Chng By

Na ng i Xung
Bn ng
Ngy u ca cuc hnh qun, ngy N trong ngn t qun s,
tt c cc n v xut qun thc hin c mc tiu nh lnh
hnh qun ch th. Hai Tiu on 1 v 8 Nhy D v hai Thit
on 11 v 17 i theo ng b v Bn ng. Lc Lng
c Nhim Nhy D-Thit K i chm v gp tr ngi:
ng xu, phi ch cng binh lp nhng h bom su cho c
gii qua. T Lao Bo v Bn ng khong 18 km. Trn an
ng ny lc lng hnh qun thit lp hai bi p trc thng
v cng l tuyn bo v ng: Bi p Bravo v Alpha
(Alpha thnh lp hai tun sau Bravo). Bravo v Alpha c
giao cho hai chi i thit k ca Th4KB trn gi. Nhng vo
cao im ca cuc hnh qun, Bravo v Alpha c hai tiu on
Nhy D trn gi. hng ng bc Bn ng, cc v tuyn 17
chng 10 km v khong nm km bn kia bin gii, BQ thit
lp hai cn c phng th theo chiu dc bc nam, CCBQB
(cn c BQ bc) v CCBQN (cn c BQ nam), do Tiu
on 39 v 21 BQ trn gi (n ngy N +3, T39BQ mi
chim ng CCBQB). pha sau, nm xo v hng ng
nam ca BQ l CC30ND ca T2ND. Hn nm cy s v
hng ty ca CC30ND, v khong tm cy s cc bc Bn
ng, l CC31ND. Ni y t b ch huy ca L3ND v do
T3ND phng th. Tt c cc cn c hng bc ng 9
c b v thit lp trc 5 gi chiu ngy N ca cuc
hnh qun (tr T39BQ). Nh vy, nm tiu on tc chin v
ba i i pho binh (pho i) s lp thnh mt l chn
phng th hng bc ca trc tin qun.
pha nam ng 9. Ba tiu on ca Trung on 3 B Binh,
S1BB (Tr3/S1BB) chim nhng cao im tri di t nh

Co Roc n na ng n Bn ng. Theo d tr, trong vi

ngy sp ti, thm hai trung on ca S1BB s b ln
nhng cao im bo v pha nam ng 9 t Bn ng
n na ng v Tchepone mt hnh lang di hn 20 cy s.
Hai Trung on 1 v 3 ca S1BB c n tm tiu on tc
chin. K hoch hnh qun c lng S1BB c qun
chu ton trch nhim.[1]
Ngy 8 thng 2, khi lc lng c nhim D-Thit K dng chn
ngh qua m cy s th 10 trn ng tin qun, 6.200 qun
VNCH c mt H Lo. Ba cht, 14 mt tch; 38 b
thng; ba trc thng b bn ri, trong c mt ang b lnh
D xung CC31ND. l thit hi ca ngy u trn ng n
Bn ng.
Ngy N +1 (9 thng 2). Tri my thp, c ma ro tng cn.
ng t, ly li, kh i hn. L3ND tip tc ni rng vng
ai phng th ca h hng ty bc. Ngy N +5 (13 thng 2),
hai i i ca T6ND b xung pha ty CC31ND thit
lp CC32ND nh tiu lnh hnh qun. Nhng cuc qun
khng yn thm nh nhng ngy trc, khi khng c ca ch
hu nh khng c. Ln ny i i ca T6ND b ngay vo
v tr ca ch. Ha lc phng th v khng c ca ch mnh
n i i c lnh ri v tr, di tn v hng CC31ND.
Mt s qun c trc thng bc tr li Khe Sanh, mt s rt
vo ng chung vi T3ND CC31ND. Cuc b lm mc
tiu gy thit hi cho T6ND 28 cht; 50 b thng; v 23 mt
tch. Sc khng c ca Qun gii phng c BTL MACV ghi
nhn v cp vi ngy sau Si Gn.[2]
Ngy hnh qun N+1, trn ng 9, Qun D v Thit K di
chuyn ch c nm cy s ngy hm . Mt s phi v
qun bng trc thng b hy b; khng lc ym tr b gii hn
ti a cho ngy 9. Thi tit tiu biu H Lo: bui sng chng
10 gi n 12 gi sng m mi tan; sng m li che ph sau

mt tri ln. Lnh cc cn c bung ra lc sot v xy dng

thm hm h phng th. S hng tip liu khm ph chung
quanh vng hnh qun lm b ch huy phn khi: ngoi Bn
ng m nhiu nh vy, th Bn ng, Tchepone, hng
ha tip liu d tr s cn nhiu hn. Bo co t T2 v 3 D;
T21BQ, v cc tiu on b binh hng nam h khm
ph nhiu hm cha v kh v hng qun nhu qun dng. Phn
ng ca ch rt chm v yu trong hai ngy u: T ng H
v Lao Bo, cc lc lng ca B-5 ch bn ph l t v phc kch
cc on xe ch tip liu, mc d B-5 c hai trung on tc
chin, hai trung on pho binh, v mt tiu on c cng
ang ng chin ti mt trn. [3]
hai hng bc nam ca ng 9, phn ng ca ch l pho
kch hay chng tr cm chn ri di tn khi v tr b khm ph.
Tnh hnh chung c v yn lng. Nhng truyn tin in t nghe
c cho thy ch ang tip vin thm qun; cng c lc lng;
v xc nh ta ca cc cn c chun b phn cng.
Trong vi ngy u, chin thut ca ch dng nh l trnh voi
chng xu mt no.
Ngy hnh qun N+2 (10 thng 2). T4/Tr3/S1BB b
xung cn c Delta hng nam vi thit hi hai trc thng b
bn ri. Bn ng, nhng cuc qun bng trc thng ca
T9ND gp tr ngi vi nm phng khng 12 ly 7. Nhng n
chiu th tiu on chim c Bn ng bt tay vi cnh
qun i vo bng ng b. ch bit Bn ng s b tn cng
bng trc thng vn, nn h di tn trc. Phi c quan st thy 11
xe ko i bc phng khng 37 ly i v hng Tchepone trc
.[4] Lc lng c nhim D-Thit K n giao im ng
9 v 92 gn nh cng lc vi cuc trc thng vn ca T9ND
vo Bn ng, cch khng hn 1 cy s. Chim xong Bn
ng, lc lng c nhim bung ra lc sot. Trinh st v hng
ty Bn ng cho bit ng l v Tchepone cn tt; c gii c
th di chuyn nhanh c.[5] Nhng vo ngy 10 thng 2 b t

lnh QI b mt thit hi rt nng v tm l: Hai trc thng trn

ng th st mt trn CCHotel v CC21BQ, b phng
khng 37 ly bn ri. Trn mt trc thng c mt i t trng
phng hnh qun qun on; v mt trung t trng phng tip
liu ca qun on. V i t trng phng hnh qun c mang
theo bn LS719 vi tt c mt hiu v ghi ch, do chnh ng
gp phn san tho. QI lp tc cho thm st tm v tr ca trc
thng b nn nhng khng kt qu. V mt l do khng gii thch
c, hai trc thng b lc v bay ngay vo vng phng khng
ca ch. Trinh st ca Khng K M lu tt c phi cng
trc thng v cng phng khng ca ch trong vng.
n ngy 10 thng 2, qun bo cha xc nh c lc lng
ch chung quanh CC21BQ, nhng lc b ch huy
S308 ang ng hng bc, cch vi ba cy s, vi hai
trung on c hu ca s on.[6] Tin khng chnh thc cho bit
ci cht ca i t Trng Phng 3 lm xao ng tm l ca
Trung Tng Hong Xun Lm, t lnh QI.[7] Nu ch tm
thy c bn hnh qun, th tt c nhng k hoch LS719
s b l tng chi tit.
Ngy N+3, S1BB b v thit lp thm mt cn c
hng nam; BQ a T39BQ vo CBQB; v lc lng c
nhim D-Thit K i c thm nm cy s ra khi Bn
ng. Ch c nh vy cho ngy N+3: Tt c cc ton qun
khc gn nh n binh bt ng v khng nhn c ch th no
hay l h nhn c chi th n binh bt ng t b ch huy
tin phng Khe Sanh. Nh trnh by chng trc. Theo k
hach, sau Bn ng, L1ND s lp thm ba cn c 11, 13 v
14, theo mt trc ty bc, ni ng 9 v 914. Nhng khi lc
lng c nhim n a im lp CC11 th h ng li.
Hai ngy 11 v 12 thi tit xu, nhng c phi l l do cho
s dm chn ti ch ca cuc hnh qun?
Hai ngy trc khi Hnh Qun Dewey Canyon II khai din, tng
Vin, Abrams v Tng Thng Thiu c ni chuyn vi nhau.

Tng Abrams ni nu nh nhanh, lc lng c nhim c th

n Tchepone trong 48 ting [8]. Tng thng Thiu v tng Vin
khng phn i. Trn thc t, n chiu ngy N ca cuc hnh
qun, lc lng c nhim D-Thit K i 10 cy s mt
phn t an ng n mc tiu Tchepone. Nhng nu qun D
phi lp ra thm ba cn c v phi c trch nhim phng th
nh lnh hnh qun ch th, th qun tc chin no s tng
thit vi thit k trn ng vo Tchepone?

Bi p Bravo trn ng 9; tay phi l hng ty i v Bn

ng.
Lnh hnh qun cho thy l on Nhy D no s c trch
nhim phng th cc cn c c thit lp: L3ND coi CC30,
31, 32; L1ND, CC11, 13, 14; v L2, sau khi b bng trc
thng chim Tchepone, s gi CC21 v CC22. Qun tn cng c
qun bo v nhiu c im nh c san tho hay
khng? L1TK ch c hai thit on di tay, ThKB11 v 17.
Mi thit on c mt chi i xe tng v hai chi i thit gip
xung kch. Vi s qun ny, nu khng c qun nhy d i km,
h khng th va gi Bn ng, va tin nh Tchepone. C th
ton qun D-Thit K ngng li ch qun tip vin thm,
sau khi ra khi Bn ng nm cy s trn hng v Tchepone.

Trn ng 9 v Bn ng. Sng Xe Pone pha nam trc tin

qun.
Ngy N +4 ca hnh qun, mt vi thay i quan trng trong k
hoch xy ra: Ngy 10 thng 2, Tng Thng Thiu bay ra ng
H th st. Ti BTL tin phng QI ng Thiu ra ch th: Q1
tm thi gii hn li mc tiu; ch ch ca cuc hnh qun
trong vi ngy ti l cn c hu cn 611 (A Ro, trong ngy danh
hnh qun) pha nam ng 9 vng trch nhim ca
S1BB. Nu s liu c kim chng ng, th c th v qun
lnh ny, lc lng c nhim D-Thit K dng li phng
th nhng cn c ang c, v bo v hng bc cho S1BB
hat ng pha nam.[9] Khi MACV bit c quyt nh ca
Tng thng Thiu, tng Abrams gp tng Vin ngy hm sau,
13 thng 2, hi r nh ca BTTM VNCH. Tng Vin xc
nh nhng thay i nh Tng thng Thiu ni ng H.
Ba ngy sau, ngy 16 thng 2, hai ng i tng tng bay ra
ng H gp tng Lm v tng Sutherland. Sau khi bn tho,
tt c ng (d tng Abrams lng l, ni nu chn ch
ch s vin qun kp thi) k hoch v nhim v s thay i.
S1BB s l lc lng ch lc thay cho SND; mc tiu

Tchepone phi ch thm vi ngy na: Sau khi lc sot cn c

611 xong, qun c hu ca QI s quay li tip tc tn cng v
mc tiu Tchepone. S thay i k hoch hnh qun ca VNCH
a n tranh lun gia MACV v BTTM; v gia QI v
QXXIV. Nhng nhn su bn trong, chng ta c th hiu l do
ca s thay i t pha VNCH: S phn cng mnh lit ca ch.
Khng phi mt trn H Lo m thi, m c mt trn Cam
Bt. V mt l do no , t u nm 1971, tt c ch u
hng v Lo, trong khi Cam Bt, qun s tham d hai cuc
hnh qun Cam Bt tng ng, hay c th hn, qun s H
Lo. iu ng ch nht, QLVNCH ang gnh vc mt cng tc
hn sc h chu ng.[10] VNCH phi thay i k hoch v
n lc Hoa K khng thc hin nhng ym tr m
h ha trc ba cuc hnh qun cp qun on (QI,
QIII, v QIV). Chnh Hoa K cng ang gp nhiu kh khn
hn sc h ha hn c. Cui nm 1970, BTL MACV va b
b quc phng thc gic rt qun, va phi ng u vi by
chin trng, nh thuyt trnh vin MACV mt ln din gii:
Chin trng Thng Lo; oanh tc ngn chn ng HCM;
chin trng Cam Bt; chin trng vng hot ng ca B-2;
vng hot ng ca Qun Khu 5; B-5; v Tr-Thin- Hu. V
khi nghe li than ca t lnh Khng Lc 7 Hoa K, chng ta
thy qun lc Hoa K cng c s gii hn ca h: Ch tiu l
14.000 phi v mt thng, nhng cng thm vo ti bay
12.000 phi v ym tr; 21.000 phi v vn ti; 850 n 900 phi v
thm thnh. Mnh ch c th thc hin s phi v n mt
gii hn no thi" [11]
Mt mt, BTL Thi Bnh Dng v BTL MACV lu , trong
giai an u ca chng trnh Vit-Nam-Ha ng qun
lc VNCH n nhiu qu kh tiu. (ng ni giao qu nhiu
trch nhim, VNCH s khng qun xuyn ni) Nhng v nhng
p lc v thc gic chnh tr no , MACV v BTL Thi Bnh
Dng ngh hnh qun cp qun on khng phi mt,
m ba qun on trong ba cuc hnh qun cng mt lc.

Cuc Hnh Qun Cu Long 44-02 ca Qun on IV tng i

yn tnh. Nhng Ton Thng 1/71 th hon ton khc: Qun
VNCH phi chm trn vi ch trn t ch, v xa hu cn tip
liu. Hn na, khi Hnh Qun Ton Thng 1/71 va khai din, th
BTTM v MACV rt i nhng n v ch lc nh k hoch
nghi binh (mt s n v ch lc nh Nhy D v TQLC c
mt trong Ton Thng 1/71 ch vi ngy nh la i
phng nhng c di chuyn ra Vng I ngay sau ,
chun b cho LS719). Vi 21 ngn qun Cam Bt v 17 ngn
Lo, MACV khng cn phng tin ym tr. By gi,
trong giai on khc lit nht ca chin trng mnh lit, khuyt
im ca MACV l ra trong nhng thng vn v thuyt trnh
bo co.
Nhng l chuyn s ni n. By gi tr li vi vng hnh
qun.
Ngy 14 thng 2 tng Sutherland bo co cho MACV bit v
nhng va chm ang xy ra gia QXXIV v QI; v nhng
l do lm Tng Thng Thiu ch th thay i k hoch v
nhim v vo ngy 12. Tng Hong Xun Lm than phin
QXXIV khng trc thng ym tr theo nhu cu ca QI;
v, theo trc thng b ha lc phng khng bn rt nh xy
ra trong tun l u, QXXIV s khng cn trc thng
ym tr trong nhng ngy sp n. Tng Sutherland vit tip
trong in tn, qua cuc ni chuyn, ng ngh tng Lm s
khng gi Tchepone hn mt thng nh trong k hoch. Tng
Lm ni l do thay i k hoch l v p lc ca ch qu mnh
vng trch nhim ca L1BQ v L3ND. Thm vo Lc
Lng c Nhim (LLN) khng th di chuyn nhanh trn
ng 9 v a hnh qu xu, khc vi c lng tnh bo.
Tng Lm mun QXXIV dng ha lc gii hn cc
Trung on 88, 24B, v 64 ca Qun gii phng trc khi
SND tin v hng ty (Tchepone). Tng Sutherland th nhn

ng ra lnh cho trinh st Khng K tm v tr ca S308 nhng

cha pht hin c trung on ny ang ng u.
cui bc in tn di bn trang, Sutherland tin on qun s
cn cho chin trng c th gia tng nhiu hn c lng, da
vo du hiu tng qun v s khng c mnh lit ca ch. [12]
in tn ca tng Sutherland cho thy ba chi tit quan trng: (a)
a hnh ng 9 hon ton khc khng nh cung cp; ng xu
hn c lng; (b) ha lc khng qun M khng p o hay
gii hn c mng li phng khng ca i phng; v (c)
ch tip vin qun nhanh hn d on. Ba chi tit trn c th lm
ng Thiu thay i kin. VNCH thay i k hoch va ng
lc ch chun b phn cng. Vi qun s hn su trung on tc
chin, Qun gii phng bt
u phn cng: Chiu ngy 20, cn c u tin ca VNCH b tht
th.
Trn Lit Qun Gii Phng Cho n Ngy CCBQN/B B
Tht Th
Sau gn mt tun trn th; sau khi hng chu hn 2.000 n sng
ci 82 ly, cn c BQ bc ca T39BQ tht th lc 5 gi 10
chiu ngy 20 thng 2 (N +12), vi 178 cht v 148 b thng.
[13] Trong s 200 tay sng ph vng vy di tn v CCBQN, ch
cn 107 qun tc chin c; s cn li b thng. Trung on
102/S308 QGP mt 639 qun chim ngn i.[14] L do
S308 phn ng quyt lit v sn sng chu thit hi trit tiu
CCBQB, v cao im ca cn c nm st BTL S308 CSVN.
Cng nguy him hn, v tr ca T39 nhn xung kho tr hng
quan trng Mng Trng (hng ty bc CC39BQ; ni mt
kho hng b bom nh, v kh v hng d tr chy, n hai
ngy mi dt).[15] trit tiu CC39BQ, ngoi Tr102
ni, S308 cn chi vin thm mt tiu on tc chin v nm
pho i. Sau khi CC39BQ mt, CC21BQ, pha sau chng
hai cy s, b tn cng ngay ngy hm sau. Ln ny Tr88/S308

l lc lng chnh tn cng T21BQ ang trn th CCBQN.

Qun bo MACV c lng sai v thi gian cn thit ch
tip vin thm qun: MACV c lng QGP cn t nht 10 n
14 ngy di chuyn qun n chin trng (ngy hnh qun
N+18). Nhng n ngy N+12, s QGP c mt trong vng hnh
qun tng gp i. T binh mi khai bo h n t nhng n
v khc vi nhng n v c ghi trong trn lit trong nhng
ngy u hnh qun. Ngy 18 qun bo M xc nh s hin din
ca S308 QGP, vi ba trung on c hu, 36, 88, v 102. Trung
on 64/ S304 c mt vng Bn ng t ngy N-4 (4 thng
2); Xe tng li nc PT-76 ang c mt pha nam CC31 ca
Nhy D t ngy 13 (v ch dng xe tng tn cng cc tin
n bn ngoi vng ai cn c t ngy 16). V cng cho n thi
gian ny qun bo mi bit chnh xc v tr ca Binh Trm 41 vi
Tr141/S2BB QGP ang pha nam vng hot ng ca
S1BB VNCH. Cn c hu cn 611 trn ng 914 mc tiu
tm thi ca S1BB by gi c ba Trung on 812 v 29 ca
S324 v Tr141/S2BB bo v.[16] Ngy 20 thng 2 ti BTL
MACV, Thiu Tng William Potts thng bo, Tr S325 v
Tr9/S304 cn li min bc, tt c cc n v QGP ang trn
ng n chin trng [H Lo]. Bo co ca tng Potts
(Phng 2 MACV) cho thy MACV c on sai trn lit QGP
t lc u. QGP ang c su trung on t cc S on 308, 2,
304, 320, v 324B hot ng vng hnh qun.[17] c lng
vo ngy 8 khi bt u cuc hnh qun: ch c ba trung on v
bn binh trm; ngy 20: ch c su trung on v su binh trm
con s ny tng ln tm trung on vo u thng 3. l c
lng ca qun bo M, nhng theo qun s QNDVN , u
thng 2, vo ngy hnh qun, h c 60.000 lnh (gp ba ln c
lng) ti vng hnh qun.[18] V tn tht, n ngy 20 thng 2,
QGP c s thng vong tng ng bn tiu on sau nhng ln
tn cng vo bn cn c mt bc ng 9. Trong thi gian ,
VNCH di chuyn v Khe Sanh thm ba tiu on b binh; ba tiu
on BQ; v hai tiu on Thit K. L147 v 258 TQLC, ang
hnh qun nghi binh Vng I, cng c thng bo chun b

tham gia hnh qun LS719.

Vo ngy N +12 (20 thng 2), chin trng H Lo c nm
cnh qun Qun gii phng ph trch: hng bc ng 9,
t Lao Bo v Tchepone, do Binh on 70 (B70) vi ba S
on 308, 304 v 320; cng vi cc Binh Trm 8, 9, 12, 16, v
27 chu trch nhim; B-5 vi bn trung on tng cng (+),
nh ph an ng t ng H v Lao Bo lm nh tr ng
tip vn b; Pha nam ng 9, S on 2 v 324B v cc
Binh Trm 33, 34, 41 v 42 c lp cc n v VNCH ng
nhng cao im t Co Roc v pha ty Bn ng. Ngy 21 thng
2, sau mt tun pho kch nt cn c, Tr88/S304 dng b
binh tn cng CC21BQ. Sau khi mt CCBQ39, v tr ca
CC21BQ rt b v, v h ch cch CC39BQ khong hai
cy s, v trc mt h l S308. Ha lc pho binh ym tr
t CCL1BQ Ta Puc/ Ph Lc khng lm gim p
lc ch ang tin vo vng ai ca CC21BQ chnh cn
c Ta Puc cng ang b pho cm chn gii hn s ym tr
li. y l mt chin thut qun Qun gii phng s dng lin
tc v thnh cng vo tt c cn c pha bc ng
9. Ha lc pho binh ca i phng lm t lit cn c mc
tiu, v gy kh khn cho cn c ym tr.
i km vi trn lit, xin ni qua mt t v ha lc pho binh
ca lc lng qun Qun gii phng mt trn H Lo. Cng vi
tm trung on pho binh ring bit, pho binh y k lun
nhng i i/ trung i sng nng nh sng ci 60, 82, v 120
ly. Trong mt ngha thc dng, nhng i i sng nng l
nhng n v pho binh c hu ca cp tiu on/ trung
on. Mt trung on qun ch lc Qun gii phng c cp s
t 60 n 65 sng ci 60 v 82 ly; v bn n su ci 120 ly.
Mi sng ci c cp s n 30 n 40 vin; i khi 60 n 100
vin, ty theo mt trn ang tham chin. Ly BTL B70 vi ba S
on 308, 304, v 320 lm th d: Theo ti liu hu cn, B70 (ba
s on cng li) c tt c 104 sng ci 60 ly; 64 ci 82 ly; 30

ci 120 ly; v 30 i bc 122 ly. Trong chin dch Nam Lo, ba

s on ca B70 tiu th gn 10.000 qu n lai 60 v 82 ly
cha k n i bc tm xa nh 122, 130 v 152 ly. Trong
khi , mt trn hng hng nam ng 9, S2BB Qun
gii phng tiu th 2.762 n 60 ly, v 5.598 n 82 ly; S324B
xi hn 5.000 qu 82 ly v gn 1.900 n 60 ly. [19]
im mun nhn mnh y, lai v kh nh sng ci lm
t lit h thng tip t ng khng vn cho cc cn c. Sng
ci l mt v kh n gin, d x dng, v rt hiu qu nu x
dng thun thc. Ci 82 ly c tm bn hn bn cy s; 60 ly th
ba cy s. Chng mi khu ci tri rng ra trn mt chu vi c
ng bn knh vi ba cy s, pho vo mt cn c nm trn
nh i th cn c kh c th phng th lu c c.
i phng khng thy v tr ca sng ci phn pho,
nhng x th sng ci quan st v tr ca i phng r. [20]
Kinh nghim trn Khe Sanh cho thy phi trng ln rng nh
Khe Sanh vn b t lit cng v pho pho tm xa 130 ly cng
nh tm gn 82 ly. ng phi o, bi p trc thng, ch gii
hn vo mt khong trng no . Mt khi x th sng ci
xc nh c bi p, th nhng qu bn k tip s d nh
ly trong ti. Kh tm ra v tr ca ci phn pho, d cho c
trc thng trinh st lin tc. Mt li bi binh ca ca sng ci
in hnh H Lo: pho th v pho cng ko vi ba khu ci
v n n nhng v tr nh. Sau , lc tc chin, pho
th lin tc di chuyn n tng khu tc x. Nh vy pho
th trnh c thng vong hn l ti mt ch khi sng b
khm ph. S kh khn ca trinh st khng k l phi bay chm
v st truy lng lai v kh qu nh (sng ci di khng
hn 1,2 mt). V nu bay qu thp, qu chm, th s gp nguy
him vi phng khng loi nh, nhng dy c bu tri, nh i
lin 12 ly 7.
Bi hc kinh nghim sau cuc hnh qun LS719 H Lo cho
thy, ha lc n t hng ro sng ci chung quanh cc cn c

ha lc gii hn chin thut x dng cn c ha lc bo v

v ym tr vng hnh qun. Cn c ha lc ch thnh cng
mt vi a hnh trng tri, km theo nhng ym tr mnh
bp nhng quy nhiu chung quanh. Nhng tt nhng cn
c ha lc H Lo khng c c nhng tin nghi v ha
lc hay tip liu lin tc nh trong l tng. so snh mt
cn c ha lc ca M thung lng A Shau (bn ny bin gii
Vit) v mt cn c ha lc ca Nhy D VNCH H Lo.
Cn c Ripcord A Shau c mt tiu on Nhy D Hoa
K trn ng. Tiu on ny c ba tiu on tc chin khc
thng trc b sung qun s khi cn. Cn c Ripcord c hai
tiu on trc thng phc v v nm tiu on pho binh ym
tr. Nhng sau hn bn thng c th, S101 Nhy D M ra
lnh di tn Ripcord v chu khng ni p lc ca ch, v
thng vong. [21] Trong thi gian bn thng, M ym tr tt
c nhng g c th ym tr c v pho binh v khng lc,
nhng vn khng gi c. l thng 7-1970, khi S101ND
Hoa K c tt c ha lc trong tay ym tr cho cn c
Ripcord. Trong khi H Lo, M ch c ba tiu on trc
thng (hai khng vn, mt xung kch) ym tr v vn chuyn
tip t cho 10 cn c ha lc VNCH. D Hoa K c gng n
u, chc chn nhng cn c ca VNCH s khng c ym tr
nh qun tr phng mong mun. Chin thut cn c ha lc
tht bi H Lo v a hnh rng rm, v kh khn v tip
t v ha lc ym tr. Cn c ha lc nu khng c ha lc
mnh, th s l c im bt ng; tr thnh mt tm bia cho
pho binh i phng: nm cao, nh ln l liu gia rng, pho
th i phng kh bn trt. [22] Trng hp ny ng cho tt
c cn c ha lc VNCH Lo. T ngy 17 n ngy 22 (N +9
n N +14) thi tit xu bao trm vng hnh qun: ma v
sng m gii hn tt c cc phi v ym tr v tip t. Sng
Ch Nht ngy 21 thng 2, S308 dng tt c Tr88 v lc
lng c hu tn cng CCBQN. L do S308 phi tn cng v
trit tiu CCBQN nhanh chng, v h khng th bao vy lu
chu ng nhng cn ma bom ca B-52 nh h b

CCBQB. Ngay sau m CCBQB tht th, tng Lm yu cu

QXXIV di bom hy b cn c ca T39BQ. B-52 di bom
lin tip hai ngy. C th nhng phi tun B-52 thc y
S308 tn cng CCBQN: nh st vo cn c; nh kiu nm
tht lng ch, th c c hi sng nhiu hn. Cng lc tn cng
vo CCBQN, pho binh ca B70 pho kch vo CC30 v CC31
ca Nhy D. pha nam hai cn c 30 v 31, TR64/S320
phc kch v nh chn, khng cho T8ND v Th17KB t
CCL1ND Bn ng tin v gn CC31ND ym tr. Ti
th t, 24 thng 2, bit khng th gi c CCBQN, tng Lm
cho lnh T21BQ di tn. n lc ny khng cn quyt nh
no khc hn di tn: T21BQ khng cn n, nc, hay lng
thc chin u. Mt s BQ rt ra khi cn c bng ng
b; mt s ln c trc thng vn v CC30ND, v t tr
v n v m CCL1BQ ti Ph Lc, Ta Puc. [24] n lc
hai cn c BQ b tht th; v lc p lc ang nng vo hai
cn c Nhy D cn li bc Bn ng, BTL QXXIV Hoa
K mi ln ting thng bo cho BTL MACV bit h ang gp
kh khn tip t v cung cp trc thng vn chuyn: Qun
on XXIV khng cn trc thng p ng yu cu t cc cn
c ha lc. Tht l mt thiu thn cht ngi trong lc kh
khn v cn thit nht. Ngy 23 thng 2, Trung Tng
Sutherland bo cho i Tng Abrams ca MACV, Trong vi
ngy qua, QXXIV cn phi gii hn li nhng ym tr khng
vn, v khng cn lai trc thng v trang UH-1C v AH1G. cu vn trong ngy vi ngy qua, c ngha l QXXIV
gp kh khn ym tr trc ngy CCBQB v CCBQN
tht th. Cng trong ngha , hai cn c ca Nhy D
CC31ND v CC30ND cng b nm trong tnh trng thiu thn.
CC31ND nm trong tnh trng nguy him nht: cn c nm st
vng hot ng ca BTL B70. Hai cn c BQ Bc v Nam mt
ngy 21 v 24 l mt chn ng chin trng H Lo. Nhng
chn ng b long i k bn mt bin c quan trng hn, c
nhiu nh hng cp trn hn: Trung Tng Cao Tr, t
lnh Hnh Qun Ton Thng 1/71 kim t lnh QIII, b t nn

trc thng ti chin trng ngy 23 thng 2. Tin khng chnh

thc cho bit tng Tr ngay ngy trc thng b n trn
khng ang chun b ln ng ra Q1 thay th Trung
Tng Lm ch huy cuc Hnh Qun LS719. Mt hai cn c;
tng Tr cht; v kh khn v ym tr cho mt trn. Chin
trng Vng III mt i mt s quan ch huy; trong khi qun
nhn Vng I th mt lng tin vo ngi s quan ch huy ca
h. l tnh hnh ca mt trn H Lo ngy 25 thng 2-1971.
Cu ni Phc bt trng lai, ha v n ch din t ng nht
trong trng hp ny: Nhiu chuyn khng may n cng mt
lc, nh ang xy ra trn ton ci chin trng H Lo lc .
Trc Thng, Trc Thng, v Cn Nhiu Trc Thng Na!
in tn ca tng Sutherland gy chn ng BTL MACV
trong bui hp Cp Nht Tnh Bo Hng Tun ngy 24 thng 2.
Bt u bui hp, thuyt trnh vin cho bit tnh hnh hnh qun
cho n ngy hm : Pha VNCH c 276 cht; 842 b thng;
101 mt tch. Pha Hoa K, 54 cht; 325 b thng; 26 trc thng
b bn ri; v 15 mt tch. Qun gii phng c 2.191 cht. Sau
thuyt trnh vin, tng Abrams t cu hi u tin: Ai c
kin g v bc in tn [ca Sutherland] ny khng?
Xin ni thm chi tit trong ni dung bc in tn ngy 23 thng 2
ca tng Sutherland, bo co v tnh trng thiu trc thng ca
QXXIV. y l mt bo co tr, nhng ng ta phi bo co
c th trnh ti v sau. Trong in tn gi MACV ngy 14 thng
2 trc , khi k li li phn nn ca Q I v ym tr khng
vn, tng Sutherland p m th nhn vi tng Abrams l
ng khng tht s gii thch cho tng Lm bit r s trc
thng Q XXIV c bao nhiu, v s ym tr cho 32 tiu on
VNCH vng hnh qun ra sao. Sutherland vit, ngy 12 (ngy
Tng Thng Thiu ra th st hnh qun ng H) khi tng
Lm t lo lng v s trc thng b bn ri; v thi gian ch
t lc yu cu n lc c tha mn. Tng Sutherland ni

vi s trc thng UH-1H (lai chuyn ch) ang c, chc chn

Q XXIV s cung ng nhu cu cho cc n vVNCH. Nhng
Sutherland khng ni r thm l s trc thng chuyn ch
cng ph trch lun cho tt c cc n v M ang ym tr
song song trong cuc hnh qun. Sutherland th nhn vi tng
Abrams v chuyn khng gii thch r rng hn cho tng
Lm bit. Sau khi c in tn, tung Abrams ngh tng
Sutherland nn gii thiu ci thc t v kh nng tip vn/
khng vn ca QXXIV cho tng Lm v cc t lnh Hnh
Qun LS719 bit.[27]
Ngy 12 ng H, khi nghe tng Lm lo s khng trc
thng, tng Sutherland trn an tng Lm bng mt th d: ng
ni ngy 8 (ngy hnh qun N), trc thng b su tiu on
VNCH cng mt lc, an ton v ng gi, v ch cn 95 trc
thng UH-1H. V theo ng thy, trong lnh hnh qun s khng
c giai on no phi cn n su tiu on b cng lc
nh ngy hm . Vi s lng 130 trc thng UH-1H, ym tr
v tip liu khng phi l mt vn lo lng. ng, tng
Sutherland ni ng v kh nng khng vn/ ym tr ca Hoa
K cho n ngy hnh qun N +4. V tng Lm ng .
Nhng n ngy 23, tng Sutherland th nhn qua bo co vi
MACV ng khng cn kh nng ym tr, v xin MACV tip
vin thm trc thng. y cn mt gii thch cho s mu thun
thay i .
Phn ln s trc thng ym tr cho HQ LS719 n t Lin on
Khng Vn 101, n v c hu ca S101ND (101stAviation
Group/ 101stAirborne Division/Airmobile). Trong HQ LS719,
Lin on 101 thng thuc Q XXIV. Bo co ca LKV101
(Lin on Khng Vn 101), cho bit h c tng cng 239 trc
thng qun lai UH-1H. in tn ca Sutherland ngy 23 ni
ng cn trc thng v trang Cobra v UH-1C. L do: mi phi v
trc thng chuyn ch cn hai trc thng v trang ym tr. Lin
on 101 Khng Vn, tuy thng thuc QXXIV, nhng h lm

vic theo qui c ca h (trc thng chyn ch phi c trc thng

v trang bo v i km), v Q XXIV khng thay i c qui
tc hnh qun ca LK101KV. Vi 239 trc thng ny, Q XXIV
dnh ra 130 chic phc v cho 32 tiu on VNCH H Lo, s
cn li phi cung ng cho tt c lc lng Vit-M ang hot
ng ton lnh th Vng I. Nhn vo trn lit ca M ang ym
tr cho LS719, h c tt c 19 tiu on.[28] Nh vy, 109 trc
thng cn li l cung ng nhu cu chin trng cho 19 tiu
on tc chin M v nhng nhu cu trc thng khc cho ton
Vng I.[29]
Khi ni Q XXIV phi gii hn li phi v khng vn v thiu
trc thng v trang h tng, Tng Sutherland gii thch. Theo
chng trnh (theo cp s m l ra ng phi c) ng c cung
cp 86 trc thng AH-1G v 44 UH-1C. Nhng trong s ny, n
ngy 23, ch c 25 AH-1G v tm UH-1C bay c. Trong khi
, 16 AH-1G v ba UH-1H b bn rt cho n ngy 23 vn cha
c thay th b li. Nhng phi v tip t, ti thng, qun,
phi nh tr v khng trc thng h tng. Sutherland gii
thch thm, v trc thng bay nhiu phi v hn gii hn nn h
nhiu, v khng c ph tng thay/ sa cha. Trc thng vn
ti nng nh CH-47, CH-54, CH-53 phi bay nhiu phi v hn
lng nh trong son tho: Trong san tho hnh qun nguyn
thy, trc thng hng nng ch dng cho on ng bay t Khe
Sanh n mt trn H Lo. Nhng trn thc t 30% cc phi v
ny l ti t nhng cn c ym tr xa nh ng h, Qung
Tr n Khe Sanh, v b t lnh tip vn khng vn chuyn
qua ng b ni mt cch khc vn chuyn bng ng b
b gii hn ti a v nguy him phc kch. Cui cng ca in
tn, tng Sutherland xin MACV cung cp thm ba i i trc
thng AH-1G (Cobra), v mt i i CH-47 (mt i i trc
thng c 16 chic theo cp s ca Lin on 101 Khng Vn).
Sutherland nhn mnh ng cn trc thng v trang lp tc v trc
thng vn ti nng CH-47 trc khi nh v hng ty (v

Tchepone).
in tn ny dn in tn kia, ba ngy sau, tham mu trng ca
Lc Qun Hoa K, Vit Nam (US Army, Vietnam) bo co vi
tham mu trng MACV, v ch huy trng Phng 3 MACV v
vn trc thng. Tng s trc thng ang phc v HQLS719 l
672 trc thng lai, nhng ch c 497 chic bay c.[30] Ni
tm li: V l do ny hay l do n (khng c ph tng thay th;
bay qu nhiu phi v; phi gng thm nhim v m n v vn
ti ng b khng lm ; hay khng chuyn vin bo tr),
Q XXIV khng trc thng cung ng cho HQ LS719 vi
s trc thng ang c. Li yu cu gp rt tip vin thm hai i
i trc thng ca Sutherland lm cho MACV ni trn li
nh. Trong bui hp ngy th T, 24 thng 2, Thiu Tng
Donald Cowles, Phng 3 MACV, trnh by tnh hnh trc thng
ng ch thn ra quan st, v ni chuyn vi tng
Sutherland. Tng Cowles ni cung cp thm cho Q XXIV mt
i i trc thng C-47 th khng c vn . Nhng thm mt
i i trc thng v trang AH-1G nh tng Sutherland yu cu
th khng th c. Cowles thng bo, tt c Vng I ch cn li 16
AH-1G. Su trong 16 chic thuc v lc lng tnh bo qun
s MAC-SOG, v h khng th cho mn c.
Nghe xong tng trnh, tng Abrams ln ting, vi vi ting chi
th m trong cu. ng li cho Trung Tng William J.
McCaffrey, t lnh ph Lc Qun Hoa K, Vit Nam.[31]BTL
QXXIV] ang c vn vi t chc v c cu. Anh ta khng
bit chuyn g ang xy ra. Mt tiu on [VNCH] nm hai ngy
ng 914 ri sau anh ta mi bit [v tr u] m
chng ta [MACV] bit trc. Nh vy, ni cho ti nghe, lin
lc gia b t lnh ca anh ta v ca tng Lm c hu hiu hay
khng. USARV phi c i din ti . T y [BTL USARV
Long Bnh] n mt trn qu xa.
Sau vi pht yn lng, tng Abrams kt thc bui hp, ra lnh

MACV gi ngi ra b t lnh tin phng Khe Sanh quan

st li iu khin v qun tr cuc hnh qun, ri trc tip bo
co v cho ng.[32]
Qua nhng trao i trong bui hp MACV, v ni dung in tn
ca Sutherland, chng ta thy (a) QXXIV tht s khng kh
nng tip t cho chin trng LS719. Chng ta cng thy ba
qun on VNCH ba Vng II, III, v IV u ang hnh qun.
Nhng BTL c vn M i km ang ym tr v khng cn kh
nng tip t cho n v bn cc Vng/ Qun on khc (Sau
in tn yu cu tip vin trc thng v trang AH-1G, QXXIV
mn c 16 chic t MAC-SOG v Field Force I Vng
II).[33] V, (b) b t lnh ym tr qu xa chin trng c
th lin lc trc tip v cp thi gia ym tr v nhu cu chin
trng. Ni ngn gn hn, MACV son tho mt cuc hnh qun
qu ln b t lnh tip liu c th chu ton.
Theo k hach hnh qun, mi s on VNCH c mt tiu
on trc thng ph trch nhu cu vn ti (tip t, trinh st, ti
thng).[34] Trong iu kin thng thng, mt tiu on trc
thng (khong 48 n 54 trc thng lai) phc v d dng cho
mt s on ca M (Mt th d: Tiu on 14 Trc Thng
Xung Kch, l tiu on khng vn c hu ca S23 Hoa K,
ph trch cho S1BB VNCH; T158 Trc thng Xung Kch, ca
S101 Nhy D, ph trch phc v cho S Nhy DVNCH ...).
Nhng trn H Lo thay i tt c c lng cho hnh qun
trong mt hon cnh thng thng. c lng hnh qun ni c
th ch tip liu bng ng b t ng H v Khe Sanh; v t
Khe Sanh n Bn ng. Nhng thc t cho thy ng 9
khng an ton; v phi ly trc thng vn chuyn thay cho cc
tiu on vn ti ng b. Phi Trng Khe Sanh, theo d nh,
s nhn c phi c vn ti nng C-130. Nhng n ngy Hnh
Qun N +8 (16 thng 2) Khe Sanh mi nhn c tip liu ch
t C-130. Nh vy chn ngy u hnh qun, trc thng li phi
b trc dng. li hon ton cho Q XXIV th khng ng, v

h ang nhn lnh lun trch nhim ca nhng tiu on vn ti

ng b. Nhn vo lnh hnh qun ca S Nhy D cho thy
s lc quan ca QI v QXXIV (vi nhng ha hn khng vn
cho S Nhy D). phn Khng Vn, lnh hnh qun vit:
Qun on I cung cp L. 19 v khu trc theo nhu cu; Hoa K
cung cp mi ngy mt phi c OV-10 bao vng v 24 phi tun
khu trc; Hoa K cung cp mi ngy 2 trc thng ch huy v 8
trc thng a dng; trc thng ch huy, tip t, ti thng, chuyn
qun, v v trang theo nhu cu. S lc quan y l h (ban son
tho hnh qun MACV, QI v QXXIV) ngh hai trc thng
ch huy, tm trc thng a dng, v 24 phi tun khu trc oanh tc
s tha mn nhu cu ca chn tiu on tc chin v ba tiu on
pho binh ca S on Nhy D. Lc quan sai lc cng xy
ra cho S1BB v STQLC. QXXIV thiu trc thng v khng
gii quyt c. Nhng s ri!
Ngy 24 v 25 thng 2, Cn C 31 ca Nhy D ang hp hi.
Cn C Ha Lc 30 v 31 Tht Th
Cng ngy khi CCBQN ca T21BQ tht th, Qun gii
phng khi ng p lc trn ton vng hnh qun. nam ng
9, mt trn ca S1BB, cc n v Qun gii phng bm cht
vo CC Hotel2, tn cng T2/Tr3/S1BB. S1BB gi thm
mt tiu on vo chin trn, hy vng cu T2 v gii ta p
lc; nhng ch vn bm st. nh ca S1BB l mun rt
pho i i bc 105 ly ra khi CC Hotel2 chun b di chuyn
v hng Tchepone. Di ha lc pho ca ch, n ti ngy
23 mt phn pho i mi di tn c khi CC Hotel2. Nhng sau
nhiu ngy tc chin lin tc, T2/Tr3 gn nh tan nt. Ngy
24 tng Lm c lnh thay i k hoch hnh qun: Thay v
L2/SND l n v c trc thng vn vo chim Tchepone,
nhim v by gi c giao cho S1BB. Nhim v mi ca
L2ND l tng cng ym tr cho tuyn/ bi p Alpha (na
ng t Bravo v Bn ng) trn ng 9. L147/STQLC s

thay vo ch trng ca nhng tiu on ca S1BB ang ng

trn CCHotel1 v CCDelta; L258TQLC s thay b binh ng
trn cao im Co Roc v nhng cao im ln cn.
Hai ngy trc , ngy 22, Tng Thng Thiu ni vi tng
Abrams Giai an III (giai on b vo Tchepone) s bt
u trong ba ngy na. ng thi ng Thiu thay i lun Giai
on IV (giai an lui qun): Trn ng v S1BB s i theo
ng 922 tip tc ph hy cc kho hng trong cn c hu
cn 611.[36] l mun ca Tng Thng Thiu mt
mun qu xa thc t ca chin trng. Tr khi Abrams bo co
ln, hay Tng Thng Thiu nh ln, ch t Tchepone hnh qun
tr ngc v bin gii Vit Nam qua ng 922 l chuyn kh
tng tng. n gi pht m Si Gn vn cn ngh lc
lng VNCH sau khi tn cng Tchepone, c th i theo ng
922 v thung Lng A Shau, nh tr li cn c hu cn 611
(cn c b M tn cng thng 2-1969, trong phm vi thung lng
A Shau-Sekong). Nguyn thy k hoch hnh qun l qun rt
lui s v theo ng 914 ph nhng kho hng chung quanh
Mng Nng (giao im ca ng 92C v 914). on
ng 922 v bin gii xa hn ng 914 hn gp i. C th
vo ngy 22 khi cc cn c pha bc cha mt, BTTM/ Si Gn
vn cn lc quan (CC BQB mt m 20, nhng khng bit n
lc no Si Gn mi nhn tin chnh thc t QI). n ngy 25
th tnh hnh chin trng cho thy rt qun tr v bin gii
cng lc ph hy v lc sot trn ng v qua ng ng
922 l chuyn v cng nguy him, nu khng ni kh thc hin.
Sng ngy 25, Tr64/S320 Qun gii phng vi xe tng ym
tr, tn cng mnh lit vo CC 31 ND. S dng hn 20 chin xa
gia ban ngy trc ha lc khng kch ca M cho thy quyt
tm ca ch mun trit tiu cn c. Cng lc tn cng CC31ND,
ch dng ci v i bc tm xa bn rt chnh xc vo CC30ND
v CCBnng, gy tr ngi cho hai pho i ang ym tr
v hng cn c b tn cng. Pho sng ci ca ch cng lc

cng chnh xc: Trong hai ngy cch nhau, ngy 23 CC31 v
ngy 25 CC30, sng ci bn ngay vo bi p trc thng
ang ln xung, gy t thng cho phi hnh on v hnh
khch. [37] Hai ln tn cng bui sng v tra ngy 25 t hng
ng bc v ty nam khng thnh; 4 gi chiu ch chuyn
hng, tn cng t t hng ng nam ca cn c. Nh
ni, CC 31 ND c b ch huy L3ND; bn i i tc chin
c hu ca T3; mt i i trinh st; v mt pho i 105 ly.
Hai i i 31 v 32 ng tin n hng ng v ng
bc; i i trinh st ng trn mt cao im ty ty bc;
hai i i 33 v 34 v pho i ng bn trong cn c. Ngy
25, trc khi cn c b tn cng v tht th, hai i i 31 v 32
c lnh di chuyn v hng nam v ng nam n nhn mt
lc lng thit k-nhy d (n v ca Th17TK v T8ND) t
Bn ng ln tip vin. Theo mt mt s quan ca i i 32
thut li, i i khng n im hn ng nh d liu. Nhng
khng thnh vn na, v n v Thit K-Nhy D t hng
nam i ln cng gp tr ngi, v va i h va phi nh nhng
cht ca ch cn ng. [38] Trong hai i i cn li phng
th cn c, i i 34 b tn tht nhiu trc ngy tht th.
Bo co cho bit i i 34 ch cn 60 tay sng. [39] Nh vy, hai
i-i-thiu (-) v mt pho i 105 ly l tt c nhng g cn
li ca CC 31 ND i tin vi ba tiu-on cng (+) ca
Tr64/S320 v Tr1/S2BB Qun gii phng.
Trung on 64/S320 gm hai Tiu on 8 v 9 (tm i i)
cng vi mt i i xe tng, c mt vng hnh qun t 6
thng 2, v bt u bao vy CC 31 ND t ngy 20. Tr64/320
c nhc n trong in tn ca tng Sutherland ngy 22.
in tn cho bit Tr64 v Tr1/S2BB Qun gii phng ang
hat ng pha ty, st Bn ng v bc ng 9. Nhim v
ca hai trung on ny l gi mn, ng cht v lm l ct
khng c trn ng 9 v hng Tchepone. Sutherland trn an
MACV vi nhn nh, Ti khng qun tm v nhng khng c
ny; B-52 s hy dit c. [40]

Quan tm hay khng, 11 gi sng ngy 25 hai i i ca Tr64

tn cng cn c hng bc sau khi n pho lin tc t 7 gi
sng; 12 gi: ch thay i hng tn cng vo pha ng nam;
1gi: mt i i ch chc thng phng tuyn ca cn c pha
bc; 3 gi chiu: 20 xe tng v b binh tng thit tn cng vo
cn c t hai hng ng v ty bc; 5 gi chiu: ba xe tng vi
hai i i b binh tng thit n trn u hm b ch huy L3
v ban ch huy T3. Cn c 31 ca Nhy D k nh b trn ngp
khi mt vi s quan ch huy ln my truyn tin cho vnh bit
ng i. ch thn i T Nguyn Vn Th, l on trng
L3ND, gi v Trung Tm Hnh Qun SND Khe Sanh:
Lng i! Cn c b trn ngp. Vnh bit bn! (Lng
l i T Nguyn Thu Lng, trng phng hnh qun SND
trong thi gian .) CC 30 ND, cch CC 31 ND chng nm
cy s, i y Trng Duy Hy, pho i trng 155 ly, nhn li
cho cui cng ca i y pho i trng Nguyn Vn ng
u giy, Vit Cng trn ln bi trc thng ng qu. Ti
phi ra trc x y. V i y ng ch c th trc x n
4 gi 16 chiu, v n gi , tiu on ph T3 Pho Binh
D, i y Phng, ln my truyn tin cm n ln cui:
Thnh tht cm n cc bn tc x ht mnh. Nhng by gi
khng cn cch no cu vn. Vnh bit cc bn. Vnh bit cc
bn. Truyn tin qua li ca hai i i 31 v 32 cho thy h di
chuyn khi v tr, rt v hng nam ch bt tay vi T8ND v
Th17KB t Bn ng ln. i i trinh st ca L3ND,
ang ng hng ty ty bc, c lnh nh tr li cn c
cu nhng qun nhn cn t th. [41]
Nhiu chuyn khng may xy ra cho s tht th ca CC31ND:
my bay tin st hng dn ha lc n khng kp gi v b lc ta
; phn lc c M ang nh bom ym tr b v tr i cu bn
(mt phn lc cng phi tun b bn ri trong lc ym tr) trong
khi xe tng ca ch tin ln i; t 3gi 30 n 5 gi hn, mt
cn ma ging trt xung vng Khe Sanh Lao Bo, ngn cn mi

ym tr khng lc, sau khi khng lc M thc hin c

108 phi v ym tr cho CC 31 ND. Trong m 25, i i trinh
st ng mnh vi ch khi h tin v CC 31 ND vi hy vng
cu b ch huy l on, hay bt c ai cn sng st. i i b
thit hi nng nhng vn khng vo c bn trong cn c. Rng
sng ngy 26, B-52 bay 15 phi v, tri bom bc, ty bc v ng
bc CC 31 ND. [42] Ngy 26, T8ND v T17TK trn ng
tin ln CC 31 ND tip vin, qun tho vi mt i i ca ch
ng pha ty nam, cch cn c chng 200 n 400 mt. Qun
tip vin nhn thy cn c, nhng khng vt qua c sc
khng c ca ch. Mt i i ca T8/Tr64 Qun gii
phng ang ng cht cn hng i. Ti v tr ny, t ngy 26
n ngy 3 thng 3, pha nam v ty nam CC31ND xy ra
nhiu trn giao tranh m mu gia hai lc lng i khng. n
ngy 3 thng 3 hai tiu on ca Tr64 gom qun li v y lc
lng D-Thit K ngc v Bn ng. [43]
Trn nh m 2 thng 3 gia lc lng c nhim D-Thit K
v Tr64/S320, xy ra cch CC 30 ND chng nm cy s v
hng ty, nhng Cn C 30 nhng ngi lnh ca T2ND
c th cm nhn c ha lc ch Tiu on 2 Nhy D
by gi ng b v mt mnh gia Binh on 70.
Tnh hnh Cn C 30 Nhy D c tng Sutherland nhc n
trong mt in tn bo co v MACV ngy 22 thng 2.
Sutherland cho bit pho nng di v pho ci ca ch rt chnh
xc, lm gii hn ti a nhng phi tun tip liu cho cn c. Ha
lc phng khng y tri, nhng my bay quan st khng tm
c mc tiu t sng. Sutherland bo co bn i bc 105 ly
trn cn c b h v cn thay th. Tr nhng tr ngi , cn
c ca Nhy D vn bnh yn. [44] Bo co ca Sutherland
cng ng: Cho n ngy 22 thng 2, mt trn ca vng hnh
qun pha ty tng i yn tnh yn tnh cho n khuya 24
khi CCBQN ca T21BQ tht th; m 25 n lt CC 31
ND ca L3ND v T3ND b mt. V sau khi cng c tp

trung li qun s sau trn Cn C 31, lc lng ca B70 mnh

hn. Ti m 3 thng 3, lc lng D-Thit K c lnh b
tuyn; v b lun nh tr li CC 31 ND. Nhng trc khi ri
v tr, Thit on 17 v T8ND nh mt trn i H
Lo: Giao chin vi mt tiu on ch, lc lng D-Thit K
i 100 thng vong ly 383 xc i phng. [45] Sau trn
nh lc lng c nhim lui v ng 9, v phng tuyn
Bn ng. Cho n lc , tr s hin din ca T2ND
ng bc Bn ng, vng hnh qun t bin gii n bc Bn
ng nm trong gng km ca Binh on B70. Ch sau mt
tun phn cng, ba s on Qun gii phng n p tt c cc
lc lng VNCH hng bc ca trc tin qun.
n ngy cui ca Thng 2 (ngy 28) trn CC 30 ND vn cn
mt s lnh BQ kt li (qun ca hai T39 v 21). Cn c ng
v cht hn. Theo quan st ca phi cng trc thng ym tr, cn
c ng v cht n nu pho binh ch bn vo, th th no
cng c lnh b thng hoc cht. Lnh b thng m khng
c di tn ngay, li tr thnh mt gnh nng cho qun tr
phng. [46] Vng ai phng th ca cn c cng ngy cng nh
li. Ngy 27 ch t nhp n bi p trc thng, qun tr
phng phi nghnh chin cch phng tuyn ca h cha n 50
mt. Trong ba ngy 26 n 28, cc n v ca Tr64/S320 v
Tr88/S308 thay phin nhau tn cng vo CC30ND nhng tht
bi: ch khng dm tp trung qun nhiu v s trng bom B-52
(B-52 nh hng ngy chung quanh cn c); nu dng t qun
th nh khng qua c phng tuyn ca Nhy D. Nhng ch
khng cn trn ngp phng tuyn bng lnh b binh v xe tng
na. H ch cn tip tc pho pho cho n khi qun tr
phng phi di tn khi cao im. Ngy 2 thng 3 ch pho vo
cn c hn 1.000 qu n, trong c n i bc 152 ly.
n pho kch bn trng vo hm n 105 ly, v n lan qua
hm n 155 ly, thiu hy mt gc ca cn c, ph hy tt c i
bc ca hai pho i. Tiu on c lnh chun b ch trc
thng n di tn. Nhng trc thng no dm p xung mt gia

mt x trng nh vy. Rt lui bng trc thng khng c, x

tra ngy 3 tiu on c lnh di chuyn bng ng b. Tiu
on 2 Nhy D VNCH, sau hai moi lm ngy phng th CC
30 ND, ri cn c vo 5 gi chiu. Hai gi sng ngy 4 thng 3,
sau khi tt c xung c chn i, trn ng di chuyn,
tiu on 2ND nh mt in tn, yu cu phi c tin st ang
bay trn u nu nhn c th chuyn v cho BTL hnh qun/
t lnh SND Khe Sanh. in tn vn tt, B vy hm v b
tn cng lin tc mi ngy; khng nhn c tip t; c 200
thng vong. Hai ngy khng c lng thc v nc ung.
Cn trc thng ti thng v tip t gp khi tri sng. [47]
Hn mt tun trc khi T2ND b c im CC 30 ND, SND
thc hin k hoch ti phi tr v tr v trch nhim ca s
on. Thay v nhy vo Tchepone nh k hoch hnh qun
nguyn thy, L2ND, vi ba tiu on 5, 7 v 11, by gi c
trch nhim cng c an ninh trn ng 9 t Lao Bo n Bn
ng: BTL L2ND ng Lao Bo; T11ND ph trch bi
p/ tuyn Bravo; T5ND, tuyn Alpha; v T7ND i xa v
hng bc n T2ND trn ng di tn t CC30ND v, v
lm mt hnh lang kim sot hng bc, khong gia Alpha v
Bn ng. Cng lc, STQLC, t vai tr tr b, cng c iu
ng vo vng hnh qun: Hai L on 147 v 258 s thay th
hai Trung on 1 v 3, S1BB mt vi cao im, hai trung
on ny ri v tr, tin xa v pha ty. Ngy 3 thng 3, hnh qun
ngy N+23, trn lit ca VNCH v Qun gii phng hon ton
thay i. Theo bo co ca Phng 2 BTTM VNCH, n thi
im lc lng Qun gii phng c 16 trung on vng
hnh qun. Mi mt trong s mi su trung on ny tham
chin; nm trung on cn li nm trong vng hnh qun v c
th tham chin bt c lc no. l cc trung on b binh,
n v ym tr ca Qun gii phng trong vng hnh qun gm
mt trung on chin xa; mt phng khng; v hai pho binh.
Cng ng chin nh mt n v c lp, Binh on 559 c 12

tiu on phng khng; 12 tiu on vn ti; v 17 tiu on

cng binh trong vng hnh qun, vi nhim v bo v cn c ca
h.
S on 1 B Binh v Mt Trn Pha Nam
Trong khi hng bc ng 9, Nhy D v BQ ng
u vi nm trung on Qun gii phng (cha k cc n v
xe tng, phng khng, v pho binh), pha nam, hai trung
on ca S1BB qun tho vi su trung on ch (cha k
nhng n v ym tr v hai binh trm). Su trung on Qun
gii phng n t cc S on 324B, 304, v mt trung on ca
S2BB.
Vo tun l u hnh qun, tm tiu on ca Tr1 v
Tr3/S1BB ng trn chn cao im, trong c nm cn c
ha lc. T cao im Co Roc gn bin gii cho n pha ng
nam Bn ng. Nhng cn c ha lc quan trng l CCHotel;
CCHotel2; CCDelta; Don; v CCDelta1. Tt c nhng cn c
ny nm trong phm vi ng 914 v bin gii Vit Nam
cng ng thi nm trong vng hot ng ca cn c hu cn
611. Cn c hu cn 611 do hai Binh Trm 31 v 41 ph trch,
c nhim v ti hng t hai Binh Trm 33 v 42 Tchepone (cn
c hu cn 604) v mt trn B-4 v qun khu Tr-Thin-Hu.
Nhng cn c/ cao im ny nm cch Sng Xe Pone/ ng 9
t nm n 12 cy s. Cn c ha lc xa nht v hng nam l
CCHotel2. T y pho binh c th tc x xung Mng Nng
cng l mt mc tiu quan trng ca LS719. Nu hng
bc ng 9 nhng cn c ca Nhy D v BQ ng theo
i hnh km ch trc l 92A v 1093; hng nam,
S1BB ng trn nhng cao im ngn chn lu thng v
hng ng nam trn ng 914 v 92C. [49]
Lc lng Qun gii phng m S1BB VNCH ang i u
trong vng trch nhim ca h l S2 Sao Vng vi hai Trung

on 3 v 41; ba Trung on 29, 812, v 803 ca S324B.

Phn ng ca ch pha nam (vng trch nhim ca S1BB)
tng i chm v km mnh lit hn pha bc (vng trch
nhim ca BQ v Nhy D). Nhng sau khi hai cn c BQ
v CC31ND b tht th; sau khi ch vin thm qun t hng
B3 (Ty Nguyn) ln, cc tiu on ca hai Trung on 1 v
3/S1BB chm ch thng xuyn v mnh lit hn. Vo ngy
27 thng 2, chung quanh CCHotel2, cn c ha lc ln nht v
xa nht pha nam ng 9, ch bao vy T2/Tr3 ang bo
v mt pho i 105 ly trn cn c. Khi nh hi bit Tr3 s di
tn pho i v qun tr phng n mt cao im khc, ch
dng tt c ha lc tn cng mnh. Mt trc thng CH-53 b bn
tan xc trn khng trung khi ang mc mt khu pho trn
ng di tn. m 28 cn c c lnh ph hy i bc v di
chuyn khi cn c bng ng b (Pho i c lnh di
tn t ngy 23, nhng ch mt s di tn c v phng khng
qu mnh). Hai Tiu on 2 v 3/Tr3 cng c lnh rt i,
tm mt ch an ton trc thng c th di tn h. Trong hai
ngy, 28 thng 2 v 1 thng 3, trn ng di tn Tiu on 2 v
Tiu on 3/Tr3 b hai Trung on 29 v 814/S324B tn
cng lin tc. Sau cng, hai tiu on c trc thng bc v
Khe Sanh v CCDelta1. Bo co t QXXIV cho bit T2/Tr3
b thit hi nng v c a v Hu b sung v ti trang b.
[50]
Tnh hnh chin trng pha nam ng 9 n ngy
CCHotel2 di tn, tr nn c lit. ch iu ng thm bn
trung on vo vng tc chin. ng b t ng H i Khe
Sanh b phc kch thng xuyn; ng Khe Sanh v Lao Bo
cng khng kh g hn. Vn chuyn ng b khng cn tin
tng c. Ngay c nhng cn c tip liu tin phng do lnh
M trn gi cng b tn cng: Trong bn ngy, c cng ca Mt
Trn B-5 (n v ph trch khong ng t ng H v Lao
Bo) tn cng hai ln vo cn c Vandegrift (khong gia Cam
L v Khe Sanh), ph hy 320.000 lt xng my bay v hn

16.000 n i bc 20 ly. [51] Trong mt in tn bo co tnh

hnh chin trng cho n ngy 3 thng 3, tng Sutherland th
nhn (1) trong ba ln tn cng vo cc Cn C 31, 30 v Hotel2,
ha lc phng khng, sng ci v pho binh ca ch lm
cho vn tip liu bng trc thng kh khn, nu khng ni l
khng c. (2) mc d b tn tht tng ng mt trung
on mt tun, nhng ch vn quyt lit tc chin, v, (3) i
phng quen vi k thut v chin thut [tc chin] ca qun
lc VNCH, v t phi hp ha lc ca h i ph. [52]
Ni mt cch khc, in tn ca tng Sutherland cho bit, d
thit hi nng v sn sng chu thit hi nng nhng ch
ang nm th thng phong chin trng.
Ngy 28 thng 2 tng Lm bay v Si Gn hi kin vi Tng
Thng Thiu v i Tng Cao Vn Vin. Bui hp thc t ha
quyt nh a thm chn tiu on vo thay th nm tiu on
bi thit hi trong hn ba tun giao chin. Nhng tiu on b
thit hi l T3ND; T39 v 21BQ; T2 v 3/Tr3/S1BB.
Chn tiu on c a vo chin trng l L147 v
L258TQLC (su tiu on); Thit on 7; v, Tr2/S1BB
(T2 v 3). Bui hp ng thi khng nh mt ln na, S1BB
s l n v nhy vo Tchepone thay v Nhy D nh trong k
hoch nguyn thy, hay l TQLC nh c ngh s qua
BTL tin phng Khe Sanh.[53] Ngy 1 thng 3, Tng
Thng Thiu cho i Tng Abrams bit k hoch mi nh
ni trn.[54]
[1] S on 1 B Binh trong thi im HQLS719 c nm
trung on: 1, 2, 3, 4, v 54 (thng thuc S1BB). Trung on 1
v 3 mi trung on c bn tiu on; Trung on 2 c nm; v
Trung on 54 c ba. Sau HQLS719, thng 10-1971, BTTM
thnh lp S on 3 B Binh, Trung on 2 c tch ra lm
trung on ct tr cho S on 3BB (vi Trung on 2, 56,
v 57). Khi VNCH tht th nm 1975, S1BB c Trung on 1,
3, 51, v 54. c Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd tr. 173; Personnel

Occupying Key Positions in the Republic of Vietnam Armed

Forces During the Final Enemy Offensive in 1975 (General
Research Corporation: McLean, VA, 1975), tr. 9.
[2] Sorley, The Abrams Tapes, tr. 359; c thm Giang Vn Nhn,
Kha 22 Lt Trong Trn H Lo, y l mt bi vit tng
hp li k ca cc s quan tt nghip Kha 22 tham d LS719,
vit qua dng e-mail; v tng hp tng t ca Kiu Cng C
trong, Nhng Emails Rt Ngn v Rt Tht v Cuc Hnh Qun
Lam Sn 719, c San Sng Thn 2013, tr. 117. Theo bn
hnh qun ca BTL B70, CC31ND v cn c tng lai 32ND,
ang nm st vng ai ca BTL B70. S thit hi ca hai i
i T6ND nm trong Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 81. Theo i
T Nguyn Thu Lng, Phng 3 S on Nhy D, th T6ND
nhy xung ym tr thm cho L3ND, hn l thnh lp
CC32. i t Lng ni lnh hnh qun ca s on thay i
khi p lc ca Qun gii phng xung CCBQB v
CCBQN. Sch ca tng Hinh cng vit tng t nh li gii
thch ca i T Nguyn Thu Lng.
[3] B-5 c hai Trung on B Binh 31 v 27; hai Trung on
Pho Binh 84 v 38. Tiu on c Cng Nc 126 gy nguy
him cho x lan ch hng t cng M Thy v Ca Vit v t
vo ng H bng ng sng. Cn tr ny t gnh nng
thm cho phng tin khng vn ang kit qu. c Project
CHECO, dn, tr. 49, trch ph ch di.
[4] Headquarters Pacific Air Force. Project CHECO, Lam Son
719, 30 January 24 March 1971 tr. 43-44.
[5] Nh trn; cng trang.
[6] Nguyn Hu An, Chin Trng Mi, tr.109. Tng An ni
S308 h tri Sa Rit, Tiu on bit ng qun 21 ng
im cao 500 chn trc mt, cch chng ti vi cy s. Tc gi

ni thm s on ca ng ng trn u Sng Sa Mu. Cao im

500 mt ca TBQ21 nhn xung Sng Sa Mu. Nu y l v
tr ng ca S308 th CCBQN nm ngay st vng ay ca
Tr88/308 Qun gii phng. V nh vy, ngy hm sau (N +3)
CCBQB ca T39BQ ng ngay vng tc chin ca
Tr102/S308. Hai cn c Bc v Nam cch nhau khong hai
cy s.
[7] V s quan t nn l i T Cao Khc Nht, Trng Phng
3, QI. Theo sch tng Nguyn Duy Hinh, gia thng 1 khi
Chun Tng Trn nh Th, Trng Phng 3, BTTM, ra Hu
thng bo cho tng Lm ni dung HQ LS719, i T Nht
khng c php tham d v l do bo mt. Sau bui thuyt trnh,
i T Nht hi tng Th, Ti sao ti khng c tham d?
Ti l ngi ng gp san tho hnh qun ny. c Nguyn
Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 34. on trc thng ny c nm chic, do hoa
tiu Khng Qun VNCH bay. Tc gi Trn Cm vit (theo
li thut ca cc s quan BQ) bn n ca on phi c nm
chic l b ch huy L1BQ T Pc. Nhng nu trc thng b
bn gia ng 9 v pha nam CCBQN, th trc thng
bay lc hng. Sch ca tng Hinh ghi bn n ca trc thng
l CCBQN. Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 34; Trn Cm, tr. 6.
Theo hai tc gi Richard Pyle v Horst Faas trong Lost Over
Laos (De Capo Press, 2002), on trc thng c nm chic,
trong mt chic ch tng Lm, hai chic ch s quan qun
on v phng vin bo ch ngoi quc, hai chic cn li ch ty
vin. Mc ch ca chuyn bay l th st cn c Hotel nam
ng 9, ri bay v hng bc th st CCBQN ca T21BQ.
Trc thng n CCHotel an ton. Trn ng n CCBQB, trc
thng ca tng Lm dn u, hai trong bn chic cn li bay lc.
Khi ba chic trong on p xung CCBQN, ch mt hi lu
khng thy hai trc thng kia xut hin, tng Lm ni ng c
linh cm chuyn khng may xy ra (theo li tng Lm k li
trong sch ca hai tc gi). Lost Over Laos, tr. 143, 158.

[8] FRUS, sd, Document 113. Ngy 29 thng 1-1971, tng

Abrams ni c lng l da vo cuc hnh qun qua Cam
Bt thng 5-1970.
[9] in tn 121144Z Feb 1971, QTR 0064, Sutherland gi
Abrams. Sutherland bo co Tng Thng Thiu mun n lc tm
thi ca QI l khu vc c ta XD 5720, XD 6320, XD
5724, v XD 6324 (mc tiu A Ro). Cn C 611 nm dc theo
ng 914 dn v Vng I v Vng II. Theo ti liu ca Thiu
Tng Nguyn Duy Hinh, ng Thiu ra th st ng H vo
ngy 19 thng 2. Nhng tt c ti liu ngi vit tm c, u
ni ngy 12 thng 2. in tn ca Sutherland ghi ngy 12 thng 2
(121144Z Feb 1971: 11:44 gi Zulu, 12 thng 2), v bt u,
Trong lc thm ving vng hnh qun Lam Sn 719 hm nay

[10] n ngy 12 thng 2 VNCH c 17.822 qun Cam Bt

trong hai cuc hnh qun Cu Long 44-02, v Ton Thng 1/71,
do Qun on III v Qun on IV thc hin. Qun s ny
tng ln 21.000 ngy 27 thng 2. Theo bo co ca MACV, trong
tun l u ca LS719, VNCH c 10.621 qun Lo. Khng
Qun VNCH m nhim a s phi v tip vn, ti thng v
ym tr cho hai cuc hnh qun Cu Long v Ton Thng. c
Sorley, The Abrams Tapes, tr. 520, 535, 549.
[11] Sorley, sd, tr. 506. B-5 l b t lnh c trch nhim 15 cy
s bc, v 15 cy s nam Sng Bn Hi; i Tng Julius D.
Clay, t lnh Khng Lc 7, ni v gii hn ca Khng Lc 7 trong
bui hp MACV, ngy 13 thng 2, Lewis Sorley, cng sch, tr.
534.
[12] in tn 141220Z, Feb 14 1971, DNG 0443, Sutherland gi
Abrams.
[13] Tr102/308 QND cho bit h bn 2.083 n 82 ly vo

CCBQB; v km ch CCBQ37/L1BQ Ta Puc, h tiu

th hn 2.900 n ci 82 v 120 ly vo mc tiu ny. c Cng
Tc Hu Cn Chin Dch ng 9 Nam Lo, tr. 343.
[14] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 79; Bn T Chc Hu Cn
Mt Trn 702 Chin Dch ng 9 Nam Lo (Thng 2-3 Nm
1971) trong Chin Dch Phn Cng ng 9 Nam Lo.
[15] Nguyn Hu An, sd, tr. 109-110.
[16] Bn dn trong Chin Dch Phn Cng ng 9 Nam
Lo; Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 77-79.
[17] Sorley, The Abrams Tapes, tr. 538.
[18] Trong Victory in Vietnam: The Official History of Peoples
Army of Vietnam, 1954-1975, tr. 274, QND ghi c nhng
n v sau vo ngy 8 thng 2 ti vng hnh qun: Nm s on
chnh quy; hai trung on c lp; tm trung on pho; ba trung
on xe tng, ba trung on cng binh; su trung on phng
khng; tm trung on c cng; v, nhng n v c hu ph
thuc. y l bn dch Vit ng Lch S Qun i Nhn Dn, Tp
II: Thi K Trng Thnh ca Qun i Nhn Dn Trong Thi
K Khng Chin Chng M, Cu Nc (1954-1975) (Merle L.
Pribbenow, translator, Kansas: University of Kansas Press, 2002).
Qun s ca QND ghi theo sch trn mu thun vi nhiu sch
qun s ring ca cc s on, hay sch ca tng cc hu cn.
Mt s trung on vn ang trn ng n chin trng vo
ngy 8 thng 2, nh trng hp ca Tr64/S320 v
Tr36/S308.
[19] Cng Tc Hu cn Chin Dch ng 9 Nam Lo, tr. 116119, 379, 458. Tip liu hu cn ca QND c chia ra tng khu
vc/ : B70; B-5; Binh on 559; S324B, v S2BB. Trung bnh
mi trung on c chng 65 ci 60 v 82 ly.

[20] i y Trng Duy Hy, ch huy pho i C/T44

CC30ND, k li trng hp CC21BQ xin ng phn pho hai
pho i lin tc phn pho nhng khng hiu qu v khng thy
hng sng ca ch. i y Trng Duy Hy, T Th Cn C
Ha Lc 30 H Lo, tr. 72, 87.
[21] Keith W. Nolan, Ripcord: Screaming Eagals Under Seige,
Vietnam 1970, tr. 476, 480. Cn c Ripcord, t lc chim cho n
khi di tn hn bn thng. Tuy nhin ch c 23 ngy sau cng (1
n 23 thng 7-1970) l b tn cng mnh: M c 74 t thng v
400 b thng trong ba tun (254 t thng trong bn thng).
Sng ci ca QND bn vo cn c t xa mc tiu t 400 mt
n 3.500 mt. Ch trong ba tun, c th mt c im bt ng,
vi 74 cht v 400 b thng, th khng th gi cn c c.
[22] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 142, 159-160. Tng Hinh vit, tt
c 96 khu i bc b b li, l nhng cn c ha lc: Trc thng
khng cu i bc ra c v pho v phng khng ca ch qu
mnh.
[23] in tn 210525Z, Feb 1971, QTR 0116, Sutherland gi
Abrams; in tn 221745Z, Feb 1971, QTR 0125, Sutherland gi
Abrams. Trong in tn ngy 21 thng 2, Sutherland ni tng
Lm xin phi v B-52 hai ngy lin tip hy dit hon ton
Tr102 v nhng n v ca S308 trong vng. in tn ngy
22, Sutherland ni tng Lm ra lnh cho mt lc c nhim tin
v tip cu CCBQN. T ngy 17 thng 2, Sutherland xin
php Khng Qun cho B-52 di bom cch lc lng bn chng
1.500 mt, thay v cn bn an ton l cch 3.000 mt. in tn
170300Z, Feb 1971, QTR 0096, Sutherland gi i Tng Clay
(T Lnh Khng Lc 7).
[24] c thm nhiu chi tit v nhng trn nh CCBQB v
CCBQN ca T39 v 21 BQ trong Trn Cm, Cc Trn

nh Ca Bit ng Qun Ti H Lo, Nguyt San on Kt

(Austin, Texas, Thng 9, 2001); hai bi vit ca Kiu Cng C; v
Giang Vn Nhn, dn nh trn. C ba tc gi u nhc n s
mnh lit ca sng ci v i bc khng git. Kiu Cng C vit,
Trong mt ngy m c bn s quan b thng, tt c do n pho
kch, c San Sng Thn 2013 (Garden Grove, California), tr.
129.
[25] in tn 231600Z Feb 1971, QTR 0135, Sutherland gi
Abrams. AH-1G l trc thng loi Cobra; UH-1C l lai v
trang gunship.
[26] Chun tng Trn Quang Khi, mt trong nhng t lnh (i
t ch huy trng L on 3 Thit K) trong HQ Ton Thng 1/71
Cam Bt, qua phng vn in thoi vi ngi vit, tng Khi
ni hai ngy trc khi t nn (ngy 21 thng 2), tng Tr c ni
cho tng Khi bit ng c lnh i Vng I ch huy Hnh
Qun LS719. Tng Tr ni ng mun tng Khi ra Vng I vi
ng.
[27] in tn 121114Z Feb 1971, Sutherland ni v li phn nn
ca tng Lm; in tn 141200Z, cng thng, Sutherland th
nhn ng khng ni vi tng Lm v s lng trc thng v
s lng cung ng; in tn 231600Z, tng Sutherland ni ng ta
cn thm trc thng hot ng theo nhu cu; on Abrams
khuyn Sutherland nn ni thng ra hon cnh thc t cho tng
Lm bit, trch theo Lewis Sorley, Thunderbolt: General Creigton
Abrams and the Army of His Times, tr. 308-309.
[28] S lc v lc lng Hoa K ym tr Hnh Qun LS719:
Lin on 108 Pho Binh (bn tiu on); Lin on 45 Cng
Binh (hai); L3/S101ND (su); L1/S5 C Gii (nm); v hai
tiu on ca Tr11/S23Americal. Tng cng 19 tiu on. c
Shelby L. Stanton, The Rise and Fall of an American Army, 19651973, tr. 351.

[29] Nguyn vn in tn 141220Z Feb 14 ca Sutherland, iu

khng gii thch cho h [tng Lm v QI] bit l tt c trc
thng ny cng dng cung ng cho tt c nhu cu Vng I cho
S101 Nhy D, cho LS719, cho Dewey Canyon II, cho cc n
v ca S1BB khng ang H Lo, v cho nhu cu ca chi v
tiu khu ca QI.
[30] in tn 260900Z Feb 71, Thiu Tng Gettys (USARV) gi
Trung Tng Dolvin (MACV). Ging nh tnh trng tip liu ca
cc qun i trn th gii: cp s l thuyt v s nhn c khc
nhau. Khc xa hn l nhn vo nhng khng x dng c v
b h/ khim khuyt: cp s trc thng l 696 chic; nhn 672;
nhng ch c 497 chic hot ng (bay) c. Mt th d: lai
v trang UH-1C, theo cp s s nhn 44; nhn 42; nhng ch 17
chic bay c. Lai v trang Cobra: 123; nhn c 113; bay 85.
Lai trc thng chuyn ch cn bn UH-1H: cp s 329; nhn
325; bay c 245. Nhng lai trc thng cn li l OH-6; OH58; CH-47 hai lai trc thng quan st, v ch nng. S 479
trc thng ca QXXIV ang hot ng, trong c 51 chic
mn t cc n v Lc Qun Vng II v III; v 16 chic CH53 km theo trc thng h tng, t TQLC Hoa K Vng I.
[31] Lc Qun Hoa K, Vit Nam (U.S. Army, Vietnam/ USARV)
l mt b t lnh cp qun on, tr thm quyn v hnh qun, c
thm quyn hnh chnh qun s v tip liu cho tt c qun chng
Lc Qun Hoa K Vit Nam. T lnh MACV (i Tng
Abrams) ng thi l t lnh USARV. Di Abrams l hai t lnh:
t lnh ph MACV v hnh qun (i Tng Weyand); t lnh
ph MACV v tip liu v hnh chnh, ng thi l t lnh ph
USARV (Trung Tng William J. McCaffrey). Di quyn ca
USARV l cc b t lnh, lin on khng vn; cc l on cu
thng, qun cnh; vn ti, truyn tin, v tip liu. Qun s ca
USARV hn phn na s qun M Vit Nam. B t lnh ca
USARV Long Bnh. y l mt li hnh chnh qun s rt pht

tp ca ca MACV Vit Nam, v USARV ph thuc vo tip

liu ca Lc Qun Hoa K, Thi Bnh Dng (U.S. Army, Pacific/
USARPAC), mt cch xa chin trng hn mt phn t tri t.
Mt ph ch bn l: Trung Tng William McCaffrey (kho 1939
v b West point) c con trai l Barry R. McCaffrey (West Point
1964), nm 1966-67 l trung y c vn cho mt n v Nhy D
VNCH. Barry McCaffrey ln n chc i tng v sau, v l mt
i tng tr nht khi v hu.
[32] Lewis Sorley, The Abrams Tapes, tr. 543-546. Mt bui hp
ca cc t lnh MACV, khi hin din y , c ba i tng; ba
hay bn trung tng; 11 thiu tng; tm chun tng; v bn,
nm i t quan trng ca cc lc lng bit lp (nh ch huy
trng LLB, MAC-SOG, qun bo in t).
[33] Ti liu y v trc thng ym tr cho HQLS719 n t
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA). Bn lit k cho
bit tng lai trc thng v nhng n v VNCH h ym tr. a
ch web site ca VHPA:
w.w.w.angelfire.com/ga2/vnhistory/D94lam/html.
[34] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 47-48.
[35] Lnh Hnh Qun, S on Nhy D, phn ph lc cui
sch.
[36] The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the War in Vietnam, vol. 19711973, tr. 8-9. Ngy 25 tng Abrams gi v BTMLQ Hoa K mt
in tn, xc nhn thay i trn.
[37] Trng Duy Hy, T Th Cn C Ha Lc 30, tr. 106, 108,
113. Tng Sutherland trong in tn 221745Z Feb 1971, gi
MACV, bo co, i bc v sng ci pho ca ch bn vo hai
cn c ca Nhy D (30 v 31) rt chnh xc. Ngy 22 trc thng
VNCH ch mt ton tc chin in t vo CC31ND, v di tn

phi hnh on trc thng VNCH b bn ri hm trc. Phi v

trc thng ngy 22 b phng bn ri khi sp sa p, v vi pht
sau, sng ci ca ch tiu hy lun chic trc thng b nn. Sng
ci ca ch l tr ngi chnh cho tt c phi v trc thng tip t
cc cn c ha lc.
[38] Theo tc gi Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr.84, hai i i 31 v
32 ca T3ND c lnh di chuyn v hng nam n lc
lng tip vin t Bn ng ln. CC31ND nm bn tay tri ca
ng 92, cch bc Bn ng chng tm cy s. ng 92 i v
hng ng bc s tr thnh ng 1032 i thng vo Bn AChoc, Qung Bnh, mt trong bn ca khu quan trng ca h
thng HCM. Trong bi vit ca Giang Vn Nhn, Trung y
Phm Xun Thip, i i trng 32 thut li, ngy 25 anh dn
i i v hng nam n qun tip vin, nhng khng gp
nh d nh.
[49] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 84.
[40] in tn 221745Z Feb 1971, QTR 0128 Eyes Only,
Sutherland to Abrams. in tn ny ng thi cho bit Trung
Tng D Quc ng b nh lp CC32ND nh theo k hoch
hnh qun (Sau ln trc thng vn xung ngy 13 thng 2 ca
T6ND b hy b v thit hi qu nng, khi bi qun nm ngay
vng tc x ca ch.).
[41] i T Nguyn Thu Lng, trong Tnh ng i (c San
Cnh D Vin X, Thng 4-2008). Trong bi vit i T Lng
cho bit sau khi CC31ND tht th, i i 3 Trinh St t
thng thuc L1ND, v hai i i tc chin cn li, 31 v 32,
thng thuc T8ND; i y Trng Duy Hy, sd, trang 116-118;
bi vit Kha 22 v Lam Sn 719 H Lo ca Giang Vn Nhn v
truyn tin ca i i 32 nghe c t Trung T L Vn Pht v
i y ng. Gi pht ca trn nh CC31ND, ngi vit ghi
theo Trng Duy Hy; Giang Vn Nhn; bn tc chin trong
Chin Dch ng 9 Nam Lo, chi tit ngy 25 thng 2-1971;

v CHECO Report, Lam Son 719, 30 January-24 March, 1971.

[42] CHECO Report, tr. 59; Trng Duy Hy, sd, tr.128.
[43] CC31ND coi nh mt hon ton vo 11:30 m 25, nhng
n ngy 28 ba i i cn li ca T3ND (i i trinh st;
31 v 32) vn giao chin trn ng cng c v tr v hng
nam ng nam (i v hng Bn ng). Nm cn ngay trn
ng 92 chn qun cu vin, l mt ai i ca T8/Tr64. Ba
ngy sau, su i i ca hai T8 v 9/TR64 QND mi tp
trung li tn cng n v D-Thit K tip vin t Bn ng
ln. i Khng Tn l mt v tr nm pha nam st chn i
31, cnh mt con sui c tn Kim Lan (trn bn , y l Bn
Kim Lan). Ti y n v c nhim D-Thit K b chn li, hai
bn giao chin vi nhau cho n khuya ngy 3 thng 3 th lc
lng VNCH phi rt tr li Bn ng. in vn ngy 4 thng 3
ca tng Sutherland cho bit Tr64/S320 v TR1/S2BB
cht gn 800 qun nhng v tr chung quanh i Khng Tn v
CC31ND. in tn 040740Z March 1971, QTR 0220, Sutherland
gi Abrams; Chi tit ca Trung y Trn Cnh vit trong Nhng
E-mails Rt Ngn t v tr ca i Khng Tn ging nhng
chi tit trong s liu qun i QND.
[44] in tn 221745Z February 1972, QTR 0128, Eyes Only,
Sutherland gi Abrams.
[45] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 92.
[46] ng trong cn c, theo i y Trng Duy Hy, pho i
ca ng c 75 qun nhn; BQ di tn v khong 200 ngi;
cng thm pho i Nhy D ca i y Tr; v hai i i c
hu ca T2ND.
[47] Chi tit ny n t Project CHECO, dn, tr. 102, do phi
cng FAC (Forward Air Controller) thut li. Trong mt ln ni

chuyn qua in thoi vi Thiu T Trn Cng Hnh (i y Ban

3 T2ND trong cuc hnh qun), ngi vit hi ti sao phi nh
in tn qua my bay FAC? C phi v khng lin lc c vi
trung tm hnh qun SND Khe Sanh? Thiu T Hnh cho bit,
lin lc lc c lnh di tn. Nhng lc i bc ca ch bn
lin tc, khng cn th gi bo co v nhn lnh mch lc, nn
phi nhn tin qua phi c tin st Khe Sanh bit c tnh hnh
r rng hn. Chi tit t MACV cho bit ch pho hn 1.000 qu
n vo CC30ND vo ngy 2 thng 3, trong Sorley, The Abrams
Tapes, tr. 554.
[48] Ti liu theo bo co ca i T Phm Ngc Thip, Phng 2
BTTM, Nhn nh Tnh Hnh Hnh Qun Lam Sn 719 v nh
Hng i Vi CSQND, KBC 4002 ngy 29.3.1971. Nhng
trung on c mt trong vng hnh qun nhng cha tham chin
l cc Trung on 48/S302; 9/S304; 31/S2; 803/S324B; v
6/QKTTH (Qun Khu Tr-Thin-Hu). MACV cng ghi nhn
nhng trung on ny trong bo co hng tun. c Sorley, sd,
tr. 536.
[49] Nh s lc u chng, Bn ng nm gn ng t
ng 9 v 92. ng 92 bc ng 9 gi l 92A. 92A s tr
thnh ng 1032. ng 92 pha nam l 92C. ng 92C s
nhp vo ng 914. Ti ng ba 914 v 92C l Mng Nng.
Trong mt danh Hnh Qun LS719, Bn ng l A Li; Mng
Nng l A Ro, v Tchepone l A Shau.
[50] in tn 040740Z March 1971, QTR 0220, Eyes Only,
Sutherland gi Abrams; Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 89.
[51] Trong 45 ngy Hnh Qun LS719, c cng ca B-5 ph hy
880.000 lt xng my bay v 700 tn n lai. Trch theo ti
liu, Da Nang Support Command, National Archive II, Record
Group 472 (270-25-05-5, Box 1).

[52] in tn Sutherland gi Abrams ngy 4 thng 3, coi ph ch

49.
[53] i T Hong Tch Thng (l on trng L147TQLC
trong HQ LS719) trong bi vit Thy Qun Lc Chin Trong
Hnh Qun Lam Sn 719, (TQLC Tp 2, tr.236-237), cho bit
trong mt bui hp Khe Sanh c s tham d ca Chun Tng
Trn nh Th (lc l i t), Trng Phng 3 BTTM, ng
nghe QI ngh chn TQLC thay th Nhy D b vo
Tchepone. Ngi vit qua mt ln ni chuyn vi Chun Tng
Th, ng cho bit BTTM ( y l Tng Thng Thiu) ch c
nh cho TQLC thay Nhy D ti vng Nhy D ang trch
nhim, Nhy D ngh dng sc v ti b sung, ch khng
phi thay Nhy D b vo Tchepone. Quyt nh a S1BB
b vo Tchepone c chnh thc trc . Tuy i T
Thng khng ghi ngy thng bui hp Khe Sanh, nhng theo ti
liu, chng ta c th suy lun bui hp xy ra sau ngy 25 (sau khi
CC31ND mt) v trc ngy 28 thng 2 (Sau khi T2/Tr3 di tn
khi CCHotel2, nh i T Thng vit trang 236; v cng ngy
tng Lm v Si Gn gp ng Thiu; s kin v thi im cng
tng t nh vy trong bi vit ca Thiu T Trn V, tr. 258,
TQLC Tp 2.). Tng Hinh trong Operation Lam Son 719, tr. 89.
cng c nhc n chuyn ng Thiu c ngh mun TQLC thay
Nhy D, nhng cng ch thay khu vc trch nhim hnh qun.
Ti liu gii mt n t MACV cho thy S1BB bt u thc
thi quyt nh ca Tng Thng Thiu t ngy 28 thng 2, sau khi
rt khi CCHotel2.
[54] Nguyn Duy Hinh, sd, tr. 90; The Joint Chiefs of Staff and
the War in Vietnam, tr. 10.