Battle of Huế facts for kids

The Battle of Huế was a very important and fierce fight during the Vietnam War. It took place in the city of Huế from January 31 to March 2, 1968. This battle was part of a bigger attack called the Tet Offensive. Huế was a key city because it was on an important road between Danang and the border of North and South Vietnam.

Because of its location, Huế was a major target for North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. The battle became one of the deadliest of the entire war. Even today, if you visit Huế, you can still see signs of the fighting. Some buildings that were badly damaged were never repaired. Others still have bullet holes from the intense fighting.

What Was the Tet Offensive?

The Tet Offensive was a huge surprise attack launched by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. It happened during the Vietnamese New Year holiday, called Tet. They attacked many cities and towns across South Vietnam at the same time. The goal was to cause a rebellion among the South Vietnamese people. They also hoped to make the United States give up the fight.

Why Was Huế So Important?

Huế was an ancient city with a lot of history and culture. It was once the capital of Vietnam. The city was divided by the Perfume River. On one side was the modern city. On the other was the Citadel, an old fortress with thick walls and a royal palace inside.

Huế was also important for military reasons. It was a supply route for both sides. Controlling Huế meant controlling a major path for troops and supplies.

The Start of the Battle

On January 31, 1968, North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) soldiers launched their attack on Huế. They quickly took control of most of the city. They even raised their flag over the Citadel. Only a few places, like the American military compound and a South Vietnamese army base, held out.

The attack caught the American and South Vietnamese forces by surprise. They had not expected such a large and coordinated assault during the Tet holiday.

Fighting in the City

The battle for Huế was very difficult. Soldiers had to fight house-to-house and street-by-street. This type of fighting is called urban warfare. It is very dangerous because enemies can hide anywhere.

American Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers slowly pushed back the NVA and Viet Cong. They faced strong resistance. The fighting was intense and lasted for weeks.

The Battle for the Citadel

The hardest part of the battle was taking back the Citadel. Its thick walls made it a strong defensive position. The NVA and Viet Cong had dug in deeply.

American and South Vietnamese forces had to fight their way through the ancient fortress. They used tanks, artillery, and air support. But they had to be careful not to destroy the historic buildings too much.

The End of the Battle

After 26 days of fierce fighting, the city of Huế was finally recaptured. The battle officially ended on March 2, 1968. It was a victory for the American and South Vietnamese forces. However, the cost was very high.

Aftermath and Impact

The Battle of Huế caused massive destruction to the city. Many historic buildings were ruined. Thousands of people, both soldiers and civilians, were killed or wounded.

The battle also had a big impact on the Vietnam War. It showed that the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong could launch large attacks. This surprised many people in the United States. It made many Americans question the war and whether it could be won.

Even though the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong suffered heavy losses, the Tet Offensive, including the Battle of Huế, changed public opinion about the war. It became a turning point in the conflict.

Images for kids

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  Hue: the initial dispositions

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  Tây Lộc airfield

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  U.S. Marines clear buildings in southern Huế supported by tanks

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  An M50 Ontos leads evacuation convoy of commandeered vehicles, 31 January

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  1st Cavalry Division helicopter resupply mission northwest of Hue

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  5/7th Cavalry in action at Thon La Chu

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  U.S. Marines deploy a 106 mm recoilless rifle from within Huế University to target a PAVN machine gun emplacement

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  A U.S. Marine carries an elderly Vietnamese civilian from Huế Hospital out of harm's way

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  U.S. Marines assault the Dong Ba Gate in the Citadel

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  A U.S. Marine fires his M60 machine gun during the fight for the Citadel

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  A CH-46 from HMM-364 lands Vietnamese Marines in Huế on 23 February

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  A U.S. Marines O-1 flies past the Citadel

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  U.S. Marines emerge from the battle-damaged Jeanne d'Arc church in southern Huế

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Huế para niños