 Shortly after the column crossed over the An Cuu Bridge over the Phu Cam Canal (), however, soldiers from the 1st Sapper Battalion and the 818th Battalion, hiding in and around buildings near the road, opened fire at close range with Rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and at least four 75mm recoilless rifles.The ambush destroyed several vehicles and threw the 1st Troop, 7th Cavalry, into confusion.Several M41 crews abandoned their undamaged tanks when they found their escape route blocked by burning hulks.