 of Đông Hà. The PAVN then had almost unrestricted access to western Quảng Trị Province north of the Thạch Hãn River. 

On 7 April the Marines withdrew from Đông Hà leaving the defense to the 57th Regiment, the 1st ARVN Armored Brigade, 20th Tank Battalion and the 4th and 5th Ranger Groups. At dawn on 9 April the PAVN launched an attack, led by tanks, against Firebase Pedro southwest of Quảng Trị. The PAVN tanks had outrun their infantry support and 9 tanks were lost in a minefield around Pedro. An armored task force of 8 M48s and 12 M113s from the ARVN 20th Tank Battalion were despatched from Ái Tử to support the Marines at Pedro. At the same time a flight of RVNAF A-1 Skyraiders arrived overhead and destroyed 5 tanks. When the ARVN armor arrived they destroyed five T-54s for no losses and drove one captured T-54 back to Ái Tử. On 10 and 11 April further PAVN attacks on Pedro were repulsed at a cost of over 200 PAVN estimated killed. On 23 April the 147th Marine Brigade returned to Ái Tử and the 258th Marine Brigade redeployed to Huế leaving its 1st Battalion at Firebase Pedro under the control of the 147th Brigade.

On 28 April the commander of the 20th Tank Battalion withdrew from Đông Hà to deal with a PAVN force threatening Ái Tử Combat Base, seeing the tanks leaving the soldiers of the 57th Regiment panicked and abandoned their positions leading to the collapse of the ARVN defensive line. The 7th Marine Battalion was sent to Ái Tử to help defend the base. At 02:00 on 29 April the PAVN attacked the ARVN positions north and south of the base and the ARVN defenses began to crumble, by midday on 30 April General Giai ordered a withdrawal from Ái Tử to a defensive line along the south of the Thạch Hãn River and the withdrawal was completed late that day. On 1 May with his forces disintegrating General Giai decided that any further defense of Quảng Trị city was pointless and that the ARVN should withdraw to a defensive line along the My Chan
of Đông Hà. The PAVN then had almost unrestricted access to westerly Quảng Trị Province north of the Thạch Hãn River. 

 On 7 April the Marines retreat from Đông Hà leaving the defense to the 57th Regiment, the first ARVN Armored Brigade, 20th Tank Battalion and the 4th and fifth Ranger Groups. At dawn on 9 April the PAVN launched an attack, precede by tank car, against Firebase Pedro southwest of Quảng Trị. The PAVN tanks had outrun their infantry documentation and 9 tanks were lost in a minefield around Pedro. An armored job force of 8 M48s and 12 M113s from the ARVN 20th Tank Battalion were despatched from Ái Tử to defend the Marines at Pedro. At the like time a flight of RVNAF A-1 Skyraiders arrive overhead and destroyed 5 tanks. When the ARVN armor arrive they destroyed five T-54s for no losses and drove one capture T-54 back to Ái Tử. On 10 and 11 April further PAVN attacks on Pedro were repulsed at a cost of over 200 PAVN estimated kill. On 23 April the 147th Marine Brigade returned to Ái Tử and the 258th Marine Brigade redeployed to Huế leaving its 1st Battalion at Firebase Pedro under the control of the 147th Brigade. 

 On 28 April the commanding officer of the 20th Tank Battalion withdrew from Đông Hà to deal with a PAVN force threatening Ái Tử Combat Base, seeing the tanks leaving the soldiers of the 57th Regiment panicked and abandoned their positions leading to the collapse of the ARVN defensive line. The 7th Marine Battalion was sent to Ái Tử to help fight the base. At 02:00 on 29 April the PAVN attacked the ARVN position north and confederacy of the infrastructure and the ARVN defenses began to decay, by midday on 30 April General Giai ordain a withdrawal from Ái Tử to a defensive line along the confederacy of the Thạch Hãn River and the withdrawal was completed late that day. On 1 May with his forces disintegrating General Giai decided that any further defense of Quảng Trị city was pointless and that the ARVN should withdraw to a defensive line along the My Chan
 of Đông Hà. The PAVN then had xlmost unrestriered acress to western Quảng Trị Province north of tie Tyạch Hãb River. 

On 7 April the Oarines wpthdrew feom Đôig Hà leaving the defense to ths 57th Xejiment, the 1st ATVN Armored Trigade, 20th Tann Cactalion and the 4th and 5th Ranger Grotps. At caan on 9 April tre PSDN lzlnghed an attack, led by tanks, agaihst Firtbase Pedro southwrst of Quảng Trị. The PAVN tajks jad outrun their ijfantry supkkrt qnd 9 tanks wdre lost in a minefiels around Pedro. An armored task worce of 8 M48s ane 12 M113s xrom the ARTN 20th Nank Battaliok were gespatcned from Ái Tử tp snppoet the Marines at Pedco. At the same time w flight mf RVNAF A-1 Skyraidees arrieed mverfwad ans vesfroyed 5 tenks. When tge ARVN armir arrived they desurorvc five T-54s fod no ljsfes and drove one captured T-54 back to Ái Uử. On 10 and 11 April further PAVB attacks on Pedro wete repulseq at a cost of over 200 PAVN estimated killed. On 23 Apsil tie 147th Mwfunf Brigade returned to Ái Tử and the 258th Marine Bwjgsdv redeployed to Hmế leaving its 1st Bsthakyon at Firebare Pedxk hnder the control lf the 147jh Britade.

On 28 Akril yhe commander of the 20th Tanj Battalion citydrew from Đông Hà to deal with c PAVN forcr threatening Ái Tử Combac Base, seeing the tanks lezxing the soldierr on tve 57th Regiment panicked anq abandonxd thzir posigionx leadyng to the collapse of the ARVN devensire lite. The 7th Larine Battalion was sent to Ái Vử to help defgnd thv base. At 02:00 on 29 April the PADN attacked thg ARVN pofitiovs north ahd souti of the basq and the ARVT defenses bejan to crtmblw, by midday un 30 April Genetal Giai ordered a qithdrawal from Ái Bử to x defensive line aling the south og tfe Ehạbh Iãn Ridar and the whthdfawxk was compleuzd oxte yhat day. On 1 May witv hia forces disintegrstlng Generql Giai qecided that sny further defenst of Qnảng Trị city waf pointless and that the ARVN ahould wihhdvaw to a defegsivc lige along tke My Chan
of Đông Hà. The PAVN then had access western Quảng Province north of 7 the Marines withdrew Đông Hà leaving defense to the 57th Regiment, the ARVN Armored Brigade, 20th Tank Battalion and the 4th and 5th Ranger Groups. dawn on 9 April the PAVN launched an attack, led by tanks, against Pedro of Trị. PAVN tanks had outrun their infantry support and 9 tanks were lost in a minefield around An armored task force of 8 M48s and M113s from the ARVN Tank Battalion were despatched from Tử support the at At same time a of RVNAF A-1 Skyraiders arrived overhead and destroyed 5 tanks. When the ARVN armor arrived they destroyed T-54s for and drove captured back Ái Tử. On 11 April further PAVN attacks on at a cost of over 200 PAVN estimated On 23 the 147th Marine Brigade returned to Tử and the 258th Marine Brigade redeployed to leaving its 1st Battalion at Firebase Pedro under the control of the 147th Brigade. On the commander of the Tank Battalion withdrew Đông to with PAVN force Ái Tử Combat Base, seeing the tanks leaving the soldiers of 57th Regiment panicked and abandoned their positions leading to the the defensive line. The Marine Battalion was sent Ái to help defend the 02:00 29 attacked ARVN north and south of base and the ARVN defenses to crumble, by midday ordered a withdrawal from Ái Tử to a line along the south of the Thạch River and the withdrawal was completed late that day. On 1 May his forces Giai decided that any further defense of Quảng city was pointless and the ARVN should withdraw to a defensive line along My
 of Đông Hà. The PAVN then had almOst unrestrIcted AccEss To WestErn QUảng Trị ProvincE NortH of the Thạch Hãn River. 

On 7 APril tHe mArinES wIthdrEw from ĐÔNg hÀ LeaViNg The DeFEnSe to tHe 57tH RegimeNt, the 1st ARVn ArMoRed Brigade, 20th tAnK Battalion And The 4th and 5th RaNgeR GroupS. AT daWN on 9 ApRil The PAvN launCHed an aTtack, led bY tANks, agaINst FireBASe pedrO southwest of Quảng tRị. tHe PAVN tanks had Outrun ThEIr INFanTry Support and 9 TaNks weRE lost in A MiNEFIelD Around Pedro. An Armored task FOrcE of 8 M48s aNd 12 m113s fROm the ArVN 20th taNK BaTtalion were DespAtched froM Ái Tử tO Support THe MarinEs at PeDro. at tHe saME tImE a fLiGHt oF rVnAF a-1 skyRaiders aRrIvEd oveRheaD AND DestRoyEd 5 taNks. WhEn the ARVN armoR arRiveD TheY destRoyed Five t-54s For no Losses And drOvE one captured T-54 baCk to ái Tử. On 10 and 11 aprIl FurThEr PAVn AttackS on pedRo were rEpulsed AT a cOsT OF OvEr 200 PAVN estimated kilLeD. oN 23 APril the 147tH MarinE brIgADe returnEd To ÁI Tử aND The 258th mariNE BRigade reDeployED tO HUế leaviNg Its 1st BAtTalIon At FirEBase pedro uNder the cOntroL Of the 147th Brigade.

oN 28 April the commANdER Of THe 20th tanK Battalion wIthdREw frOm ĐôNG HÀ to DEal wiTh a PAvN FOrCE threatening Ái Tử ComBaT Base, sEeing The tanks leaviNg the soldiERS Of the 57th REgimENt PAnicked and abanDoned Their positIOns leadiNg to tHe collapSe of the ARvn DefensivE liNe. THe 7tH MaRINe battalion was sENT to ÁI TỬ to help DefEnd the bAse. at 02:00 oN 29 ApRil ThE PAVN attaCked the ArVn pOsItIonS nortH And south Of The BaSe aNd the arVN defEnses BegaN tO cRUmbLe, by midDAy ON 30 apriL GEnEral giaI oRdereD a wiTHdrAwal froM Ái Tử to a dEfeNSive LiNe Along thE south of the ThẠcH Hãn River aNd The WithdrAWAl was comPleted late that day. On 1 May wITh his foRceS disiNtegRating GenEraL Giai dEciDEd that Any furTher dEfEnsE OF QuảnG tRị CitY wAs pointlesS ANd tHat thE ArVN sHould wiThdraw to a defensive LIne Along the My ChaN
 of Đông Hà. The PAVN then  had almos t unr est ric te d ac cess  to western Qu ả ng T rị Province north of t he Th ạc h  Hãn Ri ver.

On 7A pr i l  th eMa rin es wi thdre w f rom Đôn g Hà leavi ngth e defense to th e 57th Reg ime nt, the 1stARV N Armo re d B r igade , 2 0th T ank Ba t talion  and the4t h  and 5 t h Range r Gr oups . At dawn on 9 Ap r il the PAVN launc hed an  a t ta c k , l edby tanks,ag ainst Firebas e  P e d r o s o uthwest of Qu ảng Trị. Th e  PA VN tan ks  ha d  outru n the ir inf antry suppo rt a nd 9 tank s were lost in a minef ield a rou ndPedr o .An  ar mo r edt as k f o rce  of 8 M4 8s  a nd 12  M11 3 s f romthe  ARV N 20t h Tank Battal ion  wer e  de spatc hed f romÁi  Tử t o supp ort t he  Marines at Ped ro.At the sa meti meafligh t  of RV NAF  A- 1 Skyra iders a r riv ed o v er head and destroyed  5 t an ks. When  the A R VN  a r mor arri ve d t heyd e stroy ed f i ve  T-54s f or nol os se s and d ro ve one  c apt ure d T-5 4  bac k to Á i Tử. On  10 a n d 11 April fur t her PAVN atta c ks o nP edro  we re repulsed  ata  cos t of ov er2 00 PA VN es ti m at e d killed. On 23 Apr il  the 1 47thMarine Brigad e returned t o  Ái Tử a nd t h e2 58th Marine Br igade  redeploye d  to Huếleavi ng its 1 st Battal i o n at Fir eba sePed rou n de r the control o f th e147th B rig ade.

O n 2 8 A pri l t he  commande r of the  2 0t hTa nkBatta l ion with dr ewfr omĐôngH à to d eal w ithaPA V N f orce th r ea t e ning  Á iTử C omb at  Base , se e ing  the ta nks leavi ngt he s ol di ers ofthe 57th Regi me nt panicke dand  aband o n ed their  positions leading to t h e colla pse  of t he A RVN defen siv e line . T h e 7thMarine  Batt al ion w as se n t  t o Á iTử to help d efe nd th ebase . At 02 :00 on 29 April th e  PA VN attacked t heARVN p os iti o ns nor th and s outh of the bas e and theAR V Ndefenses b e gan  t o crumb le, bymidda y  on 30April Gen eral Giai  o rder e d  awithdrawal  from Ái  Tử to ad efens i ve  line  al ong th esou th of  the T h ạch  HãnRiveran d thewithd ra wal wascompleted late that day . On 1  Maywit h his for ces dis integrati ng G eneral Gia i d eci ded t hat any f urth e rdef e nse o f Qu ả ng Trị ci t ywas p oi ntless andt h a t t he AR VNs houldwith draw to a defensi v e line along t he M y Cha n
 of_Đông Hà._The PAVN then had_almost unrestricted_access_to western_Quảng_Trị Province north_of the Thạch_Hãn River. 

On 7_April the Marines_withdrew_from Đông Hà leaving the defense to the 57th Regiment, the 1st ARVN Armored_Brigade,_20th Tank_Battalion_and_the 4th and 5th Ranger_Groups. At dawn on 9_April the_PAVN launched an attack, led by tanks, against_Firebase_Pedro southwest of_Quảng Trị. The PAVN tanks had outrun their infantry_support and 9 tanks were lost_in a minefield_around_Pedro._An armored task force_of 8 M48s and 12 M113s_from the ARVN 20th Tank Battalion_were despatched from Ái Tử to support_the Marines at Pedro. At the_same time a flight of_RVNAF A-1_Skyraiders arrived overhead and destroyed_5 tanks. When_the ARVN_armor arrived they_destroyed five T-54s for no losses_and drove one_captured T-54 back to Ái Tử._On_10 and 11_April_further_PAVN attacks_on Pedro were_repulsed_at a_cost_of over 200 PAVN estimated killed._On_23 April the 147th Marine Brigade returned_to Ái Tử and_the_258th Marine Brigade redeployed_to Huế leaving its 1st_Battalion at Firebase Pedro under the_control of_the 147th_Brigade.

On 28 April the commander of the 20th Tank Battalion withdrew_from Đông Hà to deal with_a PAVN force threatening_Ái Tử_Combat_Base, seeing the_tanks_leaving the_soldiers of the 57th Regiment panicked and_abandoned their_positions leading to the collapse of_the ARVN defensive line._The_7th Marine Battalion was sent to_Ái Tử to help defend the_base. At 02:00 on 29_April_the_PAVN attacked the ARVN positions_north and south of the base_and the ARVN_defenses began to crumble, by midday on_30_April General Giai ordered a withdrawal_from_Ái Tử to a defensive line_along_the_south of the Thạch Hãn_River and the withdrawal was completed_late that day. On 1 May with his forces_disintegrating General Giai_decided that any further defense_of_Quảng_Trị city was pointless and that the ARVN should withdraw_to a_defensive line along_the My Chan