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Articles Covering the Sapper Attack on FSB Hill 4-11 During May, 1970

Copy of articles provided by Terry Copt

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3/1 Turns Back Sapper Attack

FSB 4-11

Without an enemy round being fired, 11th Brigade soldiers here recently nipped a midnight sapper attack in the bud, killing 10 VC soldiers and detaining two.

A large number of enemy weapons which included two rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, two AK-47s, one AK-50, one 9mm pistol, 76 Chicom grenades, 10 (RPG) rounds, 11 B-40 rockets, and one five pound satchel charge were seized in the aborted attack on this 3rd Bn., 1st Inf. firebase.

Near midnight three enemy sappers had advanced through the perimeter wire when a fourth member of the party, with an RPG launcher slung over his shoulder, touched off a trip flare.  "I looked in front of me and there were a dozen of them just frozen in place," recalled SP4 Jerry D. Parker (Hickory, N.C.) of Co. D.

With the enemy sighting the bunker line opened up with rifle and machinegun fire.  Hand grenade and claymore mine shrapnel showered the area.  Constant illumination, intermingled with accurate mortar fire from the 81mm and 4.2 mortar sections, encircled the perimeter as the soldiers methodically dispatched the intruders in their sights.

After the ravaging fire subsided, the second platoon was called upon to make an on-line sweep of the area.  As the infantrymen made their way to the wire, the bodies of two sappers armed with RPG launcheres were discovered.  One of the VC still clutched a pair of wire cutters in his hand.  A third sapper, awestruck at the fate of his fellow comrades, threw his arms in the air shouting "Chieu-Hoi."

Uncovering no additional bodies or weapons, the search was discontinued until early morning.

Direct artillery fire from D Battery, 6/11 Arty continued to suppress any further activity, until two platoons from Co. D continued their push outside the wire.  Eight additional enemy bodies and one wounded VC soldier were discovered in the sweep.

The attacking force had consisted of 14 enemy sappers and supporting riflemen.

According to Captain Harry G. Sheppard (Palmetto, Fla.), commanding officer of Co. D, "The sapper squad was extremely well armed.  They planned this to be more than just a harassing attack. But they didn't plan on our bunker line being so alert."

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Sapper Attack Thwarted

Fire Support Base 4-11, Vietnam (Special)

Without an enemy round being fired, Americal Div. soldiers here recently nipped a midnight sapper attack in the bud, killing 10 VC and detaining two.

A large number of enemy weapons including two rocket propelled grenade launchers, two AK47s, one AK50, one 9mm pistol, 76 Chicom grenades, 10 RPG rounds, 11 B40 rockets, and one five-pound satchel charge were seized in the aborted attack on this 3rd Bn., 1st Inf. firebase.

Near midnight, three enemy sappers had advanced through the perimeter wire when a fourth sapper, with an RPG launcher slung over his shoulder, touched off a trip flare.  "I looked in front of me and there were a dozen of them just frozen in place," said Spec. 4 Jerry D. Parker.

The bunker line opened up with rifle and machine-gun fire.  Hand grenade and claymore mine shrapnel showered the area.  Constant illumination, intermingled with accurate mortar fire from the 81mm and 4.2 mortar sections, encircled the perimeter as the 11th Inf. Brigade soldiers methodically dispatched the intruders.

After the fire subsided, a sweep of the area was made.  The bodies of two sappers armed with RPG launchers were discovered on the wire.  One VC still clutched a pair of wire cutters.  A third sapper, awestruck at the fate of his fellow comrades, threw his arms in the air and surrendered.

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