Battle of Loc Ninh

The Battle of Loc Ninh was a major battle fought during the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive and lasted from 4–7 April 1972.

Loc Ninh was a small district town in Binh Long Province, approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of the capital of Saigon. Its location near the Cambodian border made it the scene of bitter fighting during the Vietnam War. In 1967, the Vietcong's 272nd and 273rd Regiments attempted to overrun the Civilian Irregular Defense Group camp there but was repulsed. In 1972, North Vietnamese forces, supported by armor, returned in force and were more determined than ever to take Loc Ninh. Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) force defending Loc Ninh included two battalions from the '9th Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Squadron, the 74th Ranger Battalion, and the 1st Regional Popular Force Battalion. These units were supported by artillery from the 48th and 54th Regiments. The main communist force consist of the three regiments from the Vietcong's 5th Division, supported by the People's Army of Vietnam’s 69th Artillery Division and the 203rd Tank Regiment.

The initial attack was across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on 30 March toward Quang Tri and Hue. While this attack was massive, and with definite objectives, it also was timed to draw resources away from southern areas.