Firebase Delta | |
Type: | Army Base |
Built: | 1967 |
Used: | 1967-72 |
Occupants: | Vietnamese Rangers |
Battles: | Vietnam War Battle of Kontum |
Firebase Delta is a former Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase northwest of Kontum in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
The base was established approximately 25 km northwest of Kontum.[1]
At the start of the Easter Offensive the base was defended by one company of ARVN Airborne and one of Rangers. On 31 March 1972 a CH-47 of the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company on a resupply mission to the base was shot down, the crew survived and made it to the base.[2] On the morning of 3 April as U.S. forces were attempting to evacuate the CH-47 crew the base came under attack by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 52nd Regiment, the assault was repulsed using intensive tactical air strikes and the PAVN suffered 353 killed.[2]
On 21 April the PAVN launched an assault by 3 tanks supported by infantry and by the evening had succeeded in overrunning the base.[3]
The base has reverted to jungle.