The 8th Group was responsible for
line haul transport operations
through the Central Highlands of
Vietnam from the coastal city of Qui
Nhon to Pleiku. Route 19 was the
main supply route - about 150 miles
of steep, winding, mountainous
roadway. Massive truck convoys of 70
or more trucks traveled this route
daily, carrying ammunition, food and
supplies to tactical units of
northern II Corps area of
operations. The Highlands along
Route 19 had long been a major enemy
stronghold. Years before the 8th
Group arrived, the enemy had
successfully destroyed an entire
French unit on Route 19, a fact
unknown to the American units at the
time.
The
isolated mountain road was bordered
in some places by wide-open fields
and in other places, heavy woods,
making ideal ambush sites. In some
areas the grade was very steep with
winding hairpin turns, causing the
heavily laden trucks to drive even
slower. There were two major
mountain passes - An Khe and Mang
Giang - which quickly became known
as "Ambush Alley."
