Timeline, December 9th

[David]

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
December 9, 1951 (Year of the Hare [Tan Mao]): Hoa Binh campaign: Aware of the growing Viet Minh presence in the Ap Da Chong area, French forces reinforce Thu Phap with elements from the 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion (BPC). Mobile Group 4, with sector troops and the 7th BPC, launches a spoiling attack to clear the southern slopes of Ba Vi Mountain and the route between Chai Koai and Thuy Co.

December 9, 1953 (Year of the Snake [Quy Ti]): Operation Castor update: The Viet Minh again ambush the Dien Bien Phu garrison force that is advancing up Route 41 to Hill 506, but don't even get close enough for hand-to-hand fighting this time.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
December 9, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Three US Marine battalions, from the US III Marine Amphibious Force units and the fleet's ARG/SLF, and three South Vietnamese battalions begin Operation Harvest Moon, aimed at the 1st Viet Cong Regiment, which is again up to strength and located in the hills west of Chu Lai. Results: VC: 407 KIA; 33 prisoners; over 100 weapons and 60 tons of ammo capture. Allied: US Marines: 45 KIA, 218 WIA; South Vietnamese: 181 KIA or MIA, 141 WIA.

December 9, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive): Operation Rover begins in the Kim Son Valley.

December 9, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): The 155th AHC inserts elements of the 101st Airborne who are going to the rescue of a besieged outpost near Tuyen Duc.

December 9, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Sheridan Sabre update: Two American companies engage an estimated company-sized enemy force near An Loc in a five-hour battle.

December 9, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Meade River update: The enemy still occupies ground between the 3/26th Marines and the Song La Tho. After preparatory fire, including naval gunfire from the New Jersey, the Marines go in. Enemy resistance is heavy, but lacking its former organization, and by 1800 the operation is over.

December 9, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Taylor Common update: Search-and-clear operations are in progress around An Hoa and task force Marines are preparing for a move into Base Area 112.

December 9, 1968 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive): SAS begins Operation Stellar Bright, a squadron operation in the area southeast of Bing Gia. Result 5 VC KIA.

December 1970 (Year of the Dog [Canh Tuat]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VII)): All CIDG border camps in South Vietnam are turned over to the government and CIDG units are incorporated into the ARVN as Biet Dong Quan (BDQ) or Ranger, border battalions. No longer needed as a CIDG training force, the South Vietnamese Special Forces (Luc Luong Dac Biet, or LLDB) disbands. Officers above captain are sent to the BDQ; the best of the remaining officers and men are selected for a new unit, the Special Mission Service. At the same time, 81 Airborne Ranger Battalion is expanded into 81 Airborne Ranger Group, consisting of one Headquarters Company, one Recon Company, and seven Exploitation Companies. The Group is under the direct control of the JGS as a general reserve force.

December 9, 1971 (Year of the Boar [Tan Hoi]) (US Consolidation II): The Australian government announces that the Australian Army Assistance Group Vietnam, consisting mainly of AATTV, will remain in Vietnam.

December 9, 1972 (Year of the Rat [Nham Ty]) (US Cease-Fire): Since January 1, 1961, 12,936 US Marines have been killed in action, and 88,689 wounded.