1. Tactics used during Vietnam

2. Vietnamese Tactics The North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong knew they could not beat the technologically superior Army of the United States. The North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong knew they could not beat the technologically superior Army of the United States. The Vietnamese had to use other tactics to try and beat the US. The Vietnamese had to use other tactics to try and beat the US.

3. Guerrilla Tactics The Vietnamese had became very skilled in the art of Guerrilla warfare. The Vietnamese had became very skilled in the art of Guerrilla warfare. WW2 – Japan WW2 – Japan 1950s – French Colonial Forces 1950s – French Colonial Forces Both of these forces were technologically advanced and in theory should have easily defeated the ‘weaker’ Vietnamese forces. Both of these forces were technologically advanced and in theory should have easily defeated the ‘weaker’ Vietnamese forces.

4. Vietcong South Vietnamese Communist part of the National Liberation Front (NLF) South Vietnamese Communist part of the National Liberation Front (NLF) Located near Cambodian border Located near Cambodian border Depended on the Ho Chi Minh trail for ammunition, arms and special equipment. Depended on the Ho Chi Minh trail for ammunition, arms and special equipment.

5. Main force Vietcong units were uniformed, full-time soldiers, and were used to launch large scale offensives over a wide area. Regional forces were also full-time, but operated only within their own districts. When necessary, small regional units would unite for large scale attacks. If enemy pressure became too great, they would break down into smaller units and scatter. Main force Vietcong units were uniformed, full-time soldiers, and were used to launch large scale offensives over a wide area. Regional forces were also full-time, but operated only within their own districts. When necessary, small regional units would unite for large scale attacks. If enemy pressure became too great, they would break down into smaller units and scatter.

6. Local Vietcong Mostly Teenagers Mostly Teenagers Less confident Less confident Many idealistic Many idealistic Others forced or shamed into joining Others forced or shamed into joining Basic military training with Weapons and explosives Basic military training with Weapons and explosives

7. Vietnamese Weaponry Chinese version of the Soviet AK-47. Chinese version of the Soviet AK-47. Light and Medium Machine guns supplied by the Soviets and Chinese. Light and Medium Machine guns supplied by the Soviets and Chinese. Less often Heavy Machine guns were used to defend against US Helicopters. Less often Heavy Machine guns were used to defend against US Helicopters. RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) Mortars Mortars

8. Local forces used booby traps and mines Local forces used booby traps and mines “Punji Traps” – sharp spikes hidden in pits “Punji Traps” – sharp spikes hidden in pits Contaminated to increase the risk of infection Contaminated to increase the risk of infection

9. Avoid Pitch Battles Avoid Pitch Battles Hit and Run battles Hit and Run battles Tunnel system to safeguard bases against American Spotter Planes. Tunnel system to safeguard bases against American Spotter Planes. Located largely in forests and swamps Located largely in forests and swamps

10. Tunnel system

11. Advantages of the Tunnel System Hide from Air and Ground sweeps Hide from Air and Ground sweeps

12. Provide excellent refuge and defensive positions Provide excellent refuge and defensive positions Ability to disappear Ability to disappear Difficult for US to estimate enemy numbers in the region Difficult for US to estimate enemy numbers in the region

13. Other Vietcong advantages Familiar with the terrain of jungles and swamps Familiar with the terrain of jungles and swamps Found protection across the border with Laos and Cambodia Found protection across the border with Laos and Cambodia Local population support Local population support

15. US TACTICS

16. Operation Rolling Thunder EXTENSIVE daily bombing campaign of North Vietnam EXTENSIVE daily bombing campaign of North Vietnam Air strikes were strictly forbidden within 30 miles of Hanoi, along the Chinese border at the start of the campaign. Air strikes were strictly forbidden within 30 miles of Hanoi, along the Chinese border at the start of the campaign. Launched from bases in Thailand. Launched from bases in Thailand. Plan was to destroy the North Vietnamese Economy Plan was to destroy the North Vietnamese Economy

18. America shows its technological Muscle

19. B-52 bombers Could fly at heights that could not be seen or heard Could fly at heights that could not be seen or heard 8 million tons of bombs dropped between ’65 and ’73. 8 million tons of bombs dropped between ’65 and ’73. 300 tons for every man, woman and child in Vietnam 300 tons for every man, woman and child in Vietnam

20. Napalm Mixture of Petrol and chemical thickener Mixture of Petrol and chemical thickener Sticky gel to attach to the skin Sticky gel to attach to the skin Burns for a long time Burns for a long time Will burn through skin, muscle and bone producing 5 th degree burns Will burn through skin, muscle and bone producing 5 th degree burns Most victims died from the ordeal Most victims died from the ordeal Burns at 5000 f or 2777C Burns at 5000 f or 2777C

22. Anti-Personnel Bombs Designed to maim rather than kill. Designed to maim rather than kill. Bombs would explode and spew out thousands of pellets and needles on the land below. Bombs would explode and spew out thousands of pellets and needles on the land below.

23. Agent Orange and Blue Spraying chemicals on NLF hiding places and crops Spraying chemicals on NLF hiding places and crops Destroyed trees but also caused chromosomal damage on people Destroyed trees but also caused chromosomal damage on people

26. Helicopters as Cavalry Would transport platoons in and out of the jungle quickly Would transport platoons in and out of the jungle quickly Used as air ambulances as well. Used as air ambulances as well. Provided air cover to Platoons on the ground and spotters Provided air cover to Platoons on the ground and spotters

28. Search and Destroy Missions using US and SV troops transported via helicopters Missions using US and SV troops transported via helicopters Descend on villages and kill any VCs found Descend on villages and kill any VCs found

29. Problems with search and destroy Inadequate intelligence Inadequate intelligence Inexperienced troops often hit by booby traps Inexperienced troops often hit by booby traps Civilian casualties high Civilian casualties high Tactics made the US very unpopular with villagers. Tactics made the US very unpopular with villagers. Killings, rape etc Killings, rape etc