 Together they managed to establish a coherent defensive line, running around the hilltop from southeast to northwest, but with little cover on the southern side.Meanwhile, the VC commander realized that his best chance was to close in on the US forces so that the 173rd's air and artillery fire could not be effectively employed.VC troops attempted to out-flank the US position atop the hill from both the east and the southwest, moving his troops closer to the Americans.