Quang Ngai

Quảng Ngãi is a pure jungle map full of flooded areas and caves in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Tropical forests and the monsoon define a battlefield that's treacherous for both Vietnamese and US forces. In many ways, Quảng Ngãi represents a raw and familiar Vietnam War experience.

Gameplay & Strategies

Due to its many flooded map grids and the overabundance of waterways, patrol boats are essential to keep the teams in the fight and near control points in Quảng Ngãi. While it might seem like the NVA has the upper hand thanks to tunnels, the US Armed Forces can cover more ground quicker with superior vehicle support, including choppers that can cut down enemies making a retreat for the dense forests.

In any case, this map is one of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam's trickiest to navigate, as straight movement lines are few and the same goes for sight lines. While snipers and recon troops can provide cover and establish new spawn points in surprising and well-covered locations, infantry will have a hard time making progress in an environment where bullets fly out of bushes and trees in most scenarios. Those tasked with pushing into the greener areas will also have to pay special attention to hidden tunnel entrances as well as outposts; this will be key to cutting enemy reinforcements.

The more open engagements typically happen around the rivers and flooded farmlands, where cover is sparse and armour can provide the needed support to break a control point's defences. The central Flooded Village area will no doubt become a hot spot, though its position allows both teams to circle around it and flank their opponents with quick precision strikes.

History

Operation Piranha took place in September 1965 and was the immediate follow-up to Operation Starlite. After a beach landing, the US used choppers to perform an envelopment assault on the retreating enemy forces, cutting them off where they had fled to the southern Batangan Peninsula in the Quảng Ngãi Province. The entire operation lasted three days, from the 7th to 10th of September.

Marine intelligence concluded the 1st VC Regiment had retreated into the peninsula after the Battle of Van Tuong (aka Operation Starlite). On September 7, the US-led amphibious landing was unopposed. Meanwhile, the AVRN force was met with minor ground fire. After finding a VC field hospital in a large cave on September 8, the Marines attempted to get the VC to surrender, but failed. They then placed explosives in the cave and detonated them, killing 66 people inside.

Around 178 VC soldiers were killed in total, with 360 captured. The 1st VC Regiment wasn't wiped out, as villagers noted most of the troops had actually left days before Operation Piranha's start. Allied losses were two Marines and five South Vietnamese killed.