From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Moore readjusted his device too tightly as he could. Defensive artillery and mortar fire was coordinated, and Moore selected a fraction sufficient for two helicopters in the landing zone to serve as an eventual last position. The 229th Pathfinders (composed of men who had been trained to guide helicopters or paratroopers to land in improvised areas) cleared this final landing area, using explosives, of the trees which encumbered it and placed light signals there for the night. Throughout this work the Pathfinders were exposed to enemy fire.
but they managed to execute it without loss. Around them, the exhausted and thirsty horsemen carved themselves positions for prone gunners while swallowing the jam of their rations in order to swallow a little liquid. They found encouragement in the fact that suddenly the Co. B of 2nd Bn. appeared, as Brown had promised, and at 7:15 p.m. supplies arrived in the form of ammunition, water, medical supplies, and food. Shortly after, the operations officer landed with his two fire controllers, but that was all for that day. Lying under one. thick veil of smoke and darkness, the rest of the le’ Bn of the 7th of Cav, awaited the next movement of the enemy.
The Sn. isolated could not move, and from his position Savage adjusted the artillery fire by radio to within a few yards of his position; the slightest error could not be allowed, and soon the 1st Bn. of the 21st d'Aie. knew the exact location of Savage's perimeter. Vietnamese blew their bugles about 300m up the mountain, the Americans knew another assault would follow.When Savage heard the North Vietnamese speaking, he unleashed a 15 minute air barrage with illumination of the terrain. The enemy withdrew somewhat, but the light had revealed the position, and the Americans had to repel another heavy assault, launched about an hour later.
The enemy had also tested the main perimeter. 8th Battalion, 66th Regt. had arrived to the rescue. At first light on November 15, Moore summoned his coy commanders to prepare for the extrication of Sn. Savage. He also wanted a thorough search. of the land around the perimeter was carried out to a depth of 200 Mr. The Americans were unaware that the enemy had crawled closer during the night, through the artillery fire, and that he had come into direct contact with their leagues. Also, when the first horsemen advanced in the open, they were surprised by crossfire of great intensity. Several men leaped to the aid of those who had fallen and were themselves shot; this is how in the space of a few seconds the commander of the Co. C and two of his lieutenants were seriously injured by a machine gun that was less than 40 m from them.