"We Were Soldiers" A movie based on the Battle of the Ia Drang
Site Statement
The film "We Were Soldiers" not only received great reviews but it also was incredibly historically accurate. However, the actors, unlike many of soldiers who actually fought in the battle, were able to return home after the movie was over. Our website sets out to explain a shift in generational warfare that first started in the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. The idea of cavalry is no new concept but it has been tweaked over the decades to adjust to the changing times. This battle was the first that implemented helicopters as the main means of troop transportation to and from the battle field. The battle itself was the first major conflict that occurred between the U.S. Army and the North Vietnamese forces known as the People's Army. This battle was the result of months of small skirmishes and the acquisition of intel that gave U.S. forces information that there was a collection of 200 NVA (North Vietnamese Army) troops in an area near the Ia Drang Valley. Eager to implement their new transportation tactic, American forces mobilized the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division: the 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment and planned out an assault on the newly discovered enemy forces. The People's Army had a disposal of troops close to 1,600 and were more than excited to get a chance to battle US forces. The following two part battle would stretch from November 14th to the 18th. Both sides took heavy loses and considered this battle to be a success but in terms of body count the US numbered 1 to 10 NVA soldiers.