 During the days before the battle, U.S. military intelligence had noticed the build-up of VC units around Loc Ninh.Hay, in response, planned to insert four battalions of the 1st Infantry Division and position them around Loc Ninh, thereby trapping the VC inside the town.On the evening of 28 October, the 272nd Regiment marched into position from the northeast, and the 273rd Regiment from west.