Conflict In Vietnam 1964 - 65 Flashcards
VC TACTICS - they blended
In with local population.This made it difficult for members to be identified.
VC TACTICS - weaken and terrorise enemy by
Surprise “ hit and run “ attacks.They avoided open battles as the ARVN had better equipment than them .
VC TACTICS - did not wear
Uniform .So fhey integrated with peasants
VC TACTICS - THEY SET
simple but deadly traps auch as pits with sharp bamboo poles or trip wires with explosives
VC TACTICS - used light
Weapons and equipment so they could be quicker and quieter and more efficient
VC TACTICS - STAYED CLOSE
To US troops so US planes couldn’t bomb them
VC TACTICS sabotaged
Roads and bridges to makw it more difficult for the enemy to move around
Why was Operation Rolling Thunder launched
In early 1965, there were still no US soldiers on the ground in Vietnam. Johnson wanted to force the North Vietnamese to negotiate a settlement
When was Operation Rolling Thunder launched
In February 1965 USA started a bombign campaign
What was Operation Rolling Thunder
A bombing campaign over North Vietnam
What were the military and Johnson split about
The military wanted immediate and heavy bombing all over NV including Hanoi.
However, Johnson resisted calls from the military to bomb extensively
How did Operation Rolling Thunder begin
Began slowly and near the border with South Vietnam
Where did Operation Rolling Thunder not bomb ?
It did not target Hanoi.
Also did not tsrget Haiphong , port where supplies from the USSR arrived in North Vietnam
Where did Operation Rolling Thunder target
Ho Chi Minh trail ( to atop aupplies arriving in SV )
what little industry there was in NV
Operation Rolling Thunder was planes dropping bombs but also
Napalm
Pineapple bombs
What are napalm
A slow burning petrol mixture that sticks to the skin and can burn through the bone
What are pineapple bombs
Canosters that explode and shoot pellets everywhere, like bullets
As a result of Operation Rolling Thunder US troops were sent to Vietnam
As the USA increased the amount of Rolling Thunder bombing , also set up more aircraft bases in Vietnam.
General Westmorland asked for geound troops to protect these aircraft bases- another step in the escalation of war
Why did General Westmorland ask for troops
As these aircraft bases were obvious targets for NV like at Pleiku
Pleiku - On 7 Feb 1964 VC attacked the US airfield at Pleiku
9 died
128 wounded
122 aircrafts destroyed or damaged
As Rolling Thunder continued what happened
More and more geound forces were sent to SV
How did Johnson get troops
Johnson used the draft to get greater number of troops needed
What was the US tactic “ search and destroy “
Small units of US soldiers searched the jungle for VC camps and supplies.Then called up helicopters to bomb or spray chemicals on them
These missions were often conducted on the geound.What did this mean ?
VC had left traps on the ground to kill or injure soldiers .If any VC were still in the area, they would use “ hit and run “ attacks on US troops
What did the US soldiers destroy
US troops destroyed any VC tunnels, weapons and supplies they found.After the US troops left the area, the VC returned.This sent a message to the US that search and destroy methods were failing
What did the use of chemical sprays and bombing mean for the US
Meant they were harming villagers and their homes.This made the USA unpopular with the locals and did not help win the support
What did the missions create
The missions created about 4 million SV refugees
What was Tet Offensive
A series of attacks on 26 cities and US bases in SV
Who organised the Tet offensive
The North Vietnamese with the Vietcong, planned the Tet Offensive carefully
When was Tet offensive
Attacks began on Tet Lunar New Year, one of Vietnams most important holidays .
In 1968, this event was on 30 January
What was the strategy of NV and VC for Tet Offensive
NV and VC did a number of things to try and catch the US and ARVN off guard.
In late 1967, NV and VC attacked the demilitarised zone to lure US and ARVN troops away from cities and military bases .
Also, NV suggested it was willing to negotiate formpeace- along with recent VC and NV losses made the USA think the communists were losing
Events of the Tet Offensive 1968;
30 January - NV troops and the. C attacked high profile places in Saigon such as the US embassy, airport and radio station
How huge was the scale of the Tet offensive
Attacks were on a huge scale.
84,000 communists took part.
Big change after years of “ hit and run ‘ attacks
Why was Tet Offensive a humiliation for the US
Sight of the VC in the US embassy was a huge shock for the American public, who had been told they were winning the war.
What was the consequences of the Tet Offensive for US politicians
Congress was less willing to fund war
Growing anti war feeling
Main reason why Johnson did not run for president in 1968
Consequwnces of Tet Offensive for US publix
Feel cheated by the government saying war could end soon.Realised government was lying to them.Which decreased public support
Shocked by the images of VC in embassy
Huge rise in oppoaition to the war
Consequences of Tet Offensive for US army
Some feel they can win the war with more troops
Others think they can leave soon as ARVN coped well
What were the negative consequences of Tet Offensivd for thr North Vietnamese
Suffered heavy losses
VC allies almost wiped out
South Bietnamese did not revolt as hoped
What were the positive consequences of Tet offensive for the North Vietnamese
They could rebuild forces
Can use Tet in their propaganda - huge propoganda win
Reaction in the USA against the war was a victory for them
What were the consequences of Tet Offensive for the SV government
Worried US might leave soon
Had some support from the SV people - no revolt
