-Objective
-Offensive
-Mass
-Economy of Force
-Maneuver
-Unity of Command
-Security
-Surprise
-Simplicity
Both forces, whether they were aware of it or not, utilized the 9 principles of war in Ia Drang. It is easy to sit back, years later, and disseminate what happened and how well they performed in respective principles, but things get immeasurably more complicated on the ground. Therefore, criticism must be given with that in mind.
When they were rescuing the Lost Platoon, the U.S. forces were going on the offensive. They advanced well into hostile territory, noted by the grenading and preparatory artillery strikes, and they reached their objective of reaching their stranded soldiers. However, it was the NVA who maintained the offensive the rest of the battle, predominantly because of their far superior mass.
The NVA used mass to their advantages, albeit under very heavy casualties. Waves of soldiers were advancing in straight lines, allowing them to be cut down, but their size, combined with a noteworthy ferocity with which they fought, made them a formidable enemy. Overall, though, the NVA did not were not able use mass and concentration of forces effectively, especially because of the artillery capabilities of the U.S.
The main power of the U.S. was concentration of mass, which was a byproduct of overall excellent communication. Artillery was designated where it was supposed to go, Hueys were buzzing in an out, and the companies were able to advance or set up security under unity of command.
Security along Diduryk's portion of X-ray was described in detail, and used as an example of how security should be. The MGs had proven their worth in the previous engagements, and were placed with interlocking fields of fire. The captain was aware that the NVA would probably be coming again, which negated their power of surprise. Thrown against an especially tight security, NVA forces would be prevented from bringing the full weight of their numbers to bear and quickly overrunning the position.
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