Thursday, December 8, 2022

 Firebase Bastogne was a United States firebase in South Vietnam, at 16°21′20″N 107°26′55″E / 16.35556°N 107.44861°E / 16.35556; 107.44861 (MGRS 48QYD620095). It was located along Highway 547 halfway between the city of Huế and the A Shau Valley, a feeder route from the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Bastogne was constructed in 1968 by the 101st Airborne Division. It was later closed, but reopened in August 1969 by the 2nd/501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

It was overrun by the North Vietnamese Army in 1972 during the Easter Offensive. It was recaptured later in 1972 by ARVN Forces with American air support. Firebase Bastogne was the largest firebase in Northern I Corp. It was also the closest to the Ashau Valley sitting along QL 547, the road from the City of Huế to the Valley.

Bastogne had four artillery batteries: 105, 155, 175 and 8 inch. It also had 2 twin 40-MM "Dusters" (from D Battery 1/44th Artillery/108th Artillery group), 2 quad 50's and 1 searchlight.

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