Page 206 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

troopers renewed their assault but were still pinned down due to the
enerny intense fire. The 51st Airborne Cornpany cornrnanded by
Captain Quan assaulted 3 ti.rnes but was turned back each tirne by
intense enerny f irepower.

Throughout the past 8 days the enerny had stubbornlv
resisted in this area, taking advantage of the abundant obstacles such
as thick barnboo hedges, dense foliage and closely built houses. More-
over, they had built fortiJied dugouts. Therefore, defenders as well
as attackers had to be on the lookout because if they exposed them-
selves they could be shot at instantly. As our troops were not able to
advance artillery and air support were again requested. Artillefy
shells exploded only 50rn in front of the friendly line, During the past
I8 hours I5 flights of air support over the objective had been recorded,

After 10 days the fighting was stlll raging in this area.
Our troops were only able to inch a few hundred rneters forward each
day, As they advanced they continued to rneet with rnore heavily
defended dugin positions. Moreover, this area had once been a
cernetery, and 50 tornbs and graves were found even in front of houses.
Our troops continued to trade fire with the enerny while artillery and
aircraft continued to support the battle. Their going was very slow
rnostly frorn house to house,

On the rnorning of June 4ttl at 0ZI O hours a unit of the
Tran Hung Dao group had contact with the enerny at Xorn Thorn in the
vicinity of the Joint General Staff cornpound. This seerned to indicate
that the enerny was still trying to penetrate deep into the city. They
intended to take advantage by sneaking through some gaps in the
defensive lines, but they were unexpectedly intercepted at Xorn Thorn.
About daybreak one Regional Force squad had a violent clash with an
estirnated VC cornpany at lane 209, Ngo Tung Chau Street about 30rn
frorn Cay Queo Market. The RF squad pulled back into a high building
and fought frorn there until bright daylight when reinJorcerrlents came
to relieve thern.

The 86th Regional Force Battalion had sent a few days
before a squad to be positioned in a high building (No 54, Ngo Tung
Chau street). The enerny troops were fresh reinforcernents and
unaware of the current situation so they had rnoved to the above lane
with the intent of reaching Quan Tarn Pagoda by crossing Ngo Tung
Chau street. Their appearance was first revealed by Sergeant Hai,
the squad leader who fired I round of M. ?9 in the rniddle of the enerny

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