February 20, 1968
Progress Halts
A Marine watches a street from a pillbox
The Citadel
The battle for the Citadel had been intense over the past days, and the Americans were running out of men and supplies. The Marines mainly remained in their positions for the time being, although another company, Lima/2/5, was ordered to redeploy into the Citadel as additional reinforcements. In the west, after heavy fighting, the Vietnamese Marines also held their positons today, as psychological warfare specialists from Saigon set up loudspeakers to attempt to entice surrender from the NVA. This causes some consternation among the Americans, but the South Vietnamese hope to entice a surrender for political reasons, showing the communists backing down before their army as well as sparing the Imperial Palace the destruction seen elsewhere in Hue.
An M48 in action near a destroyed canal bridge
US National Archives
The was not the only political conflict today. Inter-service rivalry ran strong as the battle for the Citadel slowed. Offers by US Army units in the area to support the battle were rejected by the Marine commanders at Phu Bai, and in turn the commander of the 5th Marines refused to allow other Marine units into the Citadel, intending for the victory to belong to his regiment. As the senior officers squabbled, the Marines on the streets continued to fight and die. By nightfall today, Alpha/1/5 was down to seventy men, with Charlie/1/5 down to ninety.
A Marine fires on NVA positions with an M3 submachine gun
US National Archives
As all this was ongoing, major Bob Thompson, the commander of 1/5 in the Citadel, was arguing with his superiors for the reinforcements he needed to renew the attack. This eventually leads to General Robert Cushman, the commander of all USMC forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone, announcing in a press conference today that Thompson had been relieved of command, and will be replaced by Colonel Hughes at MACV. This does not sit well with Hughes, who threatens to resign rather then relieve Thompson, leading to the order being cancelled. Thompson would only learn of these events much later, when he received a letter from his wife expressing condolences after seeing the conference on television.
During Thompson’s nightly conference with his officers, one suggested making a night maneuver against the NVA, possibly after observing the success of Charlie/1/5 the day before. This is approved, and a unit of Alpha/1/5 departs at 2300 under the command of Lt. Pat Polk, the officer who had rallied the depleted company days prior. They were able to cross the NVA line without incident, setting up in a building near the Thuong Tu Gate, awaiting daybreak.
The Citadel: 2-20-1968
Mang Ca - ARVN 1st Division Headquarters
Tay Loc Airfield
Outer Mang Ca - Casualty evacuation point and refugee center
RVNMC Line - Today the Vietnamese Marines halt to allow propaganda teams to attempt to encourage surrender
ARVN units cover part of USMC flank near Imperial Palace
Dong Ba Gate - At some point today or earlier the ARVN took over security here
USMC Line - US Marines remain mostly static today, still fighting heavy NVA resistance along their line
A unit of Alpha/1/5 under Lt. Pat Polk makes a night maneuver at 2300, ending up in buildings near the Thuong Tu Gate
Imperial Palace - NVA headquarters. No US forces may fire heavy weapons against the NVA here, even as they rain RPGs and small arms fire on the Americans in the streets
Huu Gate - Today the NVA begins to withdraw some units from the city, realizing that the battle is lost and hoping to spare some of their best men
Citadel Gates - Flags indicate controlling faction
The Hamlets
Today the US Army forces around Thon Lieu Coc Thuong continued to prepare for the attack tommorow, with some units conducting another sweep north of the area for further NVA units.
The Hamlets: 2-20-1968
Thon Lieu Coc Thuong - US Position
Thon Phu O - NVA controlled hamlet
Thon Que Chu - NVA outer line
Thon La Chu - NVA Tri-Thien Hue Front headquarters