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Practice on the Killing Ground. More important, evidence was mounting that the U.S. will soon commit its own foot soldiers to battle. In an "exercise" on the fringes of Red-held "Zone D," 40 miles northeast of Saigon, 2,000 U.S. paratroopers engaged the Viet Cong tentatively in order to test tactics and weapons for possible battles ahead. The 9,000 U.S. marines around Danang are probing ever deeper into Red-held territory, last week killed 22 Reds in scattered fights. "The time will come when they will play their role," said a senior officer in Saigon.
When they do, they will be backed up by a regimental combat team of 7,800 U.S. marines already en route to Okinawa as a "forward reserve," while additional U.S. Army troops are ready to move in and protect the ports of Nhatrang and Quinhon. Should the Viet Cong monsoon offensive grow truly monstrous, the additional muscle of an entire Army division (15,000 men) might be thrown into the battle. It all depends on the Viet Cong—and the weather.