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In late January 1968, some 84,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched a country-wide general offensive in South Vietnam, mounting simultaneous assaults on 36 of 44 provincial capitals, and five of the six autonomous cities (including the capital city of Saigon). The longest and bloodiest battle occurred in Hue, the most venerated place in Vietnam. The bitter fighting that raged there for more than three weeks drew the attention of the world.Hue was the ancient capital of Vietnam, and as such, had been previously avoided by both sides; it had not seen any serious fighting prior to 1968. All that changed on the night of January 31 that year when four North Vietnamese battalions and supporting Viet Cong units simultaneously attacked and occupied both parts of the city straddling the Perfume River. The Communist forces dug in and prepared to defend their hold on the city. US Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers were ordered to clear the city, supported by US Army artillery and troops. A brutal urban battle ensued as combat raged from house to house and door to door. It was a bloody fight and resulted in large-scale destruction of Hue. Eventually, the Marines and the South Vietnamese forces retook Hue, but it turned out to be one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Tet Offensive, and led to a sea change in US policy in Vietnam.
Sommario
ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN
- The Tet Offensive
- Hue City
CHRONOLOGY
OPPOSING PLANS
- North Vietnamese
- Allied
OPPOSING COMMANDERS
- Allied
- North Vietnamese
OPPOSING FORCES
- Allied
- The NVA and VC
- Orders of battle, Hue City, January 31-March 2, 1968
THE BATTLE OF HUE
- Prelude to the battle
- The initial attack
- The Marines respond
- Fighting south of the Perfume River continues
- The fight for the Citadel
- The final push
AFTERMATH
THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
Info autore
James H Willbanks, illustrated by Ramiro Bujeiro
Riassunto
In late January 1968, some 84,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched a country-wide general offensive in South Vietnam. The bitter fighting that raged in Hue for more than three weeks drew the attention of the world.
Prefazione
In late January 1968, some 84,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched a country-wide general offensive in South Vietnam, mounting simultaneous assaults on 36 of 44 provincial capitals, and five of the six autonomous cities (including the capital city of Saigon). The longest and bloodiest battle occurred in Hue, the most venerated place in Vietnam. The bitter fighting that raged there for more than three weeks drew the attention of the world.
Testo aggiuntivo
a nicely balanced look at the battle
