The Vietnam battleground was a scary place. When I asked my grandpa about what it was like out on the field he told me this. He told me "It was a constant fear." (Purvis, Doug) During the war the communists used a network of roads and waterways to carry supplies and soldiers from North to South called the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The first major battle was Battle of Ap Bac. It was on January 2, 1962 and the South suffered the most causalities. The second major battle was the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. It was from October 26- November 27, 1965. Both sides suffered many causalities but both say that they won. This battle is essential because it outlines both sides tactics. Americans counted on air support and the Viet Cong realized close range battle was a weak spot for Americans. The next major battle is the Battle of Khe Sanh. It was a 77 day long battle. From January 21 to April 9, 1968. It started with the People's Army of Vietnam bombarding a U.S. Marine Garrison. It was the longest and bloodiest battle. Both sides claim victory but the communists had very many causalities and he U.S. had to give up one of their bases. This battle was to distract the South so the Viet Cong can start whats called the Tet Offensive. The Tet Offensive was a series of aggressive surprise attacks in over 100 major cities and towns in South Vietnam. They were all put to a stop very quickly except for their attack on Saigon which took two weeks. (The Vietnam War Team The Vietnam War 4 April 2015) Other incidents to pay attention to would be the My Lai Massacre and the Gulf of Tonkin. My Lai Massacre was disgusting. In March 1968 Lieutenant William L. Calley had gotten word that the Viet Cong had taken over Son My. Him and his group went on a search and destroy mission. When they got to Son My there were no Viet Cong in sight, but they gathered everyone that was in the village together and started killing them in an extreme fashion. Including rape and torture. Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson landed his aircraft in between the villagers and soldiers to stop what was going on. (Staff "My Lai Massacre" History 2009) The Gulf of Tonkin incident was the destroyer ship Maddox getting shot at by communist ships. Then the same thing happened two days later. In the end the whole attack was a lie. (Greenspan, Jessica "The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, 50 Years Ago" History 1 August 2014)