 At the same time, the GK.40 Engineer Battalion was told to conduct training on its new equipment—satchel charges, tear gas, and flamethrowers—before early-May 1968.The VC 1st Regimental Headquarters made their preparations for the initial attack by regularly sending out Local Force Montagnard units to conduct reconnaissance patrols around Ngok Tavak to observe enemy activities in the area.Throughout March and April, allied intelligence was baffled by the movements of the units belonging to the PAVN 2nd Division, and that was reflected in the information obtained by U.S. military forces.