Tet Offensive

Khe San Jan-Apr 1968

Khe Sanh is a US firepower base near the DMZ.

January 21st - attack on Khe Sanh camp with 18000 NVA troops

6000 US marines + ARVN rangers defended camp

February - Used Close Air Support, 110,000 tons of bombs dropped by B-52, helicopter gunships + fighter jets

April - The siege was lifted using Operation Pegasus

July - NVA took the base back

77 days

NVA ← North Vietnam Army

PAVN ← People’s Army of North Vietnam

ARVN ← Army of the Republic of Vietnam(US)

500 ARVN casualties

5500-15000 NVA casualties

Tet Jan 31st 1968

15 men broke in US Embassy in Saigon and held out for 5 hours.

Whole event on US TV.

4500 NVA fighters kept a much larger ARVN and US army away for 2 days.

7500 homes destroyed

100 cities attacked

VC lost over 10,000 experienced fighters

543 recorded American deaths in Feb 11-17th. Highest number.

Hue Jan 31st-Feb 25th

Hue is the Imperial capital of Vietnam.

10,000 VC guerrillas and NVAs took positions around the city.

Jan 31st citadel was captured as it was lightly defended.

Held Hue for 25 days.

Americans rushed reinforcements byt reached South Bank of the Perfume river before retreating, surrounded by NVA.

February 10th Southern Part regained

February 25th Citadel recaptured.

3000 killed by VC suspected of working with US or SV government.

800 civilians dead

600 ARVN

500 VC and NVA