The Battle of Ia Drang (14 nov 1965 anni – 19 nov 1965 anni)

Descrizione:

The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle to take place between the United States Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), a.k.a. the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). It was part of the Pleiku Campaign, which was a series of three operations that took place from the 23rd of October to the 26th of November 1965. This battle comprised two smaller main battles. These two main engagements took place on two helicopter landing zones known as landing zone X-Ray and Landing Zone Albany. The first engagement was from the 1st battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and took place from the 14th to the 16th of November at LZ X-Ray (located at the eastern foot of the Chu Pong Massif in the central highlands of Vietnam). The second engagement involved the 2nd battalion, 7th cavalry regiment, and took place on November 17th at LZ Albany (farther north in the Ia Drang Valley). The second engagement is known for being the first-ever large-scale helicopter battle and it was also the first use of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers. Over three long days of battle, the American Forces at LZ X-ray were able to claim victory by holding off and driving back the North Vietnamese forces. They were able to win largely because of the support from both the air and the ground (heavy artillery bombardment), which the NVA did not have. Although at LZ Albany it was a different story. The American battalion was ambushed in close quarters. In this engagement, the Americans were unable to use air and artillery support due to the close encounter of the NVA. The Americans sadly suffered a casualty rate of over 50% before being evacuated from the battle.
The size of the clearing at LZ X-Ray meant that troops had to be shuttled in, the first landing of troops was at 1048, with the last landing at 1520. On the first day, the American forces faced heavy casualties and were already heavily engaged with an opposition they did not expect. B Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry reinforcements came shortly after for the first landing party who were the 1st battalion. Fighting continued the next day as LZ X-Ray was further reinforced by more U.S. forces, which meant that the lost platoon could be rescued.
On the morning of the 16th, the last NVA attacks on the Americans at LZ X-Ray were ended with the Americans claiming victory. The Vietnamese forces were forced to retreat but only a few survived. Soon after the Americans claimed their victory, the remaining troops were transported by air to LZ Falcon, from there some marched to LZ Columbus and the rest marched to LZ Albany as reinforcements for the troops already there. But before they could arrive, the forces at LZ Albany were ambushed by the NVA causing mass casualties and losing LZ Albany.
The loss of Landing Zone Albany meant that it was now all square between the United States Army and the North Vietnamese Army, one victory each.

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