The Patriot Files Forums - Timeline, January 17th

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
January - November, 1953 (Year of the Snake): Per TVW, Communist Chinese aid to the Viet Minh during these 11 months will include:
24 105mm guns
412 recoilless cannon
416 machine guns
1050 submachine guns
5050 automatic pistols
339 mortars (60, 81 and 120mm)
170,000 pieces of artillery, mortars and rockets
6 million rounds of ammo
2 million 12.7mm
40,000 mines
246 tonnes of explosives with accompanying detonators and fuses
260 vehicles and the gas to run them
combat clothing, mosquito nets and metal plates
200 tonnes of communications equipment
45 tonnes of surgical equipment and medicine.

Late January 1954 (12th month, Year of the Snake): As General Giap moves the 308, 312 and 316 Divisions into a ring around the 12 French battalions dug in around the village of Dien Bien Phu, 170 miles west of Hanoi, despite logistic difficulties that require, among other things, hauling 200 dismantled artillery pieces from the 351 Heavy Weapons Division up into the hills surrounding the French base, there is a heated debate with his Chinese advisors, who urge a swift attack. Giap argues for a protracted siege in order to better position his artillery and infantry, and he prevails.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
January 17, 1960 (19th day of the 12th month, Year of the Boar): Communists begin organized actions in the Mekong Delta that fail to ignite a general uprising.

January 17, 1964 (3rd day of the 12th month, Year of the Hare) (US Advisory): During a CA mission in the 9th Division area, approximately 7 miles northwest of Can Tho, a gunner on a CH-21 is hit by hostile file in the LZ and dies moments later.

January 17, 1964 (3rd day of the 12th month, Year of the Hare) (US Advisory): The 13th Aviation Battalion's advance party arrives in Saigon from Ft. Bragg.

January 17, 1965 (15th day of the 12th month, Year of the Dragon) (US Advisory): Under Maj. General Nguyen Khanh's regime, Premier Tran Van Huong, leader of South Vietnam's unpopular High National Council, issues a decree enlarging the Army's draft calls. Agitators take to the street in response and soon there are riots and demonstrations spreading from city to city, which will eventually result in the destruction of the 8000-volume US Information Agency Library in Hue. By month's end, Khanh's former supporters among the Army's officer corps, now disenchanted, declare Huong incapable of maintaining order and call upon Khanh to form a new government. Meanwhile, the Viet Cong are gaining the upper hand in the ongoing heavy fighting in the countryside. US Ambassador Taylor tells President Johnson, "We are faced here with a seriously deteriorating situation characterized by continuing political turmoil, irresponsibility and division within the armed forces, lethargy...growing anti-US feeling, signs of mounting terrorism by Viet Cong directed at US personnel, and deepening discouragement and loss of morale throughout South Vietnam." Taylor feels something is needed to unite the various factions in support of the government, and this can only be a bombing campaign against North Vietnam. Assistant SoS Willim Bundy agrees, saying while it might not save South Vietnam, if the country does fall, "we would still have appeared to Asians to have done a lot more about it." Johnson does not authorize attacks, but by late January does agree to joint US-South Vietnamese planning for them and, at Taylor's suggestion, sends National Security Adviser, McGeorge Bundy, as an observer to Saigon.

January 17, 1968 (18th day of the 12th month, Year of the Goat)(US Counteroffensive Phase III): Camp Coryell, home of the 155th Aviation Company, in Darlac Province is again attacked with mortars.

January 17, 1968 (18th day of the 12th month, Year of the Goat)(US Counteroffensive Phase III): At Khe Sanh, a team from "Bravo" 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, is ambushed near Hill 881N.

January 17, 1968: (18th day of the 12th month, Year of the Goat) US Counteroffensive Phase III): Company B, 3rd Battalion 187th Regiment (Airmobile Infantry), 101st Airborne Division sets an ambush near Phuoc Vinh.

January 17, 1968 (18th day of the 12th month, Year of the Goat) (US Counteroffensive Phase III) (PS&S): How four troopers of the 1st Air Cavalry Division survived their Huey being shot down by machine gun fire 25 miles southwest of Da Nang.

January 17, 1968 (18th day of the 12th month, Year of the Goat) (US Counteroffensive Phase III)(PS&S): Air Force Capt. Harold E. Forman is rescued at sea after ejecting from his F105 Thunderchief.

THIRD INDOCHINA WAR:
January-February 1978 (late Year of the Snake/early Year of the Horse): Vietnamese troops establish themselves within Cambodia's borders; Vietnam calls for a cease-fire and the establishment of a DMZ along the border.

January 16, 1979 (19th day of the 12th month, Year of the Horse): Thai Navy sources report a naval battle in the Gulf of Thailand between Vietnamese-led forces and units loyal to Pol Pot. At least 22 boats are thought to be involved in heavy fighting, part of a naval, air and amphibious operation by Vietnam and its puppet government in the PRK to seal off the country's only stretch of coastline and to take control of Koh Kohn Island.