Page 184 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

launched a new thrust and atternpted to cross Binh Tien Bridge on May
8th at 0200 hours.
The enerny force in execution of this action into the flank
of Cholon was about 200 strong. Refugees flocked away but they were
halted on the bridge because if they were allowed to rnove in throngs'
the police would not be able to control thern. The police fcrces posi-
tioned in the buildings rolled ernpty drurns onto the streets and set
up barricades to contain the flow of refugees. Suddenly another enerny
force rnade its appearance frorn Hau Giang, Minh Phung Streets to
establish a bridgehead {or another force on the other side to cross over
and frorn there to rnove ahead along Hau Giang Street in an attempt to
seize Cholon.

An NLF flag was hung atop a larnppost in front of Quoc
Viet School and another one at the end of the bridge. The Police force
advanced to seize this crossroads. One policernan while trying to bring
a flag down was seriously wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Le Ngoc Tru, Chief of the 5th Police
Precinct carne with reinforcernents. At the sarne tirne, about 7 orclock
in the rnorning, the 35th Ranger Battalion also arrived to reinforce.
The Battalion was split into 2 colurnns; I cornpany departing frorn Luc
Tinh Street to advance along both sides of the streets to capture the
Binh Tay Distillery and the rernaining force to rnove to Binh Tien
B ridg e.
2 arrnored vehicles led the infantryrnen for an assault on
the bridge. The enerny opened up r.'ith 8.40 fire which failed to hit the
attackers. The arrnored vehicles returned fire and destroyed one
arnbush force and then withdrew to take blocking positions on Hau
Giang, Minh Phung Streets.
The Rangers assaulted and swept clear all the VC posi-
tioned there, killing about l0 and capturing 4. The bridgehead set up
the night before was at last destroyed.
At l1 otclock, the enerny pfessure decreased rapidly.
They were driven to Bai Say area, Narn A Tedile Plant, the Pottery
and to the end of Pharn Phu Thu Street,
The Operational Cornrnand Post of the 35th Ranger Batta-
lion was located atop a building, N"239. Hau Giang Street for better
view of the battle field. Present on the roof was Captain Dau, 35th
Ranger Battalion assistant-cornrnander directing the operation in
progress.

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