Blackhorse Base Camp was carved out of dense and rugged jungle
that was located at Long Giao, 10 miles South of the Vietnamese village of Xuan Loc in the
Province of Long Khanh on Highway 2. It was the home of the 11th Armored Cavalry
Regiment and its supporting units like, "Red Devils" 919th Engineer Company
(Armor), the 37th Medical Company, 541st Military Intelligence Detachment and others.
For a close up view of Blackhorse and its surrounding area, click on the maps
below.
Blackhorse was laid out as a near rectangle. The perimeter was divided into
four sectors; A, B, C and D. It was ringed with five rows of Constantine wire (the
next generation removed from barbed wire). Constantine wire had razor sharp edges.
It was placed around the camp's perimeter for security. In addition, the camp
was protected with six watch towers and 65 bunker emplacements.
Jim Brigman has submitted a diagram of base camp as part
of his Contributor's Corner collection. To view a
larger image, click on the diagram below. The large view is about 100kb in size and
will take a few seconds to load.
Blackhorse Base Camp
Diagram
circa 1967
The diagram of Blackhorse Base Camp above reveals a startling portrait of the various
commands that made up the regiment. It includes the location of each troop, company
and attached units. In addition, buildings, roads and heliport are represented.
On October 20th, 1966 an action code named: "Atlanta" commenced.
"Atlanta's" mission was to establish the new home of the 11th ACR that had
arrived at Vung Tau on September 7, 1966. The regiment was under the command of Col.
William W. Cobb. "Atlanta" was competed by November 3, 1966.
I arrived at Blackhorse on Wednesday, April 17th, 1968. The first impression that
this camp made on me was the incredible "red" clay which turned in to a powdery
fine dust during the dry season. Even today, there are still remains of this clay on
many of my mementos.
I was assigned as a cook to the 3rd Squadron ("Workhorse"). I was taken
by jeep and dropped of at "Killing" K Troop's orderly room where I processed
in. I was now K Troop's newest member. After a week of specialized training, I
would join the Troop at Phu Loi.
I invite you to explore the heart of this web site by visiting the links below.
This site is primarily about K Troop but I have provided some information about the 11th
Armored Cavalry Regiment too. This page is under development and new sections are
continually being added. I recommend that you start with K Troop and then, if time
allows, learn more about the regiment.
Allons!
Bob Hersey
 |
K TROOP
|
Orderly Room
Mess Hall
Motor Pool
My Letters Home
My Audio Cassette Tapes Home
K Troop Bandana
THE REGIMENT
History
Insignia - Motto - Patch
The Commanders
Col. George S. Patton
SPECIALS
Reunions - 11th ACVVC - Buffalo2000
Ron Popowich's Letter To His Mom
Rick Belcher's Letter - On
Ronald Pongratz's Death
16 Americans Die In Ambush -
Associated Press May 21, 1967
Maj. Middaugh's Letter
To -
Dennis Morgan K-71 Disaster
"The Use of Armor in Vietnam" by Brian Ross
Mounted Combat In
Vietnam by Gen. Donn A. Starry - off site link
One Blackhorse K Trooper
Is Better Than A 1000 Enemy Soldiers.
