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Osprey Campaign #409
Hamburger Hill 1969: Operation Apache Snow in the A Shau Valley
A highly illustrated, authoritative exploration of Operation Apache Snow, including the infamous Battle of Hamburger Hill (Ap Bia Mountain), one of the most significant and well-known actions in the Vietnam War.
Operation Apache Snow was the result of a renewed Allied effort in early 1969 to neutralize the North Vietnamese forces in the A Shau, a 45km-long valley located in the southwestern Thua Thien Province. This area had long provided an infiltration corridor for Communist forces from the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos to the coastal cities of northern I Corps Tactical Zone.
The ensuing battle to take Ap Bia Mountain, which became known as Hamburger Hill, lasted for ten days. Although US and South Vietnamese forces were ultimately successful in taking the hill, the heavy casualties incurred in the bitter fighting caused a furor in Congress, with many congressmen denouncing the action.
In this work, respected Vietnam War historian James H. Willbanks documents the planning and execution of Operation Apache Snow. The progress of the operation is carefully presented using maps and diagrams, and the forces and weaponry of both sides are brought to life in photos and color battlescenes. Willbanks also explores why, despite the Allied success in taking Hamburger Hill, the battle came to symbolize the frustration of winning costly encounters without ever consummating a strategic victory.
Operation Apache Snow was the result of a renewed Allied effort in early 1969 to neutralize the North Vietnamese forces in the A Shau, a 45km-long valley located in the southwestern Thua Thien Province. This area had long provided an infiltration corridor for Communist forces from the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos to the coastal cities of northern I Corps Tactical Zone.
The ensuing battle to take Ap Bia Mountain, which became known as Hamburger Hill, lasted for ten days. Although US and South Vietnamese forces were ultimately successful in taking the hill, the heavy casualties incurred in the bitter fighting caused a furor in Congress, with many congressmen denouncing the action.
In this work, respected Vietnam War historian James H. Willbanks documents the planning and execution of Operation Apache Snow. The progress of the operation is carefully presented using maps and diagrams, and the forces and weaponry of both sides are brought to life in photos and color battlescenes. Willbanks also explores why, despite the Allied success in taking Hamburger Hill, the battle came to symbolize the frustration of winning costly encounters without ever consummating a strategic victory.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 29, 2025
Osprey Publishing's "Hamburger Hill 1969" offers a comprehensive look at Operation Apache Snow and the pivotal Battle of Hamburger Hill, featuring insights from historian James H. Willbanks along with detailed maps and visuals.
October 23, 2025
I was on Firebase Currahee during the battle. It was clear that the battle was fierce - many of the dead Americans passed through our firebase on their way home. We could see the smoke from the B-52 preparatory bombing runs and occasionally feel the rumble. The artillery at FB Currahee was constantly firing during the battle.
Willbanks has written a tight, informative book about the battle and its aftermath. Those who want to understand the battle will learn a great deal from this book.
May I also recommend reading Courage Under Fire by Ed Sherwood to get a sense for just how completely Hamburger Hill changed the war.
Willbanks has written a tight, informative book about the battle and its aftermath. Those who want to understand the battle will learn a great deal from this book.
May I also recommend reading Courage Under Fire by Ed Sherwood to get a sense for just how completely Hamburger Hill changed the war.
March 23, 2025
Great and bloody account of one of the last most iconic battles of Vietnam
My research on the battle started after saw the movie, Hamburger Hill, it was a depiction of a difficult battle for the Americans, the public opinion back in the USA was against it, and several democrats vilified the war efforts, at the end the victory paved the way to finish the US involvement on Vietnam, leaving the South Vietnamese on their own, to lost the war against a more experimented foe with the help of all the communist bloc. Sad affair, great and detailed work, truly recommended.
My research on the battle started after saw the movie, Hamburger Hill, it was a depiction of a difficult battle for the Americans, the public opinion back in the USA was against it, and several democrats vilified the war efforts, at the end the victory paved the way to finish the US involvement on Vietnam, leaving the South Vietnamese on their own, to lost the war against a more experimented foe with the help of all the communist bloc. Sad affair, great and detailed work, truly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews