would call down to the FDC (Fire Direction Control) bunker and pass on a list of defensive targets for the mortars to fire at in case the grunts needed the support. Many members of the team developed their expertise with the guns to such a level that they earned the IIC secondary MOS.

Eventually, with all the work they were getting, it became obvious that one sight for the guns wasnt enough, so two more guns were set up at the other end of Trai Bac Station. Finally, a third site was added, bringing the fire power to a total of seven guns: with two guns at sites two and three,

and three guns at site one.

Makeshift living quarters were erected at the two newer sites to be manned only in case of an alert. The FDC, the ammo bunkers, all of the gun pits and the hootch where the team members stay when not conducting a fire mission have all been highly protected with sand bags and dirt-filled ammo boxes.

The mortar platoon had its finest moment on the morning of March 16, 1972 when the Hue - Phu Bai airport received indirect fire from 122mm rockets and 82mm mortar fire.

The Trai Bac Power & Light Co. responded immediately with a counter barrage which resulted in two secondary explosions and four enemy killed.

Now a battery of artillery, with their booming 105's and 155's has taken up residence at Phu Bai and, in a way, overshadowed the 8th's mortar platoon.

But dont forget for a minute that Trai Bac's Power and LIght Company is there and waiting patiently for that call to come over the radio from Base Defense: "FIRE MISSION".

ABOVE Once elevation and deflection have been calculated, a fast hand is all that's needed. ABOVE RIGHT the 81mm mortar needs a high explosive to deliver the payload. Fingers in ears are a sound idea. At FAR RIGHT is the Fire Direction Control bunker, note the thickness of the cement. The sleepers try to knock out the zzz's in the luxurious hooch behind the billboard.

THE HALLMARK OCTOBER 1972     BACK TO LINKS :: COVERPAGE :: PAGE ONE