Republic of Vietnam Army of Republic of Vietnam III Army
Corps 5 Infantry Division Chief of Staff G- 3 Number:
10597/SD5BB/TM/P3/19
REPORT
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MEETING OF COMMANDING STAFF ON 7 OCT 70
I.- In order to examine the situation concerning intelligence,
operations, personnel and logistics of 3rd Trimester 70, and to discuss plan for
future activities in the tactical areas under the responsibility of 5th
Division, a Commanding Staff Meeting was held at 1000H on 07 October 1970,
chaired by the Division Commanding General.
II.- Participants:
a)- Vietnamese side:
- Assistant Division Commander/Chief of Staff
- Commander of 7th Regiment
- Commander of 8th Regiment
- Commander of 9th Regiment
- Commander of 1st Cavalry Squadron
- Deputy Commander of Binh Long Sector
- Deputy Commander of Binh Duong Sector
- Deputy Commander of Phuoc Long
- LTC, Division Artillery Headquarters
- Major, Polwar Office
- XO of G1,G2,G3,G4, Psywar, Political Indoctrination, Military Security,
AG, Signal, IG, RF+PF.
b)- American Counterparts:
- Division Senior Advisor
- Division Assistant Senior Advisor
- 7th Regiment Advisor
- 8th Regiment Advisor
- 9th Regiment Advisor
- 1st Cavalry Squadron Advisor
- Binh Duong Sector Advisor
- Binh Long Sector Advisor
- Phuoc Long Sector Advisor
- G1 Advisor
- G2 Advisor
- G3 Advisor
- G4 Advisor
- Artillery Advisor
III.- Content. A.- The Commanding General of 5th Division opened the
meeting.
He declared:" As usual, we shall, first of all, re-evaluate the
past trimester situation. Particularly this time, we have plan for
redeployment of forces. We will hold discussion session dealing with action
plan as well as re-deployment plan. Afterwards, I will have a few instructions
for you to make preparation plans of future actions for this Division in the
coming trimester. Now, I give the podium to Division Staff to present
situation assessment and action results of the past trimester."
D.- Instructions of 5th Division Commanding General
1.- Intelligence. -Full use of intelligence technical devices:
We must make full use of technical means provided to us such as sensors, etc.
And so, all units must know how to operate with proficiency and make full use
of these devices. 2.- Operations. a) Use of Recon units: Regiment
Commanders must improve Recon and LRRP units, make full use of these units in
the search and destroy mission. First of all, you must infiltrate enemy inner
sanctuaries to pinpoint their bases or stations of relay, and use the element
of surprise to attack right at the heart of enemy bases. b) Lack of
coordination between units within the same area of responsibilities: Sectors
and Regiments must coordinate closely. Each time there is enemy contact,
boundary issues should not hamper enemy annihilation. You must make provisions
for rapid and well-coordinated reaction elements of different units operating
in the same area. c) Concept of mission of Division in the coming
trimester: Our Division mission is to search and destroy the enemy. Each unit
will be assigned an objective and must make efforts days and nights to destroy
that objective. Sectors can also apply this concept to RF and PF units. If we
all apply this concept of search and destroy the enemy, we will be able to
annihilate all enemy forces within a short time. d) Issue of enemy mines
prevention: At the present moment the enemy has become very weak, that is why
they have to surround their bases with mines to protect their units. As a
result, all unit commanders must especially pay close attention and make
efforts to de-activate these mine fields; otherwise, we will suffer casualties
with futility. 3.- Logistics: Issue of military equipments and vehicles
maintenance: Individual weapons maintenance have not been properly cared by
different units. All units must reinforce maintenance provisions of military
equipments, otherwise it would have negative influence on the tactical
effectiveness of our Division. 4.- Issue of Strength: Although our
Division ranks 2nd compared to 9 other Divisions of the whole nation in terms
of few desertions, we must make further efforts to reduce the number of
deserters and to increase the number of recruits. 5.- Special attention
must be given to the issue of Communication Security: All units must use code
in telephone communication. At this moment the enemy has signal-listening
units and intercepts all communication by phone or by wireless system between
units. 6.- Pacification and Development Program. a) Consolidation of
hamlets and villages: The Sectors should focus attention on populated areas,
to push forward Pacification and Development Program of hamlets and villages.
Specifically they must root up the VC infrastructure and its cadres who
operate near the hamlets or in the heart of the hamlets. b) Cut off enemy
supply: Currently, rubber plantations have been allowed to operate again,
lumbers are permitted to be cut, but the enemy can also sneak in to buy rice
and collect taxes. All Sectors must particularly focus in preventing the enemy
from having means to survive and to grow.
E.- The End. After the instructions of the Commanding General the meeting
ends at 1230H of the same day.
Chairman Major General NGUYEN VAN HIEU Commanding General of
5th Division