Guerrilla Warfare in Vietnam

1. Guerrilla Warfare in Vietnam By: Tyler Sylvester

2. Works Cited Borklund, C. W. "Westmoreland, William C." Military Leaders Since World War II, American Profiles. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1992. (Updated 2005.) American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? Malcolm X. "'The Ballot or the Bullet' Speech." In Breitman, George, ed. Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements. New York: Merit Publishers, 1965. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp "Johnson, Lyndon B." In Pach, Chester. The Johnson Years, Presidential Profiles. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp Morgan Reynolds, Inc. "John Kerry: Senator From Massachusetts." John Kerry: Senator From Massachusetts (2005): 8-37. History Reference Center. Web. 10 June 2012. Martin, Harold H. "Fighting An Unseen Enemy." Saturday Evening Post 235.42 (1962): 14. History Reference Center. Web. 10 June 2012. Moseley, Cassandra. "Guerrilla Veterans In Post-War Zimbabwe: Symbolic And Violent Politics, 1980-1987 (Book)." International Journal Of African Historical Studies 37.1 (2004): 156-158. History Reference Center. Web. 10 June 2012.

3. Thesis Statement • The Vietcong used man types of warfare to overcome the US during the Vietnam War. • One of the primary tactics was the use of Guerrilla warfare. This was the sneaky type of warfare that allowed the VC to creep up on the American troops. • The Vietcong had a hug home field advantage in the Vietnam war. They knew the ins and outs of the jungle. They were able to hide in the trees and under ground. • Over all the use of Guerrilla warfare in this war ultimately “won” the ware for the Vietcong.

4. When talking about the problems in Vietnam, Malcolm X says," So they engage him in guerrilla warfare. That's not his style. You've got to have heart to be a guerrilla warrior, and he hasn't got any heart. I'm telling you now.” (Malcolm X) • Malcolm X is trying to say that the Vietcong are fighting for something. They have the heart to fight against the US. The US doesn’t have any determination to fight against the VC though. Guerrilla warfare wasn’t America’s way to fight a war. They weren’t ready for the force of the Guerrillas in Vietnam.

5. This graph represents the rising death toll for the US in Vietnam compared to Iraq. • These wars were both guerrilla fighting styles. • Iraq was an urban type of guerrilla fighting • Vietnam was in the jungle and gave the VC a more effective Guerrilla style. • The graph shows that the US was really effected by the VC than the people fighting in Iraq.

6. William Westmoreland wanted to develop a way to overcome the guerrillas fighting in Vietnam. They wanted to initiate small groups that would allow them to conquer the Vietcong. This was known as “anti-guerrilla counterinsurgency” (Borklund)

7. Jungle • As you can see in the picture there were many different hiding places for the Vietcong. • They liked to hide in trees and ambush unsuspecting US troops.

8. After Lyndon B. Johnson relieved Westmoreland of his duties he listened to many powerful voices in the US government of that time. It was soon after he heard there statements he began to initiate the steps in taking troops out of Vietnam. Johnson knew that the war had to be ended for the sake of America. (Chester)

9. Claymores • Claymores were used on the US side as well as the side of the Vietcong. • They planted these and other types of land mines to kill US troops walking through the jungle • These killed many Americans. Still proving that the guerrilla tactics were successful.

10. Spider Holes • The Vietcong developed a very precise underground tunnel system . • They usually sat in these “Spider Holes” and jumped up at unsuspecting US soldiers. • This was one part of the guerrilla tactics the VC used in the war. • Huge advantage over US soldiers.

11. As Malcolm X continues with his speech he points out, “…modern warfare today won't work. This is the day of the guerrilla.” (Malcolm X) Malcolm X is saying that Americas way of fighting won’t win any war because it is the age of the guerrilla tactic. This would hold true because the VC “won” the Vietnam war.

12. Camouflage • Camouflage helped the VC blend into the surrounding environment. • The US troops never actually saw them so they weren’t expecting the planned out attacks. • VC hid when they knew US troops were coming. They attacked then.

13. Malcolm X keeps on siding with the Guerrilla warfare in this statement he says, “Nowhere on this earth does the white man win in a guerrilla warfare.” (Malcolm X) He is trying to say that any person fighting against a type of guerrilla warfare will never win. The “white man” will always lose according to Malcolm X.

14. In 1967 there were more US deaths than in 1965 and 1966 combined. The US death toll was still rising. The guerrilla warfare was working for the Vietcong. (Reynolds)

15. Spears and Poisoned Arrows • The Vietcong used Punji sticks to kill enemies. • The punji sticks were covered with fecal matter that poisoned the US soldiers. • This still a part of the guerrilla tactics.

16. In an article written by Harold H. Martin he says, “He speaks the same language and wears the same black calico trousers and the same conical straw hat. By night he is a prowling killer…” (Martin)The US soldiers couldn’t tell the difference between the north and south Vietnamese. The guerrilla warfare allowed them to blend in with the crowd.

17. The guerrillas had a huge effect on the new regime for Vietnam. They posed as threats and hope for the Vietnam public. Resulting in the end of multiple power in Vietnam.