E-Book Overview
In the Tet Offensive of 1968, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces launched a massive countrywide attack on South Vietnam. Though the Communists failed to achieve their tactical and operational objectives, James Willbanks claims Hanoi won a strategic victory. The offensive proved that America's progress was grossly overstated and caused many Americans and key presidential advisors to question the wisdom of prolonging combat. Willbanks also maintains that the Communists laid siege to a Marine combat base two weeks prior to the Tet Offensive-known as the Battle of Khe Sanh—to distract the United States. It is his belief that these two events are intimately linked, and in his concise and compelling history, he presents an engaging portrait of the conflicts and singles out key problems of interpretation.Willbanks divides his study into six sections, beginning with a historical overview of the events leading up to the offensive, the attack itself, and the consequent battles of Saigon, Hue, and Khe Sahn. He continues with a critical assessment of the main themes and issues surrounding the offensive, and concludes with excerpts from American and Vietnamese documents, maps and chronologies, an annotated list of resources, and a short encyclopedia of key people, places, and events.An experienced military historian and scholar of the Vietnam War, Willbanks has written a unique critical reference and guide that enlarges the debate surrounding this important turning point in America's longest war. (10/15/2006)
E-Book Content
The Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive: A Concise History
James H. Willbanks
c o l u m b i a u n i v e r s i t y p ress new york
Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York, Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press All rights Reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Willbanks, James H., 1947– The Tet Offensive : a concise history / James H. Willbanks. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-231-12840-1 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Tet Offensive, 1968. DS557.8.T4W54 959.704'342
dc22
I. Title. 2006 2006012721
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper Printed in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
References to Internet Web Sites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor Columbia University Press is responsible for Web sites that may have expired or changed since the book was prepared.
This book is dedicated to the members of our armed forces, then and now, who put it on the line for our nation.
contents
Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Maps xix Abbreviations xxv
part i Historical Overview Chapter 1. Prelude
1 3
American Public Opinion 5 Public Relations and Westmoreland’s Optimism 6 Troop Disposition 7 The Communist Decision to Conduct the Offensive 8 The Plan 10 Preparing for the Offensive 13
Chapter 2. Border Battles, Hill Fights, and Khe Sanh 15 Khe Sanh 17 The Hill Fights 19 Operation Niagara 22 The Siege of Khe Sanh Begins
23
viii
Contents
Chapter 3. The Tet Offensive 26 The Offensive Begins 30 The Battle for Saigon 31 The Battle at the U.S. Embassy 34 Attacks Around the City 37 The Battle of Cholon 39 Tet Countrywide 39
Chapter 4. The Battle for Hue 43 The Battle Begins 46 The Marines Respond 48 Fighting in the New City 50 The Fight for the Citadel 52
Chapter 5. The Siege of Khe Sanh 56 The Fall of Lang Vei 59 Resupplying the Marines 61 Tactical Air Support 61 A New Attack 62 Lifting the Siege 63
Chapter 6. The Impact of the Tet Offensive 66 Political Fallout 68 The Request for Additional Troops 70 The New Hampshire Primary 74 The Presidential Election of 1968 77