Amphibious Operation
                       Deckhouse V, Song Than 1/67

                                                                                         Written by: Colonel Ton That Soan

During the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese Marine units performed several amphibious operations on a number of targets, but of these, only Operation Deckhouse V Song Than 1/66 had all the characteristics and features of a textbook Amphibious Operation. It took place at Thanh Phu Island, Kien Hoa Province. It was carried out exactly as the US Marine Corps (the most sophisticated elite unit in the world) would have done.

Preparation

In January 1967, I, Lieutenant Colonel Ton That Soan, Commander of Marine Task Force B, with Major Do Ky of G3 and two American advisers received orders to leave Saigon and to go to Subic Bay in the Philippines. There they were to organize amphibious operations for the Vietnamese Marine Task Force.

Boarding a special US Military aircraft, the four person team was flown to Manilla. A helicopter airlifted us from the airport to the US Embassy, where the American advisers assured us smooth entry. An hour later, we were on our way to Subic Naval Base. From there, we went out to the Flagship anchored in the bay. We were to meet the Amphibious Operation Staff, commanded by a 1-star general of the US navy.

As soon as we stepped aboard, we were welcomed by a naval ceremony. A siren wailed and a voice boomed over the megaphone:

“The Commander of the Vietnamese Marine Special Task Force... welcome aboard!”

Our team stopped, stood at attention, and saluted the flag. We continued to walk along the deck as the siren continued to wail, informing all sailors on board that there were visitors.

An officer led the team to the General in charge of the Amphibious Operation and the commanding Colonel of the Flagship. We were also introduced to other Staff Officers in readiness for the next day's work. Accommodation was provided for us on board the Flagship.

Every detail of the Operation had to be planned meticulously. Our training in AWS courses in Quantico, USA, was to serve us well.

The Vietnamese Marine Task Force B:
Task Force Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Ton That Soan

Participating Marine Battalions:
- 3rd Marine Battalion, commanded by Major Nguyen The Luong
- 4th Marine Battalion, commanded by  Major Nguyen Thanh Tri
- 6th Marine Battalion, commanded by  Major Pham Van Chung

- 105 m/m Battery B, commanded by 1st Lieutenant Dang Ba Dat, Capt. Richard M. Cavagnol was CoVan

Supporting Units

The US special Amphibious Force was to supply ships for transportation of troops from Vung Tau to the operation site in Kien Hoa. US amphibious crafts were to transport Vietnamese Marine Companies to the landing zones. From there, US helicopters were to airlift the Marines further inland. Naval Guns and aircrafts were to supply fire support if need be.

Area of Operation

The Communist Sanctuary of Thanh Phong, on Thanh Phu Island off Kien Hoa Province. The sparsely populated area was within IV Corps. The terrain was laced with rivers and canals, and dreadfully swampy. Making the most of the inaccessible terrain, the VC had established many military factories, logistic dumps and garrisons there. Lacking supporting units, IV Corps rarely attempted to launch an attack on the enemy.

Co-ordination

After 5 days of co-ordination amongst the staff, the preparation for Operation Deckhouse V, Song Than 1/67 was finished. Detail sheets, especially those outlining troop deployment were distributed to the Vietnamese Marine Battalion and the Staff on the USS Vancouver and Henrico. The sheets detailed the landings that would be carried out by the LCM and LCVP (small crafts that were to carrying individual platoons from ship to shore). There were also sheets outlining helicopter flights in-land.

Sea Travel from Subic Bay to Vung Tau

The Fleet of the Special Amphibious Task Force, composed of 25 ships, left Subic Military Base for Vung Tau, where the Marine Task Force was to be picked up.

The fleet was composed of

The Flagship, which carried the Special Amphibious Task Force Staff
Two big troop transporting ships: Vancouver and Henrico.
Helicopter transporting ships: LPH
The Fuel Ships
The Food Ships
The Ammunition Ships
Minesweepers
Escorts
Patrol ships.

The Henrico, according to US naval terminology was a LPD - a Landing Personnel Deck. In addition to its crew, the ship had many levels that enabled it to transport 1500 riflemen with enough food supplies and facilities for days at sea. The hull had enough room to house small craft units such as the LCM's and the LCVPs. The Marines were to board the small craft units. When the mother ship opened the doors of its hull, the incoming seawater would enable the crafts to move out into open water.

Progress

According to plan, the Fleet reached Vung Tau on D+7 and anchored out in the open sea. Only the Henrico and Vancouver approached the front beach of Vung Tau. The Marine Task Force Staff and the Battalions 3, 4 and 6 were already prepared at Bai Dua. They boarded the US Navy LCUs from Alaska Pier, and waited for night to fall to be transported to the big ships. The Marine Task Force Staff, the 4th Marine Battalion and two companies of the 6th Marine Battalion boarded Henrico. The 3rd Marine Battalion and 2 other companies of the 6th Marine Battalion boarded Vancouver.

The Landing...

The boarding was carried out in a neat and orderly manner as planned. On day D+8, the fleet left Vung Tau and sailed to Kien Hoa. It was intended that on D+10, the Marines would land. Unfortunately, the weather changed suddenly. The sea was very choppy and a fog had settled over the watery expanse. It was totally unsuitable for an amphibious operation. The Fleet was forced to bide its time in the open sea. Seven days later, on D+15, the landing was performed.

The Wait

The US Marines, always had a daily routine to adhere to during days when they had to wait. Apart form meals, sleep, rest and recreation, they had to take part in drills, exercise, cleaning and inspection, maintenance of weapons etc... The Vietnamese spent the waiting period, scaling net ladders. They also practised going into the LCM and LCVP in an orderly manner. This was the first time the Vietnamese Marines had ever been aboard a US ship. Except for the officers who had studied at Quantico in the USA, everyone was unaccustomed to life at sea. The officers occupied the middle deck of the ship, where they were least likely to suffer from sea sickness. The troops below suffered dreadfully from the ship's motion. For the first few days, everyone was very excited, and fell into American food with a vengeance. But after a few days, they went back to their staple of cooked rice and soy sauce. The catering officer was very offended with the large quantities of untouched food!

The ships were huge, and it was very easy to get lost on the way to and from the PX. Many young Vietnamese were unfamiliar with the facilities. One of the humorous sights was that of a long queue of hungry young men waiting to wash-up before mess. Such blockage was generally due to the fact that the guy at the front had no idea how to turn the tap on! Amused crew members would then come up and step on a button somewhere beneath the basin and ease the congestion in the corridors. Everyone found the experience on board very interesting, if not educational.

Visits from the two Commanders

On day D+15, the weather cleared. The Special Landing Force decided to proceed with the landing. Before the scheduled time, General Green, the 4-star Commandant of the US Marine Corps and Lieutenant General Le Nguyen Khang, the Commandant of the Vietnamese Marine Corps, flew out to the Henrico by helicopter to inspect the troops. General Green praised the bravery of the Vietnamese Marine Corps, which was now thoroughly trained and well-equipped. He then bid all units victory in Operation Deck House V.

The Landing on D+15

The 4th Marine Battalion issued forth from the belly of the Henrico aboard the landing crafts. Ten small crafts completed the first wave, each carrying a platoon.

The second wave used ten LCVPs, each also carrying a platoon. The final wave of LCMs carried the rest and the Marine Task Force B staff ashore.

The landing was accomplished at 9.00am and had met with no enemy resistance.

The 6th Marine Brigade was airlifted by helicopters at 9.00am to the north of the target to block the retreat of the enemy. They met with no confrontation.

The 3rd Marine Battalion was airlifted near two important targets deeper inland to the west of where the 4th Battalion had landed. No resisting force was met.

The Alpha and Bravo Groups of the 3rd Battalion invaded their targets. Only a few well-camouflaged huts were discovered.

Meanwhile, the Marine Task Force B Commander flew in a Command and Control Helicopter, escorted by two helicopter gunship to oversee the operation.

The Alpha and Bravo Groups of the 4th Marine Battalion searched for targets along the seashore. On the first day, they discovered an enemy Military Engine factory hidden amongst the water coconut forest. The equipment was rudimentary.

All units took control of their targets, and Phase 1 was completed without confronting enemy resistance.

Advancing...

Phase 2 took place on D+16 to D+18. The advancement was carried out as follows:

Alpha and Bravo Groups of the 3rd Battalion covered the left flank. The 6th Marine Battalion and the Task Force Staff were in the centre, protected by the 4th Marine Battalion on the right flanc. All units moved in parallel formation northwards in a Search and Destroy mission. The area of operation was 10km by 20km. The terrain was incredibly swampy, and progress was slow. In order to cross the rivers and streams, the Marines had to make a raft out of their ponchos or swing across ropes tended across the rivers. During ebb tide, the currents in the rivers and canals swirled furiously. It was dangerous to cross the wide canals. The 4th Battalion lost one of its men during a crossing. He was washed downstream by the strong current, and was drowned. To quicken the progress, the Marine Brigade organized for helicopters to transport troops over the more dangerous rivers.

Well into the area of operation, the Marines came across scattered huts amongst rice paddies. The inhabitants were mostly the elderly, who were very unwilling to disclose the whereabouts of their young folk. They gave vague answers the questions that were put to them. The most talkative of them merely said: “I haven't seen a soldier of the South for more than a decade.”

Along the seashore, where the 4th Battalion was searching, two more Communist Military Engine factories were found. Here, they had manufactured grenades, mines, and booby traps. The 4th Marine Battalion destroyed everything, including two 61mm mortars. There was no fighting.

Leaving the Area of Operation: D+19

The Task Force received orders to end the operation.

The 4th Marine battalion was airlifted from the area of operation back to the ships which then took them to Vung Tau. They landed at the Front Beach of Vung Tau, and spent R &R at base Camp Hoang Hoa Tham before embarking on another operation.

The Marine Task Force staff and the 3rd and 6th Battalions marched to a gathering point near Thanh Phu District. From there, they were transported back to their Base Camps in Saigon and Thu Duc.

Assessment Of Operation Deckhouse V, Song Than 1/67

Although the operation did not achieve any remarkable victory or gain any notable results, it was worth while in that:

1. It was the only amphibious operation carried out by the Vietnamese Task Force that had all the criteria of a modern amphibious operation, as outlined by the US Marine Corps.

2. Commanders and Staff had the opportunity of coordinating and planning an authentic landing.

3. All Marine battalions had the opportunity of learning many interesting things, and acquiring skills such rope ladder climbing, landing via modern landing crafts. It offered officers the chance of putting an amphibious operation to effect.

4. We demonstrated to the enemy that there was no unreachable haven in which they could retreat. The bivalent elite troops of the Vietnamese Marine Corps was capable of infiltrating into their very enclaves.