3 years, 1 month ago
With respect to the Vietnam war, what is the historical significance of Kai-San (spelling?) or Battle of Kai-San? Thanks.
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M$1 Answer
I think you mean the Battle of Khe Sanh (1968), in which the North Vietnamese army surrounded a marine unit. The head of the NVA, General Giap, had originally masterminded the French defeat in Dien Bien Phu in 1954, and was also behind the Tet Offensive. With the marines surrounded, it looked like he could be responsible for yet another military disaster for Western troops in Vietnam.
President Johnson responded by reinforcing the marines in Khe San with fresh troops brought in directly from the US and by bombing the tunnels with which the NVA were approaching the American base (part of Operation Niagara). Eventually, the siege was lifted.
One question surrounding Khe Sanh is why the Vietnamese spent so much effort there in the first place, rather than redirecting their troops to the Tet Offensive, thereby ensuring its success? Had Khe Sanh not taken place, and the Tet Offensive been successful, the war in Vietnam would likely have ended much earlier.
President Johnson responded by reinforcing the marines in Khe San with fresh troops brought in directly from the US and by bombing the tunnels with which the NVA were approaching the American base (part of Operation Niagara). Eventually, the siege was lifted.
One question surrounding Khe Sanh is why the Vietnamese spent so much effort there in the first place, rather than redirecting their troops to the Tet Offensive, thereby ensuring its success? Had Khe Sanh not taken place, and the Tet Offensive been successful, the war in Vietnam would likely have ended much earlier.
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M$
Thanks for the info. That's what I was looking for. I ask because I heard President Obama mention it in one of his speeches, I can't remember which - probably DNC acceptance or first as President-elect. Anyways, I've been meaning to look it up, but as you can tell, I bungled the spelling. Thanks.