America's war in Vietnam usually conjures scenes of fighting in dense jungles against an invisible enemy, this was not the case when the whole of South Vietnam erupted on the eve of the lunar new year Tet' in January 1 968, Vietnam's most important national holiday. Usually marked by a mutual ceasefire,The North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong launched a massive military and political offensive turning many cities into battle grounds, none more so than the former imperial capital, Hue. For decades this historical city with it's walled citadel had been spared the ravages of conflict but it's prominent position on the Perfume River (dividing the walled citadel in the north and the south of the city) and on the important supply route of 'Highway One' from De-Nang to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone between North and South Vietnam) made it too important strategically to the Communist forces of the North who swiftly overran large areas occupying most of the city which was poorly defended by South Vietnamese and U.S. forces. The only U.S. troops available in the surrounding areas were two depleted Marine infantry companies along with a handful of M48 tanks (due to be shipped from the Landing Craft Utility ramp at Hue).
No comments:
Post a Comment