Battle of Ap Bac January 2, 1962:
The battle Ap Bac was the first major battle of the Vietnam War. It was fought by North and South Vietnamese armies, witht eh U.S. supporting the south. The South Vietnamese army, the ARVN, was supported and supplied by the Americans in an effort to give them an advantage over the norther Viet Cong. Despite this, the ARVN took heavy casualties, significantly more than the Viet Cong. This was a result of both lack of training/experience, and a lack of spirit.
The battle Ap Bac was the first major battle of the Vietnam War. It was fought by North and South Vietnamese armies, witht eh U.S. supporting the south. The South Vietnamese army, the ARVN, was supported and supplied by the Americans in an effort to give them an advantage over the norther Viet Cong. Despite this, the ARVN took heavy casualties, significantly more than the Viet Cong. This was a result of both lack of training/experience, and a lack of spirit.
Battle of La Drang Valley October 26-November 27, 1965:
The Battle of La Drang Valley was the first battle in Vietnam where the U.S. showed up in full force. Before this point the war was a primarily American aided civil war. This officially marked the entry of American forces, and it was also a strategical turning point. In this month long battle, both sides learned how to effectively combat its enemies. America learned that aircraft and artillery were highly successful in killing large numbers of Viet Cong, while the Viet Cong learned that they were most effective in close quarters. Despite both sides losing a large number of soldiers, both sides considered it a victory for themselves.
The Battle of La Drang Valley was the first battle in Vietnam where the U.S. showed up in full force. Before this point the war was a primarily American aided civil war. This officially marked the entry of American forces, and it was also a strategical turning point. In this month long battle, both sides learned how to effectively combat its enemies. America learned that aircraft and artillery were highly successful in killing large numbers of Viet Cong, while the Viet Cong learned that they were most effective in close quarters. Despite both sides losing a large number of soldiers, both sides considered it a victory for themselves.
The Battle of Khe Sanh January 21-April 9, 1968:
The North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) began a massive artillery offensive on U.S. Marines on Jan. 21. This started a massive four month fight which became one of the bloodiest battles of the war. It was ended by an operation that began in March called Operation Pegasus. It was a joint effort by the Marines and the South Vietnamese army to push to the besieged Marines at Khe Sanh. They eventually made it through and ended the siege. American commanders decided to abandon the base at Khe Sanh to avoid anther siege.
The North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) began a massive artillery offensive on U.S. Marines on Jan. 21. This started a massive four month fight which became one of the bloodiest battles of the war. It was ended by an operation that began in March called Operation Pegasus. It was a joint effort by the Marines and the South Vietnamese army to push to the besieged Marines at Khe Sanh. They eventually made it through and ended the siege. American commanders decided to abandon the base at Khe Sanh to avoid anther siege.
The Tet Offensive January 30, 1968:
The Battle of Khe Sanh had ended up being only a diversion for the Viet Cong to launch another operation. The Tet Offensive began on January 30, 1968. It was a series of attacks on over 100 towns in South Vietnam and Saigon. Due to the surprise of the attack, it was very destructive, but the Viet Cong didn't have the forces to keep it up for more than a few hours, except in Saigon. It was considered a turning point; however, due to the psychological impact. It shocked Americans by showing that the enemy could still launch huge attacks, and that the war was far from over.
The Battle of Khe Sanh had ended up being only a diversion for the Viet Cong to launch another operation. The Tet Offensive began on January 30, 1968. It was a series of attacks on over 100 towns in South Vietnam and Saigon. Due to the surprise of the attack, it was very destructive, but the Viet Cong didn't have the forces to keep it up for more than a few hours, except in Saigon. It was considered a turning point; however, due to the psychological impact. It shocked Americans by showing that the enemy could still launch huge attacks, and that the war was far from over.
Battle of Xuan Loc April 9-20, 1975:
More commonly known as the last stand of Xuan Loc, the Battle of Xuan Loc was South Vietnam's last real attempt to stop the Viet Cong and the PAVN. The ARVN were able to hold off the Viet Cong for a short time, but after a siege of Xuan Loc, the ARVN were forced to retreat. This final stand all but destroyed the entirety of the ARNV, led to the resignation of the South Vietnamese President, and gave two-thirds of the South to the Viet Cong. This massive defeat gave way to the Fall of Saigon.
More commonly known as the last stand of Xuan Loc, the Battle of Xuan Loc was South Vietnam's last real attempt to stop the Viet Cong and the PAVN. The ARVN were able to hold off the Viet Cong for a short time, but after a siege of Xuan Loc, the ARVN were forced to retreat. This final stand all but destroyed the entirety of the ARNV, led to the resignation of the South Vietnamese President, and gave two-thirds of the South to the Viet Cong. This massive defeat gave way to the Fall of Saigon.
The Fall of Saigon April 30, 1975:
Due to the Fall of Xuan Loc, the PAVN were given direct access to Saigon. Within a week of Xuan Loc, the PAVN had 100,000 troops surrounding Saigon, while the ARVN had only 60,000. The defending force quickly decreased however, as many fled and those who remained had no leader and were too injured to fight. On April 30, 1975, the PAVN took Saigon, and with it, the rest of SOuth Vietnam. This defeat forced the evacuation of Americans and their allies, thus ending the Vietnam War. Saigon was shortly thereafter renamed Ho Chi Minh.
Due to the Fall of Xuan Loc, the PAVN were given direct access to Saigon. Within a week of Xuan Loc, the PAVN had 100,000 troops surrounding Saigon, while the ARVN had only 60,000. The defending force quickly decreased however, as many fled and those who remained had no leader and were too injured to fight. On April 30, 1975, the PAVN took Saigon, and with it, the rest of SOuth Vietnam. This defeat forced the evacuation of Americans and their allies, thus ending the Vietnam War. Saigon was shortly thereafter renamed Ho Chi Minh.