Grandolini, Albert Target Saigon 1973-75. Volume 3: Disaster at Da Nang 1975

The third volume in this series describes the final communist offensive against South Vietnam. The decision of President Nguyen Van Thieu to evacuate the Central Highlands spread panic among the population and the armed forces. That was part of a wider scheme that envisaged an extensive redeployment of South Vietnamese forces leading to the abandoning of nearly half of the country. This set up a chain reaction that would see the complete collapse of his country. The United States did not intervene again despite the situation spiraling out of control. Thieu played and lost. This volume details the disastrous evacuation of Hue and Da Nang, as well as the delaying fighting in the central coastal area. However, around Saigon, the remaining cornered South Vietnamese divisions offered a heroic resistance, although it was now too late. The North Vietnamese later recognized that they experienced some of the fiercest fighting of the entire war for the conquest of the capital of South Vietnam. Only the nomination of a ?neutralist? President who had replaced Thieu, who fled into exile in Taiwan, spared the city the horror of the street fighting by accepting the inescapable and by proclaiming an unconditional surrender. In panic, the last Americans and westerners were evacuated by helicopters. As always, this volume is supported by a large number of previously unpublished photographs, color maps and color profiles showing camouflage and markings of tanks and aircraft.

Around Saigon, however, the remaining South Vietnamese divisions put up a heroic resistance, although it was now too late. The North Vietnamese later realised that they would have to fight some of the fiercest battles of the entire war before they could take possession of the South Vietnamese capital. Only the appointment of a neutral president to replace Thieu, who had fled into exile in Taiwan, spared the city the horror of street fighting by accepting the inevitable and announcing an unconditional surrender. In a panic, the last Americans and Western civilians and soldiers were evacuated by helicopter. As always, this volume is supported by a large number of previously unpublished photographs, colour maps and colour profiles. The colour profiles show the markings and paintwork of vehicles, aircraft and helicopters.