Situation On The Ground
North Vietnam had been using the Ho Chi Minh Trail along the border as a logistical artery for years. The mountainous terrain and the jungle were a shield against American air attack.
The ARVN bases at Tan Canh and Dak To, were protected by the 42nd Regiment of the ARVN 22nd Division. The 22nd also controlled five fire support bases (FSBs) that stretched south-west from Tan Canh towards Kontum along a backbone of mountains nicknamed "Rocket Ridge."
John Paul Vann, the civilian "general" of the American II Corps, had received intelligence that a major battle was coming. Lt. Gen. Dzu responded by gathering the ARVN 23rd Division into the Tan Canh/Kontum area. Vann also ordered increased B-52 air attacks that February and March.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Kontum
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