Pdf the article focuses on the basic characteristic of military development in the second half of the 20 th century. They used antiaircraft guns, surfacetoair missiles and fighter. It may be release to the ctoerlnghouie, department of commerce, tar tele to. Vietnamese booby traps bbc holidays in the danger zone. Prisoner intelligence, viet congnorth vietnamese tactics and. Tactical and materiel innovations army center of military history. If youre talking about military success, then their tactics really cant be called successful. Contrasting tactics of us and vietcong forces teaching. Communist determination to employ insurgency to seize political power is.
The tactics and methods of the north vietnamese and viet cong soldiers did not. A desperate army fights with the courage of despair. 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 this. The effective of the search and clear tactics were proved in many operations such as operation pinnaroo where only 5 australians were killed compared to 40 of the viet cong, or operation hammersley where the ratio of death between australian and vietcong was 5. The first page of the pdf of this article appears above. Viet cong, north vietnamese, so viet, and communist chinese. At the same time, mole villages in the south and vast areas of forest were sprayed vath chemicals to destroy the viet cong hiding places. Types of tactical operations guerrilla warfare may involve attacks by specialized assault squads. Vietcong strategy of terror 12 empirical studies of. Quang dadanang special zone, general nguyen chi thanh was recalled. Viet cong and pavn strategy, organization and structure. Dec 02, 20 a viet cong guerrilla stands guard in the mekong delta.
Why were the military tactics of the vietcong so successful. Why did the vc mainly use guerrilla tactics to fight the war in the south. The viet cong were famous for using the guerrilla warfare tactic in vietnam to attack american forces. The cold war, 194575 vietcong tactics 196468 in early 1965 the viet cong and north vietnamese army nva had about 170,000 soldiers. Jan 31, 2018 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. In 1964 a viet cong underwater team sank this american. Vietcong strategy of terror 22 empirical studies of conflict. It may be release to the ctoerlnghouie, department of commerce, tar tele to the genera public. Sources of military equipment to viet cong and north vietnamese military forces keywords.
How effective were the guerrilla tactics of the viet cong. The name viet cong comes from the phrase cong san viet nam, meaning vietnamese communist. Guerrilla warfare tactics, in their simplest forms, are used to allow smaller forces to defeat much larger ones. Little scholarly at tention has been directed to the partys mass organization work. Pdf vietnam war the new aspect of warfare researchgate. They were originally trained by chinese guerrillas. Female viet cong guerrilla, 1972 rare historical photos. The expulsion of the french had still left a clandestine organization behind in the south, reinforced by thousands of southerners that had gone north after the communist victory regroupees. The vietcong relied on hit and run tactics and were able to improvise solutions to the problem of lack of supplies. How effective were the vietcong tactics in the vietnam war.
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. An inside account of the vietnam war and its aftermath tang, truong nhu on. Government counterinsurgency guide january 2009 3 this guide employs a coin model that comprises five main functional components. These tunnels allowed them to disappear at any time and remain hidden as long as they need. The us forces relied on high technology weaponry and massive firepower, particularly air strikes and carpet bombing of vietcong bases. Tactics and objectives during the tet offensive author.
The vietnam war part 2 the tactics of the viet cong. The viet cong received military advisors and weapons from china in 1950, which the chinese versions of the russian ak47 were frequently used throughout the war. Tactics and objectives during the tet offensive victoria pohle this research is supported by the department of defense under contract dahc 15 67 c 0143, monitored by the assistant secretary of defense international security affairs and by the advanced research projects agency. 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. American tactics in vietnam can be summed up by the acronym beast bombing, escalation, air and artillery, search and destroy and technology. The author analyzes and classifies the strategy and tactics of the viet cong vc according to a.
Guerrilla tactics and strategy are summarized below and are discussed extensively in standard reference works such as maos on guerrilla warfare. Terrain in vietnam vietnam, formerly called indochlna or annam, is located on the east side of the indochinese peninsula. What is going on is the assumption of responsibility by the south vietnamese for all aspects of the war, accompanied by the orderly but not precipitous disengagement of. 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. The vietcong use guerilla tactics against south vietnam. Half of viet nams territory is still under the heel of a new type colonialism made in u. Tactics used in the vietnam war the vietnam war edexcel. As this is being written, early in 1970, the socalled vietnamization process is well under way in south vietnam.
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 this time and subsequently. An inside account of the vietnam war and its aftermath. How the environment in vietnam suited the viet cong and how it was a disadvantage for the us troops. By time of the tet offensive in 1968, the viet cong was becoming stronger. Because the us had more advanced weapons, resources and equipment to beat the vietcong and the north vietnamese army the nva in a pinched fight or in open warfare. It actually really depends on your definition of success. The viet cong were also famous for their extensive use of tunnels and traps. Peoples war peoples army marxists internet archive. How the viet cong dealt with the decisions made by the us troops.
Feb 09, 2012 the contrast between the two sides in the vietnam war could hardly have been greater. Sep 21, 2008 disturbing images as the bbc holidays in the danger zone team visit vietnam to see the vietcong traps that still litter the fields. 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. Ospreys study of the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war 19551975. The vietcongs tactics and technology in the vietnam war. The vietcong did not win a single major battle above divisional sized in the entire vietnam w. 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. The political function is the key function, providing a framework of political reconciliation, and reform of governance around which all. Vietcong strategy of terror 22 empirical studies of. In 1973, north vietnam, south vietnam, the united states and the provisional revolutionary government, acting on behalf of the south vietnamese resistance fighters, signed the.
The true origin of the term viet cong the diplomat. Americas tactics made the local population dislike them, which allowed to viet cong to hide amongst them, whilst the bloody tet offensive hard turned most of america against the war. This was highly effective due to their mastery of it. Despite having no aircraft, tanks or artillery of their own, the vietcong managed to hold out against the americans until the usa left vietnam in the 1970s.
It is bounded on the north by china, on the east and south by the south china sea, and on the west by cambodia and laos. How effective were the guerrilla tactics of the viet cong history plan what tactics the viet cong used against usarvn troops. Strategy and tactics are, in their origin, military terms and any study of the subject requires a. What is going on is the assumption of responsibility by the south vietnamese for all aspects of the war, accompanied by the orderly but not precipitous disengagement of u. Allied and nvavc tactics allied and north vietnamese viet cong doctrine showed. The viet cong, or national front for the liberation of south vietnam, supported the replacement of president ngo dinh diem.
Detailed discussion of materiel and equip ment in this circular is confined to that of for eign origin. One defense against such tactics was the use of hand grenades dropped over the side of the vehicle. The smaller force would attack the larger army away from its main force. The viet cong know how to use mines and they use them effectively. The fighting tactics used by the viet cong during the vietnam war were. Allied and north vietnamese viet cong doctrine showed marked and significant differences in the approaches taken by either side. 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. As if the vietnam conflict wasnt rough enough, here are 5 intense booby traps used by the viet cong in the jungles of vietnam. Communist thought and viet cong tactics michael charles conley communist determination to employ insurgency to seize political power is normally paralleled by an effort to evolve a comprehensive system of administrative controls over elements of the population. The viet cong department of defense literally translated, the phrase viet cong vc means vietnamese communist, and those who are viet cong employ the whole communist arsenal of deceit and violence. Vietcong military tactics the vietnam war national 5. This book reveals the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war.
The contrast between the two sides in the vietnam war could hardly have been greater. The viet cong 19651967 part 1 and the viet cong 19651967 part 2. Tactics and objectives during the tet some impressions of the effects of military operations on viet cong behavior, l. The helped the vc devise attack and defensive tactics, and determine what kinds of booby traps to fashion and where to set. Twostep charlie was the nickname for several of the snakes in the jungles of vietnam. They based their strategies and tactics on those that were used by mao zedong,the communist leader in china. The viet congs guerrilla tactics made it very difficult to defeat them. As this is being written, early in 1970, the socalled viet namization process is well under way in south viet nam. They were well supplied with weapons and equipment from china and the ussr, but they were heavily. How the surroundings in vietnam were an advantage to the viet cong. This report is one of a series of rand studies that examine the organization, operations, motivation, and morale of the viet cong and.
Vietnamese tactics local citizens in villages assisted their army and built. The tunnels of cu chi missouri university of science and. 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 on the kind of tactics. 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. Disturbing images as the bbc holidays in the danger zone team visit vietnam to see the vietcong traps that still litter the fields. Care had to be taken, however, to throw the grenade far. 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. The formation of the viet cong vc and north vietnamese army nva lies in the communist dominated resistance to the french the viet minh. How did the north vietnamese try to fight back against the american bombers. How guerrilla tactics were better than those used by the us troops. It must be em phasized, however, that viet cong forces make extensive use of captured u.
Viet congnorth vietnamese tactics and strategy for the tet i. In an attempt to off their suppty lines, us planes began bombing north vietnam. The viet congs ability to outsmart the american soldiers worked phenomenally, whenever the viet cong felt enemy pressure they would split up into tiny groups and attack from everywhere. Jun 21, 2011 ospreys study of the evolving us, viet cong and nva tactics at battalion level and below throughout the vietnam war 19551975. You could find women like her almost everywhere during the war, said the photographer. Oct 22, 20 the effective of the search and clear tactics were proved in many operations such as operation pinnaroo where only 5 australians were killed compared to 40 of the viet cong, or operation hammersley where the ratio of death between australian and vietcong was 5. Tactics and weapons used in vietnam artillery vietnam war. A viet cong guerrilla stands guard in the mekong delta. Her name is lam thi dep dep means beautiful in vietnamese, the picture was taken in 1972 at soc trang province by vietnamese journalist minh truong. Viet minh, viet cong and nva the viet cong were the south vietnamese communists, and considered a political movement for the people. We hope that all our friends who, like us, are still suffering from imperialist designs and threats will find in the peoples war, peoples army what we ourselves have found. Tactics used by allied, north vietnamese army and viet cong during. Along with an unknown number of traps set by the viet cong, they also made over 75 miles worth of tunnels underground.
Communist thought and viet cong tactics asian survey. 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. The viet cong, even though being poorly matched in an open battle, beat the us. Dec 04, 2016 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. In this lesson, you will learn about the resistance fighters known as the vietcong, and explore the role that they played in the vietnam war and the reunification of north and south vietnam. These vietnam war documents have been curated by alpha history authors. Aug 10, 2019 the phrase viet cong denotes only southerners who supported the communist cause but in many cases, they were integrated with fighters from the regular north vietnamese army, the peoples army of vietnam pavn.
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