Across the Border by Donald V. Phillips

Author:Donald V. Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2014-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5 — SUCCESSES AND FAILURES

As of today I can report that all of our major military objectives have been achieved… we have captured and destroyed far more in war material than we anticipated; and American and Allied casualties have been far lower than expected. Confidence and morale in the South Vietnamese Army has been greatly bolstered. This operation clearly demonstrated that our Vietnamization program is succeeding.{209} — President Richard M. Nixon

Although weakened by the Allied operation in Cambodia, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong are regrouping and resupplying themselves, man by man, piece by piece.{210} — Lieutenant General William McCaffrey

As a guy who had to live or die by how well the enemy was equipped or fought, there was no doubt in my mind that the correlation was very great between us going into Cambodia and then not taking any more heat from the enemy.{211} — Captain Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.

The lack of major ground engagements during the incursions gives a misleading impression of a relatively bloodless campaign. Despite allied inability to trap major elements of the 7th or 9th NVA Divisions, Allied force killed 11,349 and captured 2,328 enemy troops by official totals.{212} However, considerable debate remains as to actual enemy losses. CIA estimates call II Field Force figures “highly suspect. Many of the alleged casualties were the result of air and artillery strikes, (making) a precise body count so difficult (and resulting) in civilian and non-combatants … being included in the loss figure.”{213} Many of the captured were Khmer and Vietnamese detainees, held temporarily as laborers for the NVA.

American casualty figures, 284 killed in action, 2,339 wounded and 13 missing,{214} marked an increase over the months preceding the operation. ARVN casualties, 800 killed and 3,410 wounded, reflect the greater length and depth of their participation. Most occurred during the initial weeks of the incursions until NVA main force units had either evacuated or been destroyed.

Ironically, Major General Casey, the 1st Cav Commander, died in a helicopter crash a week after the end of Rockcrusher. Casey was on his way to deliver personal congratulations to his most seriously wounded soldiers awaiting evacuation. Despite warnings from his staff, he embarked on a flight to Cam Rahn Bay taking him over the central highlands during a heavy monsoon storm. {215}His loss along with his aide and sergeant major was felt throughout the division and symbolized the last casualties of the operation.

In a letter to his troops, Casey describes his impressions of Rockcrusher:

The results of this operation far exceeded expectations, it has been the most successful operation in the history of the 1st Cavalry Division …You killed enough of the enemy to man three NVA regiments; captured or destroyed enough individual and crew served weapons to equip two NVA divisions; and denied the enemy an entire year's supply of rice for all his maneuver battalions in our AO. You captured more rocket, mortar and recoilless rifle rounds than the enemy fired in all of III Corps during the twelve months preceding our move into Cambodia.

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