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PROLOGUE
———— Jan. 29th, coord. 441029, near Chu Lai, Approx. 2100 hours.---our reinforced ambush squad of Marines was stretched out in a line overlooking the ‘killing zone’ of the path running along the side of the hill. We had been in position for over three hours. We had left the Company CP ( Command Post ) after dark to avoid being seen—we had moved towards the target zone through the undergrowth—avoiding villages and pathways. We had quietly located our killing zone for our ambush and moved into position as we had rehearsed earlier. We were certain our movements to the target zone had been undetected. We had posted our ‘rear watch’ to prevent a surprise attack from our rear. Corporal Nelson and his squad were disciplined, focused and very much awake—- There was a cacophony of sounds all around us from the critters of the jungle. We were used to the ‘noise’ they produced but something new broke the symphony ---The sound was unmistakeable—a 60 mm mortar round leaving the mortar tube--you know the mortar round is in the air and that you and your unit are the target —our ambush had been discovered! The VC mortar round explodes fifty or so yards in front of your position--you hear the next round leaving the tube-- you know it’s in the air--it lands thirty or so yards behind your position--they have you ‘bracketed’--you make the only decision you can make--leave your position-- but which way do you go-- Forward or back--left or right--the decision would
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