Timeline, November 14th

[David]

PREBELLUM:
November 14, 1939 (Year of the Snake [Ky Ti]): In conformity with Stalin's foreign policy, the Indochinese Communist party denounces the "imperialist" war of France against Germany as well as the Japanese plans for aggression against Russia.

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
November 14, 1951 (Year of the Hare [Tan Mao]): Paratroopers of the 2nd 1st and 7th Colonial Parachute Battalions occupy the strategic town of Hoa Binh while other troops begin opening up two land routes to it.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
November 14, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Ia Drang valley: The Cav's 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, not having made much contact in its current location, moves some 450 men to the western part of the Ia Drang valley, establishing a landing zone, X-Ray, that turns out to be right in the middle of three battalions of the NVA 66th Regiment, as well as a HQ battalion, totaling some 1600 enemy troops. With the first wave of Americans (only 80, due to space requirements in the available Hueys) go their battalion commander, Col. Hal Moore, and UPI correspondent, Joseph Galloway. By late afternoon, it is apparent that the 1/7th will need a night landing capability and Company A of the 229th Helicopter Battalion sends in a pathfinder team, which clears a fairly safe zone with engineer demolitions and sets up the necessary lights for night landings, all the time working under enemy observation and fire. By darkness at 1915 hours, a resupply of ammunition, rations, water, and medical supplies has been brought in even though visibility is poor due to the smoke that covers the entire area. 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry is on the way as reinforcements, while the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry has arrived at Landing Zone Victor.

November 15, 1965 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Operation Bushmaster I begins.

November 14, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): The first US Marine general dies in Vietnam when Huey carrying the 3rd Marine Division commander, Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth, explodes.

November 14, 1972 (Year of the Rat [Nham Ty]) (US Cease-Fire): President Nixon secretly promises President Thieu that the US will "take swift and severe retaliatory action" if North Vietnam violates the proposed peace treaty.

November 14, 1973 (Year of the Ox [Quy Suu]): The NVA 205th Regiment turns over the defense of the newly won positions at Bu Prang and Bu Bong to another element and starts deploying south generally along Highway 14 from Bu Prang toward the Doan Van bridge. In the early morning hours of the 14th, south of Bu Prang, the 3rd Battalion, NVA 205th Regiment, with a platoon of tanks, runs into the defensive perimeter of the ARVN 2nd Battalion, 53rd Infantry. The ARVN hold, knock out two tanks, and capture nine crew-served weapons and 27 automatic rifles. The enemy leaves 100 dead on the field.

November 14, 1974 (Year of the Tiger [Giap Dan]): Operation Quyet Thang 18/24 begins in the Iron Triangle region as the 9th Infantry of the 5th ARVN Division starts from An Dien westward along Route 7 toward Rach Bap. The 48th and 52nd Regiments of the 18th Division cross the Thi Thinh River south of Ben Cat and enter the Iron Triangle and attack west toward the Saigon River. Elements of the 50th ARVN Infantry, 25th Division, are already in this area. Meanwhile, the 46th ARVN Infantry and one battalion of the 50th move into the plantations north of Phu Hoa District Town to prevent enemy infiltration across the Saigon River.