Operation Beaver Cage

Operation Beaver Cage was a U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy Joint Operation in North Vietnam along the coastline of the Ben Hai River in the Quang Nam province. The Operation took place 23 August 1966, through 5 September 1966.

Intent
The United States Army and the U.S. Navy conducted joint operations in search of rat tunnels leading in from and near the coast line of the Bon Hai river. The rat tunnels were believed to be created by the 4th Division of the North Vietnam led by Pham Ngoc Thao. The tunnels were used in transport of supplies, and small attacks on forward American patrols. Secondary objective of Operation Beaver Cage was to infiltrate the tunnels, pushing the enemy out into ambushed locations.

U.S. Army
Bravo Company 7th Cavalry Division led the operation, ambushing over ten locations and demolishing over eighteen tunnels.

Outcome
Small fire fights lasted the duration of Operation Beaver Cage. Three soldiers and four sailors were killed. It was estimated that forty Viet Cong were killed. The American soldiers seized a variety of guerrilla warfare provisions ranging from AK-47 and ammo to AKM's and improvised grenades. The Operation was considered a success.