Under cover of a mortar and rocket barrage, the PAVN struck directly at the district headquarters compound, while the sappers began systematically destroying the nearby civilian hamlets with satchel charges and by setting fires.
[1]: 231 Marine gunships from HML-167 and HML-367 at Marble Mountain Air Facility were directed to Đức Dục and found it through the clouds by the fire in the villages.
The advisors said via radio that the district compound was in danger of being overrun and gave the Marines clearance to fire at targets anywhere around their perimeter.
The Army advisors also stated that they would be unable to direct air strikes from the ground, as enemy fire had forced them under cover.
In spite of ARVN counterattacks, the 38th Regiment remained in the Đức Dục area, instead of pulling back into the mountains.