As the 1/502 rejoined us on LZ Jane the evening of February 10 (we were still without the 2/501, opcon to the 3d Bde, First Cav Div), I issued a new 2d Brigade operation order. Mission: “ 2d Bde (-) continues offensive operations to locate/destroy enemy forces and to conduct minesweep-ing/clearing operations of Highway 1…”

The troops got right to work, but for weeks the weather continued poor. Although rain and fog hampered helicopter use every day, operating from LZ Jane our rifle companies scoured the countryside. Battalion commanders would rotate their companies so that they had an opportunity every three or four days (but sometime it was a week or longer), to get to LZ Jane and dry out. At night companies would occupy night defensive positions (NDPs) from which they would set out ambushes or listening posts. One journal report:

“Before dark a platoon of C/1-501 moved into a defensive position at the bridge (YD436433) to reinforce the PF unit defending that bridge. At 0230 hours,, an NVA force of approximately platoon size attacked the bridge from the east. The attacking force was apparently unaware of the presence of the C/1-501 as its RPG, small arms, and automatic weapons fire was primarily directed against the PF outpost. C/1-501’s platoon withheld its fire until the enemy force had reached a point aproximately 20 feet away. It engaged the enemy with small arms, automatic weapons, M-79s, hand grenades, and claymores. A sweep of the area at first light revealed 4 NVA bodies, 4 AK-47s, 2 LMGs and numerous small items of equipment. Friendly losses: none.”

By mid-February the 1/501st had lost about 75 men killed or evacuated because of wounds, and the 1/502d had lost about 100. We began to receive a few replacements. The battalion and company commanders sought to introduce the new men into their units when they were drying out and otherwise recovering on LZ Jane.

Battalions worked with the local Vietnamese, conducted daily company-sized search and destroy operations, carried out an air assault every two days or so, and set out ambushes every night. Two entries from the brigade journal of 14 February:
“1-501: C Co and D Co continued a sweep SE along Highway 55. B Co made an air assault to the SE to provide a blocking force. C and D made contact in the afternoon. Friendly losses were 1 KIA and 9 WIA (8 evac). Enemy losses were 7 NVA KIA. B Co extracted late afternoon. Co A perimeter defense, LZ Jane. Recon platoon night ambush…
“1-502: At 0325 hrs A Co sprung squad size ambush YD349247 on estimated 30 NVA with mortar tubes on boats; took them under fire with small arms. Ambush force pulled back and encountered a second group of 30 NVA; took them under fire with small arms inflicting heavy casualties, negative friendly casualties. 15 or 16 boats were travling NE.”

Meanwhile the 2/501 was fighting to the south, opcon to the Cav’s 3d Brigade On February 15, its D Company, in a search and destroy operation south of PK 17, made heavy contact as its scouts approached a woodline. D Company was reinforced with two companies from the 5/7 Cav. The battle lasted until late afternoon. D Company lost 6 KIA, including the platoon leader of its 3d Platoon, and 17 wounded and evacuated, including the company commander.

The 2/501 would continue that fight the following week.