First Battle of Quảng Trị

First Battle of Quảng Trị
Part of the Vietnam War
Date March 30 – May 1, 1972 Location 16°44′N 106°58′E / 16.733°N 106.967°E / 16.733; 106.967 (First Battle of Quảng Trị)Coordinates: 16°44′N 106°58′E / 16.733°N 106.967°E / 16.733; 106.967 (First Battle of Quảng Trị) Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam Result North Vietnamese victory
Belligerents
North Vietnam	South Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
Văn Tiến Dũng	Vu Van Giai
Units involved
304th Division 308th Division 324B Division	3rd Division 56th Regiment 57th Regiment Marine Division 25th Brigade ARVN Rangers 4th group 5th group 1st Armored Brigade 20th Tank Battalion
Strength
45,000+ ~100 tanks and APCs	Regular Force: 40,000 Regional Force: ~100,000 600 tanks and APCs 400 aircraft and helicopters
Casualties and losses
~2,000 KIA and ~4,000 WIA ~60 tanks and APCs destroyed	~15,000 killed and wounded 3,368 captured 500+ tanks and APCs destroyed or captured (including 57 M48 Pattons)

3rd Division

Marine Division

ARVN Rangers

1st Armored Brigade

Regular Force: 40,000

The First Battle of Quảng Trị resulted in the first major victory for the North Vietnamese Army during the Easter Offensive of 1972. The province of Quảng Trị was a major battle ground for the opposing forces during the Vietnam War. As South Vietnamese soldiers were gradually replacing their American counterparts, North Vietnam's General Văn Tiến Dũng was preparing to engage three of his divisions in the province. Just months before the battle, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam deployed its newly formed 3rd Division to the areas along the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone to take over former US bases. North Vietnamese forces deployed against the inexperienced ARVN 3rd Division included the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 304th, 308th and 324B Divisions.

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