Situation

On Monday, April 29th, 1968 the second battalion, 4th Marines nicknamed the "Magnificent Bastards" became embroiled, in a major offensive by the 320th NVA division across the DMZ. This would be known collectively as the battle of Don Ha. The NVA objective was the Don Ha combat base (DHCB), the logistics center and headquarters for the 3rd Marine Division.

During the first two days of the offensive the Marines met the NVA head on in a series of bloody, over the top assaults against a number of villages located along the banks of the Cua Viet river and Jones Creek. The Marine's objective was to take these villages and drive off the NVA that were heavily entrenched among the hedgerows, burial mounds, and hootches of Dong Huan, Dai Do, and Dinh To.

Over the course of the battle the Marines took Dong Huan and Dai Do, only to be forced back by the intense firepower and overwhelming numbers of the NVA. They also made several failed attempts to seize Dinh To, but were unable to due to lack of support and available manpower. When the offensive began, BLT (Battalion Landing Team) 2/4 had several companies in Nhi Ha, Lam West, and Mai Xa Changh East monitoring NVA infiltration routes along Jones Creek and screening the battalion CP. On April 30th, 1968 these companies were committed in the assault on Dai Do.

Lieutenant Colonel Weise, the commander of the "Magnificent Bastards", expressed concern about the vulnerability of these two positions. Regiment forwarded a request through 3rd Marine Division to III MAF (Marine Amphibious Force) asking that a Battalion from II MAF be placed opcon to the Marines to help defend Jones Creek. The III MAF reserve was an Army unit, the 196th Light Infantry Brigade "Americal" Division. The Americal selected one of its battalions, the 3-21st (better known as the Gimlets) to loan to the Marines.

The battalion had been in the process of constructing Fire Support Base Belcher near Camp Evans when it was suddenly airlifted to the Mai Xa Changhs. By May 2, 1968 the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division was plunged into a world of hurt just 9 clicks away from the DMZ and were engaged in Lam Xuan West and Nhi Ha by fanatical hard core NVA units. The mission of Lieutenant Colonel Snyder's 3 - 21st Infantry was to take and hold Nhi Ha and Lam Xuan West, in order to check NVA infiltration along Jones Creek. The Gimlets had no trouble taking Lam Xuan West but met heavy resistance in Nhi Ha. Elements of the 270th Independent NVA Regiment had entrenched themselves in Nhi Ha and intended to fight.

Lt. Colonel Snyder sent Captain Osborn's Alpha Company (codenamed Alpha Annihilator), Captain Corrigan's Beta Company (Barracuda), Captain Humphries's Delta Company (Black Death), and Charlie Company (Charlie Tiger) into Nhi Ha. The attack was preceded by the usual artillery prep fires: Marine and Air Force fighter-bombers plastered Nhi Ha with 250 lb bombs and napalm. Over the next two days the Gimlets fought unsuccessfully in an attempt to dislodge the heavily-entrenched NVA. The last of the 10 TAC AIR strikes made by Phantoms carrying 2000 lb Blockbusters finally broke the deadlock and the 3 - 21st was able to occupy Nhi Ha with light casualties. It was ordered to settle in there.

Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Colonel Snyder ordered the Captain of Alpha Company to conduct a reconnaissance in force along the NVA's route of withdrawal. The target of the sweep was Xom Phong, a ville northwest of Nhi Ha, on the eastern bank of Jones Creek. A footpath connected Nhi Ha with Xom Phong. The terrain between the two consisted of wide-open rice paddies.

Note: This is usually a bloody scenario, not recommended for campaign play unless it is used as the final battle of a campaign. 

u.s. army forces
3rd Platoon "Alpha Annihilator" Alpha Co, 3 - 21st Infantry (Gimlets), 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
Reinforcements 1st squad, 1st Platoon. Roll for expertise normally but count any roll less than 7 as 7 for initial commanders.

u.s. support
2 Batteries of 105mm Howitzers (6 tubes)
2 Batteries of 155mm Howitzers (8 tubes)
1 F-4 Phantom (Marine) *U.S. commander may choose ordinance
1 Skyraider (Marine). * U.S. commander may choose ordinance
1 C&C Huey (for medivac only, no door gunners) will arrive two turns after called

operational orders: recon in force

The American objective is to secure the right flank of the company's sweep and check for any signs of the enemy's withdrawal along the footpath.

Players Do NOT Read Any Further!

Umpire Eyes Only Scenario