In late 1972 the Division was in its base at Củ Chi, just south of the Saigon River and the Ho Bo Woods. It kept one regiment at Củ Chi, one around Khiem Hanh () north of Cu Chi, and one in Tây Ninh Combat Base west of the province capital. Two battalions of the 50th Regiment were in the Dầu Tiếng area of Bình Dương; one battalion was in Tri Tam, and the other was on the west and opposite, side of the Saigon River. The PAVN 101st Regiment was in the vicinity, probably in the Boi Loi Woods east of Khiem Hanh. The 271st Independent Regiment was probably close to the Vàm Cỏ Đông River south of Go Dau Ha () in Hậu Nghĩa Province, posing a threat to Highways 1 and 22, the line of communication between Saigon and Tây Ninh. As December came to a close, the Division and the 5th Division attacked north into the Saigon River corridor. Three battalions of the 5th moved into the Iron Triangle, while on the west side of the river four battalions of the Division entered the Ho Bo Woods. Resistance was weak and casualties light.
