The Brutality of War Americans arriving in Vietnam

The Brutality of War • Americans arriving in Vietnam faced GUERILLA WARFARE – Nontraditional warfare in which small groups of armed civilians use military tactics like surprise ambushes and sabotage to harass armies

• The VC used a supply route known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail to combat American and South Vietnamese forces

• The war in Vietnam had many hardships for American soldiers: – 1. The South Vietnamese seem indifferent about American assistance “We are the unwilling working for the unqualified to do the unecessary for the ungrateful”

– 2. It was difficult to tell who the “enemy” was

– 3. The environment was hot and humid with tall grass, flooded rice paddies, and thick jungle

– 4. Deadly animals including snakes, insects, and tigers created additional “enemies”

– 5. Guerilla warfare was psychologically stressful • Sneak attacks • Underground tunnels • Booby traps

– 6. Carrying of heavy gear and equipment

• To combat the Vietcong and North Vietnamese, the Americans used several tactics: – SATURATION BOMBING over targets

– AGENT ORANGE: herbicide used to kill jungle growth

– NAPALM: Flammable, jellylike substance that burned uncontrollably

– Vietnam also became known as the “helicopter war” because they were used in Vietnam more than any previous war