Chapter 13: US Strengths & Weaknesses Flashcards
When was the first battle between the two sides?
November 1965. Both sides saw themselves as victorious; the US left 2000-3000 NV dead and only 300, and the NV had held their position. Commander of NV forces, General Vo Nguyen Giap, realised he needed an alternative strategy to combat US military supremacy.
What was the one major strength of the US?
Economic might. They gave soldiers modern equipment in plentiful supply, airfields and helicopter pads constructed across the country, by 1967 about one million supplies were arriving in SV each month, a helicopter was a crucial component in armoury of US, used to deliver troops no risk of ambush, recovering troops, speedy.
What was the policy surrounding bombing?
It started with Operation Rolling Thunder, B-52 bomber was their key bombing tool. Basic aim was to destroy NV’s economy and undermine Vietcong and Northern forces in South- FAILED. NV was predominantly agrian country and had few but well disguised military targets. More bombs fell on NV than in entirety of WW2. Efforts undermiend by fact that NV’s lost resources were soon rplaced by China and USSR.
What was Operation Ranch Hand?
Approved as early as 1962. Involved spraying chemicals to defoliate the jungles. Agent Orange: contains dioxin, toxic defoliant destroys trees, associated with child deformities. Agent Blue: sprayed over plants, deprives enemy of food. Alienated Vietnamese peasants.
What were Anti-Personnel bombs and Napalm?
Alienated Vietnamese peasants as they were indiscriminate. The so called pineapple bombs freed 1000s of pellets in an explosion. Napalm got spread over a wide area and when it landed it set on fire.
What was Search and Destroy?
US would arrive by helicopter and raid a village suspected of harbouring Vietcong. Almost impossible to accurately identify the enemy. Innocents killed, homes destroyed, food production and lifestock. Undermined US efforts to engage roral peasants as allies so they would reject support for Vietcong.
What was the contradiction in the USA’s tactics?
Contradiction between indiscriminate and gratuitous violence against civilians and winning hearts and minds of them.
What happened by 1968?
The strengths of the USA were outweighed by their weaknesses: widespread tv and press coverage- anti-War mood in US, SVA largely uncommitted to the struggle- frequently avoided action and the troops were not well trained.
