Operation Goodwood Campaign.Battle of the Swamp

DATE: 25/01/2024

TIME (GMT): 19:00

ERA: Vietnam

MAP(S): Lang Dan

TYPE: COOP

TEAMSPEAK: ts1.biaarma.com

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Aris and Lord for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 72 / 96

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RATING: (14)

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The Battle of Hat Dich or Operation Goodwood was a series of military actions fought between an allied contingent, including the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong (VC) during the Vietnam War. Under the code name Operation Goodwood, two battalions from 1 ATF deployed away from their base in Phước Tuy Province, operating against suspected PAVN/VC bases in the Hat Dich area, in western Phước Tuy, south-eastern Biên Hòa and south-western Long Khánh provinces as part of a large allied sweep known as Operation Toan Thang II. The Australians and New Zealanders conducted sustained patrolling throughout the Hat Dich and extensively ambushed tracks and river systems while occupying a series of fire support bases as operations expanded. Meanwhile, American, South Vietnamese and Thai forces also operated in direct support of the Australians as part of the division-sized action.

In early December 1968, the first Australian units were inserted into their new area of operations (AO)—known as AO Townsville—east of Saigon, halfway between Biên Hòa and Nui Dat, 30 kilometers (19 mi) to the south-east. Initially, the force consisted of one infantry battalion—1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Bennett—and support arms.

PAVN and VC units identified in AO Townsville included the 274th Regiment, PAVN 74 Artillery Regiment, D67 Engineer Battalion, Thủ Đức Regiment, D1, D2 and D6 Sapper Reconnaissance Battalions, and D440 and D445 Provincial Mobile Battalions; all under the overall command of Headquarters Military Region 7. Of particular interest to the Australians was 3 Battalion, 274th Regiment, which was, according to intelligence sources, believed to have recently received large numbers of North Vietnamese replacements. The battalion was estimated to include between 250 and 300 men and was well equipped. Located in the Hat Dich, the battalion was believed to be occupying a number of permanent base camps, complete with numerous trench systems, bunkers and tunnels.

The operation commenced on 3 December with Headquarters 1 ATF moving forward by road into FSB Julia. 1 RAR then deployed into FSB Dyke 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) east in the western Hat Dich, moving in APCs from A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, along with the tanks from C Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment and the battalion's direct support battery, the 102nd Field Battery. The insertion was subsequently completed successfully, with the position secured by 11:00. Initially cautious, A Company moved in AO Wondai with 2 Troop of the tank squadron, while B and C Companies followed. Yet with no immediate threat against their position detected, the Australians commenced reconnaissance-in-force operations, with D Company also moving into its assigned area, entrusting the security and defense of FSB Dyke to Support Company.

Meanwhile, the US 4/12th Infantry had come into heavy contact in AO Kilcoy and had requested assistance rather than withdrawing. Yet with 1 ATF unable to provide any assets, Bennett detached two flamethrower teams from the 1 RAR Assault Pioneer Platoon which were subsequently used to help extract an American platoon that had been pinned down. Between 6–10 December 1 RAR continued to sweep AO Wondai, uncovering a number of ammunition caches and several freshly dug graves, however there was little contact between the Australians and the VC. To be sure, in response to the initial Australian patrols the VC had attempted to avoid contact, and had moved north away from 1 ATF. Yet aggressive patrolling by 1 RAR, supported by Centurion tanks and cavalry, had resulted in a number of contacts between the Australians and VC groups of up to platoon strength as they followed up the withdrawing forces. The subsequent discovery of extensive bunker systems guarded by caretaker groups, as well as the location of significant rice and weapons caches, confirmed the presence of a large PAVN/VC force in the Hat Dich, and the operation of an extensive resupply system in the area. During this time ARVN 2nd Airborne Brigade operated in AO Moose 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the north-east of FSB Julia, while the 3/11th ACR was operating to the east in AO Sherman and US 4/12th Infantry in AO Kilcoy to the west, all with minimal contact.

On 22 December 1 RAR continued ambushing and patrolling, with A and B Companies continuing to destroy the bunkers located the previous day, while C and D Companies maintained their ambush positions. A small bunker system was located during the day but there was no further contact. At 18:00 the Australians received reports of heavy fighting outside of their area of operations, with a company from the ARVN 1/43 Regiment coming under heavy mortar fire, before being assaulted by a reinforced VC battalion from 274th Regiment. The ARVN were supported by AC-47 Spooky gunships, helicopter light fire teams, fast air and US and Thai artillery and were reinforced by elements of the ARVN 1/48th Regiment.

After 78 days Operation Goodwood concluded on 19 February 1969. FSB Julia closed and HQ 1 ATF moved to FSB Kerry in preparation for upcoming operations. Australian casualties included 21 killed and 91 wounded, New Zealand casualties included one killed and six wounded, South Vietnamese casualties were 31 killed and 81 wounded, U.S casualties were seven wounded. PAVN/VC losses amounted to at least 245 killed, 39 possibly killed, 45 wounded and 17 captured, during 274 separate contacts. Nearly 2,000 bunkers were uncovered and many destroyed, while more than 280 rocket propelled grenades, 70 anti-personnel mines, 490 grenades and 450 pounds of explosives were captured. Throughout the operation the bulk of the contacts had been initiated by the Australians, a reverse of the American trend in which more than two-thirds of actions were normally initiated by the VC. Although there were few major actions, the operation was considered a success by the Australians and following it VC activity in 1 ATFs area of operations visibly lessened as the VC were forced to abandon their permanent bases in the Hat Dich and disrupting their preparations for upcoming offensive operations. Operation Goodwood was one of the longest out-of-province operations mounted by the Australians during the war and was also the last Australian multi-battalion operation to be fought across the border with third-country forces.

The VC has a strong foothold at Ka Pus and Hottu Tu. We will be attack them with chopper and Armored support. We will have to eject the VC and establish a secure area around the 2 aforementioned areas.