1970 in the Vietnam War

1970 in the Vietnam War
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Blueboy assault group aboard Banana HH-3E at the start of Operation Ivory Coast
Location
Vietnam
Belligerents

Anti-Communist forces:

 South Vietnam
 United States
 South Korea
 Australia
 Philippines
 New Zealand
Khmer Republic
 Thailand
Kingdom of Laos
Republic of China

Communist forces:

 North Vietnam
Viet Cong
Khmer Rouge
Pathet Lao
 People's Republic of China
 Soviet Union
Strength

South Vietnam: 968,000
United States: 335,790
South Korea: 48,540
Thailand: 11,570
Australia: 6800
Philippines: 70

New Zealand: 440
Casualties and losses
US: 6,081 killed [1]
South Vietnam: 23,346 Killed [2]		 Unknown

January
19 January to 22 July

The 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division launched Operation Green River in Quảng Trị Province. the operation results in 106 People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) soldiers killed and 37 U.S. killed.[3]

March
12 March

On 12 March, Cambodian prime minister Lon Nol closed the port of Sihanoukville to the North Vietnamese and demanded that all PAVN and Vietcong (VC) forces withdraw from Cambodian soil within 72 hours (on 15 March) or face military action.

18 March

The Cambodian National Assembly voted to remove head of state Prince Norodom Sihanouk from power with Lon Nol taking the powers of the Head of State on an emergency basis.

23 March

Norodom Sihanouk on Beijing radio called for a general uprising against Lon Nol.

April
1 April to 5 September

Operation Texas Star was a military operation of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 1st Division against PAVN logistics routes and bases in the A Shau Valley and the mountains east of the valley. The operation culminated in the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord.[4] The operation resulted in 1,782 PAVN killed and 5 captured, U.S. losses were 386 killed and ARVN losses were 370 killed.[5]

29 April – 22 July

The Cambodian Campaign (also known as the Cambodian Incursion) was a series of military operations conducted in eastern Cambodia by the U.S. and the South Vietnam. A total of 13 major operations were conducted by the ARVN and U.S. forces between 1 May and 30 June.[4] In addition to the capture of large amounts of supplies and equipment 11,369 PAVN/VC were killed and 2,328 captured, ARVN losses were 638 killed and 35 missing and U.S. losses were 338 killed and 13 missing.[6]

May
1 May

Operation Toan Thang IV a multi-division U.S./ARVN operation in III Corps concludes. U.S. losses are 685 killed while PAVN/VC losses are 14,479 killed.[7]

June
11 June

The VC kill 78 South Vietnamese civilians in Thanh My hamlet, Phu Thanh village, Quảng Nam Province in the Thanh My massacre.[8]:177-8

12-16 June

The Battle of Kompong Speu was when the combined forces of the ARVN and Khmer National Army (ANK) fought to recapture the provincial capital of Kompong Speu. The town was captured by PAVN/VC forces on June 13 but was retaken by allied forces on June 16.

15 June

The Battle of Prey Veng was part of the ARVN's campaign in Cambodia. It took place in Prey Veng on June 15, 1970, where ARVN and Cambodian troops battled the PAVN/VC. It ended with an allied victory.

29 June to 1 March 1971

The 198th Light Infantry Brigade launched Operation Pennsylvania Square in Quảng Tín Province. The operation resulted in 264 PAVN/VC killed and 13 captured, U.S. losses were 20 killed.[9]

July

In response to North Vietnam's support of Soviet Union in the Sino-Soviet split China removes its final troops that where in place to support the Chinese anti-aircraft batteries.[10]

1 July

President Richard Nixon named diplomat David K.E. Bruce to head the U.S. delegation to the peace talks in Paris with North Vietnam and the VC.[11]

1-23 July

The Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord was a 23-day battle between the 101st Airborne Division and the PAVN from 1 to 23 July.

9-15 July

The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and the ARVN 3rd Regiment, 1st Division launched Operation Clinch Valley to engage the PAVN 9th Regiment on the Khe Sanh plateau. The operation resulted in 266 PAVN killed.[12]

12 July - 29 September

The 196th Infantry Brigade launched Operation Elk Canyon near Khâm Đức, Quảng Tín Province. The operation resulted in 107 PAVN killed and one captured, U.S. losses were 37 killed.[13]

16 July - 24 August

The 1st Marine Division launched Operation Pickens Forest to attack PAVN base areas in the mountains of Quảng Nam Province. The operation resulted in 99 PAVN killed, Marine losses were four killed.[8]:77

22 July - 30 January 1971

The 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment and elements of the ARVN 1st Division launched Operation Wolfe Mountain to conduct reconnaissance in force, rocket suppression and night ambush operations in Quảng Trị Province. The operation resulted in 242 PAVN killed, U.S. losses were 27 killed.[12]:E-13

24 July - 11 August

The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and the ARVN 1st Division launched Operation Chicago Peak in the A Shau Valley. The operation resulted in 99 PAVN killed and 3 ARVN killed.[12]:E-13

August
August 1970-February 1971

Operation Chenla I was an operation involving the ANK launched the operation during late August 1970 with limited air support from the ARVN and Republic of Vietnam Air Force. The operation was terminated in February 1971, after the Cambodian High Command made a decision to withdraw some units from Tang Kauk to protect Phnom Penh after Pochentong Airbase was attacked. The objective of the operation was to reconnect Skoun and Kompong Cham along Route 7, which was repeatedly attacked by PAVN/VC forces.

9 August - 7 October

In the siege of Firebase O'Reilly 570 PAVN were killed for the loss of 61 ARVN and two U.S.[14]

September
1 September - 7 May 1971

Operation Imperial Lake, a United States Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Marine Corps and U.S. Army operation in the Quế Sơn District, Quảng Nam Province begins. It was the last operation of the U.S. 1st Marine Division during the war. The operation resulted in 296 PAVN killed and 24 U.S. killed.[8]:89

5 September - 8 October 1971

Operation Jefferson Glenn, an operation by the 101st Airborne Division and the ARVN 1st Division to shield critical installations in Huế and Da Nang begins. It was the last operation of the 101st Airborne during the war.[15]

11–13 September

Operation Tailwind was a covert incursion into southeastern Laos by a company-sized element of U.S. Army Special Forces and Montagnard commando (Hatchet Force) of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG or SOG). The purpose of the operation was to create a diversion for a Royal Lao Army offensive and to exert pressure on PAVN forces.

November
21 November

Operation Ivory Coast was a failed mission to rescue U.S. prisoners of war from the Son Tay prison camp conducted by United States Special Operations Forces and other elements of the U.S. military.

Year in numbers
Armed Force Strength KIA Reference Military costs - 1968 Military costs in 2020 US$ Reference
 South Vietnam ARVN 968,000 23,346 [16]
 United States US Forces 335,790 6,081 [1]
 South Korea 48,540 [16][17]
 Thailand 11,570 [16]
 Australia 6800 [16]
 Philippines 70 [16]
 New Zealand 440 [16]
 North Vietnam

Bibliography
Notes
  1. United States 2010
  2. Clarke, Jeffrey J. (1988), United States Army in Vietnam: Advice and Support: The Final Years, 1965–1973, Washington, D.C: Center of Military History, United States Army, p. 275
  3. "Operational Report - Lessons Learned Headquarters, 1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, Period Ending 31 July 1970" (PDF). Department of the Army Headquarters, 1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division. 25 January 1971. p. 3. Retrieved 25 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Stanton 2003, p. 13
  5. Olson, James S. (2008). In Country: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War. Metro Books. ISBN 9781435111844.
  6. Tran, Dinh Tho (1979). The Cambodian Incursion (PDF). United States Army Center of Military History. pp. 193–4. ISBN 9781981025251. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "Headquarters MACV Monthly Summary April 1970" (PDF). Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. 17 August 1970. p. 83. Retrieved 15 March 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. Cosmas, Graham (1886). U.S. Marines in Vietnam : Vietnamization and redeployment, 1970-1971 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494287498. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. "Operational Report - Lessons Learned, 23rd Infantry Division, (Americal), Period ending 30 April 1971" (PDF). Department of the Army. 15 May 1971. p. 31. Retrieved 25 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. Li 2007, p. 206
  11. Fulghum, David and Maitland, Terrence (1984), South Vietnam on Trial, Boston: Boston Publishing Company, p. 11.
  12. "Command History 1970 Volume III" (PDF). Headquarters Military Assistance Command Vietnam. 19 April 1971. p. E-12. Retrieved 25 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. "Operational Report, Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 23rd Infantry Division, Period ending 31 October 1970" (PDF). 15 November 1970. p. 42. Retrieved 25 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. "Command History 1970 Volume III" (PDF). Headquarters Military Assistance Command Vietnam. 19 April 1971. p. G-9. Retrieved 24 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. Summers Jr., Harry G. (1985). The Vietnam War Almanac. New York: Random House. p. 55. ISBN 0-7394-4290-2. OCLC 9730994.

  16. War Remnants Museum Data

    Armed Force 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
     South Vietnam ARVN 514,000 643,000 735,900 798,800 820,000 897,000 968,000 1,046,250 1,048,00053**553(55((3(5(5minute ththhthntththte digest my nuts
     United States 23,310 180,000 385,300 485,600 549,500 549,500 335,790 158,120 24,000
     South Korea 200 20,620 25,570 47,830 50,000 48,870 48,540 45,700 36,790
     Australia 200 1560 4530 6820 7660 7670 6800 2000 130
     Thailand 0 20 240 2220 6000 11,570 11,570 6000 40
     Philippines 20 70 2060 2020 1580 190 70 50 50
     New Zealand 30 120 160 530 520 550 440 100 50
  17. Leepson & Hannaford 1999, p. 209
References
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