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ON THE FIRING LINE FROM THE LEGIONNAIRES' LEDGER FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1970.

Copy of publication provided by Dave Eckberg


Action in the 3d Bn, 1st Inf AO for the period 21-27 October:

Operating just south of the Song Tra Khuc River, Alpha Company acquired the following ordnance under the Volunteer Informant Program: 1 A-1 anti-personnel mine, 5 various pressure release mines, 21/105 rds., 4/155 rds., 1/4.2 mortar rd., 2/81 mm mortar rds., 1/40 mm Duster rd., 1 RPG rd., 6 cluster bombs, 3 Chicom grenades and 3 M-79 rds.

Under the VIP, Bravo Company secured 26/60mm mortar rds. and 5 M-79 rds. as a result of the industrious efforts of children in the area.

Southeast of FSB 4-11, Charlie Company captured a VC who had been wounded earlier in an ambush. Also captured in the action was a 7.65 machine gun pistol.

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Spelunkers
Alpha Finds Cache in Caves

Checking out an area southwest of FSB 4-11, the 1st platoon of Co A uncovered a network of caves comprising a well supplied enemy base camp.  The platoon confiscated from these subterranean chambers 2 Thompson submachine guns, 2 Russian carbines, 2 SKS rifles, 4000 rounds of various ammunition, 1 B-40 rocket, 1 RPG round, medical supplies, 1/55 gal drum and 30 ammo cans of polished rice and an NVA "outstanding unit" flag which had been carefully wrapped in plastic.

Following the directions of the platoon medic, PFC Rodney E. Elliott (Visalia, Calif.) a five man squad had been dispatched to search out a cave in which a weapons cached had been discovered six months earlier.  Although that particular objective proved barren, further investigtion of the surrounding area revealed the entrance to still another cavern.

A hot can of rice indicated the enemy's recent departure while a booby-trapped 105 round and well-concealed "punji-pit" remained to discourage intruders.  "Upon entering one of the caves we were surprised to find rows of neatly stacked ammo cans full of rice," recalled 1LT George F. Dean (Jamaica, N.Y.), "We apparently had uncovered a central resupply point for enemy operating in the area."

If the captured honor flag is to be taken as proof of the presence of an outstanding company of the 21st NVA Regiment, the Legionnaires' discovery not only undercut a logistical resource but hampered the activities of one of the enemy's better units.

On The Firing Line from the Legionnaires' Ledger for Friday, October 30, 1970.: List
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