Existing comment:
US Armor Makes an Impression:
In spite of their small numbers, the few armored units that did arrive in Vietnam soon demonstrated their effectiveness. In November 1965, M113s from the 1st Infantry Division's cavalry squadron repulsed a series of guerrilla attacks near the village of Ap Bau Bang. The squadron received fire from mortars, recoilless rifles, and automatic weapons, yet still inflicted substantial losses on the Viet Cong attackers. The squadron lost five vehicles, but had few casualties. This action served to illustrate the potential effectiveness of mounted units and it gained the attention of senior leaders. |