The Jungle, P. 99-139, Nov. 4th to Nov. 13th Summary and Analysis

In the first two months of Lt. Downs time in Vietnam, his platoon has been guarding a bridge and going through villages in the relatively flat and unobstructed coastal area. Now, in the beginning of November 1967, they are moved into a jungle area. A new base is established on a mountaintop in the jungles of the Central Highlands. The men of Lt. Downs' force start from the base at Duc Pho, and are flown into the landing zone on the mountaintop, by helicopter. Altogether, about 550 men (a battalion) are flown into this newly-built base. A fleet of up to 20 helicopters arrive. Each one flies in at 5 to 10 feet off the ground, and the American soldiers literally have to jump out into the tall elephant grass...