New book out on Tet Offensive..........."This Time We Win"

[Dan Shapiro]

Guess I'll have to buy this one............

Review here:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/09/027093.php

[Alkali]

Dan, thanks for bringing this book to the attention of the forum readers. I too, will have to get a copy.

By the way, the Army Security Agency played no small part in alerting command that something was up. At the time of Tet, I was in Ft. Benning just getting started in Infantry OCS. I was later assigned to ASA from July '68 to July '70.

[Dan Shapiro]

Hey Alkali! I sure hope you weren't the 2nd Looie that I was playing mind games with at Camp Eagle. One day MSgt Kerr told me to 'brief the new guy'. Well the new guy had no rank insignia on his uniform so I took him to the briefing room. On the way, one of the 058's walked past, dragging a box on a string while talking to it. I commented to the 'new guy' that "everyone here is crazy, except me!" (giving the widest eyed look I could). Once in the briefing room, I pointed out the enemy OB in our area. Bright guy, took him all of three minutes to say "Hey! We're surrounded!" My comment was, "Yeah, makes it easier to find 'em". Only later, when talking to MSgt Kerr did I find out the "new guy" was a lieutenant. Oops!

[Alkali]

Nope, it wasn't me. I spent two years at VHFS in Warrenton, VA: which was like working at a country club. Doubt Camp Eagle was anything to write home about. Regards.

[BudT]

But we really did win. For me there was never any question that we kicked@ss and took names. Maybe I'll get it and read it.

[John Sukey]

Agree, we did win, by literaly wiping out the VC. Hanoi Jane, Kerry and the news networks lost it for us.
But it did serve a purpose for Hanoi since the VC were mainly southerners who would have wanted a say in the new government.

[Michaelp]

SOG guys captured and turned in conclusive evidence and detailed plans for the '68 TET Offensive a year before the fact.

Powers that were at the time neatly put this in the "ignore" file and no explanation was ever given.

Possibly the thinking was the uprising would ignite or at least fuel American resolve.
Instead it had the opposite effect. Just my own conjecture.

Who said we ever lost that fight? Victor Charlie was all but annihalated.

Opened the door wider for northern commies to be a stronger political presence.

[Mike Haas]

Dan, thanks for bringing this book to the attention of the forum readers. I too, will have to get a copy.

By the way, the Army Security Agency played no small part in alerting command that something was up. At the time of Tet, I was in Ft. Benning just getting started in Infantry OCS. I was later assigned to ASA from July '68 to July '70.

I flew ASA - ARDF in Vietnam 1/67 thru 10/68 with the 144th Avn Co. (RR) under the 509th (RR) Group - 224th Avn Bn (RR) - I can assure you we provided the intell to MACV about the buildup of the NVA as well as VC activity prior to 'TET; as early as Oct/Nov 1967 continuing into Jan. 1968. :eusa_wall: :eusa_wall:

I can't say we were totally ignored but 'TET' happened and no-one in my unit was surprised..we saw it coming!! MACV Command Staff failed to act properly on correct intel IMHO. I'm still PO'ed about it!! :mad::mad:

[Dan Shapiro]

Small world Mike. I worked ARDF at PhuBai 1969-70.

[Mike Haas]

Small world Mike. I worked ARDF at PhuBai 1969-70.

20 Months with the 144th on my part..a certain irony to our callsign "Lonly Ringer" considering the subsequent events..Welcome Home :icon_salut: