Dong Ap Bia
Hamburger Hill was yet another highly controversial battle in the Vietnam War. The original name is Dong Ap Bia, and was located in the A Shau Valley near the border of Laos. The hill was dubbed Hill 937 because of its elevation, and then named Hamburger Hill in reference to the way those who fought on the hill got “chewed up like a hamburger”. The U.S. wanted to stabilize the A Shau Valley which had been giving them issues in the past (OSU 2012).
The assault on Hill 937 came as a result of doing reconnaissance and patrols to secure the A Shau Valley, an infiltration point from Laos. In May of 1969, the 101st Airborne Division engaged the NVA and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The U.S. tried heavy air support and bombings to stifle the enemy, but the tactics were not effective as the NVA and ARVN were well concealed and protected on the hill. This meant that the U.S. had to abandon their traditional tactics and use infantry units as the means of force. The NVA and ARVN used defensive position tactics and not their traditional style of quick, sporadic attacks. The terrain consisted of very dense vegetation, especially elephant grass which was very tall and razor sharp which made the assault on the hill very cumbersome. Combat occurred in close quarters and resulted in many casualties. After an eleven day struggle, the U.S. successfully forced the enemy back into Laos (Historynet). However, after the U.S. captured the hill, it was quickly abandoned which caused great outcry from the American public. What was the point of putting our troops in that position when we would just abandon the hill? As with the war in general, the strategy was of attrition and not in occupying captured territory. Hamburger Hill was also located in a remote region, not near any populated, civilized area which again, made it of no strategic significance to stay there.
The assault on Hill 937 came as a result of doing reconnaissance and patrols to secure the A Shau Valley, an infiltration point from Laos. In May of 1969, the 101st Airborne Division engaged the NVA and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The U.S. tried heavy air support and bombings to stifle the enemy, but the tactics were not effective as the NVA and ARVN were well concealed and protected on the hill. This meant that the U.S. had to abandon their traditional tactics and use infantry units as the means of force. The NVA and ARVN used defensive position tactics and not their traditional style of quick, sporadic attacks. The terrain consisted of very dense vegetation, especially elephant grass which was very tall and razor sharp which made the assault on the hill very cumbersome. Combat occurred in close quarters and resulted in many casualties. After an eleven day struggle, the U.S. successfully forced the enemy back into Laos (Historynet). However, after the U.S. captured the hill, it was quickly abandoned which caused great outcry from the American public. What was the point of putting our troops in that position when we would just abandon the hill? As with the war in general, the strategy was of attrition and not in occupying captured territory. Hamburger Hill was also located in a remote region, not near any populated, civilized area which again, made it of no strategic significance to stay there.
*Elevation range is same as map above.