Harvest Moon - ARVN Ops - Divided Ground - Vietnam

Operation Harvest Moon was co-jointly called Lien Ket 18. The 5th ARVN Inf Reg and 11th ARVN Bn. were sent to recon and clear the 1st VC MF Reg out of the Que SOn Valley. The 5th went in near the village of Thang Bihn while the 11th Rangers came up the south side of the valley moving parallel to the 5th. Early that afternoon the 5th were ambushed by the 70VC MF Reg and soon later the 11th was ambushed by the 80th VC MF Reg. Within a few hours of bitter fighting it was clear that the ARVN were out numbered and outclassed by the battle hardened VC. They called for US support and received a temporary reprieve from A1 Skyraiders and US arty but were soon overrun and a plea was made for US forces to assist. Lima Co 3/3 marines arrive via helicopter to assist. 148 Brave marines against 3 VC regiments. By the end of the day they would have killed over 97 VC.