How did the My Lai massacre highlight the
US problems in fighting in Vietnam?
Learning objective – to be able to use My
Lai as a case study of the problems the US
faced in Vietnam.
I can describe the key
events surrounding
the massacre at My
Lai.
Grade D
I can explain the
impact of the My Lai
massacre on the US
war
effort
in
Vietnam.
Grade B
I can explain and make
links between the My Lai
massacre, the conduct of
the US forces in Vietnam
and increasing opposition
in America.
Grade A
Starter – if you saw this photo on the front
of a newspaper, what would you think?
Why was tension building for the US in
Vietnam during early 1968?
US troops were besieged by the Viet Cong at their base at Khe Sanh in January
1968. Fearing the same fate as the French at Dien Bien Phu, Westmoreland
devoted a large number of troops to break the siege. Which he eventually did in
April. This story gripped the US nation as coverage was beamed around the world.
But this was not the biggest story ......
The biggest story was the Viet Cong launching their biggest ever offensive in late
January called the Tet Offensive. For them, the siege at Khe Sanh was to divert US
troops away from the cities which were their targets for the Tet Offensive.
Where was My Lai?
My Lai was a small village close to
Khe Sanh. It was believed by the US
that it was a VC headquarters with
200 guerilla fighters. This intelligence
was proved to be incorrect.
What was Charlie Company mission?
Charlie Company was led by Lieutenant
William Calley. Their orders was to ‘search
and destroy’ My Lai on 16th March 1968.
This included all houses and livestock.
They were told as it was a Saturday all the
villagers would be at market and most of
the soldiers were under the impression
that their orders were to kill everyone
they found in the village.
What did Charlie Company do?
In the four hours they were in My Lai, Charlie Company killed between
300 and 500 civilians – mostly women, children and old men. Most
were killed by machine gun fire and only three weapons were found.
No VC were killed.
What was the initial reaction to the My
Lai massacre?
The My Lai massacre happened at the
same time as Khe Sanh siege and the fall
out from the Tet Offensive. It was treated
as a success by the US army. The
Commanding Officer reported only 20
non-combatant casualties and the rest –
90 in all - were VC fighters.
The men were congratulated by in
November 1969, a US soldier called
Ronald Ridenhour who knew many of the
soldiers who took part in My Lai wrote to
the leading members of the government
stating he knew of something ‘dark and
bloody’ that happened in My Lai.
What were the consequences of
Ridenhour’s letter?
Acting on Ronald Ridenhour’s letter,
Congress investigated My Lai. At the same
time Life Magazine published horrific
photographs of the My Lai massacre.
The army took action by blaming Lt.
Calley, who was the only man charged for
murder. Despite his argument that he was
acting under orders,
Calley was
sentenced to life imprisonment in 1971
by was released in 1974.
The My Lai massacre questioned
America’s confidence in fighting in
Vietnam. Many defended Calley because
he was fighting for his country. Others,
who were growing in number, argued that
My Lai showed how rotten the war was.
Task
Complete a hexagon pattern making as
many links as possible between the
different aspects of the My Lai
massacre.
Plenary – a touch of Scrabble
What are the three key words
from this lesson that sums up
your learning?
Which word has the highest
value if you used in a game of
Scrabble?
Compare with the person
next to you. Which word has
the highest value?