Word: arvn
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...cavalrymen thrust into Cambodia's Kompong Cham province, located inside a Communist-infested zone called "the Fishhook." Their mission: a strike at the Communist high command hidden in groups of heavy concrete bunkers at several points beyond the border. Farther south, troops of the South Vietnamese army (ARVN), aided by U.S. advisers, helicopters and medical teams, swept into another Communist stronghold known as "the Parrot's Beak," located only 35 miles from Saigon. U.S. planes, meanwhile, began bombing the three other sanctuaries. By week's end the two ground forces reported a combined enemy death toll of 398; they suffered...
...unvarnished recommendations" from several sources, including U.S. Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker and General Creighton Abrams in Saigon. He took the suggestions back to the White House and read past midnight. Next morning, he summoned Rogers, Kissinger and Laird to give them the news: not only would U.S. advisers accompany ARVN troops into Cambodia, but the American-led Fishhook attack would be staged a day later as a second and even more unexpected jolt to the Communists. The orders were quickly passed to a delighted South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. As Nixon retired to the luxuriant White House Rose Garden...
...move," said one U.S. military source. "But they never expected an air assault-never anticipated the choppers coming in on them." The pincer attack was so swift that the enemy never did get its .51-cal. antiaircraft batteries in firing position. In the first hours of the assault, one ARVN (Army of the Republic of Viet Nam) airborne unit set down right on top of a North Vietnamese regimental base area. The North Vietnamese were so flabbergasted that they put up only token resistance and withdrew hastily, leaving heavy casualties behind...
PINES: If we give ARVN enough time, it probably can solve its problems-lack of confidence, getting enough experienced NCOs and junior officers and sufficient equipment. Whatever indications we have are encouraging. Still, we can't be sure unless there is a more definitive test. It might come in the Mekong Delta...
ANSON: The crunch will come when ARVN gets whacked by the North Vietnamese. I mean really whacked. What happens when they start losing a company here and a company there, or maybe a battalion? Will the whole force crack? That's a question we can't answer. We can only hope. But I have my doubts. I think the most hopeful sign is the progress of the RFs and PFs [Regional Forces and Popular Forces, responsible for defending their home districts]. The very fact that you don't hear them called "Ruff-Puffs" so much any more...