Attacks on MACV

nighthawk
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 138
(7/25/01 2:50:35 pm)
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Except for an attempt during Tet '68, there was very few attempts by the VC to attack, by ground, the HQ, MACV compound. There were a few times that sporadic fire was received, but usually it amounted to a few rounds fired, then the culprits would fade away into the city. At least it was this way while I was there. We had received "hostile fire" perhaps 3 or 4 times while I was there.
The local VC did seem to enjoy throwing a few rockets toward Tan Son Nhut Air Base on occasion. It appeared the gunners for the local VC unit were not very accurate, therefore, there was always the possibility of a stray round. I always wondered why the communist did not make a more determined effort to hit the complex and elimanite our higher command structure. It was felt at that time the MACV compound was much safer than the US Embassy.

As a foot note, do any of you "Brown Navy" personnel have any knowledge of a rocket attack on the RVN Navy yards, Saigon river, near To-do Street, Saigon? If my memeory serves me, it was around the end of April, 69, but I may be mistaken, as far as the date goes. Sometime around there anyway, a friend from Long Bien had come to visit and we were out on the town, staying the night at a hotel on the river, just enjoying the "hospitality" of the local populus and getting drunk. The next morning, my friend Bob had just got up, and went to open the shutters (remember those wooden shutters?). Just as he pushed the shutters open, a round hit the dock area where the boats were docked. (too near for my taste). The blast slammed the shutters right back into his face, leaving him with a few splinters in his cheeks (and a stain in his drawers, I believe). We immedietly "ditty maued" from that place and returned to the compound, where upon, he caught the first bus back to Long Bien. He said that there were just too many Vietnamese in the city (don't know what or who he expected to be in the city) to be comfortable, so he would stay on Long Bien, "which was almost like back in the world" (his words, not mine). I had a good laugh about it, for not long after that, I heard the ammo dump there had been blown up. Don't know how accurate that was either.

Rumours were the major entertainment of the war, I believe.

Stan H,,,aka nighthawk

Edited by: nighthawk at: 7/26/01 1:05:11 pm

LarryJK
Senior Chief Moderator III
Posts: 441
(7/27/01 6:53:17 am)
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The ammo dump at Long Bien was blown shortly before I got there(Mar 68) . I don't recall it blowing while I was there...but that don't mean it didn't.

Edited by: Indybear57 at: 7/27/01 10:35:37 am

Tac401
Administrator
Posts: 1064
(7/27/01 3:09:58 pm)
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ezSupporter
Re: Attacks on MACV
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Good story!

JD
The Firearms Forum Vietnam Memories Bulletin Board Contact Administrator

nighthawk
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 147
(7/27/01 4:04:39 pm)
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Larry
Not sure about the ammo dump story,,,just something we had heard,,,you know rumours in the Army,,, would take your word for fact.