OSCAR-8 Disaster: A Secret Vietnam War Target that Went Totally FUBAR

The operation had gone FUBAR. The Hatchet Team of American and South Vietnamese commandos was encircled by a superior enemy force, as usual. Except that, this time, they were entirely pinned down, and air support was no longer an option due to the dozens of anti-aircraft guns in the area.

Although their primary objective of destroying the NVA´s 559th Transportation Group’s forward headquarters was partially achieved, their High-Value Target, General Giap, one of the highest-ranking and most experienced North Vietnamese officers, had escaped without a scratch.

Barely half of the 80 men force had survived the initial incursion, and several aircraft had been shot down. As the flames and debris covered the zone, the commandos, and their allies desperately tried to fight their way out with the scarce ammunition they had left. Their sole hope was one last airstrike that could give them a respite amid infinite waves of NVAs.

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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[mrgetoutside]

People love to nitpick this guy’s videos but he’s a lot more accurate than most of the TV and streaming documentaries.

[chaosiscandytome]

Notwithstanding the incredible missions they carried out, never forget the enormous effort/risk to recover anyone left behind.

[tonytwonukes]

I met retired MACV Operator, John Plaster earlier this year. Their legacy is insane.

[jimvines]

Rip Billy Waugh. Guy worked for the Cia after Viet Nam. Tracked down the Jackel in the 80s and deployed with sf as a Cia liason in the 2000s. He was 72 on his last deployment.

[jwspeakermre]

From what I've heard from SOG interviews with some of the members, they had access to the stoner but didn't use it because they couldn't get enough ammo for it fast enough. They also use a cut down version of the RPD with a drum magazine, not the RPK. The stoner was mainly used by the seal teams in Vietnam. Great video as always, thanks.

[CFAPA]

The guy in the thumbnail his name is Richard peters, my family went to the same church as him when I was little and I got to hear stories from him.

[charlie]

You made a couple mistakes


But only one really matters .. you forgot the Montagnards.. those hero’s deserve the recognition, they served with distinction and courage with macv sog and should never be forgotten

[woahhbro]

MACV SOG guys had some of the craziest war stories. Lots of wild stuff came out of Vietnam.

[ralphalter]

My Father inlaw Lue, flew a gas station over places we were not supposed to be. Many pilots made it home.

[BiggHogg]

Another great video👍🏿. I recommend if people are interested in more Mac V stories and operations, Jocko willink brought a few MacV guys on for a series of podcasts. Some of the craziest hardcore stories I've ever heard. Its amazing any of them made it back home.

[johnnyzippo]

If these videos are watched by todays youth then they serve their purpose . It would be great to confirm that youth are learning about achievements such as the SR-71 or any of the many complex subjects these channels cover , it would be great to confirm that todays youth are learning that they are no more evolved than the youth of sooo many decades ago, one can only hope .

[RANGERCPT]

Thank you for telling the story of these BEYOND brave souls!!! I hope God had mercy on them. May he rest their souls.

[GiangDinh-oj]

Các MACV được huấn luyện rất khắc nghiệt . Họ có tâm lý và thể lực hơn người . Vì chiến đấu ở Việt nam và chiến trường hạ Lào vô cùng khó khăn về thời tiết cũng như địa hình . Tôi ngưỡng mộ họ

[johngritz]

Remember…. Jerry Shriver, Best of the Best. Recon = 2 + 4. Snatch = 3 + 6. Hatchet team = Reaction Force. 57% of USSF KIA/MIA “Over the Fence”. God Bless SOG!

[jeetime]

Really like your content. The narratives remind me of Military briefings I was part of. I was not SF or SOG but your narratives make me feel like I am, well done.

[ChrundleTGreat]

The US Military didn’t lose the War in Vietnam. The inability of politicians and civilians to accept tactical losses made the strategic plan fail. The North Vietnamese were literally 3 days from surrendering when Nixon sued for peace. One of the top N A Generals said this during an interview years after the war. The same gutless politicians capitulated in Afghanistan and literally gave the country back to the Taliban. I fought in Afghanistan so my son wouldn’t ever have to. That seems harder to achieve now.

[Napoleon-lc]

The Skyraider pilots were warned of the thick AA fire, but they mistakenly believed they could take out the enemy's guns. Both aircraft were shot down.

[markhopper]

Always thought, it was proven later that a ranking NVA mole was giving op orders about missions.

[warwarneverchanges]

The number of men sent against a whole NVA base with a high value target included (Giap)sounds FUBAR. It was a near disaster, most of the men made it back out.

[KP-lqux]

Oscar-8 claimed several recon teams and any stories involving that target are straight out of any war movie