AMERICAN MILITARY TACTICS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR Flashcards
Identify five American military tactics used during the Vietnam War.
- The Strategic Hamlets Programme
- “Search and destroy” patrols
- Bombing campaigns (Operation Rolling Thunder)
- Herbicides (Agent Orange)
- Napalm
Describe America’s Strategic Hamlets Programme.
Whole villages in Viet Cong areas were moved to new sites controlled by the South Vietnamese government. American soldiers controlled who entered and left, and gave building materials, food and money to the villagers to build new farms and homes.
What evidence is there that the Strategic Hamlets Programme was effective?
Americans tried to win over the support of the Vietnamese by giving special aid to villagers.
What evidence is there that the Strategic Hamlets Programme was ineffective?
Peasants did not like having to leave their homes and villages, and were forced to build new villages without pay.
Many did not see the Viet Cong as a threat, and did not like constantly being stopped and searched. Some corrupt officials also took the money which was meant for food, medical care, etc. The programme helped to increase support for the Viet Cong.
What happened on “search and destroy” patrols?
American troops were sent on patrols from helicopters. They would target villages and destroyed any Viet Cong forces found.
What evidence is there that the “search and destroy” patrols were effective?
Some Viet Cong fighters were killed during patrols, weakening the communist forces.
What evidence is there that “search and destroy” patrols were ineffective?
During “search and destroy” patrols, for every one Viet Cong weapon captured, 6 innocent civilians were killed
Describe the bombing campaigns used by the US army.
Operation Rolling Thunder began in February 1965 and targeted North Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh trail and suspected Viet Cong bases. It ended in 1972.
What evidence is there that the bombing campaigns were effective?
It damaged North Vietnam’s war effort and destroyed supply routes.
It encouraged North Vietnam to enter negotiations from 1970, after intense bombing campaigns against Hanoi.
What evidence is there that the bombing campaigns were ineffective?
The bombing only slowed down the communists – Viet Cong supply lines were re-opened and continued to operate.
The financial cost of the campaigns was enormous – it cost $400,000 to kill one Viet Cong fighter.
Communist forces shot down 14,000 US and SVA aircraft.
How much did it cost to kill one Viet Cong fighter using air power?
$400,000
What was Agent Orange, and why was it used during the war?
A highly toxic weed killer used to destroy the Vietnamese jungle where Viet Cong fighters and bases were hidden.
How much Agent Orange was used during the war?
82 million litres
How many acres of forest were destroyed during the war?
4 million acres
How many Vietnamese people and farmers were affected by the use of herbicides?
1.3 million
