Background
Operation Abilene was aimed at the local Viet Cong D800 Battalion, it involved units of the 1st Infantry Division (primarily the 16th Infantry Regiment), New Zealand artillery and the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
Major General William E. DePuy, as commander of the 1st Infantry Division, planned to lure out the Viet Cong unit by using Charlie Company as a bait. Once the Viet Cong attacked the isolated company, DePuy planned to rush in other rifle companies to destroy the enemy.
The operation began on April 10, 1966, with soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division moving into positions between Saigon and Vung Tau in search of the elusive Viet Cong D800 Battalion. Unlike in previous operations, Charlie Company numbered only 134 because of casualties, leave and other reasons. In addition to the lack of numbers, the company was also cut off from Alpha and Bravo Companies.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Xa Cam My
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