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In 1965, the US Army wanted to try out a new infantry concept; "Airmobile Divisions". Prior to "Airmobile Divisions" (Helicopters carrying infantry), the US Army only had Paratroopers (Airborne Divisions created in WWII), and regular Infantry Divisions (whom we referred to as "straight legs"-because they were straight infantry, no vehicles, no helicopters, no parachutes, just boot leather!). The US Army would also be experimenting with Mechanized Infantry, equipped with the M-113 APC/ACAV (Armored Personnel Carrier/Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle). In 1965 the US Army equipped two battalions of the newly re-formed 1st AIR CAVALRY DIVISION, and armed them with the brand new experimental M-16 rifle (at this time US Infantrymen were armed with the M-14 rifle). The men themselves came directly from the United States and into the Rebublic of South Vietnam. The new outfit, armed with new rifles, riding in new helicopters, headed out towards the Ia Drang valley and landed very close to a large enemy base; which turned out to be regular NVA troops, and not the local VC (Viet Cong). The battle lasted 3 days. The first battalion, depicted in the film, "We Were Soldiers Once..." suffered nearly one hundred Kia's. The second battalion, which is NOT depicted in the movie, suffered over two hundred KIA's.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoThe La Drang valley battle demonstrated to the North Vietnam Army (with the advantage of high ground) that they should not attack US troops in even unprepared positions if US air support, artillery, and reinforcements were available.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoTwo reasons:
1. It validated the US Army's new experimental air mobile divisions (helicopter borne infantrymen). In this particular case, the 1st Air Cavalry Division.
2. It was the US Army's very first major battle with the NVA (North Vietnamese Army), in contrast to the amateurish Viet Cong.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoThe Battle of La Drang was fought on an attempt to capture a communist general, though it turned unsuccessful and the tide was turned.
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Who won the Battle of Ia Drang Valley?
Well, you are going to hear an awful lot of stories and theories; fighting to preserve the Republic of South Vietnam, fighting for the old red white and blue, and of course fighting for freedom. And of course trying to destroy the enemy, always have to "destroy that enemy." The truth of the matter was the US Army was experimenting with a new type of war machine (plus a NEW rifle, the M16!) and a new type of organizational unit an Air Cavalry Division. That new machine was the UH-1 Iroquois helicopter (that most civilians love to call the HUEY which was simply a dragged out breath of UuHh which sounded like "Huey.") and that new organizational unit was "helicopter borne infantrymen" which, after the Ia Drang, became "Air Cavalry Divisions" or in this particular case the "1st Air Cavalry Division" since they were the men that fought at the Ia Drang in '65. So we got 3 new things outa the Ia Drang: 1. The M16 worked out OK 2. The UH-1 worked out OK 3. The Air Cav Divisions worked out OK And of the course the NVA learned a lot about fighting the regular US Army too. This was their first major fight with US Regulars.
Why was the battle of eventual union so important?
There is no Battle of Eventual Union.
Why was the battle of the little bighorn so important?
because
Why was the Trenton battle so important?
The battle of Trenton was so important because the patriote won it. it was the patriots best win and ended the revolution........im awesome Umm... no you are not awesome.
What was so important about the battle of new Orleans during the war of 1812?
It was a battle that should have never happened since the war had been ended before the battle began.
Who won the Battle of Ia Drang Valley?
Well, you are going to hear an awful lot of stories and theories; fighting to preserve the Republic of South Vietnam, fighting for the old red white and blue, and of course fighting for freedom. And of course trying to destroy the enemy, always have to "destroy that enemy." The truth of the matter was the US Army was experimenting with a new type of war machine (plus a NEW rifle, the M16!) and a new type of organizational unit an Air Cavalry Division. That new machine was the UH-1 Iroquois helicopter (that most civilians love to call the HUEY which was simply a dragged out breath of UuHh which sounded like "Huey.") and that new organizational unit was "helicopter borne infantrymen" which, after the Ia Drang, became "Air Cavalry Divisions" or in this particular case the "1st Air Cavalry Division" since they were the men that fought at the Ia Drang in '65. So we got 3 new things outa the Ia Drang: 1. The M16 worked out OK 2. The UH-1 worked out OK 3. The Air Cav Divisions worked out OK And of the course the NVA learned a lot about fighting the regular US Army too. This was their first major fight with US Regulars.
What was the Worst one day for deaths in Vietnam War?
Most historians might be inclined to say the Tet Offensive of '68; things got pretty rough during that time period...weekly US casualties were very high. But the Battle of the Ia Drang (1st Air Cav Division) in '65 could've been the worst (the film "We Were Soldiers..."); also NOT DEPICTED in the movie, there were over 300 dead GI's from that 3 day fight. The film, starrying Mel Gibson only showed his battalion...there were two involved, and the movie left the second battalion out of it. The book will cover both battalions however. Dak To in '66(?) fought by the 173rd Airborne Brigade may have had higher casualties still...they did lose more men than the Ia Drang fight; but then again it lasted longer. That second battalion at Ia Drang was cut to pieces in one day; they were in single file column and were hit from both sides by NVA regulars. The jungle was so thick they couldn't maneuver and had to stand and fight right then and there.
Why was the battle of eventual union so important?
There is no Battle of Eventual Union.
Why was the battle of agincourt so important?
khar
Why was the battle of the little bighorn so important?
because
Why was the Trenton battle so important?
The battle of Trenton was so important because the patriote won it. it was the patriots best win and ended the revolution........im awesome Umm... no you are not awesome.
What was so important about the battle of new Orleans during the war of 1812?
It was a battle that should have never happened since the war had been ended before the battle began.
Why was the battle of Chrysler's Farm so important?
The Battle of the Chrysler's Farm was so important because it was the Americans last attempt of getting Montreal, and it was considered by many to be a disastrous defeat for there army.
What does ia fa mean in Samoan?
Ia fa - So bye
Why was the Battle of Bunker Hill so important?
Because it was the bloodiest battle of the American Revolution Hope it helped :)
Why was Battle of Yorktown and Battle of Saratoga so important?
They were both considered 'turning points' in the American Revolution.
Why was the battle of gettysurg so important?
The South lost the initiative in the East.
