The vietcong were forces aiding north vietnam by use of guerrilla warfare tactics. In the attempt to find the viet cong fighters, the us launched an. Theses tactics included a strategic and ingenious way of attacking the enemy, referred to as hit and run this tactic was a contrast with the americans search and destroy. It may be release to the ctoerlnghouie, department of commerce, tar tele to the genera public. How effective were the tactics used by the us during the vietnam war the us used many tactics during the war with vietnam and the tactics used were usually for one of two purposes.
As this is being written, early in 1970, the socalled vietnamization process is well under way in south vietnam. This video was shown to all of the troops in america before heading out to war in vietnam. Vietcong strategy of terror 12 empirical studies of conflict. Those inverted vc units are really slippery and elusive. Ho chi minh trail a jungle path 60 tonnes a day carried to the vietcong in the south. The war was the second of two major conflicts that. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Generally, they did not offer active support, such as fighting or volunteering information, to either the vc or. Vietcong guerilla tactics the vietcong the vietnamese communists, or vietcong, were the military branch of the national liberation front nlf, and were commanded by the central office for south vietnam, which was located near the cambodian border. The national intelligence council nic commissioned lloyd gardner, the renowned american scholar on the vietnam war, to prepare an introductory essay providing. Why were the military tactics of the vietcong so successful. They react out of areas where they could be trapped.
Vietcong strategy of terror 12 empirical studies of. The vietcong relied on hit and run tactics and were able to improvise solutions to the problem of lack of supplies. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of ch. The demolition platoon of the 514th battalion part one. Begins with an image of vietcong to discuss first impressions.
How effective were the guerrilla tactics of the viet cong. Guerrilla warfare tactics, in their simplest forms, are used to allow smaller forces to defeat much larger ones. This was a smart way of trying to win the war, but caused a lot of dislike and distrust to our government. Pc savegames download savegames and saved games for pc games. Nlf and pavn battle tactics comprised a flexible mix of guerrilla and conventional warfare battle tactics used by the main force of the peoples liberation armed forces known as the national liberation front or viet cong in the west and the nva peoples armyvietnam to defeat their u. Beginning with a description of the terrain, climate and the unique nature of operations in this theater of war, author gordon rottman, a vietnam veteran himself, goes on to explain how unit organization was broken down by. Dat container with the map objects and files packed into it. Vietcong stay as close as possible to us soldiers so that air support and artillery cannot be used without killing their own men.
There were many ways both sides fought, and also many changes the way they fought. The vietcong copied the tactics the red chinese had used. I believe that this was due to the underground labyrinth of tunnels and the vast usage. The pentagon papers, the sacred willow four generations in the life of vietnamese family, and a history book that began in the 5th century. The vietnam collection this collection of declassified estimative products is the first such release by the central intelligence agency of documents exclusively on the vietnam war. The present study deals with the political activities of viet cong and north vietnamese forces among the population in saigon and its environs during the tet offensive of february 1968, and with some of the popular reactions to viet cong behavior at t. Discussion of how to beat the us if the students were in charge of the vietcong. Walter cronkite source public opinion and the media. President johnson ordered the bombing of strategic military targets in north vietnam, including air raids on the capital city, hanoi, and bases and supply routes for the vietcong. The us forces relied on high technology weaponry and massive firepower, particularly air strikes and carpet bombing of vietcong bases. Sep 14, 20 the vietcong vc used guerilla tactics, otherwise known as guerilla warfare. President johnson ordered the bombing of strategic military targets in north vietnam, including air raids on the capital city, hanoi, and bases and supply routes for. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967 duration. They based their strategies and tactics on those used by mao zedongthe communist leader in china.
The vietnam war part 2 the tactics of the viet cong. Vietcong military tactics the vietnam war bbc bitesize. The vietnam war ended in the vietcong victory over america. They used a range of tactics to beat the americans. One of nixons favoured tactics was the madman theory. The viet cong, or national liberation front nlf, was a political organization and army in south vietnam and cambodia that fought the united states and south vietnamese governments during the. The us and the rvn republic of vietnam were against the southernbased revolutionary movement known as the viet cong. Later in the vietnam war, the viet cong primarily used the type 53 carbine m44, the type 56 sks, the type 56 ak47, shown and the k50 from china and north vietnam. Vietcong tactics manual, part iii of iii radiomen warn teammates where and when the as is coming. Prior to reading a vietcong memoir, i read several books on vietnam. The 272nd regiment of the vietcong 9th division attack a battalion of the american 3rd brigade at lo ke. The true origin of the term viet cong the diplomat. Knowing that vietnamese soldiers were often very young, from ages 14, they need to find a way. Some very good accounts of the campaigns of 1914 had been written by 1916 and during world war ii one could follow the unfolding.
To understand the data collection and analysis processes used for writing waging insurgent warfare, a codebook and the raw application data are available for download. Theyusedanticaircraftguns,surfacectocairmissilesandfighterplanes. Truong nhu tangs a vietcong memoir is an easy read if youre familiar with vietnams lengthy colonial history. American soldiers referred to the viet cong as victor charlie or vc. If youre talking about military success, then their tactics really cant be called successful. Theses tactics included a strategic and ingenious way of attacking the enemy, referred. This book reveals the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war. The earliest citation for vietcong in english is from 1957. In contrast to this, the americans used tactics such as search and destroy which heavily increased support for the vietcong due to the ridiculous amount of damage and unnecessary casualties of the peasants. The strategy of general giap since 1964 it seems extraordinary that after several years of heavy fighting in viet nam we have so little idea of the way in which the war has been conducted. Trailer the vietcong tunnels and cu chi booby traps primary source personal experience sources united states troops briefing video. The local residents created the traps more to frighten off intruders that were coming into their village. Viet cong, the guerrilla force that, with the support of the north vietnamese army, fought against south vietnam late 1950s1975 and the united states early 1960s1973.
The vietcong were expert guerrilla fighters and the americans had no answer to this type of warfare. The name is said to have first been used by south vietnamese pres. Common tactics used by the us forces and the vietcong guerillas during the war. The vietcong or vietnamese communists, were part of a political and military organization that was established in 1960 and consisted of the national liberation front nlf and the peoples. These are flashcards for all 7 vc tactics that were used effectively in the vietnam war. Hunting the vietcong winning vietnam tactics by tony curtis whenever you play a single vietnam scenario or campaign game, the u. The usa also used other tactics to try and respond to the viet congs use of guerrilla tactics. An inside account of the vietnam war and its aftermath tang, truong nhu on. For arms, ammunition and special equipment, the vietcong depended on the ho chi minh trail.
How effective were the vietcong tactics of underground tunnels and booby traps in the vietnam war. Describe the military tactics used by both the vietcong. Ospreys study of the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war 19551975. The definitive resource on insurgency, waging insurgent warfare will appeal to anyone with an interest in insurgency, counterinsurgency, or modern war. The vietnam war was a war that started during the late 1950s and ended during the late 1970s. Some very good accounts of the campaigns of 1914 had been. Stalk your enemy through a stunningly authentic jungle war zone. The vietnam war part 2 the tactics of the viet cong gcse history in this video, we look at the viet cong and the tactics that they used in the vietnam war to overcome a much superior.
Viet cong vc, in full viet nam cong san, english vietnamese communists, the guerrilla force that, with the support of the north vietnamese army, fought against south vietnam late 1950s1975 and the united states early 1960s1973. Two days later, the american 1st brigade and a battalion of the 173rd airborne are attacked by a vietcong regiment, which is driven away by artillery fire. The viet cong were famous for using the guerrilla warfare tactic in vietnam to attack american forces. Cut and stick exercise to give all necessary information about vietcong tactic in 4 categories guerrilla tactics weapons code of conduct ho chi minh trails. Tactics and objectives during the tet offensive, v. For the rock band formerly known as viet cong, see preoccupations. Tactics and objectives during the tet offensive author. Radio persons should coordinate air strikes with their team. All of these factors added up to increasing fear for the americans and a winning war effort on part of the northvietnamese and the vietcong. The vietcong vc used guerilla tactics, otherwise known as guerilla warfare. Guerrilla tactics in december 1965, ho chi minh and the north vietnamese leadership ordered a change in a way the war in the south was to be fought.
Vietcong tactics booby traps were cheap and effective aimed to kill and injure americans spikes covered in excrement. Background the war in vietnam lasted from the mid 1950s 1975. Us were trained in conventional warfare whereas the viet cong used guerilla tactics hitting the enemy and then moving away. Beginning with a description of the terrain, climate and the unique nature of operations in this theater of war, author gordon rottman, a vietnam veteran himself, goes on to explain how unit organization was broken down by combatant forces and the impact this had on. They were virtually unable to be picked out from the south vietnamese. Aug 27, 2008 third part of a short clip series about the vietnam war. It showed propaganda of the vietcong, and made the soldiers have a reason to kill the vietcong. The viet cong had many different traps ranging from spiked pits to trip wires. Beginning with a description of the terrain, climate and the unique nature of operations in this theatre of war, the author, a vietnam veteran himself, goes on to explain how unit organisation was broken down by combatant forces and the impact this had. Describe the military tactics used by both the vietcong and usa in vietnam in the 1960s during the vietnam war strategies and tactics became the main foundation of the battles. Vietcong minimal demands, notably for food and shelter. Km5848 rm5849 rm5850 rm5851 rm5852 rm611 rm63751 vidocument of an elite viet cong delta unit.
He wanted ho chi minh, and the viet cong, to believe that he was obsessed with communism, and was prepared to use nuclear warfare to target it. The author analyzes and classifies the strategy and tactics of the viet cong vc according to a typology that includes encirclement. The main problem for the us was that their guerrilla enemy, the viet cong, hid out among the thick, dense forest, and stayed in villages among the ordinary folk. Strike from the shadows with m16s, ak47s, shot guns,and more.
Jun 21, 2011 ospreys study of the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war 19551975. Vietcong game installed and updated vietcong editor v1. The true origin of the term viet cong contrary to some histories, the term viet cong, like the war itself, was not a byproduct of the american presence in vietnam. Feb 09, 2012 the contrast between the two sides in the vietnam war could hardly have been greater. Vietnamese tactics local citizens in villages assisted their army and built their own bombs and traps for the viet cong. The contrast between the two sides in the vietnam war could hardly have been greater. Had elaborate system of tunnels and supply routes through cambodia and laos ho chi minh trail. Jun 19, 2018 ks3 history the cold war, superpowers, the vietnam war. An inside account of the vietnam war and its aftermath. Used jungle to their advantage guerrilla type fighting.
How effective were the vietcong tactics in the vietnam war. The fighting tactics used by the viet cong during the vietnam war were. Vietcong strategy of terror 22 empirical studies of. The name is said to have first been used by south vietnamese president ngo dinh diem to. Claim total victory in death match, capture the flag, and protect the pilot. Contrasting tactics of us and vietcong forces teaching. A common bomb created was often built with old, dormant american bombs which were scattered of the vietnam countryside. American military tactics vs vietcongs tactics prezi. The vietcongs tactics and technology in the vietnam war. Vietcong they were active mostly at night, appearing and disappearing like ghosts one of their favorite tactics was to set an ambush by placing an electronically controlled mine or booby trap on a trail used by american patrols, then the viet cong ambushers would hide nearby and detonate the mine by remote, when the patrol arrived. With a mechanism probably inspired by the british sten, this almost toylike, greenpainted submachine gun was. Vietcong strategy of terror 22 empirical studies of conflict. He wanted the north vietnamese to believe that hed go to extraordinary lengths, so. Oct 22, 2015 the crude and effective guerrilla small arms of the vietnam war.
The vietcong did not win a single major battle above divisional sized in the entire vietnam w. Viet cong the viet cong were a guerrilla branch of the north vietnamese army. The war was the second of two major conflicts that was spread all throughout indochina. This was highly effective due to their mastery of it. It actually really depends on your definition of success. For example the venus fly trap was a pit that had harpoon shaped spears that impaled victims legs as they fell, each time they tried to get out the spears would continue to tear their legs apart.
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