CHAPTER 7

The Enemy Offensive in the DMZ and Southern Quang Tri, 20 January-8 February

The Cua Viet is Threatened-Adjustment of Forces in Southern Quang Tri Province Heavy Fighting Along the DMZ-A L//// hi Leatherneck Square-The Cua Viet Continues to Heat Up The Battle For Quang Tri City-Tet Aftermath Along the DMZ

The Cua Viet is Threatened

Beginning on 20 January, the North Vietnamese intensified their efforts in the north from Khe Sanh to the Cua Viet. While most public and media attention was focused upon the Khe Sanh base, the Marine command could not ignore its northern logistical lifeline from the Cua Viet Port Facility to Dong Ha along the Cua Viet River channel. From Dong Ha, Route 9 connected the isolated Marine bases at Cam Lo, Camp Carroll, the Rockpile, and Ca Lu. The continued presence of large North Vietnamese forces along the eastern DMZ as well as the buildup of forces in the west around Khe Sanh limited the ability of the 3d Marine Division to concentrate its forces in any one area. Even with the arrival of the additional Army forces in the north, the division was still spread out from its Quang Tri base in the south, to Khe Sanh in the west, and to the Cua Viet in the east.

Almost simultaneously with attacks on Khe Sanh, the North Vietnamese appeared to be making a determined attempt to halt the river traffic on the Cua Viet. On 20 January, enemy gunners positioned on the northern bank of the river forced the temporary closing of the Cua Viet. Up to this point. Lieutenant Colonel Edward R. Toner's 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion with an infantry company. Company C, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, attached to his command in Operation Napoleon, largely had responsibility for the security of the river. The battalion was becoming more and more hard pressed to carry out this mission.1

Marine forklifts unload Navy landing craft at the Dong Ha ramp. With the Cua Viet too shallow for large-draft vessels, the Naiy used both LCMs (landing craft, mechanized) and LCUs (landing craft, utility) to ply the river between the Cua Viet Facility and Dong Ha to bring in supplies to Marines in the DMZ sector.

Department of Defense (USMC) Photo A 1913 32