 Australian-led 11th Mobile Strike Force (MSF) Company was ordered to take up positions in Ngok Tavak (Ngok Ta Vak), an outpost serving Khâm Đức, to boost allied intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area.However, unbeknownst to the U.S. and allied forces, the Viet Cong (VC) 1st Regiment had been watching the build-up around Khâm Đức, and were preparing to initiate the assault by taking out Ngok Tavak.In the early hours of 10 May, elements of the VC 1st Regiment attacked Ngok Tavak and overran much of the outpost.