February 12, 1968
The Battle for the Citadel Begins
As the day began the Marines of Alpha/1/5 remained the only US forces in the Citadel, but plans were in motion to transfer the remainder of the battalion from the Triangle via boat. LCUs had been brought up for the task, preparing at the ramp near Doc Lap Park. If needed, the Republic of Vietnam Navy also had several junks available to transport the Marines. The RVNMC units were also still being airlifted, but soon the fighting for the Walled City would commence in earnest.
Marines cross the Perfume River, manning the rails to return sniper fire
The Citadel
In the afternoon HQ/1/5 boarded their LCUs and crossed the Perfume River, bound for Mang Ca. They were able to cross with little difficulty, before advancing southward along the Citadel wall before being turned around by friendly civilians. As they arrived at the Truong Dinh Gate, which led directly into the main bastion of Mang Ca, they found the portal sealed, and the ARVN guards refused to allow the Marines through. The guards even went so far as to order the Americans to disperse, an order which left Major Thompson decidedly unamused. He informed the ARVN officer that if he did not open the gate, the Marines would force the gate open with a frontal assault. Staring down the barrels of several M16s held by angry Marines, the ARVN officer relented, allowing HQ/1/5 to link up with Alpha and Bravo companies within the bastion. It was by now 1800.
1/5 Marines enter the Citadel via the Trai Gate
General Truong personally welcomed Major Thompson to the ARVN 1st Division headquarters, placing his command at the American’s disposal and reiterating the difficult time the South Vietnamese have been having in the Citadel. At 2015 Thompson sent a message to Phu Bai illustrating his plan for the Citadel operation, intended to start at 0800 the next morning.
“Unless directed otherwise, intend to commence attack at 0800 as directed by regimental operations order. Two battalions of Vietnamese Marines assigned to conduct search and destroy operations in northern sector of Hue on right flank of 1/5 have not arrived, and their time of arrival is unknown”
The US Marines of 1/5 were ordered to replace the ARVN 1st Airborne Task Force along the eastern wall of the Citadel, with a two block wide zone of advance to the southern wall. They will serve as the left flank of the operation, while the Vietnamese Marines, who arrived late in the afternoon, took position at the Tay Loc Airfield and the Chanh Tay Gate to push southward along the western wall. The 3rd ARVN Regiment is ordered to secure the northwestern corner of the Citadel. The plans for the ARVN force were disrupted in the evening, however, as an NVA force broke through their lines and managed to surround the men at the Chanh Tay Gate, and they would remain in this condition overnight.
A Patton advances in the Citadel
US National Archives
The ARVN paratroopers were holding a line running from the Dong Ba Gate to the corner of the Imperial Palace along Mai Thuc Loan Street, and it was this point the US Marines were to use as a jumping off point for the next day’s attack. The Marines will move up at dawn, and cover the withdrawal of the paratroopers before their own attack began. The ARVN had authorized unrestricted fire support within the Citadel, although the American command did not concur, with orders all the way from Washington banning heavy artillery and air support, leaving them only with mortars, recoilless rifles and tanks. Even these were forbidden from firing on the Imperial Palace.
Walter Cronkite and his camera crew interview Marines as they follow a jeep
Elsewhere in the city, today CBS newsman Walter Cronkite finished his tour of the city, flying out of Doc Lap Park in the Triangle aboard a CH46 loaded with wounded. He would fly to Phu Bai, where he would meet with General Creighton Abrams, second in command of MACV, who had moved to the base to personally observe the battle as it entered its next phase. After that, Cronkite would fly for Saigon, and eventually back home to the United States.
A child clutches his puppy and smiles after reaching the safety of friendly lines
US National Archives
Meanwhile, today Le Tu Minh, the commander of the communist forces in Hue, met with his officers near the Huu Gate, which was by this point the main artery for reinforcement of the NVA in the Citadel. He discussed the possibility of withdrawal from the city, as the situation deteriorated. Despite this, the political capital being won by the battle outweighed the military situation, and the decision was made that the NVA and the VC would hold the city to the end.
The Citadel: 2-12-1968
Mang Ca - ARVN 1st Division and USMC 1/5 Headquarters
Tay Loc Airfield - Today RVNMC Battlegroup Alpha moves into position here for the coming attack
Surrounded ARVN units continue to hold
ARVN 1st Airborne Task Force Line - USMC 1/5 is to take this position at 0800 tomorrow
HQ/1/5 arrives by LCU, moving along the Citadel wall to enter Mang Ca via the Lai Thuong Gate, which they do after some difficulty
Alpha/1/5 and Bravo/1/5 are already in Mang Ca
US Marines of 1/5 are to deploy to replace the ARVN 1st Airborne Task Force
Imperial Palace - NVA Headquarters
NVA forces launch a counterattack, cutting off and surrounding the ARVN forces at the Chanh Tay Gate
NVA/VC commander Le Tu Minh meets with his officers near the Huu Gate to discuss the course of the battle
Chanh Tay Gate - ARVN forces here are cut off and surrounded by an NVA counterattack
Huu Gate - The Huu Gate is now the main artery of supply and reinforcement for the NVA in the Citadel
Citadel Gates - flags indicate controlling factory
The Hamlets
At dawn the officers of 5/7 Cav held a conference at Thon Lieu Coc Thuong in anticipation of the planned attack on Thon La Chu. The planned attack fell apart even before it started, however. The heavy resistance the previous day had prevented 2/12 Cav from forming the southern wing of the planned pincer, and poor weather precluded operations today. To make it worse, Charlier/5/7 Cav advances well past their planned line of departure due in large part to an inexperienced CO, and is ambushed by the NVA. Air support is called, but the Air Force fighter bombers overshoot the target when they arrive at 1400. Despite this, the airstrikes cause enough confusion for Charlie Company to pull back to Thon Lieu Coc Thuong.
5/7 Cav troopers in action near Thon La Chu
An attempt to attack again at 1800 is made, with 5/7 Cav immediately engaged by significant enemy forces as soon as they enter the treeline of TT Woods. Charlie Company finds itself stopped on a dry streambed between Thon Que Chu and Thon Phu O, while Alpha and Delta Company both advance past a line of NVA spiderholes before being attacked from the rear as well as the main NVA trenches. Large numbers of captured US claymore mines are deployed against the attacking cavalrymen as well, causing numerous casualties. An attempted NVA counterattack is crushed, however: as they try to push through one of the cavalry companies, they are cut to pieces in the ensuing crossfire.
At 1815, with the attack already a shambles, the assault is called off and the cavalry withdraws, except for Delta Company, which is surrounded by the NVA. During the ensuing fight they would suffer five men killed, and the commanding officer, Captain Frank Lambert, would win the Silver Star for rescuing a wounded trooper as they pulled back.
The Hamlets: 2-12-1968
Thon Lieu Coc Thuong - 5/7 Cav position
Nui Nha Nhan - 2/12 Cav position
Thon Que Chu - NVA forward line
Thon La Chu - NVA Tri-Thien Hue Front Headquarters
Thon Bon Tri - Reoccupied by NVA
Location of attempted 5/7 Cav penetration of NVA line