Page 256 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

including the Srnaller and Greater Mang Ca areas. Here the Cornrnand
of the llth Tactical Area and of the First Infantry Division rnade
their headquarters. This area was entirely under governrnent control
and its security was handled by the Cornrnandr s guard garrison. The
backgate of this area was the only way to Bao Vinh quay and the r oute
over which friendly supplies and reinforcernents were funnelled into
the C ornrnand headquarter s.
Area B covered the eastern side of theCitadel. Just
outside of this area the enerny 6til1 controlled the Dong Ba rnarket
plac e .
Area C was the northwestern corner of the Citadel and
included the .Tay Loc and Tay Linh sections which were being cleared
by the Third Infantry Regirnent under the cornrnand of Lt. Col. Phan
Ba Hoa. The We st gate of the Citadel in this area was still under

enerny c ontr o1,
Area D bordered on Mai Thuc Loan street leading to
Dong Ba gate in the north, on Nguyen Thanh street in the east, on the
walls of the Irnperial Palace in the west' and on part of the Ong Ich
Khiern street and the Thuong Tu gate in the south. The sweep o{ Area
D was entrusted to the 1/5 US Marine Battalion, which had sorne
1,000 seasoned soldiers equipped with rnodern weaPons ranging up to
rnediurn and large artillery pieces. This US Marine battalion rnaneu-
vered into the Citadel on Feb.10 and 11. It was deployed on Mai Thuc
Loan, Nguyen Thanh and Dinh Bo Linh streets and adjoining areas
in order to close in on enerny positions in the rniddle of Area D.

Area E was the knperial Palace Proper' which was
stil1 controlled by the enelny. The palace was regarded aa the enernyrs
key tactical base. The enemy 6et up powerful rnachinegun nests on
the high walls around the palace in order to hamPex the triendly forceel
advance frorn all four sided. The Ngo Mon and Phu Van Lau gates of
the Irnperial Palace were also in enemy hands. The enerny hung large
flag s frorn these gates.
Area F was the southv/estern corner of the Citadel and
the operational area of the Marine Battle Group A. It included the
populated sections of Tri Vu and Thuan Cat bordering on Trieu Quang
Phuc street in the North, Ton That Thiep street in the West, Le Huan
otreet in the Ea6t and Tran Binh Trong street leading to Bach Ho
bridge in the South.

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