Operation Toan Thang 1/71 was launched with the purpose of destroying PAVN and Khmer Rouge bases and to help the Cambodian forces reestablish control over the area north of Highway 7 up to the Mekong River town of Kratié.

[2]: 47–9 In late May the PAVN learned that the South Vietnamese planned to withdraw a task force of the 5th Infantry Division from Snuol.

Intense antiaircraft fire prevented the allies from resupplying the town by air, and after three days of fighting the South Vietnamese position became untenable.

A U.S. adviser described the scene: "What had been a controlled operation was turned into a rout as units that were supposed to occupy night defensive positions continued down the road and suffered heavy personnel and equipment losses.

[4]: 338–9  According to II Field Force, Vietnam commander Michael S. Davison, the 5th Division troops were close to mutiny.