Easter Offensive
The Easter Offensive was one of the most important battle of the Vietnam War, since it contributed to the arrangement of the Paris Peace Accords, scheduled for 27 January 1973.
After the South Vietnamese Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971 ended in failure, to increase their bargaining power at those talks and further pressure the US into pulling out, the People's Army of Vietnam launched the conventional Easter Offensive against the ARVN and U.S. forces from March 30 to October 22, 1972. This is consideres to be the largest invasion since the Korean War was launch to improve the ARVN negociating position at the Paris Peace Accords, as written above.
PAVN's advancements were hampered despite their initial success by high casualties, poor tactics, and especially American destructive air force. PAVN forces withdrew from all fronts, which allowed ARVN forces to launch a counterattack and swiftly retake Quang Tri and other lost bases. However, it lost 10% of its territory to North Vietnam.
The Easter Offensive ended on October 22. Although North Vietnam didn't won the battle, they did achieve their important goals. North Vietnam kept their newly occupied territory and got their bargaining chip.
- Date: March 30 – October 22, 1972
- Location: South Vietnam.
- Result: Both sides claim victory, PAVN take control 10% of South Vietnamese territory.
