Timeline, November 23rd

[David]

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
November 20-23, 1946 (Year of the Dog [Binh Tuat]): There are now 13,000 French (CEFEO) troops in northern Vietnam; 30,000 Viet Minh regulars and 10,000 Viet Minh militia (with another 20,000 to 30,000 in the south). In Ha?phong, on the morning of the 20th, the French Navy catches a Chinese sampan that is transporting illicit gasoline. The Viet Minh militia (Tu Ve) opens fire on the French sailors, who fire back. By the end of the day, a cease-fire has been established. On the morning of the 21st, however, the Viet Minh militia again engages the French. A joint committee of French and Vietnamese liaisons manages to stop the fighting, until news arrives that, that morning at Lang Son, a French detachment en route to undertake excavations in a Japanese mass grave for a war crimes trial has been ambushed. On the morning of the 23rd, the local French commander issues an ultimatum: the Viet Minh must withdraw from their positions in Ha?phong before 0900; the ultimatum goes unanswered and at 1005 the bombardment of the Vietnamese quarter of Haiphong begins. This source lists resulting casualties as 23 French and 200-300 Vietnamese, noting that in 1946, the Vietnamese claimed 3000 casualties and then, in 1966, doubled that to 6000. TVW quotes the 6000 figure, saying that they are all civilian casualties. Whatever the true number, Ho Chi Minh and his troops are forced to flee into the jungle.

November 23, 1952 (Year of the Dragon [Nham Thin]): Viet Minh assault in the highlands update: The Viet Minh 308 Division attacks the French gathered at Na-San.

Meanwhile, the 316 Division and the 148th Independent Regiment have bypassed Na-San and are advancing deeper into T'ai territory, heading toward Laos and overrunning the small screen of outposts that still stands in their way. The French high command sends a Laotian light infantry battalion from San Neua to Dien Bien Phu to meet the threat.

November 23, 1953 (Year of the Snake [Quy Ti]): Operation Castor update: The II/1 RCP heads north at 0630 and, 7 km north of Dien Bien Phu at the village of Ban Na Ten, links up with the 700-man force coming in from Lai Chau. The troops all return to the new garrison at Dien Bien Phu without incident.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
November 23, 1963 (US Advisory) (Year of the Hare [Quy Mao]): The SF/CIDG camp at Hiep Hoa becomes the first such camp to be overrun by the enemy. This loss and others highlight two major weaknesses of the early CIDG camp system: each camp is on its own during the night, and if attacked, reinforcements are unlikely to arrive until daylight; as well, in areas where the VC are effectively in control, an enemy battalion can preserve surprise right up to the moment of attack at close range, while other VC, posing as loyal troops, in the meantime can conduct intelligence and also interior support when the attacks begin. The allies start putting more effort into making the camps strong fortified positions.

November 23, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): Operation Attleboro update: The 1/5th (Mech) returns to Fire Support Base #1.

The Scout Platoon departs at 0730 hours as the lead element of the battalion. At 0746, the lead APC hits an AT mine, resulting in minor damage but no casualties. At 1506, another APC hits an AT mine, and again, no casualties are sustained and only minor damage is done to the vehicle. At 1635, the platoon is diverted to spend the night at 2nd Brigade Fire Support Base #2 and closes at 1800 hours.

Company A departs at 0730 and, at 1315, encounters a command-detonated mine but sustains no damage. Two VC are seen fleeing the area and are engaged, but they escape. Company A then closes into the new battalion base at 1735.

Company B departs at 0825, but due to mechanical difficulties and problems encountered navigating the various crossing sites, the company doesn't close into the battalion base until 2225.

Company C departs at 0800, and while en route, engages three VC at 1007. The VC quickly move into a nearby wooded area and escape. Company C then moves to the battalion base, closing at 1820.

November 23, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): Operation MacArthur/Battle of Dak To update: Thanksgiving Day-At Hill 882, 1/503's A, C, and D companies move to FSB 16, where an assortment of enemy ammunition is found and destroyed.

At Hill 875, as the 1/12th, 4th Infantry Division, blocks escape routes around the base of the hill, companies from the 2/503 and 4/503 launch the final assault at around 1100, in two waves. It is over and the summit is taken at 1122.

November 23, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) - January 5, 1968 (US Counteroffensive Phase III): "7 RAR conduct Operations "Oodnadatta, Shepparton, Dimboola, Melbourne, Lorne and Lawley as part of overall Operation "Forrest".

November 23, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Toan Thang II update: Company C, 4/9th, 25th Infantry Division, engages the enemy in the Boi Loi Forest.

November 23, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Operation Meade River update: BLT 2/7 and the 3/26th Marines continue the fight at the "Horseshoe" with some success. BLT 2/7 is reinforced with K/3/26th Marines for another attempt in the morning to occupy the bunker complex.

November 23, 1969(Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Winter-Spring 1970): It is reported that South Vietnamese forces has suffered heavy losses in two battles, on November 18 and November 22, against Viet Cong forces in the Mekong Delta. These are the first major VC actions since the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the area.

November 23, 1969(Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Winter-Spring 1970): Battle of Trapezoid IV update: The 2/2nd (Mech) overruns enemy positions.