 Meanwhile, Colonel Cầm was rapidly losing control of his fighting force.He had instructed his 101st Regiment to protect the 82nd Rear Service Group's ammunition stores and to fight a delaying action; but the 101st, battling Whitted at Suoi Da on unfamiliar ground, was in full retreat by the afternoon of the 8th.Retreat turned into panic when the rear service troops joined the fleeing regiment rather than facing American firepower alone.