OP 'Balaklava'
Date Conducted: 6 January 1968
Formations/Units: 3 RAR with in direct support 161 Bty (NZ), one OH-13 of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt in support one army aviation company (US).
Description: A one day area search operation directed at the Binh Ba rubber plantatation and its western and southern flanking areas, west of Route 2 in an AO of 11 sq km. Terrain undulating, mainly rubber with jungle,some clear forest and a few clearings in the west and south. Village and district guerilla units operated in the area at night,but by day activities were restricted to propaganda dissemination and tax gathering from rubber workers. Deployment by helicopter.
Location: Phuoc Tuy province 8 km north of 1ATF base.
Results: 20 civilians detained for interrogation.
1. OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
a. General
(1) 1 ATF continued TAOR patrols and 3 RAR conducted Operation BALAKLAVA. Locations: No change.
(a) 3 RAR conducted Operation BALAKLAVA which was a one day airmobile and sweep operation in tho area of BINIH BA Rubber Plantation, centre of mass YS4374.
