Tet Offensive facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tet OffensiveTết Mậu Thân |
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| Part of the Vietnam War | |||||||
 Some Communist targets during the Tet Offensive |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 South Vietnam United States South Korea Australia New Zealand |
 Viet Cong North Vietnam |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 William Westmoreland |
Hoàng Văn Thái |
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| Strength | |||||||
| ~1,000,000 | ~323,000 - 595,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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In phase 1: |
In phase 1:: 75,000+ casualties Total 3 phases: 111,179 casualties (45,267 killed, 61,267 wounded, 5,070 missing) |
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| Civilian: 14,000 killed, 24,000 wounded | |||||||
The Tet Offensive was a major military attack during the Vietnam War. It began on January 30, 1968. Communist forces from the Viet Cong and North Vietnam launched it. Their targets were South Vietnam, the United States, and their allies.
The main goal was to surprise the enemy. They wanted to attack important military and government centers across South Vietnam.
In the end, the US and South Vietnam fought off the communist forces. They won the military battles. However, the Tet Offensive changed how most Americans felt about the war. Before this, the US military and government told people they were close to winning. The Tet Offensive showed this was not true. Many people said the US won the battle but lost the war during this time.
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What Was the Tet Offensive?
The Tet Offensive was a series of surprise attacks. It happened during the Vietnamese New Year, called Tet. This holiday was usually a time for a ceasefire. The attacks were launched by the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). They targeted over 100 towns and cities in South Vietnam. This included the capital city, Saigon.
Why Was it Called "Tet"?
"Tet" is the Vietnamese New Year. It is a very important holiday. Both sides had agreed to a ceasefire for Tet. But North Vietnam and the Viet Cong broke this agreement. They launched their attacks during the holiday. This made the attacks even more surprising.
Who Fought in the Tet Offensive?
On one side were the communist forces. These included the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army. The Viet Cong were South Vietnamese fighters who supported North Vietnam.
On the other side were the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). They were supported by the United States and other allies. These allies included South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Surprise Attacks Begin
The attacks started on January 30, 1968. This was the first day of Tet. Communist forces attacked many cities at once. They even attacked the US Embassy in Saigon. This was a very bold move.
Fighting in Saigon
In Saigon, the fighting was very intense. Viet Cong soldiers got into the city. They attacked key places like the presidential palace and the national radio station. US and South Vietnamese troops fought hard to push them back. The fighting in Saigon lasted for several weeks.
The Battle for Huế
One of the longest and bloodiest battles was in the city of Huế. North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces took control of much of the city. US Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers had to fight street by street. The battle lasted for nearly a month. Huế suffered a lot of damage.
Results of the Offensive
Militarily, the Tet Offensive was a big loss for North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. They suffered heavy casualties. Many of their best fighters were killed. They did not achieve their goal of starting a general uprising in South Vietnam.
However, the offensive was a huge political victory for North Vietnam.
Impact on Public Opinion
Before Tet, the US government said they were winning the war. They told the American people that the enemy was weak. The Tet Offensive showed that the enemy was still very strong. It proved that the war was far from over.
Many Americans lost trust in their leaders. They began to question why the US was fighting in Vietnam. This led to a big increase in anti-war protests. The Tet Offensive is often seen as a turning point. It made many Americans want the war to end.
Changes in Strategy
After the Tet Offensive, the US military changed its strategy. General William Westmoreland, the US commander, was replaced. The US began to reduce its troops in Vietnam. This process was called "Vietnamization." It meant that South Vietnamese forces would take on more of the fighting.
Legacy of the Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive showed that military victories do not always lead to political success. Even though the US and South Vietnam won the battles, they lost public support. This event had a lasting impact on the Vietnam War. It helped lead to the eventual withdrawal of US troops.
Images for kids
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General William C. Westmoreland, COMUSMACV
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VC prior to departing for Saigon-Gia Định
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VC special forces are sworn into the forces before the Tet Offensive
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Viet Cong troops pose with new AK-47 assault rifles and American field radios
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Lieutenant General Frederick Weyand, commander of II Field Force, Vietnam
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South Vietnam, Corps Tactical Zones
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U.S. Marines with M14 rifles battle in Hamo village
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ARVN Rangers defending Saigon in 1968 Battle of Saigon
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Huế and the Citadel
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U.S. Marines advance past an M48 Patton tank during the battle for Huế
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Northern Quảng Trị Province & DMZ
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A number of South Vietnamese targets during the Tet Offensive
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South Vietnamese troops in action near Tan Son Nhut Air Base
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Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was the president of South Vietnam
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Civilians sort through the ruins of their homes in Cholon, the heavily damaged Chinese section of Saigon
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ARVN Rangers moving through western Cholon, Saigon, 10 May 1968
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U.S. Marines move through the ruins of the hamlet of Dai Do after several days of intense fighting
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See also
In Spanish: Ofensiva del Tet para niños
