Timeline, November 9th

[David]

FIRST INDOCHINA WAR:
November 9, 1952 (Year of the Dragon [Nham Thin]): Operation Lorraine update: At 0930, after neutralization of villages bordering a Viet Minh supply base by fighter planes, and under the protection of B-26 bombers circling over the area during the operation, two battalions of paratroopers flown in from Hanoi are dropped simultaneously, one south of the Song Chay and another with the force HQ north of the river. Armored units of GM 1 and 4 from the advancing CEFEO ground forces move up, with support from the Marines of the Dinassaut, and three hours later, a third battalion of paratroopers is dropped on the northern zone. During this fight, the 2,354 men of the 3e BPC, 1er BEP and 2e BEP (Third Colonial Parachute Battalion and 1st and 2nd Foreign Legion Parachute Battalions), seize the supply base at the cost of one KIA and 16 WIA. At 1700 the paratroopers link up with the motorized task force which then assumes command. Important armament, ammunition, and supply dumps are found during this operation.

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
November 9, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Ia Drang campaign--Operation Silver Bayonet update: The Cav's 1st Brigade is relieved by the 3rd Brigade, which is given the mission of continuing the search for enemy troops south and southeast of Plei Me. The 3rd Brigade leader continues his search in the densely wooded area south of the Ia Drang River at the base of the Chu Pong massif.

November 6, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]): In 1/5th Mech's AO, local patrols are conducted all day with no contact, except for Company B, which spots and engages eight VC, who quickly break contact and flee. One ambush and two OP/LP's are established during darkness and at 2037 hours two VC are seen approaching the company perimeter. Mortar and .50 cal machine gun fire is laid down, but results are unknown.

November 9, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): An American F-4, Baffle One-Zero, goes down over North Vietnam near Laos. One of the pilots survives a low-level bailout. "The rescue of this survivor was not in the hands of man."

November 9, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): Battle of Que Son Valley update: Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, comes under intense enemy fire while attacking a fortified position west of Que Son.

November 9, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase VI): Two CIDG companies with four LLDB advisors and four SF advisors are air assaulted into an area near Thien Ngon.

November 9, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): 40th ARRS pararescueman Robert Koecher puts down suppressive fire as an injured fighter pilot is retrieved.

THIRD INDOCHINA WAR - OTHER:
November 9, 1978 (Year of the Horse [Mau Ngo]): Ending a five-day visit to Thailand to win support for China's stand against Soviet expansion, Chinese Vice Premier Teng Hsiao-ping denounces the Vietnam-Soviet pact as "military alliance."