Timeline, February 29th

[David]

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
February 1965 (1st month, Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Advisory): During a visit to Saigon, the Australian Defense Minister, Senator Shane Paltridge, announces more civil aid for Vietnam and the addition of seventeen advisers.

February 1968 (1st and 2nd months, Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Tet Counteroffensive): Air America Log articles, "Let's Save a Buck" and "Vientiane."

February 29, 1968 (2nd day of the 2nd month, Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Tet Counteroffensive): Operation Napoleon/Saline begins along the Cua Viet River.

February 1968 (1st and 2nd months, Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Tet Counteroffensive): The 61st AHC at LZ English supports these units during the month: 3/503 ABN, 173d ABN, IFFV Arty, DSA II Corps, Capital ROK Div., B/22 5th SF, 22d ARVN Div., 2d Bde 1st Cav, and 3d Bde 4th Inf Div.

February 29, 1968 (2nd day of the 2nd month, Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Tet Counteroffensive): Based at Camp Blackhorse, in Long Khanh Province, III Corps, the 135th AHC provides CAs and troop lifts for the 9th Infantry Division, in the Mekong Delta, the 1st Australian Task Force in Phuoc Tuy and Bien Hoa and the 18th ARVN Division near Xuan Loc during the month of February.

February 29, 1968 (2nd day of the 2nd month, Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Tet Counteroffensive): Khe Sanh: An estimated NVA regiment maneuvers to attack 37th ARVN Ranger positions in a large-scale final attack on the night of the 29th, but the defenders are alerted by electronic sensors and use mortars, arty, tactical aircraft and B-52s to create a barrier of high explosive across the approaches to the eastern end of the main perimeter. The attack fails to reach the wire of the Rangers' position.

February 29, 1972 (15th day of the 1st month, Year of the Rat [Nham Ty]) (US Consolidation II): The last of the Australian troops depart Vietnam on HMAS Sydney. US troop strength is down to 119,600.