Battle of Khe Sanh facts for kids

The Battle of Khe Sanh was a major battle during the Vietnam War. It happened during the Tet Offensive, a big surprise attack by communist forces. The battle lasted a long time, from January 21 to July 9, 1968.

Khe Sanh was an important place because it was a city very close to the border between North and South Vietnam. There was also a large US and South Vietnamese military base there. Communist Vietnamese soldiers wanted to capture this base. While most battles during the Tet Offensive ended quickly, the Battle of Khe Sanh went on for many months. It became one of the longest and deadliest battles of the war.

What Was the Battle of Khe Sanh?

The Battle of Khe Sanh was a long and fierce fight. It took place around the US Marine Corps base at Khe Sanh. The main groups fighting were the US Marines and the South Vietnamese Army. They were defending the base against the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

Why Was Khe Sanh Important?

Khe Sanh was important for several reasons:

• Location: It was very close to the border with North Vietnam. This made it a key spot for watching enemy movements.
• Supply Route: The base was near the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This was a secret supply route used by North Vietnam to send soldiers and supplies into South Vietnam.
• Airfield: The base had an airfield. This allowed planes to land and deliver supplies or launch attacks.

The North Vietnamese wanted to capture Khe Sanh. They hoped to draw many US troops there. This would make it easier for them to attack other cities during the Tet Offensive.

Who Fought in the Battle?

On one side were the US Marines and soldiers from the South Vietnamese Army. They were defending the Khe Sanh Combat Base. On the other side were the soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

General William Westmoreland, the top US commander in Vietnam, believed Khe Sanh was very important. He thought the NVA was planning a huge attack there, similar to a famous battle in French history called Dien Bien Phu.

The Siege Begins

The battle started on January 21, 1968. North Vietnamese forces began to heavily shell the Khe Sanh base. They used rockets, artillery, and mortars. This was the start of a long siege, where the base was surrounded and attacked.

Life Under Siege

Life for the soldiers at Khe Sanh was very tough.

• Constant Attacks: The base was under constant attack. Soldiers had to stay in bunkers and trenches for safety.
• Supply by Air: Because the roads were too dangerous, all supplies had to be flown in. Planes like the C-130 Hercules risked enemy fire to deliver food, water, ammunition, and medical supplies.
• Fighting on Hills: There were also fierce battles on the hills surrounding the main base. These hills were important for controlling the area.

Operation Pegasus

After many months of fighting, the US and South Vietnamese forces launched Operation Pegasus. This was a plan to break the siege and reopen the roads to Khe Sanh. Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division moved towards the base. They met up with the Marines defending Khe Sanh.

On April 8, 1968, the siege was officially declared over. The roads to Khe Sanh were open again.

After the Battle

Even though the siege was broken, the fighting continued in the area for a few more months. The US decided to close the Khe Sanh Combat Base in July 1968. The base was destroyed so the enemy could not use it.

Why Was Khe Sanh Closed?

There were several reasons for closing the base:

• Changing Strategy: The US military's strategy in Vietnam was changing.
• High Cost: Keeping the base supplied and defended was very expensive and dangerous.
• Mission Accomplished: Some believed the base had served its purpose. It had tied up many North Vietnamese troops during the Tet Offensive.

The Battle of Khe Sanh was a very costly battle for both sides. It showed the intense fighting that took place during the Vietnam War.

Images for kids

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  Map of northern Quảng Trị Province

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  Combat on Hill 875, the most intense of the battles around Dak To

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  The Khe Sanh Valley

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  The Hill Fights

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  Dispositions of opposing forces, January 1968

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  US Navy OP-2E Neptune of VO-67, a variant of a naval patrol bomber and antisubmarine warfare aircraft specifically developed for the Muscle Shoals mission

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  National Security Advisor Walt W. Rostow showing President Lyndon B. Johnson a model of the Khe Sanh area, 15 February 1968

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  Attack on Lang Vei

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  A C-130 delivering supplies with LAPES

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  Super Gaggle: CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters with sling loads (top) and A-4 Skyhawk provided suppressive fire.

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  The Khe Sanh perimeter, 28 February 1968: A white dotted line indicates a PAVN trench just 200 m from 37th ARVN Rangers along the southern perimeter of Khe Sanh.

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  An Army 175-mm M107 at Camp Carroll provides fire support for ground forces

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  Marine Corps sniper team searches for targets in the Khe Sanh Valley

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  Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division moving towards Khe Sanh Combat Base during Operation Pegasus

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  3/4 Marines memorial service at the base

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  General Wallace Greene, Commandant of the Marine Corps (l), Lieutenant General Robert Cushman, III MAF Commander (c), and General William Westmoreland (r)

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  Khe Sanh airstrip, December 2006

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de Khe Sanh para niños