The Advisor by John Cook

[RifleMaster]

I'm re-reading John Cook's book "The Advisor". I plan to comment and share my knowledge of operations during the Spring and early Summer of 1968 in the same area that John Cook served.

Next week, I'll be out of the Country on a business trip. So, I may complete re-reading "The Advisor" by the time I return on Thursday.

Just placed an article in my Webshots album (photo search: _RifleMastrr) that reports on an arms cache captured in June 1968. LT. John Cook had just arrived and joined the Di An District Team.



[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 12-10-2000).]

[RifleMaster]

Buenos Dias, Amigo!

The following review of John Cook's book "The Advisor" is intended to supplement his historical account. My comments are not intended to detract from his service or to toot my horn!

The first Chapter, The Arrival, covers his arrival, in-country orientation at Koepler Compound, and individual Intel. training. Although my MACV orientation at Koepler Compound started on 3Oct67, it was basically the same. I do not remember any rocket attacks. However, I was there prior to the 68 Tet Offensive. On the first night, after classes, I did go downtown for a beer with a couple of sergeants (SSG & SFC). While we were drinking 33 beers at a bar, there was a loud explosion down the street. Some people ran out to see what had happened. Some GI came into the doorway and informed everyone in the bar that a grenade had been thrown in a bar down the street. VN National Police, MP's, and medical personnel arrived quickly. We decided to finish our beers and return to Koepler Compound!

I was issued a M2 Carbine with 30 round magazines as my individual weapon. I had seen Carbines before, but had never fired one! By the time I completed my orientation and had been assigned as an Advisor to the 5th ARVN Infantry Division, I was starting to understand that this wasn't going to be a typical infantry assignment, like I was trained for!

More later.

[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 12-16-2000).]

[Ler]

Hi Carl,
That was pretty interesting. I'm surprised that in 67 they issued you a M-2 carbine. Didn't most Americans get issued m-16s. I thought only ARVN got M-1/2s. Thanks for sharing. You ever consider puttin' a book out?
A few weeks back I shot my friend's M-1 carbine, pretty neat little gun. It was convienent because we could shoot it in an indoor range- it's small cal. so they don't mind. His M-1 Garand on the other hand is a different story! Well Take Care and Happy Holidays. Look foward to hearin' more of your writing..Ler..

[RifleMaster]

Ler,

Advisors were issued M2 Carbines because Carbines (M1 or M2) were the primary weapons of the PF, RF, PRU, and ARVN soldiers until they were issued M16's. The Advisors had to be able to use the same ammunition. However, many Advisors scrounged CAR 15's. We were issued M16's in March 1968, when our troops received their M16's. Most of the time, I carried at least twenty magazines containing eighteens rounds each. I carried these magazines in a Claymore mine bag. Did you notice the Claymore mine bag strap in my photo of the Lai Thieu District Senior Advisor? The Lai Thieu DSA was also carrying a CAR 15.

When I operated with the ARVN Recondo's in 1969, I always carried my M16 and sometimes added a M79. I could have carried any weapon that I wanted!

[RifleMaster]

The second Chapter of John Cook's book "The Advisor" describes the MACV Team living conditions at the Di An Province and District houses. His description and what I remember is this: 1) They had rooms in an old hotel that contained US Army bunks, sheets, and pillows; 2) Had a messhall where a hired cook and servers prepared their meals; 3) Hired maids washed cloths, polished boots, and cleaned their rooms; 4) The latrine and showers had running water; 5) Had a bar and ice for their drinks; 6) Movies every night; 7) District soldiers guarded their building, and the only extra duty was radio watch. Obviously, these living conditions were better than those of most REMF's!

Combat conditions- The Di An District house was located in a city and approximately 3 miles South of the large US Army Di An basecamp. In 1968 the Di An basecamp was the home of the US Army's 7th Squadron of the 1st Cavalry and the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division. These were some pretty powerful neighbors to have between you and War Zone D! Obviously, the Di An Team didn't operate as typical infantry units, nor did they serve in an area where ambushes and fire-fights were almost daily occurences.

More later.

Keep holding'em hard!

[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 12-20-2000).]

[RifleMaster]

Chapter 3, The Center, of John Cook's book "The Advisor" described the Di An Intelligence and Operations Center, Viet Cong political structure, Viet Cong mode of operation, his South Vietnamese Counterpart, and the South Vietnamese Government forces. I believe Cook's description of the Viet Cong mode of operation was typical of populated cities like Di An and Lai Thieu. His description was: "Attacks were launched against government outposts, not to kill government soldiers, but to convince the people that the government could not protect them. Assassinations were carried out, not to eliminate the Viet Cong's enemies, but to prove to the population that the government was unable to prevent them." In cities like these, the Viet Cong were not in control of the people nor did they have significant supporters.

Chapter 4, The Operation, described a typical one day RIF with negative results. I can't believe he stated that the rice paddies were easy going because they walked on the dikes! The VC regularly booby trapped the dikes expecting the lazy troops to walk them. However, the VC probably didn't place too many booby traps in this populated area because they could have injured the civilians that they wanted to win to their side/Party. Up North you did NOT walk the dikes!

More later!

[RifleMaster]

Chapter 5, Learning, of Cook's book "The Advisor" provides some in-sight into the Di An Advisory Team and other Province Advisory Teams. He also decribed the weapons that their forces had prior to receiving M-16's. He mentioned M-14's, but I do not remember any ARVN troops having them. The ARVN I served with mostly carried M1/M2's and a few M1 Garands and BARs before they were issued M-16's and M60's in early 1968. Before I joined a Field Team, my Team 70 Lam Son camp defense weapon was a BAR. The night the 68 Tet Offensive started, we went on alert and I spent the night standing knee deep in water within a bunker with my BAR and many filled magazines. I would have felt better with a M60 machine gun!

We could hear the arty and gunships going in several hundred yards out. A US 1st Division LRRP Team (Iron Rangers) spotted elements of the 2nd Battalion of the Dong Nai Regiment preparing to attack us and elements of the 273d Regiment preparing to attack the 1st Inf. Divison's Phu Loi base. The LRRP's called in arty and air. At dawn the 1st Inf. Division swept the area and the official reports had 440 VC bodies, 9 Wounded CIA, three .51 caliber machine guns, two recoiless rifles, five 82mm mortars, and several small arms.

We waited for them to come, but the LRRP arty and gunships made them abort their attack! Shelby Stanton describes this LRRP action on Page 74 of his book "Rangers At War LRRPs in Vietnam.

Anyway, ARVN soldiers in III Corps didn't receive M-16's until well after the 68 Tet Offensive.

Sorry, I drifted off course!

More later!



[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 12-26-2000).]