Battle of Long Dinh

The Battle of Long Định ^[where?] took place during the Vietnam War between the Viet Cong (VC) and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).

Battle of Long Dinh
Part of the Vietnam War
Date February 26, 1964 Location Long Định, Tien Giang Province, South Vietnam Result Indecisive
Belligerents
South Vietnam	Viet Cong
Commanders and leaders
Nguyễn Khánh
Units involved
Unknown	514th Battalion
Strength
3,000	600
Casualties and losses
16 killed	40 killed

Background

U.S. helicopter surveillance had spotted a large group of VC fighters assembling in a forest glade near Long Dinh. General Nguyễn Khánh immediately rushed his infantry forces there, using M113 armored personnel carriers.

Operation

On 26 February 1964, three-thousand ARVN soldiers encircled the VC 514th Battalion at Long Định. During the 8-hour battle, the ARVN avoided contact with the VC, instead the ARVN commander relied on air and artillery strikes to inflict damage. As a result, the VC 514th Battalion was able to slip through the gaps and successfully withdraw from the area, using sniper teams to secure river crossings.

Aftermath

Due to the incompetence of the ARVN at this battle, General Khánh sacked five of his division commanders.

References

• Bowman, John S. (1985). The Vietnam War: An Almanac. Pharos Books. ISBN 0-911818-85-5