Describe the military tactics used by both the USA and the Vietcong forces in Vietnam in the 1960s

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Describe the military tactics used by both the USA and the Vietcong forces in Vietnam in the 1960s

During the Vietnam war both the USA and the Vietcong used very contrasting military tactics. The USA chose to use their superior technical and military might to overcome the Vietcong quickly and effectively. The USA felt this would suffice. Although the Vietcong chose to use their guerrilla tactics and used the lush canopy and shrubbery of the jungle to their advantage. Instead of fighting battles which they would almost certainly lose, due to the advanced weaponry of the US forces.

Originally following the setting up of the Republic of Vietnam (GVN) using US military and political aid, the Communist Party attempted to reunify the country via political means alone. This involved the use of internal political pressure. The president of the GVN at that time was Ngo Dinh Diem who claimed his government was under attack from the Communists in the north, claiming the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) wanted to take the nation by force. This was not the case till 1959 when the Communist Party approved the use of revolutionary violence alone to liberate South Vietnam. Hence on December 20th 1960 the NLF was formed in order to overthrow Diem and reunify the country.

Between 1960 and 1965 the war was merely small scale conflict and very little large scale offensives. In the past the Vietminh had succeeded in using guerrilla warfare against the Japanese and French. Ho Chi Minh said: “When fighting in an enemy occupied area, we must use guerrilla tactics. We must absolutely not go in for large scale battles and big victories unless we are 100% sure of success.” Ho Chi Minh believed in the following guerrilla tactic: “The aim of guerrilla warfare is to nibble at the enemy in such a way that he can neither eat or sleep in peace. Wherever he goes he should be attacked, stumble on land-mines or be greeted by sniper fire.” The USA noticed this method and its success and Kennedy produced the US’ version to counteract the Vietcong. These were called Green Berets. They like the Vietcong had to “melt into the countryside and use guerrilla warfare against the enemy.

Ho Chi Minh realised that it was not only a military war but a political war. Hence they had to recruit the locals and get them on their side at the same as defeating the oppressors. The Vietcong had one large advantage over the Green Berets in that they spoke the native language and therefore trust could be established more quickly and efficiently.

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In order that the Vietcong became friends of the people they had to be trained in personal skills as well as military training. they were to gain the peasant’s confidence and this involved following Ho Chi Minh’s “12 Recommendations”. These were “Be fair and honest with people. Never take even a pin from them. When staying in a civilian house maintain it as if it is your own. Be polite with the people and love the people. Be respected and loved by the people.” By following these techniques support was gained and also the Vietcong increased in numbers.

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