An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 33 By February 12th, after 13 days of fighting, the Marines had cleared several NVA posts from the southern sector, enabling them to establish a staging area to attack NVA strongholds in the northern sector, including the Citadel and the Imperial Palace. The Marines also knew that who- ever controlled the Citadel controlled the city. Most of the bridges had been blown up but the main bridge, although damaged, was still intact. Though tanks were available, they were deemed too heavy to cross the bridge and are vulnerable in urban combat. Instead, a Marine unit launched an am- phibious assault on the north- ern sector using landing craft and managed to establish a bridgehead. Under heavy fire the Marines enabled sup- port forces to move up and prepare for the assault on the Citadel. The enemy drew the advancing Marines into predeter- mined kill zones, where snipers, hidden in buildings or spider holes, wrought havoc. Explosive booby traps inflicted heavy casualties and also slowed the advance. As it was monsoon season, air support or 'dust offs' to evacuate casu- alties were limited due to poor visibility. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the Marines con- tinued their advance, launching frontal assaults against enemy positions. Huê's main street, designated Phase Line Green by the Marines, was under heavy fire from the imposing Dong Ba Tower on the east wall, which gave the NVA a fire advan- tage over the Marines. Pinned down and unable to advance further into the city, the Marines needed to knock out the tower. On February 14th, the rules of engagement were reviewed and the 'no heavy firepower' policy was lifted, enabling aerial assaults on the tower, followed by artillery and naval bombardments. However, precision bombing was in its infancy and though hit several times, the NVA clung on and returned fire at the US ground forces. As the smoke cleared, pockets of NVA regrouped and launched counterattacks in an attempt to push the Marines back into the Perfume River. To finally oust the NVA from the tower, the Americans utilised M50 Ontos, a vehicle that had six M40 106mm recoilless rifles as its main armament. Marine kill teams, supported by M50s, neutralised the tower and continued the advance into the city. When windows of clear weather materialised, helicopters flew in under heavy fire to medevac the wounded and drop off much needed ammunition. Having been resupplied and reinforced by an airlift comprising eight CH46 Sea Knight helicopters, the ARVN had also moved out from their base, retaken the airport and were engaging NVA and VC units throughout the northern sector. Like their American counterparts they were fighting street by street, with the relentless combat taking a heavy toll on both sides. US and ARVN reinforcements were now continually ar- riving into the city, pushing through its narrow streets and forcing the enemy to fall back. The Citadel and the Imperial Palace were finally secured on February 24th after fierce fighting, bringing an end to what many believe was the bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War. It was estimated that Communist forces suffered in the region of 6,000 killed in Huê with a further 3,000 killed outside of the city; the ARVN suffered 452 killed with just over 2,000 wounded; US forces reported 668 killed and 3,707 wounded. Among the civilian population 844 were killed and 1,900 injured directly by the fighting, while the NVA and VC executed an estimated 5,000 people within the city during the battle. The battle was recorded by news cameras and this was a turning point in the war. Relayed back to millions of Americans, the imagery would fuel the anti-war protests and reveal that General Westmorland's strategy was not bringing the victory he had proclaimed. The Battle of Huê remains a classic study in urban war- fare and clearly demonstrates the rigours and demands of fighting in a built-up area, as well as the valour and fortitude required of the soldiers tasked in operating in such an environment.

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