Losing Vietnam: How America Abandoned Southeast Asia

Appendix D

Appendix D Excerpted Entries from a Mekong Convoy SITREP In January 1975 the KC positioned forty battalions to interdict the Lower Mekong. They were assisted by several NVA/VC battalions. The communists successfully occupied both banks of the Mekong at several of the narrows. Thus, for the first time Mekong convoys were required to run a gauntlet of fire from many KC positions throughout most of the length of the river in Cambodian territory. The following excerpts of a SITREP provide pertinent details concerning the transit of convoy TP-113 (TP was the nomenclature for northbound convoys, Tan Chau to Phnom Penh, and PT was for the southbound convoys). On 28 January 1975 the first large convoy (consisting of eleven vessels—two ammo barges, three rice coasters, and four POL ships) attempted to transit the interdicted Mekong. The rice and POL vessels with their bulky profiles were very vulnerable. MEKONG CONVOY TP 113 1. The vessels making up TP-113 have arrived at An Long/ Tan Chau from Vung Tau and Phnom Penh. As matters now stand the convoy makeup will be as follows: A. AMMO: Barge 192-1 1400 S/T Barge L-44 1231 S/T Four tugs will be used for ammo and will probably be Saigon 240, Timberjack, Asiatic Trust and Asiatic Stamina. SITREP No. 1 281130Z 350 Appendix D B. RICE: Port Sun II 1650 M/T Port Sun III 1800 M/T Barge 201-67 1661 M/T Barge 201-68 1642 M/T Wah An 1652 M/T Tung Lee 1800 M/T Four tugs will pull the rice barges. They will be Geronimo, Hawkeye, Buckeye, and Wolverine. C. POL: Boo Heung 7 1200 C/M Han Seung 2 1600 C/M Han Seung 7 1582 C/M Vira IV 1600 C/M D. SALT: Adriana 1800 M/T 2. The Vira IV is still steaming and should arrive 290500G. If so it will join the convoy. The Adrian is aground in the Mekong. It should arrive prior to convoy departure. It will not sail if the Wah An and Tung Lee are at Tan Chau. They have refused to sail twice previously. USAID rep is talking with them now. 3. Weather is now a problem. Convoy is scheduled to cross the border at 290600G. At that time ceiling will be 2500 feet, visibility 2-1/2 miles and there will be ground fog. By 0900 when convoy reaches Peam Reang Island ceiling will have risen to 3500 feet allowing Khmer Air Force coverage. If the convoy is delayed in crossing they will reach Neak Luong in the dark. The area 3 km south of Neak Luong has seen the most intense fire to date from both sides of the river. FANK wants to transit this area in daylight so that Khmer Air Force and artillery can suppress fire. 4. The maximum convoy size is 12 vessels/barges. It will be protected by 19 MNK vessels. This is larger than the game plan originally called for because of recent intelligence concerning tactical situation around Phnom Penh. It is probable that several vessels will not sail. Appendix D 351 5. Current tactics are to sail the ammo vessels, which are well protected by shield barges, first and to follow with the rice and POL vessels. If enemy fires on ammo barges then Khmer Air Force and artillery will strike positions in preparation for the less protected and possibly more vulnerable cargo vessels. Lack of fire on PT-112 this morning indicates perhaps KC ammo is running low. 1. Reference first SITREP. The Wah An sailed with the convoy. The Tung Lee refused to sail. The Adriana is still aground in Southern Mekong. The Vira 4 arrived at An Long 0500G and is clearing customs. It is scheduled to join the convoy. Therefore, there are two ammo barges; two rice barges; three rice coasters; three POL ships definite and possibly four. 2. The convoy was made up and proceeding well with a scheduled border crossing at 290800G. At the last moment the crew of the Asiatic Trust, SEAPAC contract, pulling an ammo barge refused to sail. The tug turned around and steamed independently back to An Long where another crew has been put aboard and the Asiatic Trust is now steaming north to the border. Convoy remains at border awaiting Asiatic Trust. This has postponed border crossing until approximately 1030G. 1. The Port...