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Attack on Nui Ba Den: A Viet Nam War Novel
On the night of May 13, 1968, the Viet Cong overran a U. S. Army radio relay outpost on the peak of Nui Ba Den, an extinct volcano that looms over the plains of Tay Ninh Province near the Cambodian border. American casualties were horrendous, and because the communists controlled every part of the mountain except the summit, no immediate reinforcements or relief were possible. This little-known battle is the backdrop for a fictional story about Bill Mathis, an Army Security Agency intelligence specialist posted on the peak, and his two friends, John Kasperek, a communications technician, and Daniel McDaniel, a Green Beret sergeant, as they fight side by side to survive the night of slaughter. Based on extensive research, the novel accurately portrays what happened during that long horrible night from the perspective of the men who endured it, bringing to life a terrifying and bloody engagement that has been appropriately called a massacre. Be sure to read this exciting and inspiring story based on real events.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2019
American troops that serAny ved in Vietnam - west of Saigon in III Corps is familiar with The Black Virgin Mountain...a single large hill in the center of otherwise all flat terrain; visible for miles around. They were also familiar with the adage that it was pocked with tunnels and caves and that enemy forces held the middle ground while Americans held the base and hilltop. In fact, it was also said that dropping a large bomb in the right place would collapse the entire mountain upon itself.
I found "Attack on Nui Ba Den" both enjoyable and informational regarding the ASA unit. It introduces us to the three main characters: Bill Mathis, Daniel McDaniel, and John Kasperek while they try to cope with life on the mountaintop and then during the battle itself. Security on the mountaintop was inadequate with only a single roll of concertina wire surrounding the base, no claymore mines, bunkers more like sheds than fighting positions, and nobody carrying weapons. Overconfidence would eventually cause its downfall.
Mathis was the radio interceptor and listened to the enemy conversations on the airwaves. When he heard definitive information that the hilltop was going to be attacked, leadership didn't want to warn the base in fear of exposing their clandestine operation within the base.
When the attack came, only a handful of soldiers fought against the enemy, because most were without weapons and hid during the battle, which allowed the enemy to quickly overrun the base. There was no internal communication and every man was on his own until reinforcements arrived in the morning. It would be the worst night of their lives.
I wish the author would have expounded a little more on the aftermath of the battle other than stating that everything was destroyed. Some of that is mentioned in the epilogue but not to the detail necessary. I also held back a star and only awarded 4 because of the many typos encountered during the story; a good editor would have discovered and corrected them.
I have read most of the author's books - all about the 25th Division in Vietnam - and have enjoyed them all. He is a master for building suspense and holding readers on edge until the end. I'd recommend any of them to all audiences.
I found "Attack on Nui Ba Den" both enjoyable and informational regarding the ASA unit. It introduces us to the three main characters: Bill Mathis, Daniel McDaniel, and John Kasperek while they try to cope with life on the mountaintop and then during the battle itself. Security on the mountaintop was inadequate with only a single roll of concertina wire surrounding the base, no claymore mines, bunkers more like sheds than fighting positions, and nobody carrying weapons. Overconfidence would eventually cause its downfall.
Mathis was the radio interceptor and listened to the enemy conversations on the airwaves. When he heard definitive information that the hilltop was going to be attacked, leadership didn't want to warn the base in fear of exposing their clandestine operation within the base.
When the attack came, only a handful of soldiers fought against the enemy, because most were without weapons and hid during the battle, which allowed the enemy to quickly overrun the base. There was no internal communication and every man was on his own until reinforcements arrived in the morning. It would be the worst night of their lives.
I wish the author would have expounded a little more on the aftermath of the battle other than stating that everything was destroyed. Some of that is mentioned in the epilogue but not to the detail necessary. I also held back a star and only awarded 4 because of the many typos encountered during the story; a good editor would have discovered and corrected them.
I have read most of the author's books - all about the 25th Division in Vietnam - and have enjoyed them all. He is a master for building suspense and holding readers on edge until the end. I'd recommend any of them to all audiences.
May 26, 2018
AN OFFICER WAS RESPONSIBLE>
The feature Nui Ba Den was Ground of Tactical Importance. It dominated the surrounding countryside. Also, its importance for receiving and sending signals made it essential to occupy the mountain. 'Take the High Ground' has always been a vital military strategy for all armies. I can understand the Americans not wanting to take excessive casualties trying to clear the feature of VC and NVA. Following the author's comments, it would have been a never ending bloodbath. So, I would think that it would then follow that the top of the feature would have to be properly prepared and defended from expected assaults in great strength from the enemy forces. The threat was obvious - it would happen. 'Expect the Unexpected' and 'Take Care' was our watchword when I served in Vietnam. In my opinion, the officer in charge was responsible for the massacre that occurred. Excuses are never accepted in the armed forces. An officer or nco has to make the best of what he has. In this case the C.O was not mentally strong enough to kick backsides of all and sundry to make sure that they were ready for what was sure to happen. His defence plan was criminal. The lack of barbed wire or anything else was no excuse for 'it's good enough.'. The men were allowed to do what soldiers do when not kept under discipline - slack off. Even if the higher 'Brass' did not think the feature was under threat, it did not excuse the unit's C.O from carrying out his duty. The author's characters soon told us that something terrible was bound to happen. For my part, I did not need the book's cover description to warn me. I've seen it happen.
Clarry Rule
The feature Nui Ba Den was Ground of Tactical Importance. It dominated the surrounding countryside. Also, its importance for receiving and sending signals made it essential to occupy the mountain. 'Take the High Ground' has always been a vital military strategy for all armies. I can understand the Americans not wanting to take excessive casualties trying to clear the feature of VC and NVA. Following the author's comments, it would have been a never ending bloodbath. So, I would think that it would then follow that the top of the feature would have to be properly prepared and defended from expected assaults in great strength from the enemy forces. The threat was obvious - it would happen. 'Expect the Unexpected' and 'Take Care' was our watchword when I served in Vietnam. In my opinion, the officer in charge was responsible for the massacre that occurred. Excuses are never accepted in the armed forces. An officer or nco has to make the best of what he has. In this case the C.O was not mentally strong enough to kick backsides of all and sundry to make sure that they were ready for what was sure to happen. His defence plan was criminal. The lack of barbed wire or anything else was no excuse for 'it's good enough.'. The men were allowed to do what soldiers do when not kept under discipline - slack off. Even if the higher 'Brass' did not think the feature was under threat, it did not excuse the unit's C.O from carrying out his duty. The author's characters soon told us that something terrible was bound to happen. For my part, I did not need the book's cover description to warn me. I've seen it happen.
Clarry Rule
January 2, 2020
Not quite the entire story
My platoon went in at first light that morning along with five other platoons of Infantry from the first brigade of the 25th at Cu Chi. There were dead and wounded U.S. troops still to be gathered up as well as a substantial number of the enemy wounded still firing at us. There were many, many enemy dead especially around the “pagoda”. I know because it fell to me to direct the collection of the bodies and burn them. We piled several bodies and doused them with gasoline and ignited them. We would then add more bodies as the fire burned down. It took three days to complete the task. We stayed up there for three weeks before a couple of companies could be turned loose to semi-permanently occupy the top. I was a lieutenant at the time and had been in-country only two days. I had not even met my platoon sgt. before we were on the tarmac to get on the choppers .
It is indeed a hauntingly beautiful place!
Bob Wadkins
My platoon went in at first light that morning along with five other platoons of Infantry from the first brigade of the 25th at Cu Chi. There were dead and wounded U.S. troops still to be gathered up as well as a substantial number of the enemy wounded still firing at us. There were many, many enemy dead especially around the “pagoda”. I know because it fell to me to direct the collection of the bodies and burn them. We piled several bodies and doused them with gasoline and ignited them. We would then add more bodies as the fire burned down. It took three days to complete the task. We stayed up there for three weeks before a couple of companies could be turned loose to semi-permanently occupy the top. I was a lieutenant at the time and had been in-country only two days. I had not even met my platoon sgt. before we were on the tarmac to get on the choppers .
It is indeed a hauntingly beautiful place!
Bob Wadkins
September 4, 2017
A well written account of the the conditions on the mountion. It shows have unprepared the base was for a expected attack. Not the commander fault. but the army's for having a secure base. It is written for a soldiers view, who was a nobody radio tech who found himself as a leader and becoming a man. FYI. Go to You tube or Google Earth and see the pictures of the base to get a good understanding of the layout of the base.
October 14, 2020
Great book
Great book. I was in the25th Infantry Division when this took place. I remember listening to the radios in our units to that night. I just never knew how unprepared they were. This book brought back a lot of memories.
Great book. I was in the25th Infantry Division when this took place. I remember listening to the radios in our units to that night. I just never knew how unprepared they were. This book brought back a lot of memories.
October 5, 2017
A good read...as a former member of ASA and also a combat veteran with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, this book is highly authentic and well written.
October 17, 2017
Well written and interesting read.
I found the details and the characters authentic. You can immerse yourself in this story and feel like you are there.
I found the details and the characters authentic. You can immerse yourself in this story and feel like you are there.
March 7, 2018
Good Reading
Sometimes the author drags out the story in places. You can live the experience but for some, it's too close to home.
Sometimes the author drags out the story in places. You can live the experience but for some, it's too close to home.
April 17, 2018
Incredible war story
It starts with details. Then swells into a midnight cong attack! There is nonstop fighting. Impossible to put down, and finally it is over!
It starts with details. Then swells into a midnight cong attack! There is nonstop fighting. Impossible to put down, and finally it is over!
September 19, 2018
True to facts
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more of what the war was like. These things happened all the time.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more of what the war was like. These things happened all the time.
October 12, 2018
A Novel that Seems So Real
This author seems so real. As someone who spent his head in the Bush of Vietnam, I am amazed of how accurately he described the environment and war.
This author seems so real. As someone who spent his head in the Bush of Vietnam, I am amazed of how accurately he described the environment and war.
March 27, 2019
Good read
I was a Wolfhound with 25th Division in 68-69. I was told about the fight at the top, but also told it was sweet duty and far better than bumpingn is a good story teller
I was a Wolfhound with 25th Division in 68-69. I was told about the fight at the top, but also told it was sweet duty and far better than bumpingn is a good story teller
October 20, 2019
gOOD STORY JUST REMINDS ME WHY WE LOST THE WAR!!!
August 23, 2020
I was spellbound.
This was a good read that introduced readers to the young soldiers that served their country in Vietnam. I throughly enjoyed it.
This was a good read that introduced readers to the young soldiers that served their country in Vietnam. I throughly enjoyed it.
June 2, 2022
Good Read
This was a good. The fact that it was fiction made it palatable. I like reading this authors work and recommend this book.
This was a good. The fact that it was fiction made it palatable. I like reading this authors work and recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews