2006-12-31 05:14:43 · 34 answers · asked by Joss K 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Well - for one thing the US didn't look for any support from the British in that fight. We were doing that one on our own. Besides it was really a French mess - but American foolish brought it upon ourselves with the silly domino theory.
Good Luck!!!
2006-12-31 05:18:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a good question.
Key point: The Malayan Emergency 1948-1960
One should recall the UK had extensive experience in SE Asia, was the only Army that had defeated communists as well as helping the Malaysians
Develop democracy.
Brits knew how to fight and win such a war. The Americans were “warned” but whatever, it really was one fine mess. Arrogant, ignorant, it was just the way the USA was. I did 2 ½ years in Vietnam, knew many Aussies and a few Kiwi’s (New Zealand’s finest) in my time there.
I recall when in Hong Kong talking with a few British soldiers about the nature of things. Their worries were well Northern Ireland by then.
America just did not keep up with the lessons of Malaysia, most do not realize that our Special forces (Green Berets) whilst doing a great job were slowly ordered out of the picture.
Perhaps if America would have had such as a Brigade of Gurkhas things may have been better.
I do think I have met no finer soldiers than those of the UK, and certainly the Aussies and Kiwi’s: Vietnam was not some place 10,000 plus miles away but close to them. In all respect if the British Royal Parachute had been there the commies would have run back to Ho Chi Minh and never to return. In over a decade we never got much out of our building of the Vietnamese democracy or military.
Bottom line: most knew that the Vietnam War was a doomed prospect. The "Brits" knew how to win such.
2006-12-31 06:25:30 · answer #2 · answered by cruisingyeti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would imagine a couple of reasons. First, they were not threatened (of course, neither were we, but so it goes...) so they didn't think there was a reason for it. Our allies were primarily the Aussies, Korean marines, some Thai special forces and some Philippine troops. Another reason is that Harold Wilson, a Labour PM was not supportive of the US involvement in Vietnam. Politically it would have been suicide for him to come to our aid. His first term was 1964-70, really the critical time in the war. After Tet in 1968, it was pretty clear that war was going down the tubes.
Also the UK as a whole, voters and citizens, were rather left leaning during that time and being of such a mind set, the opposition to the war was widespread.
And finally, it was a lousy time for the British economy and another drain on their government's funds was frowned upon.
2006-12-31 05:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The American government did ask for British support. Harold Wilson politely declined beyond a token gesture or two.
Basicly, no-one in the UK could see the point of getting involved, unlike in Korea for example.
Perhaps another reason was that the US (quite rightly!) pulled the plug on the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt in 1956.
Special relationship? Yeah, no-one can lick ars* like Tony Blair!
2006-12-31 05:38:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The UK prime minister of the day, Harold Wilson (Labour) refused to allow British forces to be used in Vietnam, even though he was put under considerable pressure by US Pres. Linden B Johnson.
2007-01-02 06:59:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the Prime Minister (can't remember who it was) back then had more sense than to go running after the Yanks into a war that was nothing to do with us and which would have wasted loads of taxpayers' money and British soldiers' lives.
Sadly, these days we have Tony Blair.
2007-01-01 05:26:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually we were! and at the same time we were in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and the Middle east fighting the tide of Communism too! It was just not made public knowledge at that time and was put down as Training Teams for Local Goverment troops.
2007-01-01 01:35:18 · answer #7 · answered by camshy0078 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
President Lyndon Johnson put a lot of pressure on our PM Harold Wilson to get involved, but he always resisted and refused.
Where is he now? We need a PM who will not get involved with ill advised and illegal US military adventures. Not like Phony Tony, the supine spineless creep.
2006-12-31 05:31:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Apparently Britain secretly sent it's SAS in but that has never been confirmed,Britain was afraid that if Vietnam fell then Britain's territory like Singapore,Malaya etc will also fall soon after.
2006-12-31 06:30:44 · answer #9 · answered by HHH 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No British Troops Served in Vietnam.
BUT, it is said that a few Special forces that were attached to the Austrailian Forces, did so under their Flag.
2006-12-31 05:30:42 · answer #10 · answered by Harly Q 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋