Mini-Tet 1969 Begins

The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launch artillery attacks on over 100 population centers and military targets across South Vietnam. The attacks represent a Communist attempt to mount another sustained offensive close to the Tet season, though this one is far weaker than Tet 1968. Communist forces target Saigon and other cities and installations with mortar and rocket fire. MACV commander General Abrams quickly orders a four-day retaliatory bombardment of North Vietnam below the 19th parallel using both air strikes and naval artillery. In March, President Nixon orders further retaliatory air strikes known as Operation MENU. The erratic Communist offensive lasts until June.¹