Page 433 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

Vinh N-ong

The ener,y was alrnost 100 per cent sure he would win
rn Vinh Long as up to 3 Cornrnunist Lattalions had infiltrated ir.rto the
city ro prepare for the o{fensive at a tirne when both authorrties and
populatron were relaxing before Tet celebrations.

But the enen'ry plan failed to rrLaterialize and this again
was evrdence of his inability to conduct open conventional warfare.
'I'irat he decided to attack a city openly was a senseless action on his
p-rt,

As far as tire defenders were concerned quick reaction
agarnst a surprise assault and efficient air intervention were instru_
rlrental in defeating the enemyrs thrust. But what actually encouraged
the soldiers rnost although they were outnumbered by a rnodernly_
equipped enerny was the enthusiastic support they received frorr-r the
population whici-r displayed a c1ear-cut anti-comrnunist attitude,

PHASE ONE :
Three enerr-ry battalions were launched into the battle
,.ri V ii-Lh Long; the 306th and 308th rnain-force battalions and the g5Zth
rr;obile battalion. Most of the soldiers of these three battalions rna-
naged to infiltrate into the city days before Tet disguised as civilians.
.'rccording to sorne reports a nurnber of C ornretuni st soldiers even
posed as students of the Tong phuoc Hiep ancl Ngul,en Truong To schools
arriving in the city for a year end meeting on the eye of Tet.

The inflltrators were scattered throughout the city
rnostly near the local prison. Apparently they had the intention of
liuerating the detainees as soon as the offensive began.

The Corrrrrrunists planned to occupy the residential and
comnrercial areas first then to encircle and attack the cityrs rr-_, ain
governrnent buildings. A{ter taking cornplete control of the city they
wouid organize a new adrninistration with their own political cadre,

On our side r-r-rilitary personnel on duty were at 30 per
cent strength the rernainder being on leave for the Tet holidays. Cn
corrrbat positions at the Sector C ornrnand were a cornpany and three
c on-ur-rando c ar s.