Vipers Vietnam Veteran Message Board: Was Khe Sahn really only a diversion to draw attention away from Tet?

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Was Khe Sahn really only a diversion to draw attention away from Tet?

Posted by David on 8/29/2006, 10:28 pm
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Almost all history books I've read that talked about the Siege of Khe Sahn always say that it was simply a diversion to draw troops away from the cities for the Tet Offensive.
However, after reading Mark Woodruff's "Unheradled Victory: The Defeat of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army" as well as Osprey's "Khe Sahn 1967-68", I'm a bit skeptical to belive what history says. Why would the NVA use nearly five divisions, as well as numerous artillery and logistical units, to tie down less than 7000 Marines, units that could have been used elsewhere during the Tet Offensive? Wouldn't a few artillery units suffice if it were meant to divert troops?
After doing my research, I'm tempted to say that the siege of Khe Sahn was actually an important part of the Tet Offensive, not a diversion. I'm also tempted to say that the media simply dismissed it as a diversion when they realized they couldn't paint it as America's Dien Bin Phu.
Well, does my belief have any merit?

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Was Khe Sahn really only a diversion to draw attention away from Tet? - David 8/29/2006, 10:28 pm

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