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After June 11, we have learn our lesson. All tubes were under my command. The 82mm mortar is under Btn command. 100mm mortars were dig in and under my direct command. 12 artillery companies, including 4 tank companies were divided to each troop. The added firepower were directed to routes of most likely enemy advance. Those paths were divided up. Each coy is in charge a selection of the path. Two companies will fire at the main road to slow down the enemy advance. Three MRL companies were stationed in 152 high ground. One of them will be command by Li Hai-Ren. The code name for firing was Wild Boar.

We knew what the attacking enemy units were by July 12. Our guess were the VN 356th Div's two Regt, one Regt from the 316th Div, and 6 other independent regts will take part.

We also predicated the enemy will attack at 0500. At 0000, we had 2.5 times of normal ammo ready for our artillery. 0300, HQ give out 3 locations and ordered 3 arty companies to fire at them randomly.

After the fire salvo, I spoke to the infantry Regt commander Chang Yo-Hop. I asked him if he was the enemy commander where would be the most likely area to attack? He pointed out to the a 300 meter clearing to the north of the rive.

I agreed with him and order 6 arty companies to target 1000 meters around that area. I reported this decision to the arty command. The vice Div commander gave me the go ahead. I ordered the guns to fire a salvo every 10 minutes. After the second salvo, nothing seem to happen &((&@)! (deleted Chinese dirty words). I order flares to fire and the result was nothing. Wasted ammo. HQ ordered us to stand down. It is after 0300, many troops went directly to sleep.

Only later that we have found out the VN attacking force was only 500 meters away from our line. Two VN Btn commanders were kill on the spot. Even without their commanders the VN troops did not give out their position. Even their wounded did not scream. They quickly move the wounded out of the area after the flare went down. Their discipline was unbelievable.

0500, all hell broke lose. Fire fights happened at all points. We also got our first POW at this point after had causing heavy casualties on the enemy. From the POWs, we had found out what happened in earlier evens. The enemy force was so discipline that they launched their attack by following the time table even without their Btn commanders. The enemy also did an excellent job in avoided detection. They did not even use any wireless communications before their assault.