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12.02 Notes Outline
“Brutal Jungle Warfare”
Complete12.02 Notes Outline as you review lesson 12.02.
Explore #2:
What stands out to you in the cartoon?
What is the cartoonist trying to say about U.S. involvement and the success of our strategies?
Fighting in Vietnam
Between the years of 1964-1968, the U.S. became deeply invested in the Vietnam War. Americans were no longer serving in an advisory role. 1968 proved to be an especially challenging year for the United States in Vietnam. The hardships commenced early in the year when North Vietnam launched a massive coordinated attack on South Vietnamese locations catching everyone off guard.
The Tet Offensive
The turning point in the war took place in January 1968 during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. The was a surprise attack launched by the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong on strategic South Vietnamese targets, including major cities and American military bases. The coordinated effort inflicted heavy losses on American troops and Vietnamese cities and civilians.
In the end, American and South Vietnamese forces managed to overwhelm the Vietcong and squash the rebellion.
First Media War
Even though Tet proved to be a military success for the U.S. in Vietnam, at home it was portrayed in a much different light by the American media. Vietnam was the first war in which Americans could follow the events on television. Horrific images from the battlefield on and in the newspapers led many Americans to question the government’s positive assessment of the situation in Vietnam and eventually turned them against the war. For this reason, the Tet Offensive was considered a psychological victory for the Viet Cong and a in the conflict.
Conditions in the Jungles
Many soldiers went to war enthusiastic about the job they were being asked to do. When they arrived in Vietnam they encountered the frustrations of in the harsh swamps and jungles. Fighting conditions were nearly unbearable for GI’s in Vietnam.
The weather was hot, humid, wet, leading to quick deterioration of clothing and boots. The jungle was unforgiving. Soldiers fought leeches, fever, and , a foot condition caused by constant moisture similar to trench foot.
Search and Destroy
Soldiers were sent for the sole purpose of seeking and destroying the Communist enemy. were often long and strenuous.
American soldiers were well-equipped and well-trained; however, it was difficult to prepare for tactics used by the battle hardened enemy. The North Vietnamese and Vietcong proved to be quite formidable and discreet as they adapted their strategy to include a greater reliance on their intricate system of .
Jungle Warfare
Vietnam was a 360 degree war. The enemy could be anywhere at any time, even underground. There was always the threat of sudden danger. The Viet Cong used more , which included launching sneak attacks and sabotage. Primitive booby traps and punji pits used by the guerilla fighters posed constant hazards. American forces were often caught off guard by these tactics and consequently suffered heavy losses.
Friend or Enemy
In addition to the physical and mental strains caused by relentless 360 degree jungle warfare, there was a difficult psychological aspect to the war. Soldiers found it confusing and disturbing that the South Vietnamese were often indifferent to American efforts.
American soldiers risked their lives trying to defend the freedom of the people, yet, the local South Vietnamese villagers often supported the Communists.
Troops could never be sure who was a friend or an enemy. Even a woman or child could be used by the Viet Cong to inflict harm to Americans.
Effects on Civilians
The war devastated Vietnamese civilians in the North and South. Although our men tried to be good soldiers, innocent civilians were accidentally killed or wounded due to the confusion and close combat of the jungle war.
With the aid of technology, soldiers were able to call in additional arms support as needed. In April 1966, the U.S. introduced the B-52 bomber to smash roads and bridges. , dropping thousands of tons of explosives over large areas, tore North Vietnam apart and killed or maimed countless civilians.
Napalm and Agent Orange
Chemical agents such as napalm and Agent Orange were utilized to help clear the jungles to make the VC more visible and easy to find.
, an herbicide, was dropped on dense jungle landscapes to expose the Viet Cong hiding places. It was later discovered to cause health problems to livestock and humans. was another destructive chemical used. The jellylike substance was dropped as a "firebomb" from planes to burn the jungles. It also seared off human flesh.
My Lai Massacre
As public opinion against the war soured, troops in Vietnam began to struggle with low morale. The difficult fighting conditions, coupled with declining support at home, became unbearable for some soldiers. One tragic example of this occurred on the morning of March 16, 1968, when the men of the Charlie Company entered the village of My Laito root out in the area. Upon arrival, they found only elderly men, women, and children.
When no Viet Cong were found in the village, , who was in charge, decided to proceed with the original orders to root out the VC. He ordered everyone to be "rounded up," and then gave the order to kill the prisoners. The soldiers were worn by the tensions, terrors, exhaustion, and frustrations of fighting. They had been in the jungle too long and some lost control.
At least 175 and perhaps more than 400 unarmed Vietnamese villagers died in what is known as the . This atrocity outraged Americans at home and helped turn public opinion more decidedly against the war.
More villagers would have been killed at My Lai if pilot had not stopped the massacre by threatening to fire on the soldiers and by landing his helicopter between the soldiers and the fleeing Vietnamese.
Lieutenant Calley was tried and sentenced to life in prison with hard labor. Many saw him as a scapegoat; therefore, President Nixon reduced his sentence to twenty years and he was released after serving only three years. After a rough year in Vietnam, the already skeptical American public became even more inflamed following the events at My Lai.
Atrocities at Hue
During the Tet Offensive, the Communists slaughtered anyone labeled an enemy including officials, teachers, and doctors in the city of . After American and South Vietnamese forces retook the city, 3,000 to 5,000 bodies were found in mass graves. However, the atrocities committed by the NVA and VC at the city of Hue were overshadowed by the media coverage of the events at My Lai.
Summary
The situation in Vietnam was complex and tragic. The United States had good intentions and a strong military. However, decisions by a few in almost impossible circumstances led to tragic events. Horrific images of a war with no foreseeable positive outcome turned against the war.