Chapter 2 Hell Sucks Summary and Analysis

The title of the chapter comes from one of the sayings the soldiers write on their helmets and flak jackets. Herr paints the first weeks of the Tet Offensive in war colors. Strict curfews in Saigon turn the city's usual desolation into a deep shade of dreariness. The US forces feel defeated while the upper brass declares victory. The author notes that in fact the VC and the NVA occupy most of South Vietnam until the day that all US forces leave. Two of the common rumors prove to be true—some Americans fight with the VC and the NVA has executed thousands of South Vietnamese outside of Hue, where Herr goes next.

Herr travels with soldiers and other correspondents packed into a truck. Refugees line the muddy road, and the weather is cold and rainy...