The meager ARVN force at Loc Ninh was unable to withstand violent, intense attacks. American advisers were either wounded, killed or captured. A meager few escaped. Battle positions fell swiftly.

With the rearm and refuel area at Quan Loi in PAVN hands, the encirclement of An Loc was essentially complete. American advisers remained in their positions and, in some cases, were defacto commanders of ARVN forces in the battles against human wave attacks. There were heroic rescues by pilots flying helicopters of the 229th Aviation Battalion. Additionally, Cobra gun ships targeted tanks, armored personnel carriers and PAVN troop concentrations. This siege would last for over two months.

 

During late March, we were firmly established at Long Than North. Facilities could not have been much better with one exception, lighting in hangars to maintain aircraft. There were no lights. Repeated service requests were routinely denied. MACV had established a policy that there would be no capital improvement in excess of $50 without approval from a committee formed for that purpose. We languished in darkness, doing maintenance by flash lights. At least, this was so until we had an important visitor, Major General Hollingsworth.

It was early April when I was told there was a very upset Major General at my aircraft hangar. I was to get there immediately. I did. I reported to General Hollingsworth who was quite upset. He said, " How the *)&$)+_)($ do you expect to fix aircraft in the dark?"

"When that stupid )&*_(%$^committee got off their )(^))(%)(&#@ and approved some lights," I answered.

"Thanks Major," he said. "Be ready. We're going to need Chinooks."

He boarded his helicopter and left. Next morning PA and E contract personnel were installing lights throughout our maintenance facilities. Hollingsworth's need became apparent in two days. We were up to our butt in alligators and I hadn't heard anything about it. Such is the fog of war.

"ABOVE THE BEST"