Escalation and tactics of both sides Flashcards
6 reasons to why the situation in Vietnam was deteriorating for the US at the end of 1964
- Rise in anti-American feelings amongst population
- USSR established firm links with NLF and sent military resources to N.V
- NV forces moved down Ho Chi Minh Trail
- SV army in low morale as poor leadership and bad training
- Vietcong strengthened their position in South areas
- China provided military supplies to N.V
When was Operation Rolling Thunder?
Feb 1965 - Nov 1968
Why did Johnson order Operation Rolling Thunder?
Following a Vietcong attack on army barracks and a US Helicopter base in Pleiku on February 7, 1965, followed by further attacks
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
Bombing Campaign on North
When was Operation Flaming Dart?
12 hours after Camp Holloway (Pleiku)
What was Operation Flaming Dart?
Bombing of N.V military targets
Response by Vietcong to Flaming Dart and Johnson’s response to this?
Vietcong fighters attacked Quy Nhon and 23 Americans killed in response Johnson retaliates 12 hours later (Flaming dart 2)
5 Objectives of Rolling Thunder
- Improve S.V morale
- Bolster US credibility
- Force N.V to end NLF support in South
- Demolish NV transportation networks/air defence systems
- End Ho Chi Minh Trail
Stats regarding Rolling Thunder
1. How many bombs dropped
2. Cost
3. How much destruction %
4. Civilian deaths
- 1 million tons
- $1 billion
- 77% military depots and 50% bridges
- 100,000 - 200,000
Why was Rolling Thunder terminated?
Achieved none of its objectives
Why was Rolling Thunder a failure?
- North were highly prepared (Air raid precautions)
- 2 million shock brigade members to repair damage
When was John Hopkins Speech?
7 April 1965
What did the John Hopkins Speech say?
Committed to containment and will not let S.V fall to N.V
What did N.V proposal set out the day after John Hopkin speech?
( 4 points )
- US too withdraw troops from South
- Neither S or N may enter foreign powered alliance
- S.V internal affairs to be settled by people of S.V with no external influence
- Peaceful reunification must be settled only by people of both zones
Response of LBJ to N.V proposal and what did he order
Rejected as he believed acceptance would lead to communist state
- Ordered two marine battalions, an air squadron and 20,000 troops to be deployed in Vietnam
When did LBJ announce the escalation of US military?
28th July 1965
Bomb and Ground troops expansion 1965 - 1967
Bombs
1965 - 63,000 tons
1967 - 220,000 tons
Troops
1965 - 180,000
1967 - 480,000
Who was General William Westmoreland?
Commander of US forces in V 1964-68
Strengths of USA
- Economic
- Modern equipment and supplies
- Helicopters
Strengths of N.V
- Knew area of battle
- Determination
- Logistical and military support from USSR and China
Weaknesses of USA
- Uncommitted S.V army with untrained troops
- Media coverage weakened US position
- Campaigns at home increased opposition
Weaknesses of N.V
- Degree of dependency on USSR and China
- The economy struggles to afford prolonged war
2 tactics used by USA
Bombing and Search and Destroy
What bombers were used during Operation Rolling Thunder?
B-52
What and when was Operation Ranch Hand?
Involved spraying chemicals to defoliate the jungle and exploit the enemy
- 1962
What was used during Operation Ranch Hand and outcome?
Agent orange and blue
- Destroyed Vietnamese peasants crops and livelihoods
When was search and destroy mainly and outline the tactic
1965-68
- US forces would arrive by helicopter and raid villages accused of harbouring Vietcong
Was bombing successful for USA?
US effort was always undermined by the fact that North lost resources were soon replaced through the aid of the USSR and China
Was Search and Destroy successful for USA?
No as almost impossible to identify the enemy so many innocent civilians killed
- Livestock and crops also destroyed
What were VietCong tactics?
- Peasant support
- Guerrilla tactics
- Ho Chi Minh Trail
What was the aim of peasant support?
To gain recruits among the peasants in the South against the US in order to increase their support and influence
Was peasant support successful?
These methods won support and prepared them to use significant violence against peasants who challenged them
Why did N.V want to use Guerrilla tactics?
To enable them to compensate for their inability to fight in conventional warfare
How did N.V use Guerrilla tactics?
- Complex tunnel systems
- Booby traps within the forest to ambush US forces
Were Guerrilla tactics a success?
Allowed them to gain an upper hand over the US as they had a much clearer understanding of the area and also compensated
What did China agree to N.V in December 1964?
To provide military supplies and between this and 1969 they expanded
How many guns supplied by China to N.V in 1964 and 1969?
1964 - 80,000
1969 - 140,000
What did USSR provide N.V?
Surface-to-air missiles, MiG-21 jets and artillery systems
Was Ho Chi Minh Trail successful?
- Ensured continuous supplies provided and also improved during the war
- Was susceptible to attacks however caused no permanent damage
