A CHANGE OF TUNE**

NVA Assault vs US Army Defend*
Ap Bau Bang, South Vietnam*
November 11, 1965*
Turns: 14**
Size: Large*
Estimated Play TIme 3+ hours**

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

Testers: Tom DeShetler**

Player Notes:** 

This battle should be fought from the US side only. It can be played as a two player game if the NVA side is set to 80 percent efficiency in the preferences menu prior to play.**

In this scenario your goal as the US is to maintain the perimeter, identified by the three objective hexes. For the NVA player, the opposite is true. You must take those hexes and destroy a little armor to get a decisive victory.**

The cavalry is going to have to "circle the wagons," keeping a mobile force at the read to plug any holes created by the swarming NVA troops.**

The ammo vehicles are vital. Don't let them get wiped out or as the US player you'll lose extra points that can hurt you.**

Historical Background**

Initially the idea of armored vehicles in Vietnam was opposed by many top ranking officers and politicians, including General Westmoreland. Only by dogged persistence were the Marines able to bring in their tanks. Other than that, most divisions left there armor behind.

When the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One) had its papers cut to go to Vietnam, its armored wing was left back at home. The Army Chief of Staff allowed only the divisional cavalry, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry (The 1/4) to keep their M-48 tanks.**

In a stiff firefight with marauding NVA troops near Ap Bau Bang, it would be clearly proven that armor was worth the investment and caused many to reverse their thinking along those lines.**

On the night of November 11th, 1965, after an exhaustive day of patrolling, Task Force Bledsoe with their M-113 personnel carriers and a small contingent of M-48 Patton tanks. 
References:**

The men were exhausted. The dust of the road, the oppressive heat and the sweat producing humidity had drained them. Still they posted lookouts, circled their "Tracks," strung barbed wire and tried to sleep**

Just before dawn, a sudden mortar barrage showered the area. Only minutes behind that, Suddenly rising as a huge angry black and green wave, they swept toward the Americans, all weapons firing. Gasoline engines cranking up, and the chatter of .50 caliber machine guns firing wildly added to the mad symphony of war. The charge of the enemy appeared to be overwhelming for the defenders.** 

Then, just as suddenly, APCs of the 3rd Platoon charged from out of the middle of the perimeter and smashed into the NVA assault troops. Their aggressive boldness into and through the attacking enemy put them into disarray. Seeing these mechanized monsters hurtling toward them as the machine guns from up top cut a swathe in their midst was too much for them. They quickly beat a retreat into some nearby rubber trees.**

A second attack to the east suddenly began as  more enemy troops charged.  The three M-113s posted on the eastern side of the perimeter began firing, but one of the .50 caliber guns jammed, forming a gap in the defensive line of fire. The communist troops, seeing their chance, charged right for it.**

The attacks continued throughout the morning. APCs shifted positions again and again to meet each new enemy effort. Once a breach was made and the enemy hit several vehicles in the center of the perimeter. A hasty charge by two of the “Tracks” broke that up. The battle continued for another six hours, until the NVA had had enough. They skillfully withdrew into the thick greenness surrounding them.**

The ability of the troopers with their “Tracks” and tanks in support, to maneuver under fire and fill the gaps as needed, plus the initial charge that through the enemy into confusion were impressive. The 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry had made a strong case for the efficacy of armor in Vietnam.** 

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**