IN REPLY REFER TO
AGAM-P (M) (11 Oct 67) FOR OT RD-670260 20 October 1967

SUBJECT: Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters,
1st Battalion, 92d Artillery

TO: SEE DISTRIBUTION

1. Subject report is forwarded for review and evaluation by USACDC in accordance with paragraph 6f, AR 1-19 and by SCONARC in accordance with paragraph 6c an d, AR 1-19. Evaluations and corrective actions should be reported to ACSFOR OT within 90 days of receipt of covering letter.

2. Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriate benefits in the future from Lessons Learned during current operations, and may be adapted for use in developing training material.

     BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

                    C. A. STANFIELD
1 Incl              Colonel, ACG
as                  Acting The Adjutant General

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, 1ST BATTALION, 92D ARTILLERY
APO 96318

AVGG-BJ-C 2 May 1967

SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending April 1967
RCS CSFOR - 65

TO: SEE DISTRIBUTION

SECTION 1 (C) SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONAL OR UNIT ACTIVITIES

1. (C) General

a. During the reporting period this battalion moved from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the west Central Highlands of Vietnam. The main body departed Fort Bragg 11-12 February by air for Oakland Army Terminal, California. On 13 February 1967, the main body departed Oakland on board the USNS GORDON. The advance party departed Fort Bragg on 21 February by air and arrived in Pleiku, RVN, on 26 February. The main body debarked at QUI NHON, RVN on 11 March 1967.

b. From 11-22 March the mahor effort of the battalion was movement of all equipment from QUI NHON to PLEIKU.

c. Since arrival in-country this battalion has been attached to the 52nd Artillery Group.

d. From 19 March through 1 April extensive training was conducted in fire direction and gunnery procedures.

e. In the month of April the battalion has participated in Operation Sam Houston and Operation Francis Marion. Current missions of the firing batteries are as follows:

       Battery A: GSR to 3-6 Artillery
       Battery B: GSR to 4-42 Artillery (4th Infantry Division)
       Battery C: GSR to 6-29 Artillery (4th Infantry Division)

The batteries have answered calls for fire from all ARVN and U.S. forces within range.

f. Days spent in POM and movement, training and operations are as follows:

1. POM/Movement: 45

2. Training: 14

3. Operations: 30

2. (C) Intelligence: Target intelligence was obtained from the firing batteries of the 4th Infantry Division direct support and the 1-69th Armor through the 3-6th Artillery. Target intelligence was also obtained by the battalion forward CP from the 11th Ranger Battalion (ARVN) and the 3rd Cavalry Squadron (ARVN). Since 19 March forward observers for visual reconnaissance missions are provided on the average of three times a week through the 52d Artillery Group. Intelligence is obtained from these flights.

3. (C) Operations and Training Activities:

a. Plans: No significant reports.

b. Operations:

(1) The move from CONUS to Vietnam was conducted smoothly and with no difficulties.

(2) During the past quarter artillery support was furnished the 4th Infantry Division, the 11th Ranger Battalion (ARVN), the 3rd Cavalry Squadron (ARVN), and the Pleiku Defense Sector.

(3) The battalion has experienced little difficulty in having its three firing batteries GSR to three different units with as much as forty (40) miles between the far batteries.

(4) The metro section has no equipment with which to operate. Until equipment arrives personnel have been sent to the 6-14th Artillery to maintain proficiency.

(5) The battalion survey section is used to extend survey control to the firing batteries. Every effort is made to utilize the survey of the supported unit to insure proper massing of fires.

(6) A chronological list of operational activities during the quarter follows:

2 Feb: Battalion organizational equipment moved by convoy and rail from Fort Bragg, N.C. to Charleston, S.C.

6 Feb: Organizational equipment departed Charleston, SC, on the USNS GREENVILLE VICTORY.

11-12 Feb: Main body of battalion departed Fort Bragg-Pope AFB, NC, for Oakland Army Terminal.

13 Feb: Main body departed Oakland aboard the USNS GORDON.

21 Feb: Battalion advance party departed Fort Bragg-Pope AFB, NC, for Vietnam via MAC C-130E.

26 Feb: Advance arrived Pleiku, RVN.

7 Feb: Battalion main body arrived aboard USNS GORDON at QUI NHON, RVN.

11 March: Main body debarked from ship, closed to Pleiku, RVN.

13 March: Battalion equipment arrived at QUI NHON as did WABTOC (base camp development kit).

19 Mar: First round fired in Vietnam by Battery A. 2 FO parties and LNO joined 11th Ranger Battalion (ARVN) for 2 weeks 10,000 meters east of Pleiku. No fire missions were requested by ARVN during the two weeks.

2 April: Battery B closed in position (ZA11952850) SW of Pleiku, GSR to 4-42 Artillery (Operation Sam Houston). 2 FO's from battalion joined the 11th Ranger Battalion (ARVN) 6,000 meters west of Battery B.

10 April: Battalion assumed control of four 105mm Howitzers from the 52nd Artillery Group to be used in base camp for defense of Pleiku.

11 April: Battery C closed in position (YA838254), GSR to 6-29 Artillery (Operation Francis Marion). Also to provide fires for the 3rd Cavalry Squadron (ARVN) and the 22nd Ranger Battalion (ARVN). Battery A closed in position (BR12105496), GSR to 3-6 Artillery, (Operation Francis Marion).

21 April: Battery C displaced to new position YA892371), GSR to 6-29 Artillery (Operation Francis Marion).

28 April: Battery C received approximately 50 mortar rounds at YA892371; 5 WIA. This mortar fire was intensive and extremely accurate. Well constructed bunkers kept the number of casualties low.

c. Training: Intensive training of the firing batteries and battalion FDC was held from 19 March until employment to the field of the firing batteries. Formal training continues to be held except during movement and the first two days thereafter, which are used for improvement of position. Training is conducted by the firing batteries and battalion personnel.

d. Chemical: No significant activities.

e. Psywar: No significant activities.

f. Other: No significant activities.

4. (C) Logistics:
Logistics have presented no problems during the quarter. Battery B utilized the 4th Infantry Division FSA located at OASIS. Battery C used the 4th Infantry Division FSE at JACKSON HOLE for Class I, III, IV. Battery A is resupplied this battalion. Repair parts are delivered to battery locations by the battalion. Three CH-47 sorties were used to resupply Battery C when the trails were closed by rain.

5. (U) Civil Affairs:
The battalion is conducting civil affairs activities in the village of Ploi Kra, ZA203603. Medical treatment is given weekly by the battalion surgeon and medical section. Shower points have been installed in the village. Civilian labor for the battalion is recruited from the village.

6. Personnel:

a. Casualties: 5 WIA

b. During the period the following personnel actions occurred:

(1) Personnel losses: 42

(2) Personnel gains: 22

(3) Present for duty strength as of 30 April: 569

(4) Promotion allocations:

(a) E4: 5

(b) E5: 9

(c) E6: 2]

(5) Mail: Mail support is good.

(6) R and R quotas: None

(7) Pay has been timely and accurate.

7. (C) Artillery: Rounds expended during the period:

8. (U) Other: No significant events.

SECTION 2 (C) COMMANDER'S OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Part 1. Observations (Lessons Learned)

1. (C) Personnel:

a. Item: Personnel

Discussion: Unit deployed short authorized Reconnaissance NCO's, MOS 13E20. These personnel were to be furnished to the unit in-country. None have been received indicating they are not available and are a shortage MOS.

Observations: Unit should OJT personnel in this position prior to deployment.

2. (C) Operations:

a. Item: AR 220-10

Discussion: Ar 220-10 can be used only as a guide in preparing for overseas movement. Requirements placed on deploying units by port authorities, installation commander and the oversea commander are not always in consonance with the regulation.

Observation: MISLTAMP (AR55-10) is invaluable in preparing for overseas deployment and is not changed by local regulations. Briefings of all officers and key non-commision officers, on MILSTAMP by post transportation personnel one week prior to actual preparation of packing and crating and documentation is essential to smooth operations. The Battalion S3 section prepared a POM guide seven months prior to ERD and continually updated this guide. This resulted in an effortless deployment. Sources to draw upon preparation of a unit POM guide: All post staff sections and special staff sections, military intelligence detachments, MILSTAMP, AR 220-10, experience of units already deployed from the same installation.

b. Item: Crypto material (POM)

Discussion: Crypto material is not needed immediately by the unit upon arrival in RVN. Carrying such material as yellow TAT creates extra burdens for a unit in handling and continuous guarding.

Observations: Crypto material is not used for at least two weeks after a unit arrives in RVN. It is better to ship crypto material to the host unit in accordance with appropriate regulations or by courier.

c. Item: Yellow TAT

Discussion: On board troop ships yellow TAT may in fact become Red TAT due to limited storage facilities. Most of the Yellow TAT for this unit was inaccessible during the voyage. Every effort must be made to review the units Yellow TAT and eliminate those items not positively required by the unit.

Observation: Very few items listed in AR 200-10 for Yellow TAT were needed or accessible during the voyage. Personnel records are definitely yellow TAT as is a duplicating machine, Typewriters, office supplies, personal baggage and small arms. Other items should be red TAT.

d. Item: Small arms ammunition and "C" rations as Red TAT.

Discussions: Small arms basic load and a basic load of "C" rations for a unit are available in country upon arrival. Packing and shipping of these basic loads can be eliminated.

Observation: The small arms basic load of the unit and the "C" ration basic load were packed and shipped before information was received that basic loads were available in country. Only 140 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition per man should be shipped as Red TAT. This unit could have saved 21,000 pounds of weight in its Red TAT.

e. Item: Guard detail for equipment at port of debarkation.

Discussion: Equipment losses can be expected at the port of debarkation unless organizational, Red TAT and WABTOC equipment is guarded on the beach by the unit. A guard detail must be organized, briefed, and left with the equipment.

Observation: This unit lost no equipment of any type at eh port of debarkation. The experience of units already in country were weighed and analyzed. For a battalion a guard detail of eighty (80) personnel is the proper size. Composition is 3 officers and 77 non-comissioned officers and enlisted personnel men. This detail should be equipped with four PRC-25's two trucks (from host unit). Everyone on the guard detail must have his personal baggage, to include cots and mosquito bars. The radios are used to keep track of cargo during the unloading and by the guards when they are on guard. This guard detail is also of great assistance to port personnel in off loading. Personnel of the guard detail also accompany convoys moving the equipment to final destination when non-organizational vehicles are used.

f. Item: Firing jack floats, 155mm Howitzer M114.

Discussion: In the western Central Highlands the ground becomes extremely soft after heavy rain. The firing jack floats begin to sink into the ground after firing and the wheels of the howitzer begin resting on the ground, eliminating the three point suspension.

Observation: To be fired accurately the 155mm Howitzer M114 must rest on the ground at three points of contact, the firing jack float and the two trails. When heavy rains occur the firing jack float begins to sink when firing. A partial solution has been to place layers of sandbags on a gravel base on which the firing jack float rest. Keep the sand bagged area small enough so high angle pits can be dug outside and around the base.

g. Item: Drivers license, SF-46

Discussion: This unit when deploying to RVN, had only drivers licenses good for CONUS, which are invalid in USARV. A great deal of time was consumed in RVN in testing drivers and issuing new licenses to drivers. Also, in our case our vehicles arrived in country two days after debarkation of the battalion and had to be driven to final destination shortly thereafter.

Observation: All units in CONUS preparing for deployment to RVN should set up a drivers training program to include international road signs and USARV drivers licenses issued prior to deployment. Little time is available upon arrival in RVN for such a program.

h. Item: Dry batteries.

Discussion: BA-30, BA-200 and BA-286 batteries should be placed on requisition as soon as a unit arrives in country to give the supply system 30 days to respond. Also, new BA-30 batteries should be put into the remote sets. When they no longer provide sufficient power for the remote sets, they can be used in flash lights and aiming post night lighting devices.

i. Item: Placement of FDC radio vehicles.

Discussion: Remote sets for the radios use a large amount of BA-30 batteries and elimination of the remote lessens the resupply problem. The FDC vehicle can be built into the battery FDC bunker (insuring the exhaust pipe is outside). This method gives protection to the radio and enables quick changes of frequencies when necessary.

Observation: When batteries are in remote areas resupply is difficult. To eliminate the necessity of using radio remotes the FDC 3/4 ton is built into the bunker in such a manner as to allow the RTO to use the radio directly and to protect the radios. The vehicle must be built into the bunker in such a manner that it can be driven out when necessary.

j. Item: Rectifiers for FDC's and AM radio sections.

Discussion: PP-34 rectifiers can be used to power 28V DC radios with a 110V AC source. This eliminates the need for constant operation of DC generators.

Observation: All firing batteries have operated in positions where AC generators provide power. Rectifiers would afford either AC or DC poser as their primary source. This would facilitate operations because of the daily maintenance requirements for field type generator. Maintenance should be scheduled on alternate days.

Part 2. Recommendations

1. (U) Personnel: None

2. (U) Operations: None

3. (C) Training and Organization: None

4. (U) Intelligence: None

5. (U) Logistics: None

6. (U) Other: None

                             RAYMOND C. AMENSON
1 Incl                       LTC, Artillery
Organizational Chart         Commanding

DISTRIBUTION:
  3 ACSFOR DA
  1 CINCUSARPAC
  3 DGG USARV
  2 CG I FFORCEV
  2 CO 1/92 ARTY
  1 FILE

AVGG (2 May 67)                     1st Ind
SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967

HEADQUARTERS, 52D ARTILLERY GROUP, APO 96318, 3 MAY 1967

TO: See Distribution

1. Forwarded.

2. Basic report is accurate.

                  O.L. TOBIASON
1 Incl            COL, Arty
  nc              Commanding

DISTRIBUTION:
  3 ACSFOR DA
  1 CINCUSARPAC
  2 DGG USARV
  2 CG I FFORCEV
  2 CO 52D ARTY

AVFA-AT-D (2 May 67)            2nd Ind
SUBJECT: Operational Report of Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967, (RCS CSFOR-65)(1st Bn, 92nd Arty) (U).

HEADQUARTERS, I FIELD FORCE VIETNAM ARTILLERY, APO 96350

TO: Commanding General, I Field Force Vietnam, ATTN: AVFA-GC-OT, APO 96350

1. Concur in the observations contained in the basic communication.

2. Reference Section 2, Part 1, para 2j: The unit has been appraised of procedures, prescribed by AR 310-34 and USARV message AVHGC-OT 19073, 280430Z APR 67, for obtaining temporary loan of equipment.

     FOR THE COMMANDER:

                 LEO E. ELLIS
1 Incl           LTC, Artillery
  NC             Adjutant

AVFA-GC-OT (2 May 67)            3d Ind
SUBJECT: Operational Report of Lessons Learned for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967

HEADQUARTERS, I FIELD FORCE VIETNAM, APO 96350

TO: Commanding General, United States Army Vietnam, APO 96350

This headquarters has reviewed and concurs with the 1st Battalion, 92d Artillery operational report for the period ending 30 April 1967, and the preceding indorsements without comment.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

              MICHAEL D. SUNSHINE
1 Incl        1 LT, AGC
  NC          Asst. AG

AVHGC-DST (2 May 67)               4th Ind
SUBJECT: Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967
(RCS CSFOR-65) (U)

HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM, APO SAN FRANCISCO 96375 18 July 1967

TO: Commander in Chief, United States Army, Pacific, ATTN: GPOP-OT

1. This headquarters has reviewed the Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the period ending 30 April 1967 from Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 92d Artillery as indorsed.

2. Pertinent comments follow:

a. Reference item concerning deployment of unit short authorized reconnaissance NCO's, MOs 13E20, paragraph 1a, page 5 and paragraph 1a Inclose 2: Concur. MOs 13E20, reconnaissance sergeant, is a shortage MOs throughout USARV. Although requisitions are submitted, shortfall continues to prevent attainment of authorized strength. Assignment controls are established which insure I Field Force, Vietnam receives its equitable share of available reconnaissance sergeants.

b. Reference item concerning cryptographic equipment, paragraph 2b page 6: Concur. Crypto material is not needed immediately by the unit upon arrival in RVN.

c. Reference item concerning small arms ammunition and "C" rations as "Red TAT", paragraph 2d, page 6:

(1) Concur with comments concerning "C" rations. Requirement for 5 days of MCI "TAT" is no longer required and stocks of MCI in this command are sufficient. This requirement was eliminated 1 January 1967.

(2) Non-concur with ammo basic load comment. CONARC movement directives require deploying units to possess basic load of small arms ammo upon arrival in RVN. Although these items are not in short supply, it may be some time before an incoming unit is able to reach an ASP. The type of warfare encountered in RVN makes it mandatory that every unit be capable of providing for its own defense immediately after arrival in-country.

d. Reference item concerning firing jack floats, 155mm howitzer M114, paragraph 2f, page 7: Concur. Unit field expedient is adequate to resolve their problem. For more permanent positions, artillery operating in the same area construct gun platforms.

e. Reference item concerning rectifiers for FDC's and AM radio section, paragraph 2j, page 8, and paragraph 2, 2d endorsement: Concur in the comments of the 2d indorsement.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

                   E. I. KENNEDY
1 Incl             Cpt. AGC
  NC               Asst. Adjutant General

GPOP-DT (2 May 67)                       5th Ind (U)
SUBJECT: Operational Report for the Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967 from HQ, 1st Bn, 92d Arty

HQ, US ARMY, PACIFIC, APO SAN FRANCISCO 96558     30 Aug 1967

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development, Department of the Army, Washington, DC 20310

1. This headquarters has reviewed subject report and concurs with the report as indorsed.

2. Reference Section 2, Part 1, paragraph 1 and paragraph 2a, 4th indorsement:

a. Current policy requires that units deployed to RVN with personnel shortages only after USARV indicates acceptance of the unit with the shortages.

b. MOs data for 31 May 1967 indicates no USARV shortage in MOs 13E20 (Authorized 832 - Assigned 1,184), although personnel assigned are excess in grades E2 to E4 and short in grade E5.

FOR THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

                   HEAVRIN SNYDER
1 Incl             CPT, AGC
  NC               Asst. AG

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
1st Battalion, 92d Artillery

INCLOSURE 1

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