February 17, 1968
Slow Progress in the Citadel
ARVN Paratroopers are pulled out of the Citadel aboard a USMC Sea Knight
USMC Photo
The Citadel
For the US Marines in the eastern Citadel, the day began at 0430, as NVA mortars fell on the position of Delta/1/5 along the outer wall. This was quickly stopped by US counterfire, and American artillery continued to pound the communist held areas of the Walled City as dawn approached.
A wounded Marine clings to a mechanical mule as he his evacuated
US National Archives, Original Color, Film Still
The Marines began their advance at 0700, pushing into the maze of concrete buildings held by the NVA. The NVA has turned almost every large structure into a strongpoint, with mutually supporting firing positions to make the advance difficult and costly for the Americans. The Marines, for their part, put to good use the tactics perfected during the fighting in the Triangle, with artillery barrages followed by tanks. When the NVA fires on the tanks and reveals their positions, an ontos is rapidly moved up to blast them before the process is repeated further along.
Marines fire a mortar in the city
US National Archives, Original Color, Film Still
As the day’s fighting dragged on, the Marines came under increasingly heavy fire from the NVA ensconced within the Imperial Palace, but due to standing orders could only engage them with small arms fire, which had little to no effect on the thick walls. In order to counter this, in the afternoon a platoon of Charlie/1/5 was sent to secure a cordon near the wall to prevent the enemy from using the position as they had been. The day’s advance for the Americans would halt on Han Thuyen Street, a hard won advance of four blocks. When 62 Marines arrived in Mang Ca by air today as reinforcements, they were not even enough to replenish the day’s losses.
A Marine walks past a bullet scarred government building in Hue
The Vietnamese Marines today eliminated the last significant pockets of resistance in the northwestern quadrant of the Citadel, with the main line now consolidated along the Thuy Quan Canal. The RVN forces would spend the day consolidating their positions in preparation for the coming attack. The 1st ARVN Division headquarters at Mang Ca was, meanwhile, rapidly turning into a refugee camp as civilians fled the battle raging to the south.
“I know what you learned in high school, but this is what communism really is”
As the day came to an end one man was conspicuously absent from Major Thompson’s nightly meeting with the officers of Delta/1/5: Father Aloysius McGonigal. The Jesuit Catholic chaplain had volunteered to accompany the Marines into the Citadel when their own chaplain had refused, and had been in action continuously since arriving, taking great risks to help carry out wounded and providing last rites. He had not missed a single conference.
A wounded Marine is carried by a comrade to be loaded onto a truck
US National Archives, Original Color, Film Still
A search was organized, and eventually the priest was located, His body was lying in a ruined house two blocks from the line. Accounts differ as to whether he was killed by shrapnel or gunfire, but it seems likely to have been shrapnel. Having ignored many warnings and refusing not so share the danger the Marines were experiencing, Father McGonigal’s loss was felt throughout the battalion.
A ruined storefront in the Citadel
Signs were appearing with increasing frequency that the NVA was growing desperate. In one area, after a machine gun nest was cleared the dead gunner was found chained to his weapon. Supplies of ammunition were beginning to run dry, and despite continued reinforcement via the Huu Gate, the NVA was by now losing men faster than they could be replaced. The Americans were also now able to deploy their airpower, with napalm hitting NVA positions throughout the area in addition to explosive ordinance and artillery. The signs of brutality against the civilian population were apparent as well, including one family found bound together with barbed wire before being shot and burned by the NVA.
The Citadel: 2-17-1968
Mang Ca - ARVN 1st Division Headquarters
Tay Loc Airfield
RVNMC Line
USMC Line
USMC Charlie/1/5 sends a platoon to cordon off the Imperial Palace complex
Huu Gate - NVA reinforcements continue to arrive here, although they are slowed by ARVN artillery and US airstrikes
Imperial Palace - NVA Headquarters
Citadel Gates - Flags indicate controlling faction
The Hamlets
An O1 Bird Dog takes off from an airfield in Vietnam
US National Archives
Again the US Army cavalrymen remained in their positions as forces were gathered for a massive attack on the NVA headquarters at Thon La Chu. Today the XO of 5/7 Cavalry, Major Charles Baker, flew over the area in an O1 Bird Dog from Quang Tri. From this vantage, he was able to draw detailed maps of the NVA defensive lines around the village in preparation for the coming attacks.
The Hamlets: 2-17-1968
Thon Lieu Coc Thuong - 5/7 Cavalry Position
Nui Nha Nhan - 2/12 Cavalry Position and ARVN outpost
Thon Bon Tri - NVA occupied hamlet
Thon Que Chu - NVA outer perimeter for Thon La Chu. Today 5/7 Cavalry XO Major Baker flies a reconnaissance mission over the hamlet
Thon La Chu - NVA Tri-Thien Hue Front Headquarters