Dave Powell's Hill 881S Collection - Page 2

The Hill


Upon arriving Dave, and his gear, were unceremoniously shoved out the back of the CH-46, immediately tackled by two Marines who roughly hauled him into a trench about five feet deep.  That was his welcome to Hill 881S.  After all the helicopters of the supply mission had departed the zone, Dave was allowed to stand and survey the surreal moonscape surroundings of the hill.

 
India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and  remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.

 
India's end looking across the saddle to Mike's location and then into Laos on the distant horizon.

 
From Mike's position looking across saddle to the trench lines of India.  The two dots (center on horizon) are the flags near the Combat Operations Center (COC).  The gate is to keep NVA pigs out.

 
COC bunker on the left.  Capt. Dabney and the Company Gunnery Sergeant, Robert L. DeArmond,had hidden emergency c-rations under the sandbags in the event of total isolation and/or possibility of having to abandon the hill under adverse conditions.  The troops did not know it was there.  Ammo bunkers on right.

 
India's location looking north.  The hill, right of center, is 881N where many NVA rocket, mortar, and anti-aircraft sites were located.

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