltrated elements of the E2 Regiment, 5th NVA Division. These victories were achieved with the significant support of U.S. Army Air Cavalry teams. Finally, an enemy scheme to attack Cao Lanh, the provincial capital of Kien Phong, was preempted by the quick deployment of the 11th and 12th Regiments, 7th Division into this area.

Meanwhile, farther west of the Bassac River, ranger forces of the 44th STZ conducted successful operations in Ha Tien Province and the That Son area. During these operations, they captured several supply caches, destroyed enemy installations and inflicted substantial losses to elements of two NVA regiments, the 52d and l01D of the 1st Division. A battalion commander of the 52d NVA Regiment surrendered to the rangers and he disclosed that his battalion had been so severely mauled by our ambushes and airstrikes that only 30 men were left.

As of mid December, the overall situation in the Mekong Delta returned to its pre-offensive quietness. IV Corps took advantage of this respite to readjust command and control, expanding the 7th Division's TAOR to include both Dinh Tuong and Go Cong Provinces as the first step. The 9th Division was then assigned responsibility for the provinces of Sa Dec, Vinh Long, Vinh Binh and Kien Hoa. This extension of ARVN forces brought about an improvement in territorial security, especially in those areas where enemy pressure was heavy and our territorial forces needed ARVN support.

Map19: Enemy Regimental Disposition in MR-4 - 31 December, 1972

This quiet period lasted only for about two weeks through Christmas and New Year's day. After that, enemy initiated activities resumed at a fairly high level. However, despite their increased frequency, most of these activities were low keyed and inconsequential. It was obvious then that the October pattern was repeating itself and the enemy was apparently more concerned with his Omni-presence as a psychological and political ploy to influence the local population and stimulate the morale of his own troops than trying to obtain military gains. This

was the situation throughout the Mekong Delta on the eve of the cease-fire. (Map 19)

In summary, in spite of his multiple efforts and heavy sacrifices during the Easter Offensive, the enemy accomplished very little in the Mekong Delta. Route QL-4, which was one among the enemy's major objectives, remained open throughout his offensive save for brief periods of traffic interruption. He had failed to strangle our vital lifeline; he had also failed to disrupt our pacification effort. No district town, not even the remotest, be it in Kien Hoa, Ca Mau or along the border, ever fell into enemy hands, even temporarily. Despite some ups and downs in the pacification effort, the enemy was unable to achieve any additional gains in population control. And most remarkably, all our lines of communication, roads or waterways, remained trafficable throughout his offensive.

On their part, the ARVN forces of MR-4 had performed remarkably well. They had effectively prevented the enemy from achieving big gains and had finally defeated him soundly, this despite their initial failure to prevent further infiltration. The accomplishments of the 7th and 9th Divisions, the rangers, and the RF and PF in the Mekong Delta, although not as dramatic as the combat exploits achieved in heroic An Loc, proud Kontum or victorious Tri-Thien, certainly did have a decisive impact on the survival of South Vietnam. Our strategists had always emphasized that, "He who won the battles in the Mekong Delta would win the war in South Vietnam" Not only had IV Corps won the battles in the Mekong Delta but it had done this while sharing nearly one half of its forces with MR-3 and MR-l.