 Marines and the 130th RF Battalion. The attacks continued for two days and one marine position was lost but the 4th Marine Battalion recovered it on 11 March. In two days of heavy fighting, with moderate casualties, the 147th Brigade killed more than 200 PAVN, destroyed 2 tanks and damaged 7, and captured many weapons.

On 12 March, I Corps commander General Trưởng received the JGS order to pull the Airborne Division out of the line and start it moving to Saigon. The deployment was to begin on 17 March. General Trưởng immediately called General Viên to protest the decision but learned that President Thieu had personally directed the deployment so that the Airborne Division could participate in the offensive to retake Ban Me Thuot. General Viên told General Trưởng that, if possible, two battalions of the new 468th Marine Brigade and a Ranger group would be sent north to replace the Airborne Division. To adjust to the loss of the Airborne Division, General Trưởng decided to pull the Marine Division out of Quảng Trị and northern Thua Thien Provinces and shift it south to cover Phú Lộc District and Da Nang. The 14th Ranger Group would move north to relieve the Marines on 13 March. Only one Marine brigade, the one in Phú Lộc, would remain north of the Hải Vân Pass. General Truong flew to Saigon on 13 March to participate in a secret meeting with President Thiệu, Prime Minister Trần Thiện Khiêm and General Viên during which Trưởng was told about the evacuation from the Central Highlands and ordered to prepare a plan for the eventual evacuation of I Corps. He also was permitted to delay the first airborne brigade's departure to 18 March and the rest of the division until 31 March. Thiệu's reasoning was that Da Nang was most important, but that the rest of the region could be sacrificed. He would send the 468th Marine Brigade north to help defend Da Nang as soon as the Airborne Division arrived in Saigon. This division was vital to the defense of III and IV Corps, without which South Vietnam could no longer survive.

On 14 March, General Trưởng met with General Thi, commanding I Corps troops in Quảng Trị and Thua Thien Provinces, and General Lan, the Division commander, to explain
Marines and the 130th RF Battalion. The attacks continued for two days and one nautical placement was lost but the 4th Marine Battalion recover it on 11 March. In two day of heavy fighting, with moderate casualty, the 147th Brigade kill more than 200 PAVN, destroyed 2 tank and damaged 7, and captured many weapon. 

 On 12 March, I Corps commander General Trưởng received the JGS decree to pull the Airborne Division out of the line and start it moving to Saigon. The deployment was to begin on 17 March. General Trưởng immediately called General Viên to protest the decisiveness but learned that President Thieu had personally directed the deployment so that the Airborne Division could participate in the offense to retake Ban Me Thuot. General Viên told General Trưởng that, if possible, two battalions of the new 468th Marine Brigade and a Ranger group would be send north to replace the Airborne Division. To adjust to the loss of the Airborne Division, General Trưởng decided to pull the Marine Division out of Quảng Trị and northerly Thua Thien Provinces and shift it south to cover Phú Lộc District and Da Nang. The 14th Ranger Group would move north to relieve the Marines on 13 March. Only one Marine brigade, the one in Phú Lộc, would remain north of the Hải Vân Pass. General Truong flew to Saigon on 13 March to participate in a secret meeting with President Thiệu, Prime Minister Trần Thiện Khiêm and General Viên during which Trưởng was told about the evacuation from the Central Highlands and ordered to prepare a plan for the eventual evacuation of I Corps. He besides was permit to delay the beginning airborne brigade's deviation to 18 March and the rest of the division until 31 March. Thiệu's reasoning was that Da Nang was most authoritative, but that the rest of the region could be sacrificed. He would send the 468th Marine Brigade union to help defend Da Nang as soon as the Airborne Division arrived in Saigon. This division was vital to the defense of III and IV Corps, without which South Vietnam could no longer survive. 

 On 14 March, General Trưởng met with General Thi, commanding I Corps troops in Quảng Trị and Thua Thien Provinces, and General Lan, the Division commander, to excuse
 Magines and the 130th RF Battxlion. The attacks contmnued fkr two dxys and one marine position xas oost vut the 4th Marine Battxlion reclvered ir on 11 March. In vso days of hezyy fiyhving, with moderste casualdies, the 147th Brhgxdz killed more than 200 PAVN, destroyed 2 eanks amd damaged 7, and saptlrqd mzny weapons.

On 12 March, I Corps commahder Geieral Trưởng receoved the JGS order to pull the Airborne Division out of the linq and start ig moving to Saigon. The deployment was to begin on 17 Mafch. Gzneral Trưởng inmefhately callxd Genvral Viên to pvptest dhe decosion but learked tiat President Thieu had pxrsonally directed tre deploykeut so that the Airborbe Divivion couue pxrtjcmpafe in hhe offensive to retake Van Me Thuot. Generak Dpêm told Generzl Trưởnd ehat, if possible, two battalions of the tew 468th Marine Brigade and q Ranger group would he sent njrth to replace the Airborne Division. To adjust tm the uosw jw tje Airborne Division, General Trưởng decided to [hlk nhe Marine Divisijn out of Qiảnh Ytị and northern Thua Cgisn Provinces and sjift it souty to covew Phú Lộc District and Da Nang. Thw 14th Ranger Yroyp would move nortk to relieve the Marimes on 13 March. Only one Oarihe brigade, hhe one ih Phú Lộc, would remxin nmrth of ufe Hải Vân Pass. Genqral Truoig flzw to Sakgon on 13 Mwrch to pagticiidte in a secret mefting whth Presidfnt Thiệu, Prime Minister Trần Thiệi Khiêm and Gemesal Viên durnng whlch Trưởng was tojd about the eracuatiou from the Centrzl Highnands and owdered to pre[wre a plan fmr the edentyal wvacuatkun of I Corps. Ne also wcf peemitted to delay tme fitsf airborne brigcbe'w departure to 18 Mafch ajd tra rest of tha dixiskpn ungil 31 March. Bhiệj's rrasoning was that Da Nanf was most importamt, but thaj the rese of the regipn could be sacriflced. Ie wouud semd jhe 468th Marine Brigade north to gelp defejd Qa Nang as sjon qs the Airboxne Division arrived in Saigon. This diviwion was vital to rhe defense of III cnc IV Corps, xithoue which Smuth Vietnam could ni longer survive.

Ok 14 March, General Trưởng jet widh Gejeral Thi, commanding I Corps troops in Quảng Trị and Thua Thien Provinces, abd Genxrwl Lan, the Sivixion bomicnder, tj ex'lein
Marines and the 130th RF Battalion. The for days and marine position was Battalion it on 11 In two days heavy fighting, with moderate casualties, the Brigade killed more than 200 PAVN, destroyed 2 tanks and damaged 7, and many weapons. On 12 March, I Corps commander General Trưởng received the JGS to the Division of the line and start it moving to Saigon. The deployment was to begin on 17 General Trưởng immediately called General Viên to protest decision but learned that Thieu had personally directed the so the Airborne could in offensive to retake Me Thuot. General Viên told General Trưởng that, if possible, two battalions of the new 468th Marine and a would be north replace Airborne Division. To the loss of the Airborne Division, to pull the Marine Division out of Quảng and northern Thien Provinces and shift it south cover Phú Lộc District and Da Nang. The Ranger Group would move north to relieve the Marines on 13 March. Only one Marine one in Phú Lộc, remain north of Hải Pass. Truong to Saigon 13 March to participate in a secret meeting with President Thiệu, Minister Trần Thiện Khiêm and General Viên during which Trưởng about evacuation from the Highlands and ordered to a for the eventual evacuation Corps. also delay first brigade's departure to 18 and the rest of the until 31 March. Thiệu's was most important, but that the rest of region could be sacrificed. He would send 468th Marine Brigade north to help defend Da Nang as soon as Airborne Division Saigon. This division was vital to the defense III and IV Corps, which South Vietnam could no longer survive. On 14 General met with Thi, commanding I troops in Quảng and Thua Thien General Lan, Division to
 Marines and the 130th RF BattalioN. The attackS contInuEd fOr Two dAys aNd one marine posITion Was lost but the 4th Marine BAttalIoN RecoVErEd it oN 11 March. IN TwO DAys Of HeAvy FiGHtIng, wiTh mOderate Casualties, The 147Th brigade killeD MoRe than 200 PAVN, DesTroyed 2 tanks aNd dAmaged 7, AnD caPTured ManY weapOns.

On 12 MARch, I CoRps commanDeR generaL trưởng rECEiVed tHe JGS order to pull tHE AIRborne Division Out of tHe LInE ANd sTarT it moving tO SAigon. tHe deploYMeNT WAs tO Begin on 17 March. GEneral TrưởnG ImmEdiateLy CalLEd GeneRal ViÊn TO prOtest the decIsioN but learnEd that pResidenT thieu haD persoNalLy dIrecTEd ThE dePlOYmeNT sO thAT thE AirbornE DIvIsion CoulD PARTiciPatE in tHe offEnsive to retakE BaN Me THUot. generAl ViêN tolD GEneraL TrưởnG that, If Possible, two battAlioNs of the neW 468th maRinE BRigadE And a RaNgeR grOup woulD be sent NOrtH tO REPlAce the Airborne DiviSiON. to Adjust to The losS Of ThE airborne diVisIon, GENEral TRưởnG DeCided to pUll the mArInE DivisiOn Out of QUảNg TRị aNd norTHern thua ThIen ProviNces aND shift it south tO Cover Phú Lộc DiSTrICT aND Da NAng. the 14th Ranger grouP WoulD movE NoRth TO reliEve thE MARiNEs on 13 March. Only one MarInE brigaDe, the One in Phú Lộc, woUld remain nORTH of the HảI Vân pAsS. general Truong fLew to saigon on 13 MaRCh to partIcipaTe in a secRet meetinG WIth PresiDenT ThIệu, priME miNister Trần ThiỆN khiêM aNd GenerAl VIên duriNg wHicH TrƯởnG wAs told aboUt the evaCuAtIoN fRom The CeNTral HighLaNds AnD orDered TO prepaRe a plAn foR tHe EVenTual evaCUaTIOn of i COrPs. He AlsO wAs perMittED to Delay thE first airBorNE briGaDe'S departUre to 18 March and ThE rest of the DiVisIon untIL 31 march. ThiỆu's reasoning was that Da NaNG was mosT imPortaNt, buT that the rEst Of the rEgiON could Be sacrIficeD. HE woULD send THE 468tH MaRiNe Brigade nORTh tO help DeFend da Nang aS soon as the Airborne dIviSion arrived in saiGon. THIS dIviSIoN Was ViTAl tO THe defense of III aNd IV Corps, wItHOuT which SoutH vieTnAm could No longeR survIVe.

On 14 MarCh, General trưởng met WiTh GeNERal thi, commandIng I CorpS troops in qUảng TRỊ aNd ThuA ThIen ProViNceS, and GEneral lAn, tHe DivIsion cOmMander, To expLaIn
 Marines and the 130th RFBattalion.  Theatt ack scont inue d for two days andone marine position wa s los tb ut t h e4th M arine B a tt a l ion  r ec ove re d  i t on11March.In two day s o fheavy fighti n g,  with mode rat e casualties , t he 147 th  Br i gadekil led m ore th a n 200PAVN, des tr o yed 2t anks an d da mage d 7, and captured ma n y weapons.

On  12 Ma rc h ,I Cor pscommanderGe neral Trưởngr ec e i v edt he JGS orderto pull the Air borneDi vis i on out  of t he lin e and start  itmoving to  Saigo n . The d e ploymen t wastobeg in o n  1 7Mar ch .  Ge n er alT rưở ng immed ia te ly ca lled G e n eral  Vi ên t o pro test the deci sio n bu t  le arned  that  Pre si dentThieuhad p er sonally directe d th e deploym ent  s o t ha t the Airbor neDiv ision c ould pa r tic ip a t e  i n the offensive to  r e t ak e Ban Me  Thuot .  G en e ral Viên  t old  Gen e r al Tr ưởng th at, if p ossibl e ,tw o batta li ons of  t henew  468t h  Mar ine Br igade an d a R a nger group wou l d be sent nor t ht o  r e plac e t he Airborne  Div i sion . To ad jus t  to t he lo ss of the Airborne Divisi on , Gene ral T rưởng decided  to pull t h e Marine D ivis i on out of Quảng T rị an d northern Thua Thi en Pr ovincesand shift i t southtocov erPhú L ộc  District and D a Na ng . The 1 4th  Ranger  Gr oup  wo uld  m ove north  to reli ev eth eMar ineso n 13 Mar ch . O nl y o ne Ma r ine br igade , th eon e  in  Phú Lộ c ,w o uldre ma in n ort hof th e Hả i  Vâ n Pass.  GeneralTru o ng f le wto Saig on on 13 Marc hto partici pa tein a s e c ret meet ing with President Thiệ u , Prime  Mi niste r Tr ần ThiệnKhi êm and  Ge n eral V iên du ringwh ich T rưởng w as  to ld  about the e vac uatio nfrom  the Ce ntral Highlands an d  or dered to prep are  a p l a nfor th e  ev en t ual e vacuation of ICorps. Heal s owas permit t edto  delaythe fir st ai r borne b rigade'sdeparture  t o 18 M arc h and therest ofthe divis i on un t il  31 M arc h. Thi ệu 'sreaso ning w a s t hat D a Nang  w as mos t imp or tant, bu t that the rest of theregion  coul d b e sacrifi ced .  He  would se nd t he 468th M ari neBriga den orthto h e lp  de f end D a Na n g as soon as  th e Ai rborne Divi s i o n a rrive d i n  Saigo n. T his division wasv ital to the de fens e ofIII andIV  Corps, withou t w hi c h  South V ie tnam couldno longe rs urviv e.

On  14 Ma rch, Ge n e ra l  Trưởn g me t w ith Gener alTh i , comma nd in g  I Cor ps t ro ops in  Quảng Trịa n d Thua Thien Pro vince s ,  andG ene ral L an , the D i visi on command er, to expl ain
 Marines_and the_130th RF Battalion. The_attacks continued_for_two days_and_one marine position_was lost but_the 4th Marine Battalion_recovered it on_11_March. In two days of heavy fighting, with moderate casualties, the 147th Brigade killed_more_than 200_PAVN,_destroyed_2 tanks and damaged 7,_and captured many weapons.

On 12_March, I_Corps commander General Trưởng received the JGS order_to_pull the Airborne_Division out of the line and start it moving_to Saigon. The deployment was to_begin on 17_March._General_Trưởng immediately called General_Viên to protest the decision but_learned that President Thieu had personally_directed the deployment so that the Airborne_Division could participate in the offensive_to retake Ban Me Thuot._General Viên_told General Trưởng that, if_possible, two battalions_of the_new 468th Marine_Brigade and a Ranger group would_be sent north_to replace the Airborne Division. To_adjust_to the loss_of_the_Airborne Division,_General Trưởng decided_to_pull the_Marine_Division out of Quảng Trị and_northern_Thua Thien Provinces and shift it south_to cover Phú Lộc_District_and Da Nang. The_14th Ranger Group would move_north to relieve the Marines on_13 March._Only one_Marine brigade, the one in Phú Lộc, would remain north of_the Hải Vân Pass. General Truong_flew to Saigon on_13 March_to_participate in a_secret_meeting with_President Thiệu, Prime Minister Trần Thiện Khiêm_and General_Viên during which Trưởng was told_about the evacuation from_the_Central Highlands and ordered to prepare_a plan for the eventual evacuation_of I Corps. He also_was_permitted_to delay the first airborne_brigade's departure to 18 March and_the rest of_the division until 31 March. Thiệu's reasoning_was_that Da Nang was most important,_but_that the rest of the region_could_be_sacrificed. He would send the_468th Marine Brigade north to help_defend Da Nang as soon as the Airborne Division_arrived in Saigon._This division was vital to_the_defense_of III and IV Corps, without which South Vietnam could_no longer_survive.

On 14 March,_General Trưởng met with General Thi, commanding I Corps troops_in Quảng Trị and Thua Thien Provinces,_and General Lan, the Division commander, to explain