3.3: The nature of the conflict in Vietnam, 1964-68 Flashcards
What guerrilla tactics did the VC use:
Ambushes
Deadly defences (booby traps)
Integrated with rural peasants
Stayed close to US deployment troops to prevent bombings
Sabotaged roads and bridgs
Avoided open battles
Travelled light and off-route
What was Operation Rolling Thunder
Johnson wanted to negotiate a settlement so in Febuary 1965, the USA started a bombing campaign in North Vietnam.
It targetted the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to stop supplies being atken from thr South and Nort Vietnam industrial base. However, the Hanoi and Chinese border were avoided to prevent further war
When was Operation Rolling Thunder
Early 1965
Us tactics during ‘Search and destroy’ missions
Small groups of US soldiers tracked VC camps and called helicopter on to spray chemicals and bomb them. This was unpopular among many of the population.
The VC fought back by implanting traps and ‘hit and run’ attack instead of fighting
The US would destroy VC tunnels and leave the area. However, the VC alaways come back. The search and destroy missions are failing
Events of the Tet Offensive
1968- 100 cities and US bases in South Vietnam were attacked
This was done through intially attacking demilitarised zones to attract US and ARVN troops.
30 Jan, North Vietnam attacked Saigon, such as the US embassy, airport and radio station. The attack was eventually defeated. However, this shocked many of the US
The VC suffered extreme losses although the US saw the Tet Offensive as a failure
When was the Tet Offensive
Jan-Febuary 1968
