During May, June, and July of 1970, D Battery, 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery spent a lot of time at the Nghia Hanh Compound which was a few miles southeast of FSB Hill 4-11. The Battery had two guns located there on a "jump," and the men from the Battery would rotate between FSB Hill and the Nghia Hanh Compound. They setup their two guns on the road leading into the compound, situated near a small airstrip.
This "Virtual Tour" of the Nghia Hanh Compound was provided by Terry Copt, artillery gunner, who was with D Battery from November, 1969 to December, 1970.
Photograph by Terry Copt
The Nghia Hanh Compound was primarily defended by soldiers from the ARVN. However, U.S. troops were located there also.
Photograph by Terry Copt
Here is a picture taken from the roof of the compound. The ARVNs had 105mm Howitzers inside the compound.
Photograph by Terry Copt
This is where D Battery's guns were setup on the road. Everything was pretty wide-open with little protection. Notice the M-60 machine gun in front of the cot.
Photograph by Terry Copt
One day, D Battery got a very reliable intelligence report that the airstrip at Nghia Hanh was going to be hit that night. The Battery broke out all kinds of ammo in the event the attack occurred. They even broke out several "bee hive" rounds which were set to go off once they left the gun tube. Fortunately, nothing happened that night.
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