Battle of Hue
The Battle of Hue, a significant conflict during the Vietnam War, commenced on January 31, 1968, with a substantial offensive by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops and Viet Cong forces. The city of Hue was initially captured within hours, except for a few strongholds like the U.S. Military Assistance Command compound and the headquarters of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) First Division. In response, Brigadier General Ngo Quang Troung mobilized his troops, along with U.S. and ARVN reinforcements, to reclaim the city. The ensuing combat involved intense street fighting, with U.S. Marines and ARVN forces engaging in a series of counterattacks to regain control. Over the following weeks, strategic bombardments and coordinated assaults helped to dislodge the occupying forces from the Citadel and other key areas. By February 25, the battle concluded with the recapture of Hue, marking a crucial moment in the conflict. This battle underscored North Vietnam's commitment and willingness to sustain significant casualties in pursuit of their military objectives.
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Subject Terms
Battle of Hue
Type of action: Ground and air battle in the Vietnam Conflict
Date: January 31-February 25, 1968
Location: Hue, Vietnam
Combatants: North Vietnamese and Viet Cong vs. Americans and South Vietnamese
Principal commanders:South Vietnamese, Brigadier General Ngo Quang Troung (1929- )
Result: The battle signaled the beginning of the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam Conflict
On January 31, 1968, the battle for Hue begin with a fierce bombardment and military assault by North Vietnamese army regulars (NVA) of the Fourth and Sixth Regiments and Viet Cong. Hue was overrun in the first hours, except for the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) Advisory compound in southern Hue and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) First Division headquarters in the northern sector of the Citadel. Brigadier General Ngo Quang Troung, the respected commander of the First Division, quickly gave orders for major elements of the division to converge on Hue, as well as other U.S./ARVN forces.
In the next few days, major U.S. and ARVN military forces fought their way into Hue to reinforce the tottering defenses of the northern sector of the Citadel and the MACV compound, as well as preparing for military counterattacks. In the days that followed, the allied bombardment of the Citadel and U.S. marine and ARVN airborne attacks slowly began to dislodge North Vietnamese forces from the Citadel. On February 25, the Citadel and Hue was finally secured, and NVA and Viet Cong forces in areas surrounding Hue were defeated.
Significance
The Battle of Hue indicated North Vietnam’s psychological willingness to endure huge military losses to win the war.
Bibliography
Eric Hammel. Fire in the Streets: The Battle for Hue, Tet 1968. New York: Dell, 1991.
George W. Smith. The Siege at Hue. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner, 1999.