It is the spring of 1972, and the United States involvement in the Vietnam War is winding down. For the North Vietnamese, their planned Easter offensive was an opportunity to confront the South Vietnamese without substantial support on the ground from the United States. Quang Tri province, directly south of the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) was an opportunity to return the initiative to North Vietnam. Three North Vietnamese divisions (304th, 308th and 324th) prepared to engage the newly formed 3rd ARVN Division (Army of the Republic of Vietnam), that was in the process of taking over former US bases.