Page 325 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

The 1/8 Tank Squadron and the 3/8 APC Squadron played
the key part in the defense of the city and in defeating the enerny. The
use of tank, cannons, howewer,caused civilian casualties and pro-
perty darnage. Though these casualties and property darnage were very
regrettable accidents of war they were aknost unavoidable.
The organic garrison soldiers of the 23rd Tactical Zone
Cornrnand headquarters rnade up the only infantry unit defending the
city. There were not rnany of thern however. The enerny outnurnbered
and outgunned thern.

Although the enerny was able to exploit the factor of sur-
prise the failure o{ their attacks served to dernoralize their fighting
rnen. They elected to fight a defensive war frorn populated areas to
include civilian houses and a few public buildings. Apparently they
were ordered to stick to their poeitions and fight as long as possible
and at all costs. Therefore their lost was heavier than the lost they
su{fered in jungle battles.

Cornrnencing with the second day of their offensive the
enerny units failed to stage any rnore assaults on any Vietnarnese
rnilitary cornpounds. They dug in and {ought defensively. Many enerny
positions were aknost sitting ducks for Vietnarnese arlnor and artillery.
Thls style of fighting cost the enerny the highest cornbat casualties
known i.n the city area since the beginning of the war.

Friendly forces suffered 148 killed, 315 wounded and ZZ
rnissing. The 23rd Infantry Division alone suffered 1IZ killed, 268
wounded and three rnissing in action. Equiprnent losses included 41
weapons, three tanks and two arrnored carriers burned, four other
arrnor vehicles darnaged and a nurnber o{ radio transceiverg and
vehicle s .
The enerny paid dearly, They had 924 of their rnen killed
and 143 captured, they lost 243 weapons including 46 which were crew
served.

The qivilian population also su{fered severely I76 were
kllled, 403 wounded and forced to live in eleven ternporary refugee
centerg. Material darnage included 3,31p houses destroyed cornpletely
and 479 houses at least 50/o darnaged 18, 823 persons were rnade horne-
less and rnilitary dependents suflered a sizeable portion of the caeual-
ties and property darnage. There were 65 killed, 48 wounded and 1095
houses destroyed with 323 housing :unlts 50% darnaged,

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