Page 203

(1968: The Definitive Year)

In heavy house-to-house fighting in the Citadel, a Company C, 1st Battalion. 5th Marines machine gunner, with his assistant close hy, fires his M60 machine gun on its tripod at an enemy position. Both Marines are laden with bandoliers of ammunition for their weapon.
[eHistory editor's note: this image is actually from 1970, not 1968, and shows Thomas L Smallridge manning the M-60 and his A Gunner Ed Brundage. They were with Charlie 1/5, but this photo was taken in 1970 when Charlie 1/5 was in the An Hoa area, and other places besides Hue (courtesy of Dane Brown, USMC, 1/27, Nam 68)]

mission across the river again today. The air is full of gas. . . . We are almost used to it unless it is very heavy. We then use our masks.' In the Citadel, the 4.2-inch CS shells proved more effective than the E-8 dispensers. The rounds penetrated the tile roofs of the buildings and 'concentrated the full power of the round in the building rather than relying on the infiltration of the CS gas from outside.' Enemy prisoners testified to the demoralizing effect of the gas on their units, although some NVA officers and senior NCOs carried gas masks with them into battle.'

After heavy fighting on 17 February, Major Thompson called another temporary halt to the advance. NVA morrars sank an LCU attempting to resupply the battalion in the Citadel. Facing shortages in food and ammunition, especially in 106mm rounds for the Ontos and 90mm rounds for the tanks, Thompson rested his exhausted men until the supplies reached his battalion. The attack was at a standstill.44

An exhausted Marine crew member lies on top of his Ontos tracked vehicle among its six 106mm recoilless rifles.

Department of Defense (USMC) Photo A 190767

Page 203

(1968: The Definitive Year)