The Battle of Huế

South Vietnam - 1968

Vietnam War

Follow the Battle of Huế, height of the Tet Offensive, as the city falls to communist forces, and is retaken by American and RVN troops in a brutal urban struggle day by day as it happened.

 Contextual Information


Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 25, 1968

The Vietnamese Marines crush the last pocket of NVA resistance in the southwestern corner of the Citadel, bringing the Battle of Hue to an end.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 24, 1968

With the destruction of the NVA in the eastern Citadel, the ARVN hoists their flag over the Walled City and storms the Imperial Palace, as the RVNMC sweeps through the western Citadel, finding most of the NVA had abandoned the area.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 23, 1968

The US Marines finally destroy the last NVA pockets in the southeastern Citadel, leaving the way open for the ARVN to storm the Imperial Palace. In the west, the Vietnamese Marines remain stalled just south of the Thuy Quan Canal.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 22, 1968

The Battle of Hue enters its terminal phase as the NVA, now cut off from reinforcement and resupply in the walled Citadel continues to fight desperately against the advancing American and South Vietnamese forces.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 21. 1968

As the Marines from both the United States and the Republic of Vietnam push the NVA against the southern wall of the Citadel the communists attempt to withdraw some of their units before the last avenues for retreat are closed. Meanwhile, the US Army launches a huge attack on the NVA headquarters to the north, finally taking Thon La Chu and closing the NVA route of reinforcement into the city.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 20, 1968

Still in need of reinforcements, the US Marines make no gains today, and instead send out a party for a night movement to reach the NVA rear near the Thuong Tu Gate. In the west, the Vietnamese Marines halt to allow propaganda units to attempt to entice the NVA to surrender.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 19, 1968

The US Marines continue to push the NVA against the wall against strong resistance, while the Vietnamese Marines are able to establish a foothold across the Thuy Quan Canal in the other side of the Walled City. To the North, the US Army is massing forces to destroy the NVA headquarters at Thon La Chu.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 18, 1968

After days of heavy casualties, the US Marines are beginning to slow their advance in the Citadel as both men and munitions run out. In the western Citadel, the RVNMC remains stalled along the Thuy Quan Canal.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 17, 1968

The US Marines advance several blocks in the Citadel, while their South Vietnamese counterparts finish clearing the northwestern corner and prepare to attack southward tomorrow.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 16, 1968

The NVA is finally pushed back from the Dong Ba Gate, and the Americans begin to advance toward the southern wall. The South Vietnamese do the same, as a request by the new NVA commander in the city to withdraw is denied by Hanoi.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 15, 1968

The Marines engage in a brutal fight for control of the Dong Ba Gate and the attached tower, finally taking it in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Marines begin their own drive parallel to the Americans in the west of the Citadel.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 14, 1968

The US Marines are again stopped at the Dong Ba Gate by heavy resistance, while the ARVN and Vietnamese Marines consolidate their position and are finally ready to launch their own attack. At the same time, General Truong flies to Phu Bai to meet with both US and RVN officials, resulting in the lifting of fire support restrictions within the Citadel, with the exception of the Imperial Palace.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 13, 1968

The attacks begin in the Citadel, and quickly run into a wall of fierce resistance, as the ARVN had abandoned their line before the US Marines arrived to relieve them. It takes a day of heavy fighting for the Marines to reach the line they were supposed to start from today.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 12, 1968

Forces are arrayed in the Citadel, but it takes most of the day, leaving the planned offensive to be postponed another day. Meanwhile, the Army attempts to attack the NVA headquarters at Thon La Chu, but is repulsed.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 11, 1968

Reinforcements begin to arrive in the Citadel, as well as some in the Triangle to be brought over by boat tomorrow. Meanwhile, the 2/12 Cav launches a reconnaissance of the NVA near Thon La Chu.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 10, 1968

Today the Marines declare their main objectives in the Triangle accomplished, and attention begins to shift to the Citadel. Reinforcements are dispatched there by both the Americans and South Vietnamese, while in the Triangle Walter Cronkite arrives to inspect the damage and interview the Marines and civilians.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 9, 1968

The Marines begin to push eastward in the Triangle, and for the first time a large artillery barrage is authorized to support them. Meanwhile, the troopers of 2/12 Cav attempt to move out toward Thon La Chu again.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 8, 1968

The Marines continue to push the NVA out of the Triangle, while the ARVN holds the line in the Citadel. Meanwhile, the Army launches a reconnaissance against the NVA at Thon La Chu, resulting in a brutal hours long struggle to withdraw them when they are ambushed.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 7, 1968

The Marines move to push the NVA out of the Triangle, while the refugee crisis in the city continues to escalate. Meanwhile, the 1st Cavalry Division sets about a new plan to eliminate the NVA Front Headquarters at Thon La Chu.

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Walter Gurske Walter Gurske

February 6, 1968

The Provincial Administration Building falls after a long, tough fight, effectively breaking the NVA in the western Triangle. The Marines begin to expand their hold into the surrounding areas as well before standing down for the night.

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Sources