Frag Out! Magazine

The battle was a final phase of OP Massachusetts Striker and OP Apache Snow which objectives were to clear out the central part of A Shau Valley from North Vietnamese forces. During operations, the enemy forces were pushed back to the NE area of A Shau Valley, near the Hills 900, 937, 800 and 916 close to Laos border. Hills covered with thick vegetation were heavily fortified and were defended by two battalion form 29th NVA regiment (in strenght of about 800-1,000 soldiers). On the other side there were about 1,800 US troops from 101st Airborne Division supported by South Vietnamese ARVN troops, artillery and close air support. After 10 days of fierce fights, the battle was won by US forces – losses totaled 72 KIA (killed in action) and 372 WIA (wounded in action). To take the position, the 101st Airborne Division eventually committed five infantry battalions and ten batteries of artillery. In addition, the U.S. Air Force flew 272 missions and expended more than 500 tons of ordnance. U.S. estimates of the losses incurred by the 7th and 8th Battalions of the 29th NVA Regiment included 630 dead (discovered on and around the battlefield); including many found in makeshift mortuaries within the tunnel complex. Yet no one could count the NVA running off the mountain, those killed by artillery and air strikes, the wounded and dead carried into Laos or the dead buried in collapsed bunkers and tunnels. Three NVA soldiers were captured. The battle of Hill 937 with little strategic value has not decisive impact of war, soon after the battle US forces quickly with- drawn from the area. The battle has become famous because of fierce fights and heavy losses on both side Based on this event is 1987 movie "Hamburger Hill". Battle on Hill 937 www.fragoutmag.com Ammunition storage box for two 100 round ammo belts for 7.62mm M60 machine gun. Ammo belts were stored in paper boxes placed in canvas bandoleers.

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