The Tet Offensive
In 1966, Ho Chi Minh and his military leader, general Giap worked out a long-distance strategy to occupy South Vietnam. According to the plan, the concentration of enemy forces is diverted northward, while they build up their positions around Saigon. Afterwards, they block the town, attack the enemy and get the power. The date to carry out was the Lunar New Year of 1968.
In January, 1968, the Tet Offensive started, when North Vietnam launched a large-scale attack against South, exploiting the celebration of the South Vietnamese. The army was welcomed by insurrectionists, strengthening the liberation, furthermore, the Vietcong joined them, too. The distractional operation was attacking and besieging Keshan, a strategically important American air basis. A week later the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese invaded five cities and a hundred territorial capitals and major towns. The lightning attack didn't have success for the Americans reconquered the occupied regions. The fights dragged on in Hue, the former royal town and in Saigon. The attackers reached the courtyard of the American Embassy in Saigon.
Communist forces were crushed only in February, meanwhile Keshan was layed siege, however, they had aerial support. In mid-April, a troop of 30 thousand American-South Vietnamese freed Keshan, however, the communist had started withdrawing.
The offensive had a serious consequence. The communist army killed thousands of insubordinate South Vietnamese, 50 thousand communist died during the fights and when South was reoccupied, the South Vietnamese supporting the communists were punished. The casualties of the USA raised significantly: from 10 thousand to 14500. Finally, the US booked as a victory regarding the casualties, but for the North Vietnamese, it wasn't a defeat either. It was a showdown that showed the further opportunities. The number of anti-war demonstrations increased drastically not only in the States, but also in Western Europe.