OBJECTIVES LOCATE VIETNAM ON A MAP LOCATE THE CAPITALS OF NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAM LOCATE THE HO CHI MINH TRIAL DEFINE THE TET OFFENSIVE COMPARE/CONTRAST THE U.S. SOLDIER AND THE VIET CONG

Vietnam: The TET Offensive Michael Daye

Map of Vietnam Hanoi Khe-Sanh Ho Chi Minh Trail Saigon Major cities & installations hit during Tet

What was the TET Offensive? Tet is the lunar New Year and is the most important holiday for the people of Vietnam. On January 30, 1968 Tet had begun. Troops form North and South Vietnam had both laid down their arms in honor of Tet. The North Vietnamese had other ideas……..

TET BEGINS  In 1968 General Giap launched a major surprise offensive against American and South Vietnamese forces on the eve of the lunar New Year celebrations. Province capitals throughout the country were seized. In Saigon the U.S. Embassy was invaded.

TET HAD OFFICIALLY BEGUN

KHE-SANH, THE HORIZON IS N.VIETNAM. NO INCOMING… YET

The gamble  GENERAL GIAP WAS PREPARED TO TAKE A GAMBLE. HIS DIVISIONS HAD BEEN BATTERED WHENEVER THEY MET AMERICAN FORCES IN CONVENTIONAL COMBAT. GIAP KNEW AS LONG AS THE WAR STAYED CONVENTIONAL HE HAD A SHOT OF UNIFYING VIETNAM INTO COMMUNIST COUNTRY.

U.S. FORCES TAKE THE OFFENSIVE Khe-sahn would distract the attention of U.S. commanders while the NVA/VC was preparing D-day in the S. Vietnamese cities.

VIET CONG ROCKET ATTACK

THEIR WAS NO BATTLE FRONT  Fighting the Viet Cong was frustrating, for there wasn’t any battle line to speak of.  Viet Cong were hardly ever seen and fought only when the odds were in their favor.

KHE-SANH GETS ATTACKED BY RARE DAY LIGHT ROCKET FIRE.

American vs. Viet-Cong

The Huey: A Soldier’s Friend

American Soldiers were unaccustomed to fighting guerilla war Vietcong (Charlie) were experts at implementing “hit and run” tactics Most attacks were conducted at night

HEADING HOME….FOR GOOD!

TET was an American victory