Battle Of Hue

Question 1

What happened?

Answer 1

The Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) launched a surprise attack and captured most of Hue — including the Imperial Palace and government buildings.
• Fighting lasted for nearly a month — some of the bloodiest and longest of the Vietnam War.
• The U.S. Marines and ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) fought hard to retake the city.

Question 2

Tactics and destruction?

Answer 2

:
• The U.S. used airstrikes, artillery, and tanks to clear the Vietcong from house-to-house.
• Heavy urban combat — rare in Vietnam, which was mostly jungle warfare.
• Much of Hue was destroyed, including ancient temples and buildings.

Question 3

Casualties?

Answer 3

Civilians
~6,000 (many executed by the Vietcong)
Vietcong/NVA
~5,000
U.S. troops
~200
ARVN troops
~400

Question 4

Mass executions?

Answer 4

After the battle, mass graves were found.
• The Vietcong/NVA had executed thousands of suspected South Vietnamese officials, teachers, and civilians.
• A major propaganda disaster for the communists.

Question 5

Why is it important?

Answer 5

Symbol of U.S. shock during the Tet Offensive
• Showed that the enemy could take major cities — even symbolic ones.
2. Psychological blow to the U.S. public
• Images of dead civilians, destroyed buildings, and street battles played out on TV.
3. Showed how brutal the war had become
• Civilians trapped between both sides.
• Public in the U.S. became even more disillusioned.

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