In the event, the promised air power allotment was halved and curtailed. Intermittent foul weather also restricted air operations. Nevertheless, the Hmong assault against communists on the mountain of Phou Pha Thi nearly carried the position in mid-December. However, a communist night raid that destroyed an ammunition dump, followed by the arrival of a relief column from the 316th Division, tipped the balance of battle against the assailants. On 7 January 1969, the Hmong retreated while pressed hard by the communists.