NORTH VIETNAM VS. SOUTH VIETCONG FORCES -
THE CONTINUATION OF THE TET OFFENSIVE
February 7th, 1968
Have you ever felt as if your heart, gut and mind do not agree? That is the exact current position of President Johnson; being faced with a growing number of protesters against the continuous war in Vietnam and the dwindling initial supporters and advisors of the war that are putting many soldiers’ lives at stake. United States troops have been in Vietnam for three years so far, and most fighting that is being encountered are small combats involving guerilla tactics, or a series of fighters who carry out hit-and-run attacks. Although the U.S. has more aircrafts, better weapons, and thousands more trained soldiers in militant forces, we have been stuck between the stalemate against the Communist forces in North Vietnam and the guerilla forces in South Vietnam (more commonly known as the Viet Cong). We are slowly discovering that traditional warfare tactics are not necessarily the best way to fight against this hit-and-run warfare. As fighting is increasing in Southern Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, the name given to the sudden recent attacks by Communist North Vietnamese forces, is becoming more violent.
Early morning one week ago, (January 30th, 1968), North Vietnamese troops and forces attacked both towns and cities in South Vietnam, breaking the ceasefire that had been called for the observation of the
Vietnamese holiday of Tet (their New Year’s Celebration). The Communists have so far attacked many towns in South Vietnam. In Saigon, they broke through the American embassy walls and led an attack on the presidential palace. North Vietnamese forces are not even ceasing at their own ancient buildings. In the ancient capital of Hue, the former home of Vietnam’s emperors have been seized. Although caught by surprise by the size and ferocity of the attack, both the Americans and the South Vietnamese responded and fought back immediately. For the past week, Communists who had hoped for an easy capitulation met heavy
resistance instead. As forces on both sides are rapidly decreasing in number (as many as 30,000 lives already lost on both Vietcong and North Vietnamese sides), talk of surrender is going around on the Communist side, which is very unlikely compared to their fierce attitudes with which they came in with in the beginning of the attack.
In some cities, the Communists have been driven back within hours very quickly by opposing military forces. In other towns, reckless fighting has been going on for the past week. As for now, Communists have not succeeded in maintaining control over any part of South Vietnam. However, this Tet Offensive has showed another side of the war to Americans, one which was unexpected but inevitable with the growing Communist forces. The coordination, power, and surprise initiated by the Communists has led the U.S. to realize that our foe is much stronger than we expected; which acts as a strong argument on the side of protesters to continue their efforts in support of removal of troops from Vietnam.
Faced with unhappy American protesters and developing depressing news from his military leaders, President Lyndon B. Johnson has to make a decision regarding the end or continuation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Are we going to stay fighting and attempt to stop communism or are we going to surrender and
save thousands of innocent U.S. lives, U.S. dollars and innocent South Vietnamese lives? We will keep you updated regarding support efforts and protest efforts here at home, and of course military action on the battlefield in Vietnam heading towards the end of the Tet Offensive that has destroyed so much so far.
-Written By:
Sanjana Varma
THE CONTINUATION OF THE TET OFFENSIVE
February 7th, 1968
Have you ever felt as if your heart, gut and mind do not agree? That is the exact current position of President Johnson; being faced with a growing number of protesters against the continuous war in Vietnam and the dwindling initial supporters and advisors of the war that are putting many soldiers’ lives at stake. United States troops have been in Vietnam for three years so far, and most fighting that is being encountered are small combats involving guerilla tactics, or a series of fighters who carry out hit-and-run attacks. Although the U.S. has more aircrafts, better weapons, and thousands more trained soldiers in militant forces, we have been stuck between the stalemate against the Communist forces in North Vietnam and the guerilla forces in South Vietnam (more commonly known as the Viet Cong). We are slowly discovering that traditional warfare tactics are not necessarily the best way to fight against this hit-and-run warfare. As fighting is increasing in Southern Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, the name given to the sudden recent attacks by Communist North Vietnamese forces, is becoming more violent.
Early morning one week ago, (January 30th, 1968), North Vietnamese troops and forces attacked both towns and cities in South Vietnam, breaking the ceasefire that had been called for the observation of the
Vietnamese holiday of Tet (their New Year’s Celebration). The Communists have so far attacked many towns in South Vietnam. In Saigon, they broke through the American embassy walls and led an attack on the presidential palace. North Vietnamese forces are not even ceasing at their own ancient buildings. In the ancient capital of Hue, the former home of Vietnam’s emperors have been seized. Although caught by surprise by the size and ferocity of the attack, both the Americans and the South Vietnamese responded and fought back immediately. For the past week, Communists who had hoped for an easy capitulation met heavy
resistance instead. As forces on both sides are rapidly decreasing in number (as many as 30,000 lives already lost on both Vietcong and North Vietnamese sides), talk of surrender is going around on the Communist side, which is very unlikely compared to their fierce attitudes with which they came in with in the beginning of the attack.
In some cities, the Communists have been driven back within hours very quickly by opposing military forces. In other towns, reckless fighting has been going on for the past week. As for now, Communists have not succeeded in maintaining control over any part of South Vietnam. However, this Tet Offensive has showed another side of the war to Americans, one which was unexpected but inevitable with the growing Communist forces. The coordination, power, and surprise initiated by the Communists has led the U.S. to realize that our foe is much stronger than we expected; which acts as a strong argument on the side of protesters to continue their efforts in support of removal of troops from Vietnam.
Faced with unhappy American protesters and developing depressing news from his military leaders, President Lyndon B. Johnson has to make a decision regarding the end or continuation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Are we going to stay fighting and attempt to stop communism or are we going to surrender and
save thousands of innocent U.S. lives, U.S. dollars and innocent South Vietnamese lives? We will keep you updated regarding support efforts and protest efforts here at home, and of course military action on the battlefield in Vietnam heading towards the end of the Tet Offensive that has destroyed so much so far.
-Written By:
Sanjana Varma