what strategies, technology, safety and transportation did they use during the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

During the Vietnam war a primary transportation strategy was to change truck routes as alot of supplies were trucked in or sent via chopper . The important thing was to deny the enemy (Viet-Cong , VC or NVA, North Vietnamese army) your route or landing approach. If they knew your route, they would be waiting for you, so change it up and make them work harder to completet their goal. A chopper coming in from the same direction or truck using the same road and time schedule is asking for trouble from Charles.
Charlie, or Charles for uptown folk, was a nick- name for the VC. For ground transportation a 6-by or 6x6 was used, simply a large six wheel drive truck capable of carrying 2.5 tons of stuff, the trucks were "hardened" against RPG (Rocket propelled grenades) attack by placing heavy sandbags on the floors and area in front of the driver, often windshields were removed to protect drivers from glass fragments if an explosion occured; the chopper carried less, but got it there faster; choppers were used alot to support ground infantry and went to a hot areas known as an "LZ" (landing Zone) with basic stuff, ammunition and food-water; on the way out they carried dead or wonded; a LZ under fire was marked with a red smoke grenade and an LZ not under fire was marked with a green smoke grenade.
Simply put, the strategy was to be unpredictable, be prepaired to get hit by Charles ; this was the technology of the times and it really has not changed much.

Answer 2

Our stragtedy was have American divisions seek out and destroy North Vietnamese and Viet Cong (South Vietnamese Communist) formations, while air power carried the war to the North, attacking both the will of Hanoi's leaders to continue the fight and, to an increasing extent, their ability to do so. The list of targets expanded to include transportation, oil storage, and the nation's few industries. This strategy of search and destroy would force the Communists to expend supplies and thus make the logistics establishment in North Vietnam all the more vulnerable to bombing, while preventing civilan causlties from artillery and and stuff.
air power

US NVA
P-51D Mustang Mig 19
F-4 Phantom Mig 21
B-52 Stratofortress Mig 25

Fire Power
US NVA
M-16 AK-47
.45 Colt Captured US firepower
.50 Cal machine gun
M2A3 Sniper rifle
Bazzoka
'03 springfield rifle and sniper
M2 mortar

Answer 3

US
Strategy: Find them and Napalm them
Technology: US controlled the air
Safety: They come at night so set guards and "bee hives"
Transportation: helicopters

VC (never won a battle, but won the war)
Strategy: Get media and public opinion back home to attack the forces
Technologies: Booby traps
Safety: Tunnels
Transport: whatever they could get

Jungle warfare was very different. Unfortunately, the forces were held back by the gov't like they were in Korea

Answer 4

Your question is very valid....

Afghanistan is not much different in many ways from Vietnam except for technology of course. Keep in mind though every soldier always resorts to pencil and paper when needed. ( one that wants to stay alive that is.)

I'm a veteran of 5 tours of Afghanistan and a World History buff contact me personally for more i would be pleased to answer.

SFC A. Corvin
U.S. Army

[e-mail]

Answer 5

Been there and done that and yes viet nam is history and just because some governemtn paid naval wife does not believe it is releveant today does not mean diddly squat.
Military wives are paid to keep their men happy when they are at home and not question them when they return after long absences.
Hot LZX'as were marked by many difering colored smoke genades. You popped a smoke never telling color to choppers and they told you the correct color and how many. this was so charlie who may pop a smoke himself ,ya know could not fool you or the choppers.
When riding a slick or gun ship it was best to sit on helmet as the aluminum bottoms on choppers let bullets go clear through and at least you may luck out and go home still a man.
The helicopter war is not as many warriors of today say,the great decider of Viet Conflict as it drove the enemy underground, cost like heck to replace, and while it lent mobility as most of our grunts cold nto keep up to charlie in bush, in most cases charlie left when they started flying in from radios in surrounding areas, much like old US island spotters in WWII.

Answer 6

Sad to see, just mention "Vietnam" and the ghosts come out of the closets.
I fear there is substance to some claims of abuse by Americans, but it was not allowed in my unit nor the unit of any soldiers I spoke to. I have to believe it was only a few isolated instances where the officers did not have control of their men. AND, that would harm the mind of any decent human to have to witness such atrocities. My heart goes out to you if you witnessed such things.

Now for the question as asked.

STRATEGY.
Find the enemy, neutralize by kill or capture. Then retreat to secure area and allow enemy replacements to move back in. Sounds foolish but I guess it was thought impossible to secure the entire country.

TECHNOLOGY:
We had listening devices that were planted to detect enemy movement.
Radar to determine the location of incoming mortars or rockets. (Sorry but you have to let them have the first shot so you can find out where they are.)
Photography form the air helped detect enemy location

SAFETY?
Wow I suppose just training GI's to keep their weapons on safety and always be aware of each others position. The artillery kept in constant communication with parties in the field so we wouldn't accidentally bomb them.
Protective vests called "flack jackets" They were very heavy and didn't have arms just a vest but it protected the major organs from bullets and sharpnel.
Steel helmets. Saved my soul at least once. Chunk of shrapnel put a dent in my helmet and knocked me flat. Felt like getting hit by a BIG ball bat.

TRANSPORTATION
Big trucks. Had three axles, two in back one in front. Eight tires in back and two in front. One version could carry 2.5 tons and the other 5 tons. Big diesel engines had lots of power.
A little jeep-like thing made by Ford. Wasn't nearly as rugged as a Jeep, but it was cheap and easy to make.
Helicopters. Lots of helcopters. Some with two rotors one in front one in back. It was long and skinny. That was called Chinook and it could carry a lot of weight. I believe it could lift 10 tons! The Louisiana (Huey) was everywhere. It carried people, food, ammunition, you name it.

For pictures and info go to
http://bgmarrs2.tripod.com/
http://www.popasmoke.com/
http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam.html

Answer 7

what does it matter it was 40 years ago
nothing like we have now