The Tet Offensive
- By late 1967, forces of the US army, its allies, and the army of the Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN), were reporting growing success in the countryside.
- Then in late January 1968, the first day of Tet, which had previously been observed with a cease-fire, 70,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and the Vietcong launched surprise attacks on 36 cities and towns throughout Vietnam.
- In Saigon, the Vietcong attacked the presidential palace, the airport, ARVN headquarters and fought their way into the US Embassy grounds. They did not capture the building but killed five American marines and took the main radio station.
- The Americans were also deeply worried that the NLF were able to find 70,000 new soldiers so soon, having lost 90,000 up to the end of 1967.
- The US and ARVN forces who were caught off guard, quickly responded and within a week had recouped most of the lost territory.
- Hue was different, however, as the Vietcong held their ground. By the time the city was retaken on 24th February, the historic city had been all but levelled.
- They held it for 25 days until the ARVN and US forces recaptured the city. Before this happened, the VC executed about 3,000 civilians because they had links with the South Vietnamese government as officials or army officers.
- It is clear that the NLF had taken this opportunity to remove many of its enemies. The massacre helped the argument of those Americans and South Vietnamese who claimed that more would die if the communists won – a reason for continuing the war
- From a military viewpoint, it could be said that the Tet Offensive was an American victory. The US lost 1536 soldiers with 7764 wounded, but 45,000 NLF soldiers were killed.
- BUT when General Westmoreland reported that completing the Vietcong defeat would necessitate 200,000 more American soldiers and require an activation of reserves, even loyal supporters began to see the need for a change in strategy.
- From the Vietnamese viewpoint, Tet demonstrated the resolve of the Vietcong and the tenuous control of the South Vietnamese over their own territory.
- With large numbers of NLF soldiers coming into South Vietnam down the Ho Chi Minh trail, many Americans were beginning to see this war as one which they could not win.
