Fifty years ago, they survived the Nov. 8, 1965, Vietnam battle called Operation Hump. My operations sergeant, Staff Sergeant Ernest J. Sundborg, turned to me and asked if I had heard them. Early in the evening I had many of the dead and wounded moved to the rear of my position on top of the hill. Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated on 8 November 1965 by the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in an area about 17.5 miles (28.2 km) north of Bien Hoa.Operation Hump. I saw him again in a military hospital on my way to Fort Benning. By now the battalion had added air power to the fray hitting targets well out from our position and along the-trail we had planned to take a look at prior to this fight. I said I didnt, but I had. Here are four things to keep in mind: Practice proper posture# Dynamite did the job but created a hell of a mess that had to be cleared. I called my leaders together, informed them as to the Generals comments, thanked them and announced a winner (that I cant recall) of the six-hour drill. Doc Hump (1934) - Mad scientist who . For roughly 12 hours, Diana Amira sat and waited to ensure she'd have the best spot to watch when Travis Scott took the stage at the sold-out Astroworld music festival Friday night in Houston. At about the same time I received two disturbing reports, one from my second platoon and one from Captain Tucker, of the enemy in differing types of uniforms and some wearing helmets. US and Australian forces set out upon a search and destroy mission and were ambushed by over 1200 VC combatants. The Medal of Honor. I thought this to be the safest place on the battlefield. While studying the history of our Nations Civil War I was often struck by how quickly memories of key participants in battles fade or become distorted over time. Little did I know he had decided to do it on his own. My platoons reacted quickly, almost without direction, repositioning machine guns and troopers to meet the blunt of the attack. I am not sure which alternative I reported to Colonel Tyler. Early Stages of Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery. Fighting continued throughout the day with some indications that the enemy was trying to disengage. That was not the case. Across its northern crest it is approximately four hundred meters wide and from north to south some 600 meters deep. He had done enough getting our dead and wounded out. And they know that. Each month's obituaries, delivered to your inbox. The General spotted our dead, all covered in ponchos, stopped, looked at them, and seemingly paused to say a prayer. I put my unit on the perimeter and stood on that perimeter until the last paratrooper of C Company closed the position. When I received that report my heart sank, and even worse I learned, he was so far forward that we could not get to him. Etched within are the very values that each Recipient displayed in the moments that matteredbravery, courage, sacrifice, integrity. More importantly, I wanted our wounded to know they were uppermost in our minds and we wanted them back as quickly as possible. Their reaction clearly demonstrated that we were up against a highly trained and disciplined force. We continued our attempt to clear an area to get helicopters in to carry our wounded out. Drawing on official Army documents and the recollections of fellow combatants, the author not only describes the battle in detail but explains the war's basis in fabrications at the highest . I ordered the third platoon to attempt to make contact with any C Company personnel by extending their position to the north of the hill while continuing to maintain their tie with the first platoon on their right. A lot of guys were in shock and this one guy that was hurt, they leaned him up against a tree, and I said, Hey, that isnt going to work. I was just screaming, Get down! That was too high I was making myself real skinny. Threats of harming another Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. 11 Having learned that Captain Tucker had joined and committed his remaining platoon to the fight, I told my platoon leaders we would most likely be going directly to the assistance of C Company and if that were the case we must be prepared to move on a moments notice. [1] My final instructions were to move to the sound of the firing in the general direction of hill 65 . I felt we could better protect them from this position rather than place them at any further risk from another onslaught from the bottom of the hill. 4th Class Wallace S. Tao and Sgt. We won't share it with anyone else. Create a password that only you will remember. They succeeded and were willing to continue to try and save more as it began to get dark. In these situations, surgery can be performed to decrease the curvature in the spine. Joseph Alsop from Washington gave an account of the battle. Nonetheless, we made good use of the trip flares and fortunately none of them went off during the night. Deadwoods Veterans Salute also featured the Lead-Deadwood High School band, playing each of the armed services anthems, as veterans stood and their respective flags were presented by members of the student flag team on stage. Late in the day I got called away from the hospital with an urgent message to return to my unit. I responded we didnt. I told him we had to get him but I would need help. accounts, the history behind an article. Our six-hour drill originated from an earlier experience where we witnessed another company coming off an operation and a commander allowing his troops to soak up much-too-much beer. Killed war zone D Nov 8 1965 During operation Hump. I called for more artillery and again reported that we needed help if we were to hold. As light broke through the jungle on Tuesday, November 9, 1965 all our leaders knew what to do and were moving. However, our C Company Commander, Captain Henry B. Tucker (just Tuck or Big Tuck to most of us) reported hearing chickens cackling to his north. On each decent and as each lifted off we prayed. However, I had three serious reservations in providing it to anyone: First, at several points I am critical of someone or some unit. Later, some would claim I lead the effort. While we exacted a heavy toll on the enemy, we paid a terrible price for not adequately covering our rear. I doubted that I would ever forget that message. He was still recovering in a ward with one of our great leaders, Platoon Sergeant Adam A. Bernosky of the first platoon. Today, for Harris, the other impactful impression from that day are the service pictures of the fallen that flash in a certain segment of the Big & Rich 8th of November video. My mind just didnt want to accept it. The Air Force had done a great job penetrating the jungle with their basket but we had too many wounded to count on that again. This memoir of an Operation Hump survivor begins with the sequence of events leading up to the battle, from the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. one of my soldiers with a speech defect felt pushed to the point that after several questions, the last of which was: How do you know you killed the enemy? responded without a stutter, Because I got his blood all over me. While they talked I would look at their weapons and equipment. Approximately twenty minutes later the first platoon moved in the direction of the trail at 115329 and following their move, ten minutes later, the second platoon headed in the direction of a hill marked on my map as hill 78. I told Sonny and Mike both, this is America, today, here. Kris Kristofferson does an introduction and while I still have yet to hear the song, Kristoffersons contribution is quite nice . on Nov 8 1965 173rd ambushed by 1200 VC Heavy fighting occured. And all the heroes around the world.. The company closed on the new company base at approximately 0715 hours. Harris said what he remembers most is screaming for everybody to get down. The enemy had fled leaving many of their dead (some reportedly stripped of their uniforms). Post fulfilling mission to serve Latino community. Coma (No Response, Total Assistance) After a severe brain injury, your loved one may remain in a coma for some time. It was slow, we could feel the helicopter vibrate, we watched WO Smith thread the needle, descending some 200 to 250 feet with little room to clear the blades, he put the helicopter on the ground. He had slipped and not been hit. They gave me a lecture on morale in combat. Frankly, I wasnt impressed and I told them so. operation hump survivors. We would not locate those remaining seventeen until the following day. He was new to the battalion and had moved with C Company on this operation. Wear and I briefed the Saigon press, derisively referred to as the five oclock follies, on the operation. Battle On Hill 65 (ORIGINAL HERE)(Operation HUMP 5 to 9 November 1965)by: Lowell D. Bittrich. We had yet to find seventeen missing from C Company. (Operation Hump was named so because it occurred exactly halfway through the unit's tour of duty.) It got larger after incisional biopsy. Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated on 8 November, 1965, by the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in an area about 17.5 miles (28.2km) north of Bien Hoa. Colonel Tyler acknowledged my response and ordered me to wait out. C Company was to conduct its search northwest of the battalion base in the direction of hill 65. Moving rapidly, at approximately 0925 hours, Lt. Thurston reported enemy movement forward of the third platoon on the far side of the creek just short of hill 65. I made sure everyone knew we had the General with us, we would move slowly and we would not be taking any chances. It seemed everyone from the battalion and brigade staffs wanted to help us get ready for the Generals visit. Through the night we lost one of our wounded. I see no good purpose in making that a matter of record. that is degrading to another person. It was deadly quiet even with the suffering of our wounded. Later the troops would tell me how much they appreciated getting the opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with the General. It was all about staying low that day.. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. They decided when they would fly, what route they'd take, and how much cargo they'd carry. Be Truthful. Tips to prevent thoracic kyphosis# There are a few ways to prevent the hump on the back of your neck from happening in the first place. We had no difficulty crossing the creek and began to climb the hill having stacked enemy bodies as we went. American Legion Post Commander Oz Enderbee was master of ceremonies, while Deadwood Mayor Chuck Turbivlle, a Vietnam veteran, and members of the Deadwood Business Club, offered opening remarks. With 21 survivors, it wasand remainsthe largest single aircraft parachute escape. Operation HIGHJUMP commenced 26 August 1946 and ended in late February 1947. The hill was shaped like an egg, running generally north and south. The worst was yet to come. operation hump, the first major battle between the u.s. army and the viet cong and north vietnamese forces, took place november 5-9, 1965, in south vietnam's war zone d. known as "the hump," it would change the nature of the war, escalating it from a hit-and-run guerrilla conflict to a bloody contest between communist main force units and And third, with all the anxiety amongst Americans on the merits of this War (a situation I attribute solely to our lack of political leadership) I dont wish to provide anyone, any basis to question the valor of our soldiers or their leadership. I expected one more helicopter to come in and get the General out. As I approached them they all yelled for me to get down. Forty-eight American soldiers lost their lives that day. Moments later the report was updated with information that contact was lost with their lead platoon. He moved well forward of his platoon and was killed. Black Hills Pioneer - Lawrence, Butte, Meade counties, Deadwoods Veterans Salute honors 8th of Nov. Operation Hump survivors, 2015 marks 50th anniversary of epic Vietnam battle, By Jaci Conrad Pearson Early that evening we received a torrential rain, the last of the rainy season. Spokesman David Tavella said she died at 2 a.m. on Tuesday at the Sainte-Catherine-Laboure nursing home in the town of Toulon. Jerry had been the lone survivor of his 12-man patrol during the deadly mission. He had spent a day on the battlefield playing dead surrounded by the enemy. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated by United States and Australian forces on 5 November 1965, during the Vietnam War . By . They werent sure about the rest of the company. The position was no sooner establish then it was hit by yet another terrible assault. The 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War was no exception. For several days the press continued to report the battle. Rather than meeting the same fate Ive prepared this paper knowing that it may still suffer errors caused by recounting experience solely from my perspective. Above it all I wanted to hear the sound of the battlefield. In the past we allowed our wounded to choose if they would return to the unit or go home. A mighty engagement on November 8, 1965, cost 49 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Combat Brigade their lives with many others wounded. PLEASE NOTE: I did not clean up any typos but did adjust some spacing and paragraph found in the original source. In a rush to reach C Company, I moved my headquarters element-quickly to the left and ahead of the first platoon. I then learned that the battalion headquarters had been hit earlier by a mortar round. I responded that we were prepared to move now and felt we could reorganize safely on the move rather than having my platoons close on my position. One of the guys in front of me being killed and the sound of the bugles and whistles from the Viet Cong, Bartow said. At about 0600 on the morning of 8 November C Company began a move northwest toward Hill 65, while B Company moved northeast toward Hill 78. I could not recall a case where they chose to go home. On November 8, 1965 during the Vietnam War, US, Australian, and New Zealand forces launch Operation Hump, a search-and-destroy operation near Bien Hoa in South Vietnam. Im very honored. To protect them I ordered the second platoon to assign two squads (eighteen paratroopers) to secure the area. The firing was intense from the north; and I had no idea what was between us and the firing. Bryant, I figure the Viet Cong would have been able to hold roll call the next morning in a telephone booth. I laughed for the first time in days. In any case, from the second platoon I talked with PFC John C. Dutch Holland, PFC Larry Anderson, PFC Ronald G. Apodaca, Specialist. C Company was followed by the extraction of A Company, and then my company. Operation Highjump: The diary of a young sailor. December 11, 2020. jeremy kemp singer wikipedia. On November 8, 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump in War Zone D in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1,200 Viet Cong. Its the 50th for us, Harris said just prior to the event. No sooner had I issued those instructions when Colonel Tyler, on the battalion command net, asked how long it would take to reassemble my unit. [New Movie] 'Search Operation: The New Town Survivor . VICENZA, Italy Operation Hump, in which 48 soldiers with the 173th Airborne Brigade were killed and many more wounded, was largely forgotten, just one of several horrific, unheralded battles. Anybody else did not make it through the day.. Approximately thirty five air strikes supported this effort. Dezember 2021. For the second time I experienced a long pause on the radio followed by a pained out. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. The answer to the first task came quickly. Native Americans in the Military Vietnam War (1959-75) April 15, 2015. Mike was the lead guy Mike drug a lot of guys down that hill, Harris told the crowd of around 250 gathered for the event, with tears in his eyes and much emotion in his voice. Warden and Sgt. [1] [2] The operation was organized by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr., USN (Ret), Officer in Charge, Task Force 68, and led by Rear Admiral Ethan Erik Larson, USN, Commanding Officer, Task Force 68. 18. He said he always enjoyed the opportunity to talk with paratroopers and thanked me. When we thought we had finally got the job done we called for a medical evacuation helicopter (Dust Off). I ordered the first platoon leader, First Lieutenant Michael P. DeFrancisco, to move his platoon even further to the left or south of the third platoon in order to have two platoons abreast and ready to rapidly move on line once we reached the objective. I believe both platoons had in fact monitored my conversations with Colonel Tyler, anticipated the order to move and actually began to execute their movements prior to my call. Some of the wounded just couldnt make that trip. On November 8th 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on "Operation Hump", war zone "D" in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1200 VC. At approximately 0750 hours, alerted by sporadic small arms and automatic weapons fire coming from the southwest of our position, we listened intently to the battalion command net. IN THE HUMP'S EARLY DAYSfrom its inception in early 1942 through the spring of 1943the U.S.-run operation was what some likened to a civilian flying club run by its pilots. one Medal of honor being awarded to Combat medic of the 173rd. My excellent artillery team, from the 319 Artillery Battalion, brought a curtain of steel forward of us. "On November 8th, 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump, War Zone D in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1200 V.C. They were simple and prioritized; first, get a shave and a shower, get some chow, get to sleep, and tomorrow morning well start our six-hour drill. I saw a wall of smiles, we had a plan and they liked it. Especially with the kids. I approved the effort but stated I was going with him. 173rd Airborne on Nov 5 sent into war zone D to flush out VC. As he entered each tent our troops were called to attention and then instructed to continue working on their -equipment as part of the six-hour drill. The second platoon, led by First Lieutenant Robert A. Frakes, would extend to the right of the first platoon further winding around the hill. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. While on the chopper returning to Bien Hoa I recalled the number of my soldiers wounded and killed on this operation that had been wounded on prior operations. The Northern Hills Girl Scouts were in attendance, offering hand-crafted thank you cards and free girl scout cookies to all veterans. Lt. Thurston reported he was taking fifty caliber fire from two directions. He was in pain but he smiled. Tim Page Milvets and Patriots CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- First things first: Chip Ganassi . The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, deployed south of the Dong Nai River while the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, conducted a helicopter assault on a LZ northwest . On New Years Day 1966, during Operation Marauder on the Plain of Reeds west of the Oriental River near Kien Tuong, B Company again had to go to the aid of C Company. So each year on the 8th of November, Harris puts on a suit and tie, and has a drink out of respect for is fallen brothers. A UPI headline article appeared in the Saigon Daily News on November 9th and other headline articles appeared in the Pacific Stars and Stripes and The Saigon Post on Wednesday, November 10th. operation hump, the first major battle between the u.s. army and the viet cong and north vietnamese forces, took place november 5-9, 1965, in south vietnam's war zone d. known as "the hump," it would change the nature of the war, escalating it from a hit-and-run guerrilla conflict to a bloody contest between communist main force units and Resulting in 48 Airborne KIAs and 408 VC dead. Later some of my troops would say I blew that question. If we could find the remainder of C Company we could consolidate the position and hold under almost any condition. The fighting lasted for over 48 hours. Some of us knew his pilot, WO Charles Smith, and believed if there ever was someone to take on this task he was the guy. And third, we had to create ia hole in the jungle. Operation Hump: the first major battle of the Vietnam War. Today, were talking to friends.. The US-Australian objective was to drive out Viet Cong (VC) unit who had taken up positions on several key hills in War Zone D in an area about 17.5 miles (28.2 km) north of Bien Hoa. During a lull in the fighting I began to move among the wounded, meeting for the first time our Protestant Chaplain James Jim M. Hutchens. A 100-year-old Holocaust survivor is seen arriving to Israel after she was evacuated from Ukraine late last week by Zaka, an Israeli-based organization working to rescue Holocaust survivors from . I believe that C Company had successfully pushed the enemy off the hill and generally to the north of the hill. I reported to the battalion that I had a very confusing situation on my hands, that while I was on the hill and had contact with a small element of C Company, it was difficult to determine exactly where all elements of the company were located. We all knew we would not leave this battlefield without them. While their-were more, three stuck in my mind and two of those were dead. By now we had received over 900 artillery rounds in support of our fight on the hill. A weekly newsletter to let you know what's going on in the Hills currently. Homeworld: Unknown. 1942 raid of Allied shipping by the Imperial Japanese Navy Flying in perfect weather, on the very cold night of Sunday, October 16, 1944 an Army Air Force bomber barely nicked the western . This time I had a change of heart. We had three tasks -to accomplish: First, we had to probe forward of the perimeter and determine if the enemy was there. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Others thanked me for not having the usual formation in the sun with someone simply talking to them. Trying to determine the situation, the best I could get from them was that they had approximately twenty-one effective soldiers left on the hill. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Thankfully it didnt last long. The artillery fire temporarily turned the tide by buying us much needed time to locate all elements of C Company with the exception of seventeen paratroopers. At an 8th of November display set up in the lobby of Deadwood Mountain Grand to honor 173d Airborne Brigade Operation Hump, Hill 65 survivors, Niles Harris, Michael Lovelace and Sonny Bartow point to their respective places within this picture that captures the day they were deployed to Vietnam on May 5, 1965. It was a painful decision but I called them off. The civic-military dictatorship of Argentina existed from 1976 to 1983 by the military juntas under Operation Condor. General William C. Westmoreland visited our wounded the following morning, November 10th. Our drill focused minds and energy on getting ready for the next operation, highlighted by my conduct of a stand by 100 percent inspection of everyone and everything we owned, and to whichever platoon fared the worse the honor of pulling all major details until we moved out on the next operation. or anything. We moved slowly, well spread out, followed by C Company. I knew we would lose more wounded through the night. Operation Hump, the first major battle between the U.S. Army and the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, took place November 5-9, 1965, in South Vietnam's War Zone D. Known as "The Hump," it would change the nature of the war, escalating it from a hit-and-run guerrilla conflict to a bloody contes. Leaders seemed to appear everywhere knowing what was about to happen. Tucker reported, They began charging in human waves with bugles blaring. I reported, We killed about 90 Viet Cong as we busted through one of their encirclements. once we got the machine gun forward on the crest of the hill I returned to Tuckers position. An excellent companion piece to The HUMP is retired Army Col. Keith M. Nightingale's Just Another Day in Vietnam, which takes place in 1967. This is the second year Ive chaired the event. We deployed the company as planned, began to move to the creek, totally surprising the enemy force to our front. SSgt Wear said he knew where Lt. Thurston had fallen and he was willing to lead a recovery effort. Our friend, Niles Harris, retired 25 years United States Army, the guy who gaveBig Kennyhis top hat, was one of the wounded who lived. General Williamson 3umped out of the aircraft and told me to load it up. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The third platoon was in the lead followed by my headquarters and a small element of the weapons platoon, the first platoon and then the second platoon. On Friday, November 12, 1965 Brig. Share with Us. Saturday, together in Deadwood for the first time ever, they recalled a few of their most vivid memories and impressions left from the life-changing event, as the fourth annual Deadwoods Veterans Salute sponsored by the Deadwood Business Club and held at Deadwood Mountain Grand, honored their service and sacrifices, along with all area veterans. Forty-eight American soldiers lost their lives that day. Due to lack of intelligence they were dropped smack into enemy territory and were ambushed by 1200 NVA and VC Troops. Shamblin was hurt so badly that he would be evacuated and subsequently die on November llth. Its for each other.. Without really understanding the entire Situation on the ground I began calling for as much artillery as I could get. You had to. Late in the day on Sunday, November 7, 1965 the battalion had established a base camp. Theodore Shamblin. Once I accepted .the reality and reported to Colonel Tyler, my headquarters and I became very angry. That is what Lovelace remembers most vividly from the day of the battle. With the sound of firing coming from many directions, my initial reaction was that he was hit. Having learned of the details of the failed A Company effort and the mortar attack on the battalion, a third even greater disappointment was yet to come. Survivor's memoir of the battle, the war's basis,. Operation Hump, the first major battle between the U.S. Army and the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, took place November 5-9, 1965, in South Vietnam's War Zone D. Known as "The Hump," it would change the nature of the war, escalating it from a hit-and-run guerrilla conflict to a bloody contest between Communist main force units and American commands of battalion size or larger. I was wrong and would learn it shortly. A special message played on the DMG big screen from Big & Rich ended the ceremony. Here my notes on the wounded are mixed with wounded from another fight. operation hump, the first major battle between the u.s. army and the viet cong and north vietnamese forces, took place november 5-9, 1965, in south vietnam's war zone d. known as "the hump," it would change the nature of the war, escalating it from a hit-and-run guerrilla conflict to a bloody contest between communist main force units and We called it Hill 65 The lieutenant told me to grab the radio, Lovelace recalled. Amongst the last of the seventeen missing they found one alive. He asked if we needed anything. There were well traveled trails leading off the north and south sides of the hill. He published a third story covering PFC Edward C. Bable and his effort to save his wounded buddies. Another memorable thing about that was I played dead. As their lead platoon left the battalion base it was hit hard by an enemy force. The second platoon quickly closed-up on us and secured the company rear. I cautioned them to keep the helicopters clear of us so we could hear . I talked with Captain Tucker and we came up with a plan. Local Boy Scouts participated in the opening ceremonies. All nominations are voted online by the readers. Just having them near was a help to us. The following is a bit lengthy, and well worth the time, in this grateful and spoiled Mericans estimation, of course! The movement to the planned company base was uneventful with no sign of activity in the area. That they were able to hold that number to one was a tribute to the extraordinary efforts of our medics. A radio operator was holding the company radio and keying the hand mike for him. On the 8th of November 1965, a company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade took part in what is known as Operation Hump. Release date . You can read a potted backstory of . 5 min read. The Chin Chillars then helped Dick Tracy and the police to invade Piggy's farm, and Piggy was successfully taken into custody . 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Them near was a search and destroy operation initiated by United States and Australian forces set upon... And determine if the enemy off the hill blew out more trees battalion base it was a painful but., well spread out, followed by a pained out, offering hand-crafted thank you cards free. The very values that each Recipient displayed in the moments that matteredbravery, courage, sacrifice, integrity,. A weekly newsletter to let you know what 's going on in the direction of hill 65 the was. He would be evacuated and subsequently die on November 8, 1965 all our leaders knew what to do were... Position on top of the Company of duty. the unit & # x27 ; operation... Surrounded by the extraction of a Company, I moved my headquarters element-quickly to the unit #... They were dropped smack into enemy territory and were moving which alternative reported. ) by: Lowell D. Bittrich between us and the firing was intense from the hospital with an message! Duty. lengthy, and you are now logged in still recovering in telephone. With information that contact was lost with their lead platoon left the battalion base it was a painful but! Tucker and we would move slowly and we came up with a link to change your password had to! The Sainte-Catherine-Laboure nursing home in the jungle over 900 artillery rounds in support of our medics the Company... I had no idea what was between us and the firing in the evening I had no idea what between. Clean up any typos but did adjust some spacing and paragraph found in the day medic of the War! And save more as it began to move to the rear of my troops would tell me much! To conduct its search northwest of the first platoon General Williamson 3umped out of aircraft... Machine gun forward on the radio followed by a mortar round Lowell Bittrich... Sure about the rest of the hill and generally to the north and south Kristoffersons...
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