MRF Summary Report - July 1967
MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE SUMMARY
ComRivFlotOne / ComRivSuppron - Seven
Command History
July 1967
A significant new capability has been added to the ever-expanding horizons of
the Mobile Riverine Force. On 4 July an H-23 helicopter landed and took off from the first
ATC(H) - an ATC with a helo platform mounted over the well deck. The helo platform,
designed by ComRivFlot One and Mr. Sheppard, NOL White Oak, constructed locally by USS
Askari (ARL-30) is portable and can be mounted on any ATC of the MRF. On 5 July an HU-1D
helo successfully completed 3 landings and takeoffs from the flight deck of the ATC(H).
The ability of the ATC(H) to operate the HU-1D greatly expands the MRF capability for
command and control, personnel transfer, reaction force lift, resupply, liaison in the
field and MEDEVAC in areas where no landing zones are available.
Riverine Survey TEAM (RST) operations are blending in very well with riverine combat
maneuvers. During operation Coronado (CONCORDIA III), four units deployed on separate
ATC's for the three day operation. This was the first data collected within Go Gong
Province. The Rach Go Cong was well covered as far as the city of Go Gong. Many of its
tributaries were also surveyed in the course of patrol actions and troop re-insertions.
The RST used the staff's KE-28B 70mm aerial camera to obtain photographs of brigades in Go
Gong Town, obstructions, and waterways. This camera was previously used by a staff member
in Operation Coronado (CONCORDIA I), and it yielded excellent photographs.
The first increments of protective flooring and seating were installed in ATC-112-11.
Thirty two seats are provided with standing room for eight more troops. Each seat has been
equipped with a life preserver cushion and a seat belt. The final effect is similar to a
well-appointed airline. To make the installation, all but two of the bunks had to be
removed. The remaining bunks will be relocated within the boat. The chairs and matting
take up about 2/3 of the well deck of the ATC. The installation can be removed in about
two hours. The present plan is to test the installation for a few operations to determine
its suitability and make any rearrangements required before going into full scale
installation in the remaining boats.
Disposal of waste from the ships of the Mobile Riverine Base is a problem when anchored
near a port city or inland on the rivers. Loose boxes, released by ships upstream, are a
source of concern to the ships down stream as possible explosive carriers. A suggestion
has been forwarded that a machine ( like a automobile scrapping press) be installed on
each ship to compress this trash and make it dense enough to sink. This would eliminate
the requirement for a trash incinerator and would be a cleaner way of disposing of waste.
The recommendation will be examined for the feasibility and a formal request will be
forwarded if the unit is desired.
On 6 July, Colleton suffered a serious casualty to number 1 A/C diesel generator. When the
diesel exploded and a piston and rod were thrown through the crank case. loss of the A/C
generator reduced the Colleton's power capacity to the point where her ability to support
the MRB was marginal. A request to ComNavForV resulted in two portable 150 KW generators
which were installed on the Colleton as back up support. This is the third casualty of
this type on the English made Fairbanks-Morse engine. A new type of generator or a
modification to the present diesel is urgently required.
ComNavForV representatives visited the flagship on 15 July to discuss assignment of
National Police to CTF-117. It was agreed at this meeting that ComNavForV would request
the Chief of National Police to assign 12 personnel from the River Police Branch to
CTF-117 on a permanent basis. Addition of National Police will measurably increase visit
and search effectiveness of River Assault Craft both in the vicinity of the MRB and in the
area of operations.
The following boats received VC fire on 11 July 1967 supporting Coronado Concordia (PHASE
II) in Can Giouc District of Long An Province.
At 110945H, a claymore mine was triggered when T-112-4 dropped her ramp to land elements
of A Company 4th/47th (7 USN and 4 USA WIA).
At 110950H, M-112-1 and M-111-1 were both hit by RR rounds, no personnel casualties. Both
boats continued mission.
At 111620H, T-112-7 received a B-40 round on starboard side of the bow ramp. No personnel
casualty resulted.
At 111758H, M-112-1 took a B-40 round in the conning station killing the Boat Captain and
claiming six USN wounded in action. The monitor returned to the MRB for repairs and was
back in the area of operation (AO) at 121700H.
Also receiving fire (SA mostly) during the operation without personnel casualties were:
M-91-1
T-91-13
T-112-12
T-112-4
T-112-13
The MRF is rapidly developing a well-rounded psychological warfare program. While Army
elements of the MRF have a greater portion of the assets and the program itself, Navy
elements are increasing the Navy commitment to these operations. The concept receiving
current emphasis is that of developing a Chieu Hoi leaflet featuring the ATCs as floating
Chieu Hoi centers. The leaflet will give a standard Chieu Hoi appeal, will contain a
picture of an ATC, and will urge the VC to Chieu Hoi to the "green boats." These
leaflets will be passed out to sampans which ATC's stop for search and will be air-dropped
in riverine operation areas. Other concepts under development are taped broadcasts,
additional materials for handing out to indigenous personnel during stop and search, and
other leaflets.
The onset of the monsoon season with resulting wet weather has made the boats much less
habitable. Personal belongings are being damaged by the rain and dampness. In order to
reduce the damage to personal gear, small water proof duffel bags have been ordered for
each member of the boat crew.
The first helo barge for MRF use was delivered to Nha Be on 20 July 1967. YTB-784 towed
the helo barge to the MRB on 22 July. This helo barge will further expand the growing
capabilities of the MRF by providing an afloat landing area for two additional helicopters
with an emergency refueling capability.
An additional defense against the RPG-2 (B-40) missile, bar armor has been extended up
around the coxswain's platform on one ATC. The armor has been hinged so that the armored
doors can be opened. A slot has been left in the side to permit firing the 7.62MM guns
from the pilot house. Minimum interference occurs with the .50 caliber mount while firing
forward. Based upon this prototype installation, present plans are to install this on all
boats.
To date we have suffered one killed (monitor boat captain) and seventy six wounded in
action, including a Squadron Commander and three Division Commanders (one permanently
evacuated to the U.S.). The majority of casualties have been caused by shrapnel from
recoilless heat rounds. The worth of helmets and body armor cannot be overstated. The
majority of wounds have been in face and arms, and legs not protected. The general
reaction of the assault boats crews to this rather high percentage of wounded in a short
period of time is that is an inescapable part of the type of war we are fighting. One
cannot detect any trace of apprehension other than a healthy regard for the danger
involved and an appreciation of the VC will to fight and of his cleverness.
Vietnamese Marine Corps proposed participating in MRF operations on 20-21 July was delayed
until 24-25 July. River Assault Division 91 provided close support to the 3rd Battalion,
Vietnamese Marine Corps during the operation which was conducted in the northern Can Giouc
District area of Long An Province. The Marines were picked up in the vicinity of Nha Be by
riverine assault craft and transported to the landing beaches in the AO. River Assault
Division 91 remained in close support conducting numerous troop landings and pick ups on
streams within the AO, providing fire support, command and control facilities, and
re-supply of water. CTF-117 and VNMC Brigade issued a joint movement and embarkation order
for the initial phases of the operation-probably a first in U.S. Naval history in Vietnam.
ComRivDiv 91 was enthusiastic in his report of the excellent cooperation and coordination
between his task unit and the Vietnamese Marines. He stated that the battalion was a well
organized force and a pleasure to work with. Conversations with members of VNMC Brigade
staff subsequent to the operation indicated that they were equally pleased with this
initial operation and are anxious to join the MRF on future operations.
CTF-117 received word at 1300H on 25 July that the MRB would relocate from the junction of
the Soi Rap and Vam Co Rivers to the vicinity of Dong Tam on 27 July, a distance of 61
nautical miles. At this time the MRF was conducting a search and destroy operation in the
Can Giouc District of Long An Province. In addition to the Army riverine ground forces
TF-117 was providing close support to the 3rd Battalion VNMC. During the afternoon of 25
July ground forces were picked up by the Mobile Riverine Force craft and returned to the
MRB. Planning began immediately for relocation of the MRB and was promulgated on the
morning of 26 July. Commencing at 0200H on 27 July riverine assault craft began departing
the MRB to proceed to minesweeping and patrol stations along the track of the MRB. At
0550H the last ship of the force was underway and proceeding toward the entrance of the
Soi Rap. Because of the relatively slow speed of the APL tow and the fact that the ships
were steaming against a flooding tide while proceeding out of the Soi Rap River and an
ebbing tide while proceeding up the Mekong River, the move required eleven and half hours
to complete. This did not delay, however, the commencement of the strike operation in Dinh
Tuong Province on 28 July. The first units of TF-117 were underway escorting 3/34th
Artillery Barges at 0030H. Thus, in just a little over 48 hours the Mobile Riverine Force
was able to relocate a base supporting 3,900 personnel over a distance of 61 nautical
miles and to shift its combat area of operations a total of 85 nautical miles. This
relocation proved the ability of the MRF to react rapidly to a changing situation and
through its great mobility to effectively redirect its combat power over substantial
distances. This mobility enables the MRF to apply assault forces in the Delta very
rapidly, and this capability permits a fast reaction to intelligence of VC locations. Our
experience with regard to the available intelligence on VC Locations upon which to react
with assault forces is that such intelligence is for the most part one to two and
sometimes three days old. Our ability to react to this less than timely intelligence has
resulted in the MRF having contact with the VC in every one of our CORONADO operations.
Each VC contact has been company size or larger. The sad part is that this one- to
three-day old agent intelligence is the most reliable available. Heretofore, the VC have
been able to maneuver away from the reported position within the intelligence time lag
coupled by slower reaction forces. We could even do better with a reconnaissance
capability assigned to the Force. Contrary to the belief of many, the Army does not have
covert or for that matter overt reconnaissance capability in any way comparable to the
Navy SEAL's or Marine Corps RECON companies.
During the action on 29 July, several boats were hit with small arms fire, rocket and
recoilless fire. The most seriously damaged was Monitor 91-3, which was hit by a possible
claymore, one 56mm recoilless rifle, and four B-40 missiles. Shrapnel was received through
the 40mm sight port, damaged the 81mm mortar to the point where it had to be replaced,
destroyed the 20mm ammo box and loader, and damaged the .50 caliber barrels. No major
structural damage to the boat was sustained. Hits and minor damage were received in
M-91-1, M-91-2, T-91-6, T-91-8, and T-91-10. Once again the ability of the boat to absorb
punishment and remain in operation was demonstrated.
