Timeline, October 6th

[David]

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR: THE BEGINNING
October 6, 1945 (Year of the Rooster [At Dau]): In Laos, the Viceroy's half-brother, Prince Chao Souphanouvong, arrives in Savannakhet, after having met with Ho Chi Minh while in Vietnam, to take command of the nationalist Lao forces. In Savannakhet, he finds that the southern branch of the Laos for Lao movement has armed men installed there under the command of Oun Sananikone (a former officer in the Thai Army during the French-Thai War) and Phoumi Nosavan (previously Secretary to the Suret?).

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR - OTHER
October 6, 1949 (Year of the Ox [Ky Suu]): The United States Congress passes the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) through which American arms, military equipment and training assistance may be provided world-wide for collective defense.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
October 1959 (Year of the Boar [Ky Hoi]): The 202 Armor Regiment is established by North Vietnam, taking its number from the 202 North Vietnamese students who have just returned after receiving tanker training in China and the Soviet Union. Among the regiment's assets are Soviet Su-76 guns, ex-US M-8 armored cars, M-24 light tanks (sometimes called the M-24 Chaffee), and possibly some World War II Japanese equipment.

October 6,1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): 5 RAR begins Operation Canberra, a battalion search-and-destroy operation in a 14 square km AO around Nui Thi Vai and Nui Ong Trinh, some 5 km east of Route 15, as a preliminary to securing Route 15 for convoys carrying US 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division troops on October 11-16. AO White has steep, hilly terrain rising to as much as 467 meters and lower slopes covered mainly in jungle. VC forces with a probable strength of one platoon of local guerrillas and possibly one main force battalion are believed to be using these hills as a base area and for observation over Route 15.

October 6, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): A "boat-herding" day for A/2/20 ARA at Nuoc Ngot Bay.

October 6, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): An unforgettable first in-country flight for some newbies being ferried from Bien Hoa to Nha Trang.

October 6, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Update on Battle of Thuong Duc CIDG/SF camp: Operations Maui/Hung Quang 174 begin.

October 6, 1969 (Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Summer-Fall 1969): Two CH-3s are lost during a mission into Laos, where eight Americans and 46 Laotian troops are rescued by 40 ARRS.

October 6-7, 1971 (Year of the Boar [Tan Hoi]) (US Consolidation I): 3 RAR leaves Vietnam on HMAS Sydney.

BORDER CLASHES:
October 6, 1976 (Year of the Dragon [Binh Thin]): An anti-Communist regime takes power in Thailand, causing a worsening of relations with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.