1st Air Cavalry Division on Operation Thayer, South Vietnam Part 1

Description

OF DEPARTMENT NEWSFILM RELEASE A OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) HOMELAND STATES AMERICA WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301 OF PLEASE NOTE DATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 1966 OXford 75111 Number 287-66 Footage: 145' 16mm Color Master Room 2 E 765 1ST AIR CAVALRY DIVISION ON OPERATION THAYER A.P.C. (Official U. S. Army film released by Department of Defense) These helicopters are landing troops of the 1st and 2nd Brigades of the 1st Air Cavalry (Airmobile) Division into known Viet Cong territory about 40 miles southwest of Bong Son during Operation THAYER. This area has been the scene of many decisive battles but still the Viet Cong are known to be using this valley where poultry, rice and other foods are at his disposal. In most cases these searches by the American soldiers have failed to find a large Viet Cong force, although the Viet Cong are known to be operating in the area. Large amounts of enemy equipment, weapons, medical records, rice and other supplies indicate that a Viet Cong unit of battalion size is using the area. The 1st Air Cavalry soldiers quickly debark the choppers and move out on the search. After advancing through an open area and through a small jungle, the troops follow a trail to a village of large bamboo huts, left abandoned as the Americans neared the area. Sometimes the American troops have been so close to their prey that simmering rice and smoltering camp fires have been found. This time the troops discover a large cache of rice and several Viet Cong weapons. They also capture several Viet Cong suspects who are taken to the rear for interrogation and finger printing. The captured rice is loaded aboard a huge CH-47 Chinook helicopter for delivery to other regions of the Bong Son area where it will be distributed among friendly villages. Sequences show: (a) Helicopters landing (b) Troops debarking, moving out (c) Troops crossing open area (a) Troops passing through jungle area (e) Troops moving along jungle trail (f) Troops approaching village of huts (g) Huts searched for Viet Cong equipment and supplies (h) Viet Cong suspects captured (i) Troops leaving village - more -

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases