Tet Offensive and build-up

Tet Offensive and build-up

1. Stalemate: US had mighty, highly technological military machine (bombing) but wasted against invisible army (underground)

   • Even when US inflicted serious damage (e.g. Battle of La Drang Valley 1965), as soon as US forces left, VC returned and built up support
   • Loss of soldiers' lives, lack of win - US losing support at home (asking questions, lots of technology and money, no results)
   • One side needed to leave comfort zone, aim for victory to break stale mate - VC made move

2. 1967: Chance of NVA tactics as had suffered many losses, wasn't certain of a win

   • General Giap decided to engage in open battle, fight in larger numbers, smash SV gvmt., force US out once and for all
     • December: US knew something big happening, lots of activity on Ho Chi Minh Trail, build up of NV troops near Khe Sanh US base
       • Isolated, hilly base, built to stop North infiltration of South and destroy Ho Chi Minh Trail, housed over 6000 marines and US troops in heavily armed combat base w/airstrip and bunkers
     • Lost 90,000 VC fighters so US thought they were winning, but this was a distraction

3. 21/01/1968: Battle of Khe Sanh

   • 20,000 VC attacked US hill West of base, then attacked heart of base hours later, cut off road links (only way in/out by air), surrounded US
     • Operation Niagara: 24,000 air strikes by US, almost 100,000 tonnes of bombs ($1 billion)
     • US constantly shelled (360 NV rounds per day)
       • Most shells were 1300 in a day
     • US best units and 1/2 mobile reserve in Vietnam sent to area, lost of air power (5 tonnes of bombs/NV soldiers)
       • Distract US: Communist weapons, supplies and fighters slipping into towns and cities (e.g. in funeral processions) without US seeing (e.g. tunnels in Saigon 200 miles long)
         • Forces busy whilst plans made to move VC from countryside to provoke popular uprising across country

4. 31/01/1968: Tet Offensive

   • NLF celebrated Tet New Year festival two days early, ARVN soldiers on leave visiting family
     • 85,000 NV/VC launched surprise struck on over 100 cities, towns and bases (didn’t know how to keep them though)
       • 4,500 VC fighters tied down large US/ARVN forces in Saigon for 2 days
         • Just before 3AM: took control of gvmt. radio station (shot radio guard), broadcast ‘call to arms’ for people to overthrow SV gvmt.
           • Attacked General Westmoreland’s HQ, airport and racetrack (rallying point for NV soldiers, can’t be US helicopter pad), presidential palace
         • VC C-10 battalion (15 VS suicide fighters): limited firepower, blew 3ft hole in US embassy perimeter
           • Leaders killed, entered compounds, fired potshots at building (leaders dead-no morale, didn’t enter), US killed but regained control of embassy room-by-room, held position for 6 hours
       • Clear that Battle of Khe Sanh was to draw troops out of the city
   • Consequences
     • Military
       • Killed 10,000 of finest VC fighters (weakened them - 37,000 in total)
         • 45,000 killed in total, only 10% pro-Capitalism (1500 US, 3000 ARVN)
           • Disaster for Communists - people of SV didn’t join then
           • US was embarrassed as well, lost some support
             • Photos of VC on US soul in embassy compound sent shock waves through US
       • Few casualties from NV army so replaced VC fighters - loss of VC independence
       • Threat to capital contained
     • Showed that VC had huge supply of men and women
     • Nearly 500,000 US troops in Vietnam, $20 billion per year on war which US couldn’t control
     • Cities like Hue destroyed by artillery and US air strikes - morally wrong
     • VC more willing to sacrifice themselves than US, never give up

5. Hue

   • Centre of learning, religion and culture
     • Previously untouched, ancient city, symbolic, important for N and S Vietnam
   • Communist occupying force
     • 5000 NV/VC stormed NW wall of old city, took control of much of ancient citadel and new city south of river
       • Only two places held out: SV compound in NE corner of citadel and US compound on south of river near bridge
   • Difficulties for US
     • Communist occupying force stronger than anticipated
     • Under machine gun fire
       • 31/01/1968, 16:10: 660 marines crossed bridge to reach SV compund: 10 killed/wounded, rest took cover on floor, commander doubted orders but continued
         • Bridge blown up by Communists
       • Tongtu Gate: easy targets for NVA soldiers
     • Little/no experience fighting in urban areas
       • Lots of places for defence, wastes resources and manpower, chaotic (have to clear 4 blocks of houses - traps, can't see enemy (dark))
         • 5 killed and 44 wounded in 1hr - commander gave order to retreat
       • Used to fighting in countryside, have to find new way of fighting
     • US high command banned airstrikes and heavy artillery (would lose support - destroying history)
       • Ban lifted after 4 days as should only have taken hours, progress sped up (tried to avoid much damage), took 1 week for 800m, many killed and wounded on both sides
         • Whole battle lasted 26 days (27/02/1968)
   • NVA had SV blocked in, called to US for help but could only get there by river
     • One company of marines from battle went in fast boats balanced on ammunition under heavy NV fire
       • Ferried to NE corner of citadel, removed supplies at gate then rushed in to support SV, planned to push south toward Tongtu gate
         • SV didn't allow US to bomb old city until US airborne cavalry cut off VC supplies into old city
           • US marines forced way to SE corner of citadel, 2 A4 jets dropped napalm to clear way, 150 marine reinforcements stormed way to take Tongtu Gate

6. March 1968: Secretary of Defence tells LBJ that US can’t win war and should start thinking about exit strategy

   • Now clear that government knows they won’t win