February 18, 1968
A Battle of Attrition
Civilians are crowded onto an LCU to be evacuated from the city
US National Archives
The Citadel
The fighting in the Citadel had been intense over the previous few days, and as February 18th dawned the US Marines of 1/5 were nearing exhaustion. Many had not received rations in days, and supplies of ammunition were also nearly depleted. The M48 tanks, which had been so critical thus far, had run out of 90mm shells for their main weapons the day before. In order to consolidate their forces, General Truong sent the Hac Bao, the 1st ARVN Division’s elite scout unit, along with the 1st Division Reconnaissance Company, to take up the position along the Imperial Palace that had been held by the Marines of Charlie/1/5, thus freeing that unit to bolster the rest of the battalion. Charlie/1/5 had by now been left with only two officers.
Civilians move past US Marines on their way to the refugee collection point at Mang Ca
US National Archives
The commander of the Hac Bao, the gung-ho Captain Tran Ngoc “Harry” Hue, was an aggressive officer that had ridden a bicycle through the streets of the city as the NVA captured in on January 31st to take command of his unit as they fought for Tay Loc Airfield, and hoped to move in and take the Palace. He requested that the Marines blast a hole into the Palace complex wall so his men could storm it, and was most disappointed when he was denied. General Truong, for his part, concurred with major Thompson’s decision not to risk their flank on a gamble to take the well defended Palace.
Cpl. Bill Kohl with other Marines in Hue
US National Archives
Meanwhile, the fighting continued along the main US line on Han Thuyen Street. At 1730 a blow was dealt when one of the mechanical mule drivers, who had been working hard to extract wounded and bring up supplies over the last few days accidentally drove to far, entering NVA territory. He was killed, and it would prove impossible for the Marines to retrieve his body until after dark.
Marines fire an M79 during the fighting in the Citadel
US National Archives
The Americans were fighting through more affluent residential neighborhoods, with cars still parked in the garages of the larger homes. In one a group of NVA is killed and revealed to have been carrying several pieces of gold leaf, which the Marines share between themselves before moving on. In another area, a Stars and Stripes correspondent comes across a body wearing a brand new, starched uniform, with papers used to identify him showing he had been in country only a matter of days. Replacements were being brought in to the Citadel in some cases as soon as they arrived in Vietnam.
Marines rest behind the lines in Hue
US National Archives
In the western Citadel, the Vietnamese Marines were encountering their own troubles, being stuck on the Thuy Quan Canal. Poor weather as well as a lack of equipment prevented them from being able to penetrate the NVA line, even as the 4th RVNMC Battalion was moved into the right along the Citadel wall, further bolstering their force. The South Vietnamese planned to attempt the final attack into the southwestern corner tomorrow morning with 1,200 men, significantly more men than were available in the east, where the US Marines mustered some 400 men, along with the 200 ARVN soldiers brought up today.
Marines advance along a garden wall
US National Archives
The Citadel: 2-18-1968
Mang Ca - 1st ARVN Division Headquarters
Tay Loc Airfield
RVNMC line along Thuy Quan Canal
ARVN Hac Bao and 1st Division Recon Co. are moved up to USMC flank
USMC line along Han Thuyen Street
Imperial Palace - NVA Headquarters
Huu Gate - NVA reinforcement route
Citadel Gates - Flags indicate controlling faction
The Hamlets
Today the US cavalrymen north of the city continued to prepare for the attack on Thon La Chu, with little movement reported.
The Hamlets 2-18-1968
Thon Lieu Coc Thuong - 5/7 Cavalry Position
Nui Nha Nhan - 2/12 Cavalry Position
Thon Bon Tri
Thon Que Chu - NVA outer perimeter
Thon Que Chu - NVA Tri-Thien Hue Front Headquarters