Table Of Contents
Overall Introduction
The Rockpile Vietnam – also known as Rockpile Base or Elliot Combat Base. During the Vietnam War, it was a substantial US base in the rocky mountains north of Route 9 and south of the Demilitarized Zone – Vietnam DMZ. The US used the Rock.Pile hill as a watchtower to observe the activities of the Vietnam People’s Army in the demilitarized zone in Quang Tri from 1966 to 1968.
Nowadays, the Rockpile Vietnam is one of the significant destinations in the famous DMZ tour in Quang Tri. It attracts many international visitors, especially American veterans.
The Rockpile Hill’s Geographical Location
Located in the South and about 16km from the demilitarized zone – DMZ and 26km from Dong Ha base to the West. The Rockpile base is located on a 240m high rocky mountain and is only about 1km south of the strategic road 9 through Laos.
This base controlled the intersection of the 5 surrounding valleys. Plus, the North Vietnamese infiltration routes from the North and Laos into the I Tactical Zone of South Vietnam.
Beyond the valleys are other mountains higher. To the northwest is Dong Ke Soc mountain, 685m high. Additionally, Cay Tri-Mountain in the north- the nickname of the Whispering Mountains – where the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment of U.S is stationed.
The Rockpile Vietnam’s History
The strategic location of the rockpile hill
On July 4, 1966, a group of American reconnaissance troops arrived here and realized the importance of this mountain. After that, the US established a base here to prevent the infiltration of the North Vietnamese army.
However, many militants from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam still had revolutionary activities there. Hence, a decisive battle broke out to occupy this vantage point was inevitable. Besides, standing from here can see quite clearly the ships at Dong Hoa port in the east, 26km away and can see the Ghost Mountain of Laos in the west.
It is located on line 9, running along and parallel to the demilitarized zone. Thus, the US troops can easily supply Khe Sanh combat base, Ca Lu and Camp Carroll bases and prevent ambushes surrounding.
The operation hastings
In July 1966, the US Army launched Operation Hastings – the battle of Hastings. They deployed troops with 8,000 Marines and 3,000 South Vietnamese soldiers. Plus, Brigadier General Lowell English commanded all troops to depart from Dong Ha. They carried a look around the area with the mountain where the US later established this Rockpile base.
At the end of July 1966, a group of American reconnaissance troops stationed on the Rockpile Vietnam. Since then, the US military began to build Rockpile base here. That event marked the US military officially took control of the Rockpile Vietnam hill. Additionally, the US continued to carry out Operation Prairie in the surrounding area. It aims to strengthen further the vital position of Rockpile Hill in the Vietnam DMZ.
On August 3, the US announced the end of the campaign with the result that there were many casualties. There were 824 Vietnamese Liberation Army soldiers sacrificed. Besides, on the American side, there were 126 deaths and 448 wounded.
American soldiers’ life in Elliot combat base
The base is in the middle of a vast valley, surrounded by tall and dense elephant grass. Inside the base is also very messy, with trenches, soldier camps, and so on. All the tents, low bunkers, and trenches in the camp were in no particular order or arrangement.
The three largest tents are arranged as kitchens, halls, and medical stations. The background inside is very dusty, and the kitchen also has no tables and chairs. That’s why American soldiers had to eat while standing.
Furthermore, Rockpile hill is in an independent position, so there is no way up and down. Therefore, they brought all the supplies there by helicopter, and even American soldiers used water sprayed from the helicopter to bathe. In addition, they must collect dirty clothes before moving to the Philippines for washing.
Even though life at the base is still difficult, many Marines consider Rockpile hill to be an ideal place to station troops. The reason is that it is the safest place in the DMZ zone since the hill’s peak is like a fortress. Hence, they assumed they would be able to overcome a battle that could last from a week to two months at the base unscathed.
American soldiers’ missions in Elliot combat base
Besides observing and detecting intrusions, the troops are also responsible for eavesdropping devices. Also, penetrating enemy frequencies to detect intelligence.
The Rockpile Vietnam is considered the safest place in the Vietnamese demilitarized zone. The simple reason is the height of the mountain and the rugged terrain that is hard to penetrate. Hence, the Liberation Army found it hard to attack this base.
Due to excellent visibility, the Americans arranged a sniper team equipped with a rangefinder on Rockpile hill. Corporal Steve Perlewitz of Algoma – Wisconsin, said: “We were trained to be able to hit enemies in the head at a range of 1,000 meters. Once, my comrades shot down a Viet Cong at a distance of 1,300m. Therefore, within 1,500 meters, we can always kill the Vietnamese soldiers.”
After The Vietnam War Ended
After the country’s unification, the Elliot combat base on Rockpile hill was no longer used. Hence, it became a tourist attraction in the DMZ of Vietnam. Now it is one of the must-visit attractions on the best dmz tour in Quang Tri province. If you want to visit Rockpile hill and other relics in Vietnam DMZ, you can book our Hue DMZ tour-Vietnam DMZ tour, or Hoi An to Vinh Moc tunnels by car.
That is all the information you need to know about the Rockpile Vietnam. Hoi An Private Taxi hopes you enjoy the information that we have shared. Besides, we also have information about other spots in DMZ of Vietnam that you are interested in. For example, there are the Hien Luong bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels.
