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Weapons & Battles

This overview explores the major forces and strategies of the Vietnam War, focusing on the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). It details essential battles, such as the Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre, and highlights the diverse weapons used by the Vietcong. The influence of American air support and tactics, including the "Vietnamization" strategy under Nixon, is examined alongside casualty statistics. The article addresses the experiences of women in the military and the eventual fall of Saigon in 1975.

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Weapons & Battles

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  1. Weapons & Battles Vietnam War

  2. ARVN and NVA • Army of the Republic of Vietnam • South Vietnam • They are the ally of the US • North Vietnam Army • Enemy for US & ARVN

  3. Vietcong • Also known as Charlie, Chuck, VC, Victor Charlie, or Black Pajamas due to what they wore • Rebels in the South who help the North • Enemy to US and ARVN

  4. Weapons of the Vietcong Spiked Mud Ball/ Bamboo Whip • Punji Pits Side Closing Trap Bear Trap Crossbows

  5. Weapons of the Vietcong Explosives • Daisy Chains • Trip Wire Trap • Bouncing Betty Anti-Aircraft • Claymore Mine on its back

  6. Tunnels

  7. US Tactics • Herbicides: Agent Orange, Blue, Purple -Kill Vegetation • Helicopters

  8. DaNang & Ia Drang Valley • Major air strip for US and ARVN • Where we landed Marines during the 1965 escalation of the war • IaDrang Valley-1st battle “search & destroy” -US air strikes “Operation Rolling Thunder” -VC uses close battle -Sets stage strategy of war

  9. Ho Chi Minh Trail • Supply trail that ran through neighboring Laos & Cambodia to get supplies from North to Vietcong in South • Complicated trails, foot &truck paths, river transport and mazes • Ex: October 1967 480 trucks by Dec. 6315-They are preparing for Tet

  10. Tet Offensive • Lunar New Year • Suppose to be a truce for 2 days so ARVN go home to celebrate • Westmoreland knows it is not a good idea since there is build up on Ho Chi Minh Trail • Jan 31, 1968-Sept. 1968 • Surprise attack by NVA & Vietcong to invade over 100 key cities including Saigon -wanted to take the countryside of the south -have South start uprising against Am./ARVN • At 1st Americans winning • *Turning point-60% Americans see Tet as the American defeat

  11. Khe Sanh • Marine base • Part of Tet • 77 day standoff • Had an airstrip built 1962 • Left the base on 7/5/68 • ~274 killed • Will eventually reopen in 1971 to invade Laos & abandoned again 1972

  12. A Tough Question • You are a 21 yr old Officer with 4 wounded men. The medivac reports they can only take 2 now. Which do you send? • 19 yr old bad head wound • Married 25 year old bad stomach wound • Leg wound • Shoulder wound

  13. My Lai Massacre • Hamlet • March 16, 1968 • 350-500 killed (unsure) • Charlie Company given orders to search for VC who may have retreated during Tet • Unclear if there were orders given to kill anyone • Thompson flies over in helicopter and tells them to stop

  14. My Lai Massacre • Lt Calley convicted March 1970 and serves 3 ½ months until released by Nixon • The Captain Medina & 26 platoon members never convicted • Changed American opinion of the war

  15. Vietnamization 1969-1973 • After Tet in 1968 under President Nixon • Policy of training and increases supplies to South Vietnam Army while reducing the number of American troops in Vietnam • We begin withdrawing • 1969-480,000 • 1970-280,000 • 1971-140,000 • End 1972-30,000 • January 1973 we sign agreement to fully withdraw Without telling the public, Nixon ordered the invasion of Laos & Cambodia in 1970…

  16. Fall of Saigon • NVA captured capital Saigon April 30, 1975 • Renamed Ho Chi Minh City • “Frequent Winds” begin to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans & South Vietnamese • Largest helicopter evacuation in history • Vietnam unites under communism

  17. Women • Approx. 7500 women served in the military primarily as nurses • Over 30,000 women would be in Vietnam, through Red Cross, Salvation Army and entertainment through USO

  18. Casualties • 58,193/ 8 women • 1,484 NJ • Average age of deaths 23 • 25% draftees-2/3 were Volunteer • 86% White/Hispanic (88% those served) • 12.5% Black (11% those served) • 1.2% Other (1% those served)

  19. Casualties • 76% lower/middle class • 75% Income above Poverty • 23% Fathers had professional jobs • 79% had high school diplomas or higher

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