The Battle of Hue 1968
Fight for the Imperial City

Campaign 371

Author James H. Willbanks
Illustrated by Ramiro Bujeiro

This 96-page paperback book is the 371^st book in the Campaign series of books that are available from Osprey Publications.

CH-46 Evac Wounded Marines
In late January 1968, some 84,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched a country-wide general offensive in South Vietnam, mounting simultaneous assaults on 36 of 44 provincial capitals, and five of the six autonomous cities (including the capital city of Saigon). The longest and bloodiest battle occurred in Hue, the most venerated place in Vietnam. The bitter fighting that raged there for more than three weeks drew the attention of the world.

Marines Follow M48 Patton As It Advances Up Residential Street

Content

The contents of this book contain;

• ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN
  • The Tet Offensive
  • – Hue City
• CHRONOLOGY
• OPPOSING PLANS
  • North Vietnamese
  • Allied
• OPPOSING COMMANDERS
  • Allied
  • North Vietnamese
• OPPOSING FORCES
  • Allied
  • The NVA and VC
  • Orders of battle, Hue City, January 31-March 2, 1968
• THE BATTLE OF HUE
  • Prelude to the battle
  • The initial attack
  • The Marines respond
  • Fighting south of the Perfume River continues
  • The fight for the Citadel
  • The final push
• AFTERMATH
• THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• INDEX

Tet Offensive Map Showing Attacks
Hue was the ancient capital of Vietnam, and as such, had been previously avoided by both sides; it had not seen any serious fighting prior to 1968. All that changed on the night of January 31 that year when four North Vietnamese battalions and supporting Viet Cong units simultaneously attacked and occupied both parts of the city straddling the Perfume River. The Communist forces dug in and prepared to defend their hold on the city. US Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers were ordered to clear the city, supported by US Army artillery and troops. A brutal urban battle ensued as combat raged from house to house and door to door. It was a bloody fight and resulted in large-scale destruction of Hue. Eventually, the Marines and the South Vietnamese forces retook Hue, but it turned out to be one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Tet Offensive, and led to a sea change in US policy in Vietnam.

CH-46 Evacuating Wounded Marines

Conclusion

Campaign 371, The Battle of Hue 1968, the Fight for the Imperial City is a 96-page paperback book that provides an in-depth look at this pivotal battle that occurred during the Vietnam War between the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops and the Allied forces. This was the largest battle that took place during the TET offensive in 1968.

Helicopter US 1st Cav Division Leap From Aircraft

This book will be of special interest to the historian or casual reader who wants to know more about the history of this important battle for the city of Hue and the Tet offensive. The Wargamer will gain a deeper understanding of this battle and will get ideas about creating scenarios for their modern battle games. Finally, the Modeler or Figure painter will be able to develop ideas for vignettes or dioramas based on the Vietnam War battle for the city of Hue. Overall readers of Campaign 371, will enjoy reading about the history and battles that occurred for the City of Hue.

Campaign 371 the Battle of Hue 1968, the Fight for the Imperial City is a 96-page paperback book that is available from Osprey Publications.

(The photographs used in this review are used with the permission of Osprey Publications.)