The Viet Minh, Viet Cong and NVA used their legendary guerilla tactics against the Americans during the Vietnam War; this left the U.S Military struggling and soon damaging their reputation and resulting in their loss of war. This war caused major controversy in the Unite States, affected the nation mentally and physically, and left the soldiers and American citizens battered and bruised from the loss of the Vietnam War.
Viet Minh, Viet Cong and NVA
The Viet Cong were the South Vietnamese Communists, and considered a political movement for the people. They were originally trained by Chinese guerrillas. The Viet Cong received military advisors and weapons from China in 1950, which the Chinese versions of the Russian AK-47 were frequently used throughout the war. They followed the Chinese ways and methods of fighting, being given the highest priority of creating safe base areas which were training grounds, logistics centres and headquarters. Secure sanctuaries were also offered for whenever the war might turn on the Vietnamese soldiers. Local guerrillas at first were only given a basic minimum amount of infantry training. Although if they were recruited for front line and main force unit, they could receive up to a month of intense training. All over South Vietnam were training centres to ensure that Vietnamese guerrillas understood why they were fighting, including political instruction in all training courses. During war, the Viet Cong completely disguised themselves into the normal peasant life. The soldiers lived amongst the South Vietnamese peasants, assisted them in growing food, provided medical services and helped with the schooling. Living in these premises allowed the Viet Cong to disguise themselves against the American soldiers. This being the reason why the U.S Military struggled knowing who were the Viet Cong and who were innocent Vietnamese citizens. Although, against main troops in Vietnam, the Viet Cong felt less confident. Majority of the soldiers were teenagers, who were generally pressured into joining. Initially, the Viet Cong had doubts and worried about fighting off the heavily armed, legendary and well trained American soldiers. But they did have an advantage on them by the guerrilla tactics they had learnt in their training, the Viet Cong proved themselves wrong and fought against the Americans as hard as they could.
Outsmarting and overpowering American Soldiers
The Vietnamese were very logical when it came to fighting America. They used the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail in the hills to manoeuvre around them, which unfortunately soon brought the 'Agent Orange' from America that affected Vietnam physically as well as mentally. Whilst the North became overwhelmed with the American bombing, 90,000 Vietnamese civilians began to dig 30,000 miles of tunnels for their soldiers to travel everywhere safely. The light and heavy machine guns they received from the Chinese were often used, in particular the heavy machine gun was used against the American helicopters. The Viet Cong also never used tanks , which lowered the cost for them for war, contrasting to America. A particular tactic, which was popular by the Viet Cong, was surrounding the American soldiers at once, making them feel helpless and that they couldn't do anything to conquer the Viet Cong who were 'everywhere'. This brought doubts about the war by President John Kennedy at the time. The Viet Cong's ability to outsmart the American soldiers worked phenomenally, whenever the Viet Cong felt enemy pressure they would split up into tiny groups and attack from everywhere. By time of the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Viet Cong was becoming stronger. They attempted large attacks and invaded the American embassy in Saigon. Although, the Viet Cong faced a lot more casualties than the Americans at this time, at a high number of 33,000 soldiers dead against the 1,600 dead American soldiers. When the statistics were released about the amount of Vietnamese deaths, Ho Chi Minh released a statement after Tet "You can kill ten of my men for every one of yours. But... You will lose and I will win"
Vietnamese Tactics
Local citizens in villages assisted their army and built their own bombs and traps for the Viet Cong. The local residents created the traps more to frighten off intruders that were coming into their village. A common bomb created was often built with old, dormant American bombs which were scattered of the Vietnam countryside, which in the end counted up to at least 20,000 bombs. Mines called "bouncing bettys" were popular, they usually weren't fatal but would severely injure the soldier who was hit. The noise of this explosion would also attract the attention of the Viet Cong, which results in being a trap as well as a bomb. Punji traps were also common, usually found in rivers and streams that Americans had to cross which they weren't expecting a trap to be hidden. The spikes in the Punji traps were infected with poison to infect the victim. The Viet Cong managed to affect many American soldiers who were the victim of the hidden traps. This became an advantage to the Viet Cong as the more soldiers that were becoming injured by their bombs and traps, the less soldiers they had to fight against.. When it came to destroying the American bunkers and armoured vehicles, the Viet Cong used rocket propelled grenades and rifles. In December 1965, the whole fighting method of the Viet Cong was altered when Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Viet Minh, announced a change in the way the North and South were being fought. It was ordered that the Viet Cong were to avoid the American troops, unless necessary. They were to now attempt hit and run attacks, the army were to be increased, with some Viet Minh soldiers joining the Viet Cong. This confused and surprised the U.S Military with more soldiers and more tactics to fight against.
Viet Minh, Viet Cong and NVA
The Viet Cong were the South Vietnamese Communists, and considered a political movement for the people. They were originally trained by Chinese guerrillas. The Viet Cong received military advisors and weapons from China in 1950, which the Chinese versions of the Russian AK-47 were frequently used throughout the war. They followed the Chinese ways and methods of fighting, being given the highest priority of creating safe base areas which were training grounds, logistics centres and headquarters. Secure sanctuaries were also offered for whenever the war might turn on the Vietnamese soldiers. Local guerrillas at first were only given a basic minimum amount of infantry training. Although if they were recruited for front line and main force unit, they could receive up to a month of intense training. All over South Vietnam were training centres to ensure that Vietnamese guerrillas understood why they were fighting, including political instruction in all training courses. During war, the Viet Cong completely disguised themselves into the normal peasant life. The soldiers lived amongst the South Vietnamese peasants, assisted them in growing food, provided medical services and helped with the schooling. Living in these premises allowed the Viet Cong to disguise themselves against the American soldiers. This being the reason why the U.S Military struggled knowing who were the Viet Cong and who were innocent Vietnamese citizens. Although, against main troops in Vietnam, the Viet Cong felt less confident. Majority of the soldiers were teenagers, who were generally pressured into joining. Initially, the Viet Cong had doubts and worried about fighting off the heavily armed, legendary and well trained American soldiers. But they did have an advantage on them by the guerrilla tactics they had learnt in their training, the Viet Cong proved themselves wrong and fought against the Americans as hard as they could.
Outsmarting and overpowering American Soldiers
The Vietnamese were very logical when it came to fighting America. They used the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail in the hills to manoeuvre around them, which unfortunately soon brought the 'Agent Orange' from America that affected Vietnam physically as well as mentally. Whilst the North became overwhelmed with the American bombing, 90,000 Vietnamese civilians began to dig 30,000 miles of tunnels for their soldiers to travel everywhere safely. The light and heavy machine guns they received from the Chinese were often used, in particular the heavy machine gun was used against the American helicopters. The Viet Cong also never used tanks , which lowered the cost for them for war, contrasting to America. A particular tactic, which was popular by the Viet Cong, was surrounding the American soldiers at once, making them feel helpless and that they couldn't do anything to conquer the Viet Cong who were 'everywhere'. This brought doubts about the war by President John Kennedy at the time. The Viet Cong's ability to outsmart the American soldiers worked phenomenally, whenever the Viet Cong felt enemy pressure they would split up into tiny groups and attack from everywhere. By time of the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Viet Cong was becoming stronger. They attempted large attacks and invaded the American embassy in Saigon. Although, the Viet Cong faced a lot more casualties than the Americans at this time, at a high number of 33,000 soldiers dead against the 1,600 dead American soldiers. When the statistics were released about the amount of Vietnamese deaths, Ho Chi Minh released a statement after Tet "You can kill ten of my men for every one of yours. But... You will lose and I will win"
Vietnamese Tactics
Local citizens in villages assisted their army and built their own bombs and traps for the Viet Cong. The local residents created the traps more to frighten off intruders that were coming into their village. A common bomb created was often built with old, dormant American bombs which were scattered of the Vietnam countryside, which in the end counted up to at least 20,000 bombs. Mines called "bouncing bettys" were popular, they usually weren't fatal but would severely injure the soldier who was hit. The noise of this explosion would also attract the attention of the Viet Cong, which results in being a trap as well as a bomb. Punji traps were also common, usually found in rivers and streams that Americans had to cross which they weren't expecting a trap to be hidden. The spikes in the Punji traps were infected with poison to infect the victim. The Viet Cong managed to affect many American soldiers who were the victim of the hidden traps. This became an advantage to the Viet Cong as the more soldiers that were becoming injured by their bombs and traps, the less soldiers they had to fight against.. When it came to destroying the American bunkers and armoured vehicles, the Viet Cong used rocket propelled grenades and rifles. In December 1965, the whole fighting method of the Viet Cong was altered when Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Viet Minh, announced a change in the way the North and South were being fought. It was ordered that the Viet Cong were to avoid the American troops, unless necessary. They were to now attempt hit and run attacks, the army were to be increased, with some Viet Minh soldiers joining the Viet Cong. This confused and surprised the U.S Military with more soldiers and more tactics to fight against.
