On 1 July 1969 a statistical study was initiated
by II FFORCEV Artillery for the purpose of analyzing anti-aircraft activities
within III CTZ. The study presented an analysis of those activities in terms of
the number of aircraft engaged, altitude of engagement, type of weapons used and
geographic areas of activity. The statistics analyzed were on a daily basis for
May and June 1969 and on a weekly basis from January 1968 through June 1969. It
was found that for the period analyzed: [280]
1. The
enemy was able to hit 32% and down 12% of those aircraft fired on (715 aircraft
in May and June 1969).
2.
Most aircraft (56%) received fire at low altitudes 0-499 ft).
3. Aircraft
received the majority of fire (55%) from small arms fire and the largest
percent of aircraft (37%) wore downed by small arms.
4.
Automatic weapons and heavy machine guns, although utilized to a lesser degree,
seemed to be more effective than small arms.
5.
Although some high points of anti-aircraft attacks did coincide with high
points of attacks by fire (rockets and mortars on allied installations), no
trend could be determined.
6.
Enemy anti-aircraft activity increased with the increase in aircraft assets in
III CTZ.
7.
Specific geographic areas of III CTZ were identified as high density
anti-aircraft activity areas and generally correspond with the disposition of
enemy forces. A map depicting high density anti-aircraft activity areas is
attached as enclosure 8.
8.
Heavier anti-aircraft weapons were used more frequently in border areas.
9.
Some anti-aircraft attacks were repeatedly initiated from the same specific
terrain locations.
Source: Operational Lessons Learned,
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam Artillery for Period Ending
31
July 1969.
https://tinyurl.com/y87jj7wy
Image: High density anti-aircraft activity areas
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