The smell greeted them even before they saw the seven bodies spread along the trail. The first two in the column, having taken the full blast of the single mine ambush, had missing appendages and their torsos were cut to shreds. The other five lay in contorted positions, blood still leaking from bullet holes in their bodies.
Each of the seven corpses were dressed alike and carrying a rucksack, ammo pouch, and AK-47 rifle. Steel pith helmets with a single red star lay strewn about the area. The rucksacks were full and bulging. A mortar tube and base plate lay in the middle of the line of dead enemy soldiers.
“Oh man, these are hardcore NVA soldiers. No wonder they held their ground and shot back at us,” Frenchie said while scanning the corpses, his face showing deep concern.
“Looks like
