Timeline, December 23rd

[David]

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
December 23, 1946 (Year of the Dog [Binh Tuat]): The US Far Eastern Affairs Director, John Carter Vincent, analyzes the situation in Indochina in a memo to Under Secretary Acheson that also recommends that Acheson call on the French ambassador to discuss inherent dangers: "...Although the French in Indochina have made far-reaching paper-concessions to the Vietnamese desire for autonomy, French actions on the scene have been directed toward whittling down the powers and the territorial extent of the Vietnam "free state." This process the Vietnamese have continued to resist. At the same time, the French themselves admit that they lack the military strength to reconquer the country. In brief, with inadequate forces, with public opinion sharply at odds, with a government rendered largely ineffective through internal division, the French have tried to accomplish in Indochina what a strong and united Britain has found it unwise to attempt in Burma. Given the present elements in the situation, guerrilla warfare may continue indefinitely..."

December 23, 1951 (Year of the Hare [Tan Mao]): Hoa Binh campaign: As the French urgent reinforcement of the increasingly hot Black River sector continues, one company of Vietnamese para's (1 BPVN) jumps into Rocher Notre-Dame.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
December 23, 1961 (Year of the Ox [Tan Suu]): Operation Chopper begins. It is the first airmobile combat action of the war, as the recently arrived American helicopters lift about 1000 South Vietnamese paratroopers into a suspected VC headquarters complex ten miles west of Saigon. They meet only slight resistance and capture a radio transmitter.

December 23, 1964 (Year of the Dragon [Giap Thin]) (US Advisory): Saigon, the 'Young Turks' crisis: When General Khanh's accusations appear in print, the US State Department backs its ambassador and, at a new conference, Secretary of State Rusk states that the US will shortly curtail some of its assistance programs for South Vietnam.

December 23, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): Operation Chinook starts in Quang Tri Province.

December 23, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): Operation Rolling Thunder update: Bombing of the Hanoi area is restricted.

December 23, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): In one of the earliest SEAL team actions in Vietnam, Bravo Platoon heads into the T-10 region east of Saigon on the fringes of the Rung Sat Special Zone.

December 23, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): A light fire team from the 282 AHC supports the 1st ARVN Rangers in an operation near An Hoa.

December 23-28, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (AR) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Information on activities of the US 9th Infantry Division, D/3/5 Cavalry, 9 AVN 9th Infantry and the 214th CAB.

December 23-28, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (AR) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Information on 1st Infantry Division activities.

December 23-28, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (AR) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Information on 4th Infantry Division activities.

December 23, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Taylor Common update: The 21st and 39th Ranger Battalions [South Vietnamese, I think] engage an estimated NVA battalion west of Phu Loi. Results: 158 enemy KIA; 18 individual and 10 crew-served weapons captured.

December 23, 1972 (Year of the Rat [Nham Ty]) (US Cease-Fire): Nguyen Hue/Easter Offensive: Operation Linebacker: Day Six. A variety of problems prevent tactical air preparation of planned strike areas, which makes things more difficult for the B-52s, but also catches the North Vietnamese, who have come to expect the preparatory strikes ahead of the first waves, by surprise, as does the choice of targets, north of Hanoi and Haiphong, some of which are less than 20 miles from the Chinese border. It is the third night of operations without any losses or damage to the bombers.