Blackhorse Hoofbeats
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Don Snedeker
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Blackhorse Hoofbeats
3rd Quarter, 2023
In 1966 and
1967, Regimental Headquarters and each of the Squadrons submitted Monthly
Evaluation Reports. Ranging from three to more than ten pages, these reports
provided a summary of Blackhorse activities to higher headquarters (II Field
Force in Long Binh). They give insights into the Regiment’s first year
in-country – especially how the rest of the in-country system was dealing with
the large number of armored vehicles and weapons employed by Blackhorse
Troopers. The following are excerpts from those reports.
October 1966 (Regiment): “During October over 500,000 leaflets were
dropped in conjunction with Operation ATLANTA [movement to and occupation of the
new Blackhorse Base Camp south of Xuan Loc]. Two of the leaflets were printed
especially for the regiment based on a design created by the S5 [Civil-Military
Operations staff section] and employed during the move by the 1st Squadron to
Xuan Loc. One leaflet was dropped on friendly towns and the other on possible VC
areas in the Xuan Loc area. The friendly leaflet depicted the proposed patch of
the regiment and informed the people the ‘Blackhorse Regiment’ was here to stay
and to help them against the VC. While the leaflets were being dropped a HU1D
[Huey helicopter] with speaker circled the area telling the people more about
the regiment. Later reports from intelligence sources indicated the people were
very receptive and pleased with the announcement of the regiment’s arrival and
its intentions.”
October 1966 (1st Squadron): “Initial PLL [Prescribed Load List – repair
parts kept on-hand at troop/company/battery level for vehicles, weapons, and
radios] rapidly depleted. Repair parts, especially for weapons, very hard to
get. Most automotive repair parts needed were procured at salvage yards.”
Meritorious Unit Commendation: From Department of the Army General Orders
32, dated 2 July 1968: “The 3D SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
distinguished itself in support of military operations in the Republic of
Vietnam during the period 13 September 1966 to 31 May 1967 By making tactical
movements in areas previously considered inaccessible to tracked vehicles during
Operation HICKORY, the 3D SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT completely
revised the concept of the adaptability of armored units to combat in the
Republic of Vietnam. During CEDAR FALLS and COLBY/IOLA, the unit utilized its
awesome firepower and extreme mobility to continually route the Viet Cong from
their well-entrenched, ingeniously concealed bunkers, spider holes, and
underground shelters …”
December 1966 (1st Squadron): “Squadron morale continues to be high.
During the Christmas holidays the troops receive presents from various
organizations in CONUS [Continental United States], as well as Christmas cards
from school children, civic groups and private citizens. The men of the ‘First
of the Blackhorse’ responded with many thank-you notes and letters of
appreciation. Each troop adorned its own mess hall with Christmas trees, lights
and other decorations even though the Squadron was participating in vigorous
operations during the holiday season.”
January 1967 (Regiment): “A total of 18,223 artillery rounds were fired
by the 11th Armored Cavalry Howitzer Batteries, with 1st Squadron firing 1,480,
2nd Squadron 9,378, and 3rd Squadron7,365.” May 1967 (Regiment): “A total of
14,303 rounds were fired by the Blackhorse Howitzer Batteries, with 1st Squadron
expending 7,515 and 3rd Squadron expending 6,788 rounds.” [From April to October
1967, 2/11, was under the Operational Control of Task Force Oregon at Chu Lai in
I Corps, just south of the Demilitarized Zone with North Vietnam; 2nd HOW is not
included in this total.]
January 1967 (1st Squadron): “It has been the experience of this Squadron
that the most effective method of conducting a security mission (whether area or
route) in an economy of force role is to saturate the area with platoon sized
mounted and ambushes. Aggressiveness is the key to accomplishment of the
mission.”
January 1967 (2nd Squadron): “During the period 27 through 31 January,
the Squadron conducted S & D [Search & Destroy] operations (OPERATION MUNCIE) in
conjunction with 1st Bn. 43rd Inf, (ARVN) [South Vietnamese]. The force
consisted of three rifle companies and a headquarters company. The three rifle
companies were attached to Troops E, F, and G and conducted dismounted sweep and
search operations … Due to ARVN’s use of cook fires at day’s end, light
discipline is a constant problem. Water is also a problem due to the excessive
amount needed to prepare their rice. Recommend that where possible operations be
terminated early enough to allow ARVN units to prepare their rice and have the
cookfire extinguished by dusk. Also plans should be made for a minimum of three
(3) gallons of water per man per day, half to be issued in the morning and half
n the evening.” [Water weights 8 1/3 pounds per gallon.]
March 1967 (1st Squadron): “The First Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
continued participation in OPERATION JUNCTION CITY from 1 March to 16 March
[under the operation control (OPCON) of the 25th Infantry Division]. During this
period daily contact was made with VC local force and main force units. A large
number of enemy installations and defensive positions were discovered and
destroyed, including two VC printing presses, each weighting ¾ ton, psywar
[psychological warfare] center, radio broadcasting installation and a rice
mill.” On 21 March, the Pacific Stars & Stripes newspaper published an article
entitled “Troops Shut Down VC Newspaper”. From that article: “While sweeping an
area near the Cambodian border 25 miles northwest of Tay Ninh, the first
squadron of the [11th] Armored Cav. ran into a heavily defended Viet Cong base
camp. After battling the cavalry troopers for more than six hours… the VC had
had enough. They slipped out under cover of darkness, leaving behind 31 dead.
When the cavalry moved into the deserted area the following day, they found the
prize the VC guerrillas had tried to defend. Located in a reinforced concrete
bunker 15 feet underground, was a communist Chinese printing press. A direct hit
by an artillery shell had knocked a hole in the top of the bunker. Following
wire leading from the printing press, the troops located a generator with
another wire attached. The second wire led to another concrete bunker which also
contained a printing press.” CH47 Chinook helicopters evacuated the printing
presses to Cu Chi. One stayed there, and the other became property of the
Blackhorse. “The [11th Cav] troopers plan to put the press in operating
condition and use it for their own printing needs.”
March 1967 (2nd Squadron): “Howitzer Battery experienced a severe loss
when a howitzer exploded and burned causing a fire which destroyed their Fire
Direction center [FDC] on 22 March 1967. All FDC equipment was destroyed.
Individual weapons and equipment was also destroyed. As of this date [31 March]
the losses have been partially replaced.”
May 1967 (Regiment): “On 6 May, the Regimental CP [Command Post] and
Trains [logistics elements] … received approximately 60 rounds of 82mm mortar
fire which resulted in 3 US WHA [Wounded, Hostile Action]. Counter-mortar fire
and LFT [helicopter Light Fire Teams] were employed with unknown results. Five
mortar positions and approximately 20 bunkers and foxholes were later found in
an area where the VC had cut down the young rubber trees to clear the position,
then sawed the trees into 6 foot lengths to use as overhead cover for the
bunkers. It appeared the position had been prepared during the night and that
the VC had possibly moved into and out of the area by vehicle. On 20 May, K
Troop, 3rd Squadron, at the GIA RAY rock quarry received 15 rounds of mortar
fire (estimated 82mm) … All of the rounds landed outside the perimeter and there
were no casualties or damage. Counter-mortar fire and a light fire team were
employed with unknown results.”
June 1967 (Regiment): “The Blackhorse Regiment [1st and 3rd Squadrons]
participated in Operation QUICK SILVER in support of the 18th Infantry Division
(ARVN) [South Vietnamese] elements conducting operations between National
Highway 20 and the DONG NGAI River … At 271917H [7:17 pm on 27 June] 1st
Squadron moved to provide direct support to 3/5 Cavalry Troop (ARVN) and 52nd
Ranger Battalion in contact with elements of the 3rd Battalion, 275th VC
Regiment (-) vicinity YT327325. Forces under the operational control of the
Regiment were 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st
Battalion, 11th Artillery (-), B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 35th Artillery, and
Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry [all from the 9th (US) Infantry Division]. VC
losses were 37 VC KIA (BC) [37 Viet Cong Killed in Action (Body Count)], 31 lbs.
documents, 107 grenades, 3 lbs. medical supplies, 11 small arms weapons, 1 RPG-2
with carrier captured; 22 military structures, 6 grenades, 85 RPG-2 rounds, 82
fortifications, destroyed. US losses were 11 WHA [Wounded, Hostile Action], and
1 ACAV [Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle] damaged. The operation is continuing.”
June 1967 (2nd Squadron): “The logistical situation of the Squadron is
considered to be fair … Combat losses for the month of June include 5 M-113
APC’s [Armored Personnel Carriers] and 2 M-48A3 tanks … It is noted that, from
the date of first loss of M-113’s at Chu Lai, to the date of receipt of first
replacement, a total of 40 days had elapsed, which is entirely too long.” [From
April to October 1967, 2/11, was under the Operational Control of Task Force
Oregon at Chu Lai in I Corps, just south of the Demilitarized Zone with North
Vietnam.]
December 1967 (2nd Squadron): “On three occasions the Squadron found 750#
bomb duds which had been dismantled and the explosive charge removed. Comparing
the size of the mines employed [against the Squadron … with the amount of TNT
available in one 750# bomb it is estimated that the US supplied the VC with a
minimum of 30 mines for use in the immediate area ... [The VC] were successful
in destroying 3 ACAVs and two tanks from the Squadron.”