I See Death Coming up the Hill ... Quiz

Answer: A Shau

During 1968's Tet Offensive the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) had staged an entire Division and also VC (Viet Cong) forces in the A Shau. In part, the valley was used as the springboard for the attacks on Hue and Da Nang. During the fierce fighting for Hue the NVA lost over 5,000 men.

Answer: 3/187th Airborne Infantry

Lieutenant-Colonel Honeycutt's 3/187th were given Hill 937 (Ap Bia) as their objective. It turned out they had been given the toughest part of Operation Apache Snow. The 3/187th were also known by their nickname the 'Rakkasans'.

Answer: Operation Apache Snow

During May 1969 a plan was formed to clear the A Shau valley of North Vietnamese forces. It called for the use of ten infantry battalions and three air-assault battalions. The plan was to find and destroy the enemy wherever they were, and to prevent their escape into Laos.

Answer: Firebase Blaze

On 10th May 1969, 1,800 troops assembled at Firebase Blaze. The Firebase was situated only twenty kilometres south of Ap Bia. The troopers of 3/187th would be among the first to depart.

Answer: 5

This would be the Vietnam War's largest air mobile assault. Sixteen hours before the start of Operation Apache Snow saw the placement of ten artillery batteries in five firebases. These were firebases: Bradley, Airborne, Currahee, Berchtesgaden and Cannon.

Answer: Military Assistance Command Vietnam

During the US involvement in Vietnam the command structure moved through several stages. In September 1950 it was the Military Assistance and Advisory Group, Indochina (MAAG-Indochina). After the French defeat it changed Indochina for Vietnam and became (MAAG-Vietnam). In 1962 it finally became Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV).

Answer: Airborne

On the morning of 13th May 1969 troops of the 6th NVA regiment struck the firebase. Spearheading the attack were sappers of the K12 sapper battalion. In support were infantry of 3 and 4 Companies, 806th battalion. These were in turn backed up by a battery of 82mm mortars. Fierce fighting and the use of gunships and airstrikes saved the firebase. Losses stood at: US - 26 killed, 62 wounded. NVA losses were estimated as higher due to 39 bodies and numerous blood trails being discovered.

Answer: Hamburger Hill

Many believe that the fall of the A Shau Special Forces camp in March 1966 led finally to the battles for Ap Bia. On March 9th 1966, troops of the NVA's 325th Division launched the fatal assault. Although the small garrison called in airstrikes and gunships the position was untenable and they were forced to pull out. With no allied prescence the NVA controlled the A Shau valley.

Answer: The Pride of Ho Chi Minh

The 29th were defending Ap Bia during the ten day battle. They were said to be one of the best regiments in the North Vietnamese Army. By the end of the fighting the regiment's 7th and 8th battalions had been almost wiped out.

Answer: War at its worst, fought by men at their best

The film was called Hamburger Hill, the name given it by the troops who fought there. It showed the fighting more from the perspective of the troops involved, and has several thought-provoking scenes.