Page 373 - The Viet-Cong Tet_Offensive_1968

operation net work. He rnay never be able to do so.

c. IN THE WAKE OF THE,O_I{E}{EIVE

The offensive brought about a lct of changes to the outward
appearances of Nha Trang city. To sorne edent the frarne of rnind and
thinking of the citizens also underwent drastic changes. The city ceased
to be a place for fun.Fun seekers becarne a rare sight i.n the area. The
city assurned the grirn look of austerity and deterrnination.
Bunkers, trenches and other types of cornbat positions
were built all over the city. They were truilt at strategic street inter-
sections and at the {oot of larnpposts. More sandbagged bunkers, barbed
wire fences and rnobile roadblocks we.re set up around rnilitary and
adrninistrative installations. Checkpoints rnanned by police, troops and
popular rnilitia were busy checking papers of passersby and travellers.
An aggressive and offensive spirit was very rnuch in evidence. Cornbat
ready troops and police $rere seen alrnost everywhere in town and
suburbs.Patrols and brief horne searches were frequent occurrences
in rnany areas of the city.
Public servants, civilian cadres and just plain citizens
were organized into groups. The peoplers self-defense force (PSDf
)
was strengthened by bringing together all civilians not associated with
the regular defense agencies. This force, nurnbering over I,000 rnen,
was glven brief training in weapon and security rnatters. Mernbership
included lnen up to the age of 45 years. Forty per cent of the rnernbers
were given weapons which they rotated with the rernaining sixty per
cent, Their public appearance was rnade in a cerelnony on Feb 23,
1968 at wt'icln ZZ officers, noncorns and troopers and poli.cernen who
had distinguished thernselves in action during the enerny's offensive
were decorated.

In addition the people,like those in rnany other cities and
towns, engaged in a feverish carnpaign o{ sandbag shelter building.
This activity caused the prices o{ sand bags and labor to go uprvards.
The people were also given su{ficient instruction on how to behave in
case the enerny assaulted the city again, Therefore when they hear
shouts o{ people or see the police hunting a Viet Cong agent down
their street they shut their doors and windows. They do this to prevent
the enerny {rorn invading their horneS rather than out of panic. The
curfew was scrupulously observed. For several weeks after the end of
the of{ensive streets became alrnost deserted shortly after dark,

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