TEAM HOCKER**

US Army Assault vs VC Defend*
An Thach, South Vietnam*
August 20, 1967*
Turns: 12**

Design: Wild Bill Wilder*
bwilder@bellsouth.net**

Testers: Fabio Prado, Tom DeShetler, Andrew Weaver, Sgt Walrus, Massimo Rocca**

Player Notes:** 

This battle should be fought from the US side only. It is not suitable for a 2 player game.**

In this scenario your goal is the possession of the three objective hexes which indicates complete control of the village. Too many casualties or losses will nullify a decisive victory so take care of your men, Captain Hocker!**

Hocker's group needed reinforcements to finally take the village. You'll have to do it on your own. It won't be easy.**

There is an FAC craft available to you. but you'll have to assign it a point to observe. Go to artillery, click on spotter button and your aircraft will appear. Then assign a spot for it to circle.**

You will also have support as the battle develops.**

There is an ammo cache or two on the outskirts of the village that will give you some handsome points to assure a decisive victory, if you are commander enough to reach them. That means you have to get to them (not easy) and then destroy them (not easy).**

Historical Background**

The cavalry troops of the 3rd Squadron were sent out frequently on sweeps, seeking some sort of contact with the enemy. This sort of encounter would bring down the mighty wrath of American firepower on the scene. Constantly on call were troops, helicopters, and aircraft which would converge on an enemy force with the intention of trapping and annihilating it.**

On August 20, Troop C (Reinforced) was patrolling an area near the coast. The force was commanded by Captain Ralph Hocker. The strongest enemy force in the same area was the combat-hardened 2nd VC Regiment. They took very personally the presence of trespassers in “their country.”** 

A report came to Captain Hocker of an American Chinook supply helicopter in the area that had been on a resupply mission when it had been fired upon near the village of An Thach. Hocker's team went forward to  see what VC presence was in the area.**

The VC were there and in force. Within the perimeters of the hamlet a company of the 97th Battalion, 2nd VC Regiment had made a home, complete with trenches, strongly fortified positions and fire zones.**

Into this dangerous maze of defenses went Team Hocker. The enemy showed no fear of the armor as it thundered into view. using grenades, hand held mines, home made explosive charges, and thick steel crowbars (used to jam in the treads of the APCs when they passed), and a few RPGs, they assaulted one heavy armored vehicle after another.** 

Hocker was a resolute.commander. In the face of withering automatic weapons fire, he led his tanks and APCs across the valley and toward the village. They gave better than they got.** 

Hearing of the intense firefight, The commander of the 35th Infantry quickly sent two companies of his 2nd Battalion to aid in the assault. By the evening, an iron ring had been formed around the Communist troops that remained alive. Many VC had taken refuge in various homes, but were dug out one by one.** 

A final clamor of gunfire was heard as the sun was setting. The final survivors, fourteen of them, made a last stand  in a section of trees near An Thach. A charge by the Americans and a few minutes of hand to hand combat, and the resistance had come to an end.** 

References:**

The Rise and Fall of an American Army, Stanton*
The Decisive Battles-Vietnam, Pimlott*
Nam, The Vietnam Experience-Vietnam, Pimlott*
Vietnam Order of Battle-Vietnam, Stanton*
The Vietnam Experience-1968-Vietnam, Time-Life Books**
