Military Model Scene

Title: Vietnam 1972: Quang Tri
Author: Charles D. Melson
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4339-5

Subtitled 'The Easter Offensive Strikes the South', this is number 362 in the Osprey Campaign series. A 96-page soft-cover book in the usual style for these Campaign titles. Plenty of archive photos, a number of maps/battlefield maps and high quality artwork, as we have come to expect from Osprey.
There are six main sections to the book, starting with Origins of the Campaign which sets the scene and gives the story of how the South Vietnamese Marine units were formed, supported by US Marine advisors. That is followed by a Chronology of key events. Then a look at the Opposing Commanders, for the North Vietnamese, the South Vietnamese Marines and the US Marines. Next is a look at the Opposing Plans, where the withdrawal of US forces was already underway and the process of Vietnamization in progress, the North launched their Easter Offensive, using conventional forces of the NVA, supported by tanks as well. The Campaign section gives us the detail of how the NVA offensive progressed, including the initial capture of Quang Tri city. With support from offshore US Navy ships and US airborne support, the Vietnamese marines managed to regroup and stage a new assault to successfully recapture the city. The book is rounded off with consideration of the Aftermath. The NVA Easter Offensive of 1972 was not as successful as they would have hoped, and it wasn't until 1975 before they tried again, and did manage to defeat the ARVN forces to reunite the two halves of Vietnam.
An interesting book, easy to read and illustrated with some good archive images, helpful maps and fine artwork. For anyone interested in the history of the Vietnam war, this is a good value reference.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for our review copy.

Robin