Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. TRUSCOTT WHITE
Abstract
In May 1968, Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr., Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, reported a major push by two North Vietnamese Army divisions in the Central Highlands was smashed by B-52 bombers "before it could get started". These words introduce one of the most dramatically successful Allied operations in the Vietnam conflict. In mid-May 1968, the enemy massed two divisions, the 325th from the Khe Sanh area and the 1st from the Kontum-Pleiku area, to overrun Allied positions in mountainous Kontum Province. This was double the force that was originally engaged around Dak To in the bitter fighting for the strategic hills in that area in November 1967. Based on what General Abrams called "solid intelligence", B-52s were requested for mass strikes, breaking up enemy concentrations and forcing a retreat across the Cambodian border to his sanctuary. In his major effort, the enemy was able to launch but one ground attack and a few attacks by fire against Allied fire support bases. "TRUSCOTT WHITE" details the action required in employing airpower in this significant campaign, and emphasizes B-52 operations and tactical airstrikes. This report shows how ARC LIGHT strikes contributed more significantly to the success of Operation MATHEWS, the Army ground operation within TRUSCOTT WHITE, than to any previous 4th Infantry Division operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 11, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA486946
Entities
People
- R. A. Macdonough
Organizations
- Pacific Air Forces