Leading up to the evening of August 12, 1969, there had been reports of increased enemy activity in our operations area. We had been receiving heavy incoming rounds in recent weeks, but I remember that we were especially uneasy as darkness arrived.

Rick Ekstrom and I often kept each other company. If Rick had work to do that kept him in the S-1 “shop” (our tent) unusually late, I would accompany him and write my letters home. When I had pressing duties, especially researching and finalizing letters to the next-of-kin of men killed in battle, he would do the same.

We were especially alert this evening, but about 10 PM we received an urgent call that all units on base were to come to the general’s headquarters for a message. The message was concise: “…heavy enemy movement has been detected. Inform all of your companies that attack is imminent…”

As we walked back to our tent we noted how dark the evening was (no moon – darkest night of the month). If the NVA was going to attack, we mused, it would be tonight.

Before we could get back to our quarters we were jolted by the first explosion. Rick and I grabbed our M-16s and corralled the S-1 staff who were running for cover from that first impacting round. We pulled everyone together, made sure that each man was wearing a flak jacket and had ammunition, and set up a defensive position in case the green line bunkers were overrun. A team of NVA sappers had, in fact, slipped through our perimeter wire but were detected by an observant medic who was at the back of his hooch. His M-16 stopped their advance.

Our basecamp was attacked by NVA Regiment 88 and VC regiments 271 and 272. (Operation Toan Thang III)

I have not yet found an official after-battle report. Following are comments from various websites:

What happened on August 12, 1969 in Vietnam?

Comment by: Shuthrow...

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

There was a mortar attack followed by a ground attack on our base camp in Quanloi, Vietnam. I was a door gunner with the 195th Assault Helicopter Company supporting 5th Special Forces, (CCS-SOG) missions into Cambodia. NVA sappers broke through our perimeter and there was much carnage. Elements of both 1st Cav and 11th Armor were there to help fend off the attackers. I was sure they attacked to get at our ships and disrupt our missions.

Source(s): http://www.quanloi.org/ABattery15OneandO…

Comment by: tank

You asked about what happened in Viet Nam on August 12th 1969. I know the VC launched a number of offensives on that day, but I’ll try to tell you a little about what the 11th Armored Cav Regiment experienced at Quan Loi to the best of my memory. I can remember hearing rumors that the NVA were planning a major offensive in August, and everyone expected it, but no one knew when.. I can only tell you about the incident that occurred in Quan Loi, forward base camp of the 11 Armored Cav and the 1st Cav Division. I hope this is what you were looking for. I know that the special forces camp (Dau Tieng???) was also overrun that day.

On the morning of August 12th the Quan Loi base camp received heavy rocket and mortar fire followed by a VC sapper attack. Much of the camp was overrun before the sappers were driven back by the 1st CAV and 11th CAV troopers. E Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was ordered to pursue what turned out to be a battalion size NVA force. While in pursuit, they were ambushed from three sides and sustained heavy casualties. Kind of like the charge of the light brigade and Davey Crockett’s last stand all rolled into one. (Please forgive my bias, I’ll try to be more objective). All the officers were seriously wounded or killed and the Troop was commanded by a Sergeant E5. I think he earned the DSC. H Company and the rest of the troops of the 2nd Squadron joined the battle, enabling E Troop to pull back. After the pull back, one LT whose ACAV was hit by RPGs and who was seriously injured and thought to be dead, was able to restart his ACAV and drive off. He was found the next day and dusted off. Another trooper was captured by the VC and released a couple of years later. After a day long battle the NVA dead exceeded 200. Don’t know US losses. Don’t want to.

Source(s): I rode with the blackhorse

Comment by: cbell

Along with North Vietnam launching a major offensive against the South we lost 105 American lives that day according to the Vietnam Wall. The URL below will take you to a site that you can view those names and leave a tribute. May we always remember the sacrifice of all those who died there, and be thankful!

http://www.footnote.com/search.php?amp=&…

The History Man http://wwwhistoryman.blogspot.com/ Source(s): http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates… http://www.footnote.com

Comment by: Political Junkie

August 12, 1969 - Viet Cong begin a new offensive attacking 150 targets throughout South Vietnam.

Source(s):

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates…

JML website page: quanloi.htm