Two Brothers in Vietnam

[bigjackmac]

 All,

Yet another long-haul campaign, something I've wanted to do for a long time but hadn't made time for.  This time following two buddies from boots arriving in Vietnam in October 1965, through multiple tours as line grunts, into Force Recon, finishing as advisors to the South Vietnamese Marine Corps in 1972.

The idea of 'Two Brothers' is that Nikki Jacobs, a big, 19-year old, corn-fed boy from Middle O'Nowhere, Texas, and Danny Thomas, a tall, lanky, 18-year old high school football star from Big City, Texas, both were yearning for action and adventure so they signed up for the only war they had.  They actually met at MEPS in Dallas, TX, when they swore their oaths of enlistment and shipped out to Boot Camp at the Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.  There they were assigned to the same platoon (1089, A Company, 1st Battalion).  They became fast friends and were delighted to find out at graduation that they were both to become infantrymen.  Following two weeks' 'Boot Leave,' they were back together at Camp Pendleton, CA, for two weeks of Guard Duty (52 Area) before heading off the the School of Infantry (SOI), where both were assigned to become riflemen (0311s) in 3rd Platoon, Hotel Company.  Being a bigger Marine, Nikki was originally assigned to become a machine gunner, an 0331, but finagled his way into the 0311 line in order to stay with Danny.

Upon completion of SOI they were given another two weeks' leave prior to deployment, after which they met back up at Camp Pendleton for shipment to the Republic of Vietnam, arriving 5 October 1965.  Once there they again managed to stick together, ending up in the same squad.  They were now members of 9th Marines (I hate getting tied to actual historical units, because I want to do what I want to do, not be tied to the historical record and, even more importantly, I wouldn't want to dishonor the memory of troops that actually fought and died there, so I'm just going to leave it at that).  They are now two FNGs (ahem, 'rookies') in an understrength squad of veterans that came ashore in March 1965, two replacements doing their best to fit in and not get killed.

They settled into Da Nang and began patrolling around the base's perimeter, learning their craft, learning how to survive.  Two weeks went by with no contact, with the boys beginning to fret they'd never 'see the elephant,' until the Platoon Sergeant walked in, rounded up the Marines, and provided a Warning Order: stand by for action, tomorrow we kick off Operation 'Red Snapper,' which would see the boys finally get their cherries busted.

So we shall follow the exploits of young Nikki and Danny, seeing how they react to their first experiences under fire and mature as combat Marines.  They cannot die, and probably cannot even be seriously wounded, as I want to keep their stories going, but they'll be punished for mistakes (not sure how, but I'll figure out something) and lauded for their heroism and leadership, through medals and promotions.

The Table of Organization and Equipment for a US Marine rifle squad was 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 3 Lance Corporals, 4 PFCs, and 3 Privates with 13 M-14 service rifles, 1 M-79 grenade launcher, and one M1911 service pistol (carried by the grenadier).  But the boys are joining a squad that's been in action since March of 1965, so it's understrength, having only the Squad Leader, Grenadier, and two fireteams.

So, that's the concept, now for the first fight.

1130 Local Time
22 October 1965
Phu Gia Peninsula, RVN
Operation Red Snapper

Having patrolled for two weeks in the Da Nang area without finding even a hint of the enemy, the boys are excited out of their minds, taking part in their first combat operation.  It seems the Viet Cong (VC) have been making trouble up on the Phu Gia Peninsula, about 36 klicks north of Da Nang, hitting Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and Regional Force/Popular Force (RFPF, a type of South Vietnamese militia, commonly referred to as "Ruff-Puffs") base camps and threatening to cut Route 1 between Da Nang and Phu Bai.  So III Marine Amphibious Force (MAF) HQ decided to do something about it: in conjunction with four ARVN-RF/PF battalions, two companies from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment (2/3) and one company from 3rd Bn, 4th Marines (3/4) launched Operation Red Snapper.  The ARVN forces set up the anvil west of Route 1 while Fox Company, 2/3 (F/2/3) trucked up from Da Nang and G/2/3 came ashore from landing craft on Orange Beach, forming the hammer and pushing west to east, with a rifle company from 3/4 scheduled to helo down on G/2/3's right (northern) flank the following day.

The boys' platoon ended up being attached to G/2/3, getting quite seasick in the flat-bottomed landing craft before finally putting ashore about 0600 local time.  Excitement was high, very adventurous times for the two young Marines, with grunts running to and fro, landing craft and Amtracs zipping up to/along the beach, trucks and tanks coming up the road, helicopters thwacking and fast movers zooming past overhead.  Everything was there... except the enemy.  The Marines formed up and began pushing east, careful to mind their phase and control lines so as to avoid any friendly fire incidents, which is always a risk when units are maneuvering about without having been afforded the opportunity for reconnaissance (which couldn't be done, for fear of tipping the operation to the enemy).

At about 1045 the platoon was called to a halt.  Sweaty and breathing hard from the exertion of humping through the broken terrain with all their gear, they took a knee and rested.  And with that they could just hear it; the distant 'pop-pop-pop' of gunfire.  The boys inched closer to PFC Griffin, the squad's Radio Telephone Operator (RTO), who whispered updates to them: "Golf Company's 2nd Platoon is taking fire, about a klick up ahead...  Golf's CO is trying get a SITREP out of them, but the Lootenat pretty much told him to piss off, he's busy...  The CO is trying to get 3rd Platoon over to them...  The Lootenat says he's got four men down, needs MEDEVAC...  The CO says the LT's gotta get them outta the kill zone...  The Lootenat says he can't, they're pinned down...  Uh-oh!"

Nikki asked, "what's uh-oh?"  Griffin responded: "uh-oh is, they wanna call in arty on the VC, and Lootenat Ward (the boys' platoon commander) wants us to escort the FO (Forward Observer) team up there!"

And here came the Platoon Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Dunn, to confirm that.  He grabbed Corporal Little, the Squad Leader, and the two Fireteam Leaders, and briefed them up.  "As soon as the FO gets up here, you boys head out."  "Aye-aye, Staff Sergeant."  A few minutes later the FO, 1st Lieutenant Dyson and his two RTOs showed up.  "I hear you fellas are my escort?"  "Yes, Sir," replied Cpl Little.  "3rd Squad, saddle up!"


Overview, north is up.  The US starting point is in the southwest (bottom left), and the objective area is the old, bombed out French colonial building in the northeast (top right).  There's a dirt/gravel road that runs north-south, with a spur splitting off to run east-west just south of Hill 65, which the French building sits atop.  There is a medium-sized village in the northwest (top left) and a small village in the southeast (bottom right), with neither village showing any signs of life at the moment.  There are numerous treelines and bamboo thickets dotting the landscape, with a cluster of rice paddies dominating the center of the battle area.  I apologize, I don't have any real rice paddies, so I'm having to use cultivated fields to show them, with hedges denoting the dykes.  So please understand that the 'dykes' are not blocking line of sight or providing any sort of cover/concealment for troops that are moving/standing up.

A couple admin notes: I'm playing this game using a modified version of Ivan Sorensen's "Five Men at Kursk," but I've also modified Joe Legan's "Platoon Forward" to a card version to figure out the US mission, assets available, enemy location, strength, activity, etc...  I'm also playing as the umpire, controlling the VC force, with my two boys controlling the US Marines.

I'm playing in lovely 15mm with individually-based troops.
The Marines are from Jimmi's Flashpoint Minis.
The Viet Cong are from Martin's Peter Pig.
The mat is from The Wargaming Company.
The roads are from Fat Frank.
The fields are from Hotz Mats.
The villages are from Flashpoint Minis, as are the bamboo thickets and most of the trees.  The rest of the trees were bought off some cake decorating shop on Ebay.
The "French Colonial Building" is from JR Miniatures.


At top, Corporal Little, the Squad leader, is at right, while PFC Nelson, the M-79 Grenadier, is at left.

1st Fireteam is at center, 2nd Fireteam is at bottom.  From top right: LCpl Devers, the fireteam leader, PFC Griffin, who carries the squad's PRC-25 radio, then two riflemen, Pvt Masterson and Pvt Jacobs, AKA Nikki.
From bottom right: PFC Ed Marks, the fireteam leader, then riflemen Privates Hendricks, Ryder, and Thomas, AKA Danny.
So the squad's got nine M-14s, an M-79, an M-1911 (carried by the grenadier), and each Marine is carrying a couple frags.


The squad sets off up the road, looking to get the FO up on top of the hill (top right), but as they enter the village (top left)...


A Viet Cong bunker (top right) opens fire on the Marines (far left and bottom left)!


Masterson is hit and goes down!


Nikki (far let) lays down fire as Devers throws Masterson over his shoulder and lurches for cover...


But the bunker (bottom right) spots Marines (top left) moving to flank it and opens fire on them...


Dropping Hendricks and pinning Marks!


Nelson pops up and fires a 40mm HE round at the bunker from his M-79!


As VC mortar rounds begin slamming into the Marine positions!

To see how the fight turns out, please check the blog at:
https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2021/01/two-brothers-fight-1.html

So that was fight number one.  I've actually played out the boys' entire first tour, a total of 24 tabletop fights.  I'm still working on the batreps, of course, but my plan is to post one each Monday.  Let me know what you think.

V/R,
Jack

[paulr]

And Bigjackmac is BACK

Incredibly evocative

[Techno II]

Excellent, Jack ! 

Cheers - Phil.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Good stuff Jack

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Great report Jack, well written too.

[bigjackmac]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you liked it.

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

 All,

0130 Local Time
23 October 1965
Phu Gia Peninsula, RVN
Operation Red Snapper

Yesterday the boys kicked off Operation Red Snapper, attached to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (G/2/3).  They came ashore via landing craft as the Marine driving enemy forces into the ARVN anvil.  There were only ashore a few hours before they participated in their first firefight of the war, with each of them performing admirably.  They had completed their missions of escorting a Forward Observer (FO) into an old French Colonial building atop Hill 65.  They were relieved a few hours later and returned to their platoon, where they grabbed some chow and dug-in for the night.  But it wasn't long before their squad leader, Corporal Rob Little, came running up, talking about a SNAFU...

Cpl Little briefed the squad: another screw up!  As it began getting dark, the FO and Marines from G/2/3 fell back off of Hill 65 for the night, but now HQ has realized there is a gap in the US perimeter.  The Platoon Commander, Lt Ward, has ordered Cpl Little to take 3rd Squad back up Hill 65 and to occupy the old French colonial building.  "This is not good, Marines.  We've got to hustle over there, and we won't get there until after dark, so we won't be able to dig in, string wire, throw out Claymores, nothing.  Hell, let's hope Charlie ain't already occupying the damn place!  The only good news is that they're sending a machine gun team with us."

The Marines quickly collected their gear and re-packed their packs, filled in their holes, then reported in to the Command Post (CP), where they met up with the attached MG team and set off for Hill 65 in the failing light.


Overview, north is up.  The French colonial building atop Hill 65 is at center, with the bunker the squad knocked out in the previous fight at left bottom.  At top right is a village, at far left is a rice paddy, and there is a trail running out of the northwest (top left) down to the French colonial building.  Other than that, nothing but a lot of grass, some hedges, bamboo thickets, and a whole lotta jungle.

The table, with everyone in their starting positions.  The main Marine defensive position is, of course, the French colonial building.  The Marines have flankers out to each side (in thicket at far left and right), and a small reserve in the rear (bottom center, on the road).  The Viet Cong have a base of fire element in the rear (LMG at top left and RPG at top right), while their assault element is crossing the rice paddy at far left). 

Yeah, not their greatest plan to try and cross the rice paddy, but that's how the dice shook out, so we'll see how it goes.


The Marines in the colonial building (top center) can feel eyes on them.  Eyes with ill intent...


It's 0130 in the morning and the Marines, though uneasy, have settled into their positions for the night, with the boys struggling to keep their exhausted bodies awake, to the point Nikki (in grove at top center left) thinks he's beginning to hallucinate.  He'd swear there were men moving in the rice paddy in front of him (top center), but can't be.  Nobody would be dumb enough to advance on the hill (far left) from the left, through the open rice paddies!  He'd even screwed with Danny (off camera to left bottom) about drawing the short straw by being sent out on the right, near the village, which the enemy was certain to use as their avenue of approach.

But all thoughts of sleep and hallucinations and whatever else were quickly wiped from the young Marine's mind when the still air of the night was suddenly shattered by the loud 'pop' and hiss of a rocket being fired!


Nikki (bottom right, with the colonial building off camera to top center right) finds himself all alone out on the left flank, facing off against five Viet Cong (left).  Nik opens fire with his M-14, dropping one of the enemy soldiers...


But the VC advance (on other side of the trees at far left), forcing Nik to fall back (bottom center right, from bottom left) on the colonial building.


The Viet Cong (bottom left, right, and far right) keep up the pressure on the Marines holding the colonial building.

To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2021/01/two-brothers-fight-2.html

Next batrep posting soon.

V/R,
Jack

[paulr]

 

Particularly the second picture above, very evocative

[Techno II]

Excellent, Jack ! 

Cheers - Phil.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Excellent report, brilliant terrain too

[bigjackmac]

Thanks guys, I'm glad you liked it, and appreciate you saying so. 

I'm hoping to post my next Battle of the Bulge batrep Wednesday or Thursday.

V/R,
Jack

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Jack take a look at the latest post in "Freinds of the Tank Museum", areials of the Ardennes showing roads as dark against the snow.

[Steve J]

Great to have you back Jack and as always, lovely looking games and AARs

[bigjackmac]

Thanks for the heads up, Ian, I'll take a look, and I appreciate it Steve!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

1330 Local Time
4 November 1965
Tra Bong River, 10 miles south of Chu Lai, RVN
Operation Black Ferret

Yesterday the boys were trucked down Route 1 and dropped about ten miles south of Chu Lai Airbase, near the Song Tra Bong (Tra Bong River).  There they were attached to 1st Bn, 7th Marines (1/7), for the duration of the operation, pushing southwest along the river with 3/7 on their right and the ARVN 4th Infantry Regiment on their left, across the river.  Intel had said a Viet Cong battalion-sized base camp was located in the area, but the boys had walked all day long and hadn't seen anything.  As usual, about an hour before sunset the sweep halted and the Marines dug in to their night defensive positions and ate their evening chow.  The boys spent a long, uneventful night, including being out together for a couple hours on OP/LP.  The next morning the Marines got up, pissed and brushed their teeth, ate morning chow, stomped in their holes, and set off in search of the Viet Cong again.

They've been walking all day so far, lots of stopping to search for VC/munitions, but so far nothing and no contact.  They've crossed numerous tributaries of the Tra Bong River, and now they find themselves coming to another, with a village nestled against.  Lt Ward called a halt and for his squad leaders.  He explained that 1st Squad was going to circle around to the south of the village to isolate it, 2nd Squad was going to head straight in to search it, and 3rd Squad was going to cut north to search some sampans beached nearby, make sure they're not hiding any enemy soldiers or contraband.


North is up, the US entry is in the southwest (bottom left).  The fishing village is located in the southeast (bottom right; that's just the northern tip, it is much larger to the south/southeast, off map, and that is what 2nd Squad is going into and 1st Squad is going south of).  In the northeast (top right) is a tributary of the Tra Bong River, where the three sampans to be searched are located.  In the northwest (top left) is a slight rise/ridgeline, and their is a hardball road running east into the village and north to the next village.  The center is dominated by rice paddies offering very little cover, and the landscape is dotted by a few patches of dense jungle.


The Marines fan out into skirmish line and begin crossing the rice paddies to search the sampans.


When a Viet Cong sniper (bottom left) opens fire on them!


Devers grabs Griffin and gets on the radio: "we're pinned down by two snipers, Echo Four Lima is down, we need air or arty, pronto!"  The Platoon Commander says he's working on it, but probably going to be awhile as they're in contact, too.


The Marines pinned in the rice paddies raise up and return fire on the VC on the north side of the river.


As Nik gets the M-60 going (bottom right), engaging the sniper in the northwest (top left).

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2021/01/two-brothers-fight-3.html

Next up, the squad is kicking off Operation Blue Marlin, coming soon.

V/R,
Jack