You know, listening to these guys, one realizes that these guys are decent humans, but they were sent out to fight what I believe was a misguided war.My mother had no use for President Johnson. Its seems to me that the President only wanted to save face. When my Mom saw Johnson pick up a dog by its ears, she said, I hate that man. What a pig of a man.
My brother served in Nam.Thank God he came home unwounded, but by NO means unskaithed...his hands constantly shook, he'd wake up several times a night. Being a little sister he spoke very little to me about his experience..he did tell me he saw things he hoped to God to never see here in the states...little kids & women carrying guns trying to kill anyone that was an American. Now that I'm older I somewhat understand why that hell hole can never leave a vet's mind. God Bless ALL vet's!!!!!!!!!!
You"re overlooking the fact that one of the main problems was that in alot of situations in Vietnam they underestimated the enemy.The US expected an easy war against an inferior enemy and inferior technology and firepower.Reality showed that the Vietnamese were dedicated,fanatical soldiers better prepared for the battle environment.And the technology and firepower,though superior,was mostly misused.Add a high rate of friendly fire and lack of soldiers motivation to the mix and there you have it.
James Shelton, who appears in this video as Major Shelton, went on to achieve the rank of Brigadier General. He died in 2018, but not before living one heck of a full life. He wrote his own book on the Battle of Ong Thanh entitled “The Beast was Out There”. I had the privilege of meeting “Duke” Shelton in 2012, and he gave me an autographed copy of his book. It was an honor.
I have to be honest. At one time I felt hate and scorn for the Americans. Hate for going to a nation to fight a war that did not have to be. The people of Vietnam could sort out their own troubles. The conflict was brought on by a lie. President Johnson and Mcnamarra were a couple of monsters. Watching this video shows that the guys in this battle, both sides were good people. The American and North Vietmanise are men of character. I have met Americans that come up to Canada for work in the oilfield. These are nice respectful guys and it breaks my heart that people of power in Washington DC go about the world looking for trouble, where there is no trouble. Look at the lies that are going on right now in Ukraine. Biden and his bunch want to save face at the worlds expense. If I was Mr Putin, I would have done the same as he is doing. I pray that this war is concluded by Russia and the United States admits that it was wrong.
@@richardpluim4426Three words Military Industrial Complex . These clowns are going to get us into a nuclear war. I'm so tired of hearing "Russia Russia Russia". The Russians haven't done a damn thing to us.
Tôi là người Việt Nam tôi tự hào và nhớ ơn những người anh hùng đã chết cho hoà bình và độc lập, tự do của đất nước. Chúng tôi yêu hoà bình nhưng chưa bao giờ sợ chiến tranh. Bất kỳ kẻ thu nào đến sâm lược Việt Nam thì người Việt Nam sẽ chiến đấu và nguyện hi sinh vì đất Nước. Tôi yêu hoa bình, tự do. Yêu đất nước tôi và yêu các bạn những người bạn của Việt Nam. ❤
Lt. Colonel Terry Allen in 1967 was a lot like General Custer at the Little Big Horn. He was amazed that "savages" could whip a modern US Army Unit in open battle. He marched his Companies into a clear defeat through his arrogance. Dying in battle was the only thing that allowed him to die a "Hero". Had he lived he should have been drummed out of the Army. Being born the son of a General is a lot different than being a Born Leader of men. It was an accident of birth that put his men in jeopardy and cost him his own life. I actually wouldn't be surprised if the bullet that killed him came from an American rifle. Young enlisted men will kill, or die for their comrades. Killing an Incompetent Leader will save your comrades just as much as killing a Competent Enemy Leader. Allen should have lead a quiet life back in El Paso Texas where he was born, instead of getting a bunch of young American soldiers slaughtered in the Jungles of Vietnam just because he was born to a father with Stars on his shoulders...
Military Officers supposedly study the history of warfare as to not repeat "Little Big Horns". That's exactly what the Battle of Ong Thanh was except it wasn't a battle at all. It was a senseless massacre.
Sad that Mr. Allen thought he had to follow "in his father's footsteps" or he might still be alive, playing with his grandchildren. A lot of his men probably wish he had stayed home rather than try to prove something to his father or his family name.
These are real men (both sides). Regarless of political views, it takes guts to do what both sides did. You can't blame the grunts on the frontline for being TOLD what to do. God rest the souls who perished..
It blows my mind when people make fun of US documentaries as being "biased" while unknowingly praising a US documentary that shows both sides of the story.
As an America I thank the Vietnam Veterans for their service and for fighting for my freedoms. My dad was a B-17 gunner, My number was the first year they ended the draft. I offer a prayer for the Veterans, May the Lord Jesus bless and protect you and prosper your life and give you peace and before the end comes you will choose heaven, Amen
My number was called the FIRST year they had the lottery. I didn't wait to get drafted into Army Infantry, I enlisted in the Air Force. My dad and uncle were both Seabees in WW2. Thank you for your prayers, for me and others. Why My Lord Jesus brought me back alive while 58,000+ of our contemporaries didn't... Well, I don't question that anymore, I'm just grateful. Having said that, I will be so blunt as to say, "Don't thank me for fighting for your freedoms (in Viet Nam)." Our involvement in VN was not to help anyone be free. We got involved there in the first place to help France re-establish the colonial rule over VN that it had lost during WW2. No 'domino theory' in effect or 'march of godless communism' to stop. It was to support the French war of aggression to re-take VN as a French colony. At the end, not even the French were grateful for our involvement.
Resolved White bro with all the respect your freedoms where here in USA not half the way around the world. But respect for those you fought no questions asked
Nam war, the war we'll never forget, so much men's were killed, many American and NVA soldiers, one of them was my grandfather, he was killed in the battle, miss him much but this is a war, cannot predict anything. R.I.P all
I think about what these poor guys went through and it kills me. That lieutenant clark and sergeant bud johnson should have been awarded the congressional medal of honor for their bravery and heroism. RIP to all these brave soldiers. Someone from the military should lobby on their behalf to get these medals issued even if posthumously.
The US never lost a battle of any consequence- that's what is taught. None the less, Ong Thanh was a horrible loss. I was Gen. Hay's helicopter door gunner at this time, and we were flying overhead. We got there towards the end (it only lasted about 90 mins.). When he heard over the radio that over 30 bodies were still left there, he put his head in his hands and said "dear God....". The blame goes to Col. Allen for his foolish tactics. Had he lived, he might have been stripped of command.
I don't know what are you people talking about, braveness, killing each other like animal ??? those ones than send all those brilliant young men to fight for them, are were save and sound !!! ( just for the interest of money and power), not for freedom or to free someone from misery ! I may be wrong !!! but I prefer find a way to live all together instead !!!
Daniel Corbo well it’s not that you may be wrong, but that you are wrong, ignorant, and gullible. Stay in your safe space snowflake because real men will defend your right to live as a free human.
We went over there for those countries resources, not to defend your right to live as a free human. What does going on the other side of the world have to do with that? The Vietnamese weren't coming over here attacking us. You're wrong, ignorant and gullible.
@@searchthewind99 They went to establish a democratic ally against what was perceived as a serious communist threat. Vietnam was not particularly resources rich at all.
U.S. during that time were playing the role of advisers. There were many skirmishes and firefights after that. The U.S. didn't commit "combat" troops till 65. Check out Battlefield Vietnam on here. It's an interesting piece.
Jerry Lancaster from Lebanon TN, a year younger than me. We rode the same school bus, dated the same girls and were really good friends back in high school. I was already in Nam with B company 4/503d Airborne Infantry, 173d Abn. Bde. (1967) and I didn't learn of Jerry getting killed until sometime in the 70's. Jerry was one of the 64 killed in this battle.
Exactly. That would have been strategically beneficial for us. Vietnam would be a major power countering China's aggressive military growth these days. There is still hope. It's unbelievable how forgiving the Vietnamese are toward the Americans. Nevertheless, lives were lost all because of bellicose, arrogant politicians who didn't respect history.
I was with the Black Lions as a medic. We airlifted out of Lai Khe basecamp on 8 Oct. to start our part of Operation Shenandoah II. Between the 8th and the 17th we moved our perimeter 3 times and had firefights nearly every day. We knew that something big was out there. As Jim Shelton put it, "The Beast". On the 16th we got into a major firefight and it was almost like poking an anthill. We knew there were a lot of enemy soldiers, which is why Clark Welch tried to get LTC Allen to hold up until we could get more soldiers. We were operating as a battalion (-), because ur Charlie Co. was attached to another unit and wasn't freed up until they were brought in as reinforcements on the afternoon of the 17th. LTC Allen never led a daily patrol on the ground. He was always in his command chopper, except for this day, in which he didn't want to lose out on any of the "glory". That cost us somewhere between 60-64 soldiers KIA, DoW or Missing, presumed dead, and at least another 75 wounded. It was a sad day all around.
Hi there, I was hoping you could help me- my Uncle fought in this battle and lost his life. I know it’s a long shot - but at this point - it’s worth to ask!
10:20 - that dead American soldier they are loading has a gruesome fatal head wound. I'm surprised they put that in the documentary but glad they did. I think it's important to see images like that just to get a small understanding of what our veterans and fallen soldiers have gone through
The 1st infantry is a mainstay of the Army in it's history of really getting into the "shit". Straight leggers who proved their 'stuff'' in WW2 (Omaha Beach), Korea, and 'Nam. I give them a hell of a lot of credit!
Major shelton wrote a verry good book about this battle based on his personal experiances and interviews with surviviors and army records. the loss of a Col terry allen jr and the 64 men show this engagement was a nva victory.
Thanks. I looked it up and it was an interesting read. Most of the information I have read indicates severe damage to the VC, including various statements from the NVA on damage done in 1968 and specifically under operation Phoenix. I always knew the VC continued to exist and did continue to make a contribution to the norths efforts until the end of the war, only of what significance. I'll have to keep this in mind in the future.
These type of battle make us wonder why we send our Soldiers to fight wars for other nations? Soldier died and Politicians cover-up with lies their real reasons. Thank you for sharing the video.
speaking of which i was wondering if you ever watched the Battlefield: Vietnam series? i used to watch it when it came on TV back when i was first in the army... i learned a good bit from it i also love some of the documentaries like Operation Babykiller and First Kill and i read We Were Soldiers Once, and Young which i found fascinating.
@BrodaRu The hybrid rice stocks that the US imported to South Vietnam is what grows there today. The higher yields of the hybrids allows Vietnam to export rice instead of just having enough to feeds it's own. The rice originally in use in Vietnam was virtually gone by the 70's.
yeah.. unfortunately no system is perfect because the people in it aren't perfect... or we don't agree with each other and don't help each other... to better ourselves we must first better our fellow man... all we can do is try our best for a better world
Respect from a former British Squaddie to my American brothers. Massive respect to the brave lads who never saw home again and put their lives on the line for their mates. None of this Queen and country bollocks!! It boils down to fighting for your mates not some cunt sat in a cushy office who sent you there, or the Queen. Massive respect to Lieutenant Wells, that's how a leader should act. Top man. Also respect to the Anzac lads too.
What a horrible war, I can understand completelly PTSD from the stories told here. Not only the trauma of watching gruesome injuries in other people hit you, but also the blame of surviving and not understanding why you survived while many of your own didnt. War is shit.
a political war that American's should not of been in at all!!! I'm friend's with a Vietnam Vet that got shot but He doesn't want to talk to me about it, only His War buddies that made it back like He did! I respect every Man that went threw that Evil mess of a war!!! and RIP for all the one's that didn't make it back!!!
I'm only scanning these for my grandfather.....the child of a product between two countries during the Vietnam war. I know too little about myself and my family. Kills me to watch these because he could be dead or alive.
There is an excellent book written by a veteran member of The Black Lions: Blood Trails by Christopher Ronnau, Presidio Press/ Random House Publishing Group 2006. Well worth the read... paperback... only $7.99. Available from Amazon.
I remember the battle in the newspapers. I can't dispute they guys being told not to say it was an ambush, but that was the story in the papers. I have a newspaper archival account and went back to check my memory. Headlines were "Cong Ambushes Two Companies of 1st Division" and the articles accurately described the action as a large ambush. The text read that a veteran "Cong regiment" ambushed two companies of the 1st Inf Div "41 miles north of Saigon." Even the number of dead GI's was accurately reported as well as the names of key officers that were casualties.... Allen, Holleder, etc. Some wounded GI's lived up to three weeks before dying, resulting in a total U.S. death toll of 64. I can't dispute the claim of a coverup, but it's one coverup that didn't work.
I can't answer that- I don't remember what commands were given or by who. We were right overhead, I know Gen. Hay had final say on everything- he was in heavy radio contact. But, as this video states, they were too close together for any artillery or air strikes. I do remember heavy strikes coming in some time after the battle. But not during. I also remember the pilots saying to themselves that it's too late now- they're gone.
Best pic in the chow line the boy knew it may be his last GI warm breakfast. Sure was with allan in charge. Black lions leader he was true to the bone. Loved his men, not a leave him behind attitude. Westmorland the phychopath,
@quaytoiboi Not everyone wanted the government system that Ho and Giap were putting forth. Ho didn't kill a million land owners in North Vietnam when he nationalized the land, just to lose it to the people in the south or to the French. It was either his way or death and reeducation camps. A funny point. In the 1960's, the U.S. brought in 4 hybrid types of rice. It grew faster and yielded higher than any rice types in existence in Vietnam, north or south at that time. You eat it now.
Cho tôi hỏi trận chiến này cách sân bay Lai Khê bao nhiêu Km về phía tây được không tôi có tìm kiếm vị trí trận chiến này nhiều lần có tìm thấy dấu vết của trận chiến ( đạn súng M16 , đạn M60 ) nhưng không dám chắc là trận battle Ong Thanh. Mong có ai đó trả lời giúp
It’s not fair to blame the commander for the defeat. As a troop, you can tell if your commander is not good, coward, not smart, etc. You can criticize him and have no confident in him. That’s his problem and his incompetent performance. It could be wrong to attack with limited information about the number of opponents. But who could be right all the time. He wanted to fight. Even being ambushed when faced outsmart fighter, he could counter the ambush. In this case, the front force was claymore, it’s one of the worsts. You could lost at least 10 with it instantly. Admitted it, learned expensive lesson and revenge them on next round. Just wish a better luck with your most trusted leader.
you just look up Two days in October on Netflix and you can rent the DVD!!! I did and kept watching it over and over again!!! the battle part anyway!!!
The Past is the past. In the future, I hope our world can live in peace. Discuss, but don't make conflict, my friends:D We are other generation who luckily didn't experience this war. Our duty is preventing our countries from another war, nomatter who you are, Vietnameses or Americans.
@timmyktm4773 Yes, I know. But them, I am an Aussie. Long Tan was one of the most famous Australian battles in Vietnam. But you know that. I don't think the Americans know it, though. 50,000 Soldiers from our small population is a mighty effort.
American Commanders and the powers that be didn't understand that they were fighting people on their land and against people who've been fighting a lot longing than American troops. What I never understood about Vietnam was how the hell can you have men fight for a hill, win the hill, then leave the hill? A waste of good people! It seems the best way to win a war is not to go to war.
The responsibility for killing is on those that pulled the trigger, not the men in suits that sent them there. Each soldier can make a decision to say no and not be a killing machine....If he has the character to do that
I live in the netherlands, the core idea of capitalism is rich people get richer and the poor get poorer. Communism is equelty amongst all people. You wouldve known this if youve read the communist manifest and das kapital.
Generally speaking,people have no idea how many times similar tragedies occurred in Nam,on a mostly smaller but also larger scale. I cannot,honestly cannot, number the times when real time,eyeball intel, collected, correlated,paid and receipted for always with sweat,often with blood of men who viewed their service as a calling rather than a career,examined,dissected,analysed by top flight S2s ,was ignored or ,even worse,ridiculed by the high and mighty divisional G2 or at corps level because it didn't fit the plans,ambitions and conceit of the more senior officer corps members and their joined-at-the-hip spin doctors,either in the P.R.O or political appointees running what amounted to their private war of self advancement. When political pressure or unfettered careerist ambition is applied downwards,as it nearly always is,and senseless human sacrifice, which should and could be avoided,is the coin and barter such advancement this is the terrible,irremediable and final end. When will they ever learn....when?
Americans felt the same way of war as Germans in WWII did - despair, pain, dead comrades. But theres one difference between these two powers. Germans had nothing and Amis had everything
@chickennoooo They killed people who fought for a dictatorship installed by americans. South Vietnam was a republic, U.S funded a military coup and the dictatorship on South Vietnam... A great number of VCs wasn't even communists, but they didn't wanted a totalitary government supported by foreigns. On other hand, Ho Chih Minh was fighting for Vietnam libertation years befored the rise of communist Nam. He was a very popular local fighter and that brought many ppl to their cause!
![[Limbus Company - Teaser] Season5 - Oblivion](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8anKuEeZLeI/mqdefault.jpg)
This battle was an unbelievably heart-wrenching example of pride coming before a fall.
You know, listening to these guys, one realizes that these guys are decent humans, but they were sent out to fight what I believe was a misguided war.My mother had no use for President Johnson. Its seems to me that the President only wanted to save face. When my Mom saw Johnson pick up a dog by its ears, she said, I hate that man. What a pig of a man.
My brother served in Nam.Thank God he came home unwounded, but by NO means unskaithed...his hands constantly shook, he'd wake up several times a night. Being a little sister he spoke very little to me about his experience..he did tell me he saw things he hoped to God to never see here in the states...little kids & women carrying guns trying to kill anyone that was an American. Now that I'm older I somewhat understand why that hell hole can never leave a vet's mind. God Bless ALL vet's!!!!!!!!!!
I am sorry for your brother.💔
You"re overlooking the fact that one of the main problems was that in alot of situations in Vietnam they underestimated the enemy.The US expected an easy war against an inferior enemy and inferior technology and firepower.Reality showed that the Vietnamese were dedicated,fanatical soldiers better prepared for the battle environment.And the technology and firepower,though superior,was mostly misused.Add a high rate of friendly fire and lack of soldiers motivation to the mix and there you have it.
I like that the video had the perspective of both sides. Very well done
James Shelton, who appears in this video as Major Shelton, went on to achieve the rank of Brigadier General. He died in 2018, but not before living one heck of a full life. He wrote his own book on the Battle of Ong Thanh entitled “The Beast was Out There”. I had the privilege of meeting “Duke” Shelton in 2012, and he gave me an autographed copy of his book. It was an honor.
I have to be honest. At one time I felt hate and scorn for the Americans. Hate for going to a nation to fight a war that did not have to be. The people of Vietnam could sort out their own troubles. The conflict was brought on by a lie. President Johnson and Mcnamarra were a couple of monsters. Watching this video shows that the guys in this battle, both sides were good people. The American and North Vietmanise are men of character. I have met Americans that come up to Canada for work in the oilfield. These are nice respectful guys and it breaks my heart that people of power in Washington DC go about the world looking for trouble, where there is no trouble. Look at the lies that are going on right now in Ukraine. Biden and his bunch want to save face at the worlds expense. If I was Mr Putin, I would have done the same as he is doing. I pray that this war is concluded by Russia and the United States admits that it was wrong.
@@richardpluim4426Three words Military Industrial Complex . These clowns are going to get us into a nuclear war. I'm so tired of hearing "Russia Russia Russia". The Russians haven't done a damn thing to us.
RIP to our American brothers from the 🇬🇧 and RIP to the people of Vietnam. It was a tragedy to all involved 😔.
Tôi là người Việt Nam tôi tự hào và nhớ ơn những người anh hùng đã chết cho hoà bình và độc lập, tự do của đất nước. Chúng tôi yêu hoà bình nhưng chưa bao giờ sợ chiến tranh. Bất kỳ kẻ thu nào đến sâm lược Việt Nam thì người Việt Nam sẽ chiến đấu và nguyện hi sinh vì đất Nước. Tôi yêu hoa bình, tự do. Yêu đất nước tôi và yêu các bạn những người bạn của Việt Nam. ❤
I dont know what you are saying, but from me....God bless the people of Vietnam.
thank you to all who served and risked their lives - you did not reason why but did your duty - God bless.
Nothing but absolute respect for our veterans and active service members. It wouldn't be America without you guys.
War is Hell at the best of times. RIP fine soldiers. Such a Powerful story from the men who survived the battle. Thanks for posting
Lt. Colonel Terry Allen in 1967 was a lot like General Custer at the Little Big Horn. He was amazed that "savages" could whip a modern US Army Unit in open battle. He marched his Companies into a clear defeat through his arrogance. Dying in battle was the only thing that allowed him to die a "Hero". Had he lived he should have been drummed out of the Army. Being born the son of a General is a lot different than being a Born Leader of men. It was an accident of birth that put his men in jeopardy and cost him his own life. I actually wouldn't be surprised if the bullet that killed him came from an American rifle. Young enlisted men will kill, or die for their comrades. Killing an Incompetent Leader will save your comrades just as much as killing a Competent Enemy Leader. Allen should have lead a quiet life back in El Paso Texas where he was born, instead of getting a bunch of young American soldiers slaughtered in the Jungles of Vietnam just because he was born to a father with Stars on his shoulders...
Military Officers supposedly study the history of warfare as to not repeat "Little Big Horns". That's exactly what the Battle of Ong Thanh was except it wasn't a battle at all. It was a senseless massacre.
Try that
Sad that Mr. Allen thought he had to follow "in his father's footsteps" or he might still be alive, playing with his grandchildren. A lot of his men probably wish he had stayed home rather than try to prove something to his father or his family name.
Cut him some slack. The guy died for his country. RIP.
rmwtsou “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.” - George S. Patton
Respect for them who was killed in action only to save their comrades!
From the Netherlands.
Thank You for your service sir.
These are real men (both sides). Regarless of political views, it takes guts to do what both sides did. You can't blame the grunts on the frontline for being TOLD what to do. God rest the souls who perished..
It blows my mind when people make fun of US documentaries as being "biased" while unknowingly praising a US documentary that shows both sides of the story.
As an America I thank the Vietnam Veterans for their service and for fighting for my freedoms. My dad was a B-17 gunner, My number was the first year they ended the draft. I offer a prayer for the Veterans, May the Lord Jesus bless and protect you and prosper your life and give you peace and before the end comes you will choose heaven, Amen
My number was called the FIRST year they had the lottery. I didn't wait to get drafted into Army Infantry, I enlisted in the Air Force. My dad and uncle were both Seabees in WW2. Thank you for your prayers, for me and others. Why My Lord Jesus brought me back alive while 58,000+ of our contemporaries didn't... Well, I don't question that anymore, I'm just grateful.
Having said that, I will be so blunt as to say, "Don't thank me for fighting for your freedoms (in Viet Nam)." Our involvement in VN was not to help anyone be free. We got involved there in the first place to help France re-establish the colonial rule over VN that it had lost during WW2. No 'domino theory' in effect or 'march of godless communism' to stop. It was to support the French war of aggression to re-take VN as a French colony. At the end, not even the French were grateful for our involvement.
nick nice fuck you
Resolved White bro with all the respect your freedoms where here in USA not half the way around the world. But respect for those you fought no questions asked
+4y6857...Welcome home
TY
Nam war, the war we'll never forget, so much men's were killed, many American and NVA soldiers, one of them was my grandfather, he was killed in the battle, miss him much but this is a war, cannot predict anything. R.I.P all
I think about what these poor guys went through and it kills me. That lieutenant clark and sergeant bud johnson should have been awarded the congressional medal of honor for their bravery and heroism. RIP to all these brave soldiers. Someone from the military should lobby on their behalf to get these medals issued even if posthumously.
The US never lost a battle of any consequence- that's what is taught. None the less, Ong Thanh was a horrible loss. I was Gen. Hay's helicopter door gunner at this time, and we were flying overhead. We got there towards the end (it only lasted about 90 mins.). When he heard over the radio that over 30 bodies were still left there, he put his head in his hands and said "dear God....". The blame goes to Col. Allen for his foolish tactics. Had he lived, he might have been stripped of command.
I don't know what are you people talking about, braveness, killing each other like animal ??? those ones than send all those brilliant young men to fight for them, are were save and sound !!! ( just for the interest of money and power), not for freedom or to free someone from misery ! I may be wrong !!! but I prefer find a way to live all together instead !!!
Daniel Corbo well it’s not that you may be wrong, but that you are wrong, ignorant, and gullible. Stay in your safe space snowflake because real men will defend your right to live as a free human.
We went over there for those countries resources, not to defend your right to live as a free human. What does going on the other side of the world have to do with that? The Vietnamese weren't coming over here attacking us. You're wrong, ignorant and gullible.
@@searchthewind99 They went to establish a democratic ally against what was perceived as a serious communist threat. Vietnam was not particularly resources rich at all.
@@Roadglide911 well said now i dont have to type love this country ot leave it.
“Varus varus give me back my legions!” Springs to mind 😪
I have to write a paper about ur video. Thanks you so much!
U.S. during that time were playing the role of advisers. There were many skirmishes and firefights after that. The U.S. didn't commit "combat" troops till 65. Check out Battlefield Vietnam on here. It's an interesting piece.
Jerry Lancaster from Lebanon TN, a year younger than me. We rode the same school bus, dated the same girls and were really good friends back in high school. I was already in Nam with B company 4/503d Airborne Infantry, 173d Abn. Bde. (1967) and I didn't learn of Jerry getting killed until sometime in the 70's. Jerry was one of the 64 killed in this battle.
The Vietnamese people had centuries of warfare before the U.S invasion.
Exactly. That would have been strategically beneficial for us. Vietnam would be a major power countering China's aggressive military growth these days. There is still hope. It's unbelievable how forgiving the Vietnamese are toward the Americans. Nevertheless, lives were lost all because of bellicose, arrogant politicians who didn't respect history.
Respect for the dead...Let all wounds be healed....
I was with the Black Lions as a medic. We airlifted out of Lai Khe basecamp on 8 Oct. to start our part of Operation Shenandoah II. Between the 8th and the 17th we moved our perimeter 3 times and had firefights nearly every day. We knew that something big was out there. As Jim Shelton put it, "The Beast". On the 16th we got into a major firefight and it was almost like poking an anthill. We knew there were a lot of enemy soldiers, which is why Clark Welch tried to get LTC Allen to hold up until we could get more soldiers. We were operating as a battalion (-), because ur Charlie Co. was attached to another unit and wasn't freed up until they were brought in as reinforcements on the afternoon of the 17th. LTC Allen never led a daily patrol on the ground. He was always in his command chopper, except for this day, in which he didn't want to lose out on any of the "glory". That cost us somewhere between 60-64 soldiers KIA, DoW or Missing, presumed dead, and at least another 75 wounded. It was a sad day all around.
I think he was paralyzed with grief because he wife abandoned him at home and he couldn't think very clearly.
Hi there, I was hoping you could help me- my Uncle fought in this battle and lost his life. I know it’s a long shot - but at this point - it’s worth to ask!
10:20 - that dead American soldier they are loading has a gruesome fatal head wound. I'm surprised they put that in the documentary but glad they did. I think it's important to see images like that just to get a small understanding of what our veterans and fallen soldiers have gone through
The 1st infantry is a mainstay of the Army in it's history of really getting into the "shit". Straight leggers who proved their 'stuff'' in WW2 (Omaha Beach), Korea, and 'Nam. I give them a hell of a lot of credit!
Vietnam vets are all hero's......... you men got shit on by our government. Much respect to all that served. Ron, USMC retired
Major shelton wrote a verry good book about this battle based on his personal experiances and interviews with surviviors and army records. the loss of a Col terry allen jr and the 64 men show this engagement was a nva victory.
Thanks. I looked it up and it was an interesting read. Most of the information I have read indicates severe damage to the VC, including various statements from the NVA on damage done in 1968 and specifically under operation Phoenix. I always knew the VC continued to exist and did continue to make a contribution to the norths efforts until the end of the war, only of what significance. I'll have to keep this in mind in the future.
These type of battle make us wonder why we send our Soldiers to fight wars for other nations? Soldier died and Politicians cover-up with lies their real reasons. Thank you for sharing the video.
speaking of which i was wondering if you ever watched the Battlefield: Vietnam series? i used to watch it when it came on TV back when i was first in the army... i learned a good bit from it i also love some of the documentaries like Operation Babykiller and First Kill and i read We Were Soldiers Once, and Young which i found fascinating.
Is the old DAT audio that plays from that actual day?
@BrodaRu The hybrid rice stocks that the US imported to South Vietnam is what grows there today. The higher yields of the hybrids allows Vietnam to export rice instead of just having enough to feeds it's own. The rice originally in use in Vietnam was virtually gone by the 70's.
yeah.. unfortunately no system is perfect because the people in it aren't perfect... or we don't agree with each other and don't help each other... to better ourselves we must first better our fellow man... all we can do is try our best for a better world
This is a kind depiction of this battle.
Where is the sound? There is no sound...
Respect from a former British Squaddie to my American brothers. Massive respect to the brave lads who never saw home again and put their lives on the line for their mates. None of this Queen and country bollocks!! It boils down to fighting for your mates not some cunt sat in a cushy office who sent you there, or the Queen. Massive respect to Lieutenant Wells, that's how a leader should act. Top man. Also respect to the Anzac lads too.
What a horrible war, I can understand completelly PTSD from the stories told here. Not only the trauma of watching gruesome injuries in other people hit you, but also the blame of surviving and not understanding why you survived while many of your own didnt. War is shit.
a political war that American's should not of been in at all!!! I'm friend's with a Vietnam Vet that got shot but He doesn't want to talk to me about it, only His War buddies that made it back like He did! I respect every Man that went threw that Evil mess of a war!!! and RIP for all the one's that didn't make it back!!!
I'm only scanning these for my grandfather.....the child of a product between two countries during the Vietnam war. I know too little about myself and my family. Kills me to watch these because he could be dead or alive.
There is an excellent book written by a veteran member of The Black Lions: Blood Trails by Christopher Ronnau, Presidio Press/ Random House Publishing Group 2006. Well worth the read... paperback... only $7.99. Available from Amazon.
I remember the battle in the newspapers. I can't dispute they guys being told not to say it was an ambush, but that was the story in the papers. I have a newspaper archival account and went back to check my memory. Headlines were "Cong Ambushes Two Companies of 1st Division" and the articles accurately described the action as a large ambush. The text read that a veteran "Cong regiment" ambushed two companies of the 1st Inf Div "41 miles north of Saigon." Even the number of dead GI's was accurately reported as well as the names of key officers that were casualties.... Allen, Holleder, etc. Some wounded GI's lived up to three weeks before dying, resulting in a total U.S. death toll of 64. I can't dispute the claim of a coverup, but it's one coverup that didn't work.
Việt Nam ơi Cố lên nào!!!! Việt Nam muôn năm!!!!!
Were they using wool sleeping bag liners as body bags??????
Everybody is gangster untill the trees are moving
Love and respect to all these men
Nice I enjoyed of Vietnam war
That was Westmorelands strategy.The men were the bait for the air, artillery.
I can't answer that- I don't remember what commands were given or by who. We were right overhead, I know Gen. Hay had final say on everything- he was in heavy radio contact. But, as this video states, they were too close together for any artillery or air strikes. I do remember heavy strikes coming in some time after the battle. But not during. I also remember the pilots saying to themselves that it's too late now- they're gone.
Best pic in the chow line the boy knew it may be his last GI warm breakfast. Sure was with allan in charge. Black lions leader he was true to the bone. Loved his men, not a leave him behind attitude. Westmorland the phychopath,
My grandma almost died and she survive with my mom and my grandpa even my family in vietnam
well said Randy
Custer's last stand is it?
Im sure my glad my Dad never had to go there. I was 4 in 1967.
Yes, the VC did launch a bloody 10 day mini TET in May of 68. 6 of the 13 NLF battalians were decimated. Myth?
@quaytoiboi Not everyone wanted the government system that Ho and Giap were putting forth. Ho didn't kill a million land owners in North Vietnam when he nationalized the land, just to lose it to the people in the south or to the French. It was either his way or death and reeducation camps. A funny point. In the 1960's, the U.S. brought in 4 hybrid types of rice. It grew faster and yielded higher than any rice types in existence in Vietnam, north or south at that time. You eat it now.
Cho tôi hỏi trận chiến này cách sân bay Lai Khê bao nhiêu Km về phía tây được không tôi có tìm kiếm vị trí trận chiến này nhiều lần có tìm thấy dấu vết của trận chiến ( đạn súng M16 , đạn M60 ) nhưng không dám chắc là trận battle Ong Thanh. Mong có ai đó trả lời giúp
Khoảng mười dặm về phía tây bắc của Lai Khê từ những gì tôi có thể nói. Bạn đang rất đẹp bằng cách này.
It’s not fair to blame the commander for the defeat. As a troop, you can tell if your commander is not good, coward, not smart, etc. You can criticize him and have no confident in him. That’s his problem and his incompetent performance.
It could be wrong to attack with limited information about the number of opponents. But who could be right all the time. He wanted to fight. Even being ambushed when faced outsmart fighter, he could counter the ambush. In this case, the front force was claymore, it’s one of the worsts. You could lost at least 10 with it instantly. Admitted it, learned expensive lesson and revenge them on next round. Just wish a better luck with your most trusted leader.
I'm trying not to hurt fellings but this war was visions
what show is this from?
PBS American Experience x Two Days in October
you just look up Two days in October on Netflix and you can rent the DVD!!! I did and kept watching it over and over again!!! the battle part anyway!!!
Shane Dahlke
can't find it
Two Days in October the American experience, type that in!
Shane Dahlke
i see everything but nam
They Marched Into Sunlight.
@quaytoiboi You do realize that the NVA were invading South Vietnam, and they killed civilians and destroyed their homeland?
Inboxing is fine. I like talking about this particular war though.
Im glad I never played a part in that strategy.
The Past is the past. In the future, I hope our world can live in peace. Discuss, but don't make conflict, my friends:D We are other generation who luckily didn't experience this war. Our duty is preventing our countries from another war, nomatter who you are, Vietnameses or Americans.
@timmyktm4773 Yes, I know. But them, I am an Aussie. Long Tan was one of the most famous Australian battles in Vietnam. But you know that. I don't think the Americans know it, though. 50,000 Soldiers from our small population is a mighty effort.
American Commanders and the powers that be didn't understand that they were fighting people on their land and against people who've been fighting a lot longing than American troops. What I never understood about Vietnam was how the hell can you have men fight for a hill, win the hill, then leave the hill? A waste of good people! It seems the best way to win a war is not to go to war.
Its like the massacre at LZ Albany. Must have been horrific.
No it was January 3, 1963. That happened before America committed ground troops which was in 65 man.
The responsibility for killing is on those that pulled the trigger, not the men in suits that sent them there. Each soldier can make a decision to say no and not be a killing machine....If he has the character to do that
My Hero is Vo Nguyen Giap...
Search and destroy. We searched, and they destroyed us.
I live in the netherlands, the core idea of capitalism is rich people get richer and the poor get poorer. Communism is equelty amongst all people. You wouldve known this if youve read the communist manifest and das kapital.
The book about the battle is called the beast was out there battle of ong than
tour ! life ! a team !
because the south asked us to.not to hard to figure out.have you ever even talked to a vietnam vet?
Amen to that sir.
Generally speaking,people have no idea how many times similar tragedies occurred in Nam,on a mostly smaller but also larger scale.
I cannot,honestly cannot, number the times when real time,eyeball intel, collected, correlated,paid and receipted for always with sweat,often with blood of men who viewed their service as a calling rather than a career,examined,dissected,analysed by top flight S2s ,was ignored or ,even worse,ridiculed by the high and mighty divisional G2 or at corps level because it didn't fit the plans,ambitions and conceit of the more senior officer corps members and their joined-at-the-hip spin doctors,either in the P.R.O or political appointees running what amounted to their private war of self advancement.
When political pressure or unfettered careerist ambition is applied downwards,as it nearly always is,and senseless human sacrifice, which should and could be avoided,is the coin and barter such advancement this is the terrible,irremediable and final end.
When will they ever learn....when?
no actually it was in 1967 June the 19th I believe.
i hear u bud you can prolly teach me some stuff bout vietnam i m kinda shaky when it comes to EXACT dates and details ya know...
What's up, Ho Chi Minh?
Americans felt the same way of war as Germans in WWII did - despair, pain, dead comrades. But theres one difference between these two powers. Germans had nothing and Amis had everything
Ok, thank you. I wasn't sure who had called for a frontal assault. Sounds like he did.
Black Lions, Black Lions!
@chickennoooo They killed people who fought for a dictatorship installed by americans. South Vietnam was a republic, U.S funded a military coup and the dictatorship on South Vietnam... A great number of VCs wasn't even communists, but they didn't wanted a totalitary government supported by foreigns.
On other hand, Ho Chih Minh was fighting for Vietnam libertation years befored the rise of communist Nam. He was a very popular local fighter and that brought many ppl to their cause!
All marching to an ambush.
+takitimu08 Lolol!
+Jon Jukes real funny
Sacred Synth - But it was an ambush
i cant image anything worse than seeing all of your friends dead. god bless all the soldiers that serve thank you for your service
Really? I wouldn't have said that if the person I replied to said what he said
Vietsub ?
then who were the righteous and who were the oppressors?
Who went into who's country you dumb dumb?
...and here I thought the US never lost a land battle......as is taught to most growing up in the US!
i'll have to check it out.
Fair game !
not really. that's just your opinion.
@quaytoiboi Yeah, you are totally RIGHT
@realityright google translate ?