Defense of Hill 781 by James R. McDonough

about to attack blindly a second time. As more scouts replaced the casualties from the morning, they could link up forward and flesh out the intelligence picture. The enemy could be anywhere between BLUE and Hill 781, and Always was not about to be caught unaware. The plan he would develop now would be modified as more information came in. If hehad enough infantry reconstituted he would send them out as well, but since their ranks were so thin he would hold them back and use them in the morning attack. Always was careful to brief the scout platoon leader, Lieutenant Wise, an immense young man brimming with energy and zeal, picked for his strong leadership abilities and keen intelligence.
    Major Rogers had brought together the entire staff, receiving guidance and giving estimates to the commander. The give and take was much more open this time, Always stating what he felt was essential to the proper accomplishment of the mission, Rogers and the staff formulating alternatives and estimates out of those essentials. It was an efficient way to develop an early plan, but it was not without its risks. The intelligence picture was still completely bare. By pulling in the air defense officer and the engineer platoon leader, their respective units were left without their leadership for the amount of time they spent with the staff. Both those young lieutenants were torn two ways, staff and command. They had had no rest in days, and it was clear they were not going to be getting any soon. When they did complete the planning, which would not be until late, they would have to hasten back to their platoons to get them ready for the execution. They depended on the strength of their platoon sergeants to keep things going until they got back.
    To help the battalion with its difficult mission, Lieutenant Colonel Always would receive the support of an attack helicopter battalion. This was a major addition of combat power. Major Rogers raised the delicate issue of the need to coordinate the aviation activities with the artillery, air force, and air defense plans. There was a major opportunity here for error, with one getting in the way of the other, or worse, inflicting casualties upon the other. Always gave Rogers stern instructions to work this out with all parties. A liaison officer from the aviation unit was due at the TOC shortly before dusk.
    Major Walters joined the staff midway through the discussionsand reported that reconstitution was moving along smoothly. A herculean effort was being put forth to repair the equipment. Always gave some guidance, prioritizing the tanks and air defense guns for repair, although it was imperative that enough Bradleys be brought into the battle by dawn. Somehow Walters had been able to get a hot meal prepared, which would be coming up just before dark. That would help out, as food would compensate to some extent for the fatigue the men were now feeling.
    Although time was slipping away rapidly, Always felt it necessary to get a look at the route of movement as far forward as it was safe to do so. Since yesterday’s reconnaissance from the air had proven deceptive to actual conditions on the ground, he elected to take his Bradley this time and get a closer view. He would have to be careful not to fall prey to an enemy ambush, but the risk was worth the look. He took the operations officer’s Bradley with him for security, having one of the sergeants from the TOC take the place of Major Rogers so that he would be free to continue planning. As it turned out, this little trip went a great deal toward giving Always a feel for the early conduct of the operation.
    The operations order was given at 1730, the orders group assembling on the high ground overlooking the valley where they would attack in the early stages of the operation. A few spot reports had come in from the scouts, and one of the infantry patrols clearing the close-in area around BLUE had picked up a prisoner, an enemy scout left behind to watch