Battle of Binh Gia

The Battle of Bình Giã (Vietnamese: Trận Bình Giã) was conducted by the Viet Cong (VC) and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) from December 28, 1964, to January 1, 1965, during the Vietnam War in Bình Giã, Phước Tuy province (now part of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province), South Vietnam.

Battle of Bình Giã
Part of the Vietnam War

VC drawing depicting the Bình Gia campaign
DateDecember 28, 1964 – January 1, 1965
Location
Bình Giã, Phước Tuy province, South Vietnam
10°39′N 107°17′E
Result VC/PAVN victory
Belligerents
 South Vietnam
 United States
Viet Cong
North Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
Nguyễn Văn Nho
Franklin P. Eller
Trần Đình Xu
Nguyễn Thế Truyện
Tạ Minh Khâm
Units involved

Airborne Division

  • 1st Airborne Battalion
  • 3rd Airborne Battalion
  • 7th Airborne Battalion

Marine Division

  • 4th Marine Battalion

ARVN Rangers

  • 30th Ranger Battalion
  • 33rd Ranger Battalion
  • 35th Ranger Battalion
  • 38th Ranger Battalion

Support

  • Two artillery platoons
  • Section of M-24 tanks

Aerial support:

68th Assault Helicopter Company

271st Regiment (1st regiment, or Q761 in PAVN doc.)

272nd Regiment (2nd regiment, or Q762 in PAVN doc.)

80th Artillery Detachment (U80 Biên Hòa)

Military Region 7

  • 500th Battalion
  • 800th Battalion
  • Bà Rịa Province Command
    • 440th Company
    • 445th Company

Military Region 6

  • 186th Battalion
514th Battalion
Strength
4,300 Estimated at 1,800
Casualties and losses
201 killed
192 wounded
68 missing
At least 32 killed

The year of 1964 marked a decisive turning point in the Vietnam War. Following the ousting of President Ngô Đình Diệm in 1963, South Vietnam's top army generals continued to vie with each other for control of the country's military-dominated government instead of combating the emerging forces of the VC. The fragility of the South Vietnamese government was reflected on the battlefield, where its military experienced great setbacks against the VC. Taking advantage of Saigon's political instability, leaders in Hanoi began preparing for war. Even though key members of North Vietnam's Politburo disagreed on the best strategy to reunite their country, they ultimately went ahead to prepare for armed struggle against the South Vietnam government and the American occupation.

Towards the end of 1964, the VC commenced a series of large-scale military operations against the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). As part of their Winter-Spring Offensive, two VC Regiments attacked ARVN forces at Bình Giã, fighting a large set-piece battle for the first time. Over a period of four days, the VC held their ground and mauled the best units the ARVN could send against them, only breaking after intense attack by U.S. bombers.

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