Firebase Bastogne
| Firebase Bastogne | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 16°21′20″N 107°26′55″E / 16.35556°N 107.44861°E |
| Type | Army |
| Site information | |
| Condition | abandoned |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1968 |
| In use | 1968-75 |
| Battles/wars |
 Vietnam War Easter Offensive |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 101st Airborne Division |
 Firebase Bastogne. | |
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Firebase Bastogne, June 1969. | |
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Firebase Bastogne from Checkpoint, January 1971. Copyright images from the web site Just a Little Walk in the Woods, dedicated to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), the "Delta Raiders." |
Firebase Bastogne was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase, 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 originally constructed in 1968 by the 101st Airborne Division, it was named after the World War II Battle of Bastogne where the 101st Airborne and other U.S. units held the town of Bastogne against 7 German divisions. It was later closed, but reopened in August 1969 by the 2nd Battalion,501st Infantry.[1] Bastogne had three artillery batteries: 105, 155, and heavies (175 and 8 inch two of each in one battery). It also had 2 M42 Duster (from D Battery 1/44th Artillery), 2 quad 50's and 1 searchlight.
It was overrun by the People's Army of Vietnam in April 1972 during the Easter Offensive. It was recaptured in mid-May 1972 by ARVN forces with American air support.