U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam Monthly Historical Summary for May 1971
Abstract
Naval actions continued to decrease in May, reaching a near standstill in four AOs and remaining very light in five AOs. However, in the TRAN HUNG DAO VI AO the activity was heavy, with an unprecedented 160 enemy slain; in the TRAN HUNG DAO IV AO the number of engagements doubled; while the TRAN HUNG DAO XVII AO, the U Minh forest campaign continued to be one of the key combat zones, accounting for 45 enemy casualties. The enemy again took recourse in sapper activity, with a drastic increase to 17 watermining incidents on the Cua Viet, including the sinking of a water taxi which caused the death of 30 civilians. Elsewhere, there were five minings in the U Minah and one on the Upper Saigon River. Enemy sappers succeeded in blowing up six POL tanks at Cam Ranh Bay on 23 May. MARKET TIME operations underwent a revision of the Inner Barrier, shifting from fixed patrol stations to the 'cloud concept' of specially formed task units patrolling in high threat areas. The U.S. Navy in-country strength continued to decline in May. As of 3 June there were 11,310 naval personnel in South Vietnam, a reduction of just less than 1000 men in the course of the month.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 05, 1971
- Accession Number
- ADA953898