Operation Lancaster
Part of the Vietnam War

A Marine barters with Vietnamese civilians during Operation Lancaster
Date1 November 1967 – 20 January 1968
Location
Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam
16°34′44″N 106°45′11″E / 16.579°N 106.753°E / 16.579; 106.753
Result U.S. claims victory
Belligerents
 United States  North Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
COL Joseph Lo Prete
Units involved
3rd Marine Regiment
Casualties and losses
22 killed US body count: 46 killed

Operation Lancaster was a U.S. Marine Corps operation that took place in northern Quảng Trị Province from November 1967 to January 20, 1968.

Background

In November 1967, the Kingfisher Tactical Area of Operations (TAOR) was split in two creating the Lancaster TAOR and the Kentucky TAOR.[1]: 142  The new Lancaster TAOR bordered the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to the north, the Scotland TAOR to the west and the Kentucky and Operationa Osceola to the east and contained the Marines bases of Camp Carroll, The Rockpile and Ca Lu Combat Base and was under the control of COL Joseph Lo Prete's 3rd Marine Regiment.[2]: 18  Despite the closure of Route 9 by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) west of Ca Lu, it remained the obvious route for any attempt to relieve the Khe Sanh Combat Base. The terrain in the Lancaster TAOR consisted of rolling hills climbing up to jungle-covered mountains.[2]: 57 

Operation

The Marines task was to prevent PAVN infiltration from across the DMZ and from the west and to provide artillery and logistical support to the Marines at Khe Sanh.

Aftermath

Operation Lancaster concluded on 20 January 1968, PAVN losses were 46 killed for the loss of 22 Marines killed and 140 wounded. The operation was immediately continued as Operation Lancaster II in the same tactical area of operations.[2]: 57 

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

  1. ^ Telfer, Gary (1984). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494285449.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c Shulimson, Jack (1988). US Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division Headquarters United States Marine Corps. ISBN 0160491258.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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