VIETNAM WAR - The Harsh Reality of Ambush Warfare

Blood and Betrayal: The Harsh Reality of Ambush Warfare

I'll just you from here

Only a tree or bush could hide an enemy ready to annihilate them. Ambushes were the order of the day and they always ended in a shower of blood for both sides. In this new installment of military history, we're going to reconstruct in great detail three important offensives carried out by the Viet Cong (VC), a series of surprise attacks in which the powerful United States Army was totally humiliated by local guerrillas. Put on your bulletproof vest, grab your M16, and let's get started.

MACV-SOG: The Special Operations Commando Group

Although the official activities of the United States Army in Vietnam began a few years later, a special operations commando group was established in the Southeast Asian nation in 1964. This was the MACV-SOG, a unit composed of elements of the Navy SEALs, Marines, and members of Special Forces. During its 8 years of activity between 1964 and 1972, MACV-SOG carried out high-risk missions that, despite their importance, were not reported to the general public. To operate and keep its structure secret, the group was divided into three geographically delimited subcommands: the Northern Command (CCN), the Central Command (CCC), and the Southern Command (CCS).

The Brutal Attack on FOB 4

It was at one of the most important bases in the northern section that the VC carried out one of the most brutal attacks on the western invader—a day that will remain forever in the memories of those who survived. Next, we will listen to the memoirs of John Striker Meyer, one of the most recognized veterans of the legendary MACV-SOG during that attack.

"It came after midnight. It was a moonless night and the sappers, who were highly trained NVA soldiers, hit the base. FOB 4, or Forward Operations Base, was a top-secret operational headquarters of enormous importance to Washington. Its role was fundamental for the organization of missions in one of the most conflictive areas of Vietnam, which is why Green Berets and other top-level commandos who cooperated with MACV-SOG were often housed there. The problem was that the flow of activities was very high and the base was not always guarded with the same solidity. There were brief windows in which FOB 4 was susceptible to a massive attack, and the Vietnamese knew it."

For this offensive, the Communist front employed the infamous sappers, its Special Forces soldiers trained to give their lives no matter the conditions. During the war, their reputation was cemented through brutal sacrifices. The sappers were fanatical communists willing to do anything, recapturing the fighting spirit of the old kamikazes of Imperial Japan. Such was their determination for their land that they wore a white bandana on their forehead with the words "We came here to die" written in blood.

The Midnight Raid

On the morning of August 23rd, 1968, a VC battalion made up of sappers and regular soldiers entered FOB 4. Their strategy had been considered down to the last detail, so much so that the offensive coincided with the night when the new lunar cycle began. This ensured total darkness for them to move like hunters through the Vietnamese jungle. News of the attack spread little by little as shots and explosions echoed in every corner of the territory.

Let's listen to veteran Jean Pew tell what it was like to cross the camp in the middle of a hail of enemy gunfire:

"Bang! Bang! Got you, son of a—! And then the next breath, 'I'm hit! I'm hit!' So, I go out and start dragging him into the barracks. I could feel the bullets going by my bare torso and snapping right next to my ear. It's an experience that you just... you just wish that they could hit you instead of feeling it that way."

The Spike Team Rattler reconnaissance team was stationed at the top of the Marble Mountains, one of the highest places in Da Nang. The MACV commandos were enjoying a peaceful night when suddenly a series of rumblings turned the moment into a nightmare. Below, several meters from their positions, the VC battalion had penetrated the scarce defenses, starting a real massacre. Within minutes, FOB 4 was transformed into a bonfire filled with U.S. corpses. Only a few structures survived the offensive, while the members of Spike Team Rattler observed all the horror from above.

The Sappers' Deadly Mission

A part of the Vietnamese squad was preparing to ambush them. The sappers used ropes to climb in a few minutes, taking their victims completely by surprise. By the time the climbing team managed to surround Spike Team Rattler, the situation at the entire FOB 4 base had become a true hell on Earth. There were tents on fire, lifeless bodies on the ground, and blood mixed with mud and vegetation. In this chaos, North Vietnamese troops ran carrying assault rifles.

In one of the most shocking situations, a group of sappers with explosives attached to their bodies ran into the base's ammunition depot. Within seconds, an explosion ended their lives and the weapons reserve of FOB 4. Imagine seeing with your own eyes how a completely deranged enemy soldier runs towards an explosives depot, sacrificing his life to leave you without weapons. This type of kamikaze attack ended up becoming characteristic during North Vietnamese ambushes. The sappers entered with dynamite or bombs on their bodies to destroy U.S. bunkers and strategic positions.

The Aftermath of FOB 4

As the first rays of the sun illuminated the base, the VC troops retreated, leaving only devastation behind. Among the ruins of what had been an important American military post, the bodies of 17 Green Berets were found, as well as dozens of wounded, some seriously. Due to the top-secret nature of their work, the eliminated Americans did not have an official funeral service in Southeast Asia.

The Ambush at Onon River

The next ambush we will discuss was not carried out against elite units but against Marines operating on the banks of the Onon River on the morning of October 17th, 1967.

During the first months of 1967, the Vietnamese front suffered the loss of thousands of soldiers as a result of the so-called "Search and Destroy" mission carried out by the United States Army. But General Tran Van Tra suggested that the Communist troops could still achieve victory if they managed to inflict heavy losses on the Americans. That is why, in mid-1967, the 7th and 9th divisions of the North Vietnamese Army began to plan what would be one of their most brutal and effective offensives.

The Ambush Unfolds

The Onon River runs through a forested region with lots of vegetation, making it an ideal place to hide. With that in mind, on October 16th, 1967, a patrol of soldiers from Alpha Company was sent to survey the region. During their mission, they encountered a small enemy unit, which escaped after a brief firefight. Upon reporting this encounter, Uncle Sam's men received a specific order: they were to find this group of Vietnamese and annihilate them.

Part of the plan was for them to advance through occupied territory. Upon finding VC settlements, they were to contact the artillery batteries waiting a few miles away. The problem was that the local warriors had already noticed the plan and were waiting for the right moment to attack, like a predator watching its prey.

The Brutal Ambush

One of the American soldiers did not have a good feeling about the operation. "Well, they told us we were going to a place that was going to be pretty rough, and that's all. They didn't tell us what was waiting on us. You had no choice, you just went."

At around 10:00 a.m. on October 17th, 1967, American soldiers encountered VC troops. As anticipated, the Asians were waiting in bunkers scattered in strategic areas of the jungle surrounding the path along which their rival was advancing. When the Americans came within range, chaos broke out. A storm of rifle cartridges, machine guns, and grenades erupted in a deadly ambush. Washington's troops had no time to take up defensive positions and suffered massive losses of personnel during the first minutes of combat.

VC men came from all sides, taking advantage of their bunkers and the geography they knew so well. As the North Vietnamese fire increased, the American soldiers thought they heard the distinctive sound of an M60 machine gun. The men assumed it was cavalry that had come to rescue them, so they ceased fire for fear of hitting one of their own. The Asian front took full advantage of this moment of weakness.

At about 11:30 a.m., they sent in reserves of Vietnamese personnel who were waiting for the right moment to act. To make matters worse for the Americans, it was impossible to use artillery as the proximity of their own to their enemies made it too risky. Alpha Company disappeared, and now the firing was directed against Delta Company.

Artillery Under Attack

At the same time as this part of the offensive, another group of Asian troops had advanced stealthily to the vicinity of the artillery. When the time came, they pounced on the enemy, further complicating the support that the rest of the Americans ambushed in the Onon region could receive. The members of that artillery battalion remember how chaotic that situation was. On one hand, they had to coordinate the shots and receive information from the soldiers who were further ahead. On the other, they had to defend themselves from the waves of Vietnamese who tried to take over the position.

The Heroic Actions of Lieutenant Harold "Pinky" Durham

One of the artillery observers, those men in charge of surveying the landscape and translating it into concrete data for launching attacks, was Lieutenant Harold "Pinky" Durham. He was an experienced soldier who was on his second tour in Vietnam. He adopted a dangerous position, exposing himself to hostile fire coming from several directions, but it was necessary so that he could communicate with the rest of the troops and coordinate the artillery attacks.

Durham calmly and quietly carried out his work, providing precise coordinates that managed to blow up several Vietnamese positions. Unfortunately, during combat, the brave soldier stepped on a claymore-type mine, which launched hundreds of metal pieces that pierced his body. Durham suffered serious injuries and was left blind in one eye. With his vision flooded with blood and his body lacerated, the lieutenant continued to operate effectively, providing coordinates by radio even when bullets grazed his head.

Thanks to this man's sacrifice, North Vietnamese forces were unable to complete their mission as they could no longer advance on the soldiers who had been ambushed further ahead. On that fateful day in October, Durham saved hundreds of lives. Listen to the description of Captain Carl Kaiser, who was part of the engagement and survived to reconstruct the initial events:

"One of the members of the flank security reported hearing movement and hearing a metallic click on his right flank. At that time, a machine gun opened fire on the right file of the first platoon of Alpha Company. That's the first shots that were heard. That's correct."

The Aftermath of the Onon River Ambush

As the American troops managed to organize and regain ground, the VC soldiers began to retreat. The bulk of the Asian column ceased hostilities and left the area about 2 hours after the hell began. They could return home satisfied, having more than fulfilled their mission as they managed to inflict brutal damage on the American ranks.

In total, the Onon offensive claimed the lives of 56 Washington soldiers, another 75 were wounded, and two remain missing to this day. Among the dead was the heroic Harold Durham, who received the legendary Medal of Honor posthumously for his dedication and sacrifice to ensure the survival of his comrades.

The Convoy Ambush at Ap Nhe

The Vietnam War was brutal, but it is precisely in these extreme conditions that heroism and military ability flourish. That is why the last ambush we will review in this video also has a recipient of the legendary Medal of Honor as a participant. Let's put ourselves in time and space.

The 48th Transport Group's Deadly Mission

On August 25th, 1968, members of the American 48th Transport Group were carrying out their important job transporting supplies to prevent soldiers from starving to death. On that day, the convoy was particularly large, with a total of 81 trucks that left the town of Long Binh loaded with food, fuel, and weapons.

As you can imagine, the roads that connected Vietnam at that time were not exactly gems of modern engineering. Quite the opposite—they were winding and precarious roads that linked the starting point to Saigon, the final destination of the 48th Transport Group.

The Surprise Attack at Ap Nhe

Around noon, the convoy entered the village of Ap Nhe, a small rubber tree plantation that stretched along the only passable road. There was a column of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the southern front that allied itself with the United States. Their presence was something to be expected since these troops collaborated with the pacification of communities like the one they were passing through.

Within a few minutes, the convoy already occupied the entire extension of the village. When the first trucks began to leave Ap Nhe, the presumed soldiers, friends of Uncle Sam, revealed their true identity—they were VC men armed to the teeth to rid the drivers and elements of the 48th Transport Group.

Not only did they have surprise on their side, but the Asians had posted snipers on both sides of the road, placing all the American vehicles in the deadly zone, the most vulnerable part in an ambush.

The Heroism of William Seay

The Battle of Ap Nhe was not limited to gunfire. The Communist soldiers also used machine guns and RPG-7 launchers to destroy the vehicles. The primary objective was to cut off the supply of provisions and, if possible, capture some of the loot to feed the VC with weapons and food. After spraying the trucks carrying food with bullets, the attackers' fury focused on the fuel tankers, waiting for them to explode and completely block the convoy's advance.

In this part of the story, we will meet the great hero who emerged in the midst of this chaos: William Seay. He was a truck driver of only 19 years old. Thanks to his skills behind the wheel, he became a member of the transport company, but that did not mean he did not know how to fight. When the shooting broke out in Ap Nhe, the boy jumped out of his vehicle and looked for the rest of his companions to organize the response.

A Day of Valor and Sacrifice

In an ambush, it is essential to stay calm and act by listening to your head, not the fear roaring in your stomach. Seay and other drivers positioned themselves 6 meters away from each other, adopting a defensive position to repel the first attack of the Vietnamese soldiers. The boy opened fire and killed two enemies who were about 10 meters away. Meanwhile, one of his companions managed to eliminate a VC soldier, but then his M16 jammed and was unusable. However, the death of the three communists scared away a small group of guerrillas who were approaching the trucks.

William Seay played a prominent role in protecting his comrades at Ap Nhe. First, he fearlessly threw hand grenades that drove the enemy back. The North Vietnamese assumed there were several men, but it was just Seay holding his own. During this time, the boy was shot in the wrist and bled out throughout the day. Still, he managed to drag several wounded comrades to safety under a hail of enemy shells. It is hard to imagine the bravery and resolve it takes to repeatedly expose yourself to painful death to save others.

The Price of Valor

It was for this, as well as for eliminating several VC soldiers, that William Seay received the Medal of Honor. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old ended up dying from multiple wounds that caused massive blood loss. The ambush was incredibly long, with intermittent hostilities that extended over 9 hours of that infamous August 25th. This gave enough time for the U.S. Air Force and artillery to show up, showering the Communist guerrillas with fire and destruction. Finally, at 9:00 p.m., a large infantry unit arrived to assist the rear of the convoy. Seeing themselves outnumbered, the North Vietnamese retreated into the jungle.

The Final Toll

In total, 30 Americans died, 45 were wounded, and two were taken prisoner, making this episode one of the deadliest of the entire conflict. Throughout this installment, it became clear that material or numerical superiority are not always the most powerful cards. Ambushes and surprise attacks can be a deadly tool that balances the scales. The United States learned this the hard way during its intervention in Vietnam.