The situation at LZ X-ray was undoubtedly bad. It seems like the then Lt. Col. Moore mentions that the 7th Cavalry was sustaining casualties almost every other line. The infantry on the ground were facing fierce resistance from a numerically superior enemy, and this was eroding their combat effectiveness in a noticeable manner.
From what one reads in the book, the Hueys were doing exactly what they needed to be doing. A substantial number of wounded were being succesfully evacuated with lifesaving effects, and apart from the Lost Platoon, ammunition and water sounded like they were being resupplied in a timely manner, which seems like a precious silver lining in the engagement. One medic reporting that he had a superflous amount of morphine seemed like a rarity on a battlefield that was generating so many wounded.
The communication of the American forces played an enormous role in fueling their engagement of the enemy. The rear HQ at Falcon was useful in coordinating supplies and evacuations into X-ray, although the situation with the Medvac choppers seems be screwy for lack of a better word. Keeping the choppers out at a time when they were needed the most is just plain bad practice, which meant that the Hueys now had to take over medical duties as well. The ability to radio in for artillery, and the fact that the artillery seemed to be well munitinoed with diverse fire capabilities such as flares and WP shells, came off as immensely helpful. The presence of artillery played a very heavy role in the battle, yet the enemy kept coming. If the capabilities of artillery fire had not been there, the situation would've been very different indeed.
Shows how important it is to coordinate the forces around the actual boots on the ground and enable them to succeed. The infantry are doing the actual fighting, but their effectiveness in enhanced a thousandfold by the Hueys and artillery batteries.
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