Generally a non-uniformed, non-formally trained, mostly non-paid soldier. Although regular Government soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors CAN be detailed the duties of guerrillas...generally guerrillas are as described in the first sentence. Although, it should be noted, that the VC were one of history's most successful guerrilla fighters.
Southern sympathizers living in South Vietnam and aiding the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) as guerrillas.
fight in small skirmishes
the vietcongs became a legitimate political party
Suggest: Statistics About The Vietnam War. Recommended by the History Channel.
The low morale of the soldiers was for the most part on account of the actual warfare. For many soldiers most of their time in Vietnam was mostly taken up by just walking around with little action to be found. Other problems were the frustration of being shot at by enemies that were absolutely no where to be found, mostly because of the Vietcongs familiarty of the landscape and their use of geurilla warfare. Another reason for their low morale was the feeling of not being backed by their country. Many soldiers knew of accounts of soldiers who came back to have strangers spit in their faces. Also many soldiers that were drafted to participate in the war were strongly against it so therefore they were likely to have low morale upon getting their draft statement. hope this was helpful
South Vietnam was, "on maps", divided by the US military into FOUR sections: Military Region I (MR-1), Military Region II (MR-2), Military Region III (MR-3), and Military Region IV (MR-4). They were also referred to as I Corps, II Corps, III Corps, and IV Corps. I Corps was located just south of the DMZ (at the 17th Parallel). Next came the Central Highlands, II Corps. Saigon, the capital was located in III Corps. The bottom of the country, just below Saigon, was IV Corps. The term "Hot" in Vietnam meant "violent or deadly" NOT the weather! The weather was (almost) always hot in Vietnam anyway, so there was no reason to say it was hot, when everyone already knew that! So, "HOT" meant "Dangerous, deadly, lots of NVA/VC, violence, etc." With that in mind; I Corps was very hot, and NVA country. II Corps, the Central Highlands could get rough, and was a mixture of NVA and VC. Saigon, the capital, in III Corps was surrounded by more US Army Divisions than any other military region. Most US Army combat divisions were around the capital, III Corps was VC country. The Mekong Delta region, was Viet Cong (VC) country, and IV Corps. GI's living in I Corps, or the Highlands (II Corps) experienced near United States weather. VERY much like California. III Corps and IV Corps was EXTREMELY HUMID and similar to the US state of Louisiana or Florida. GI's stationed in the Louisiana/Florida weather conditions wore their uniforms as shown in the movie, "PLATOON", starring Charles Sheen, etc. That unit (the 25th Infantry Division) was in III or IV Corps. The movie, "Hamburger Hill" was II Corps, the Highlands. The cooler the weather, the more the men wore their uniforms according to regulations. The more humid the weather, the more they shed their uniforms, fighting in only their trousers.
the vietcongs
fight in small skirmishes
the vietcongs became a legitimate political party
They used guerilla tactics
"Vietcongs" US Soldiers often refer to them as "Charlie". With "Charlie" as being plural and singular.
Yes, by not getting US troops directly engaged with the Vietcongs.
They mainly used huffy's and mongoose's but sometimes they would use kent's.
Suggest: Statistics About The Vietnam War. Recommended by the History Channel.
Muhammad Ali was drafted in 1967, which meant he would have been inducted into the Army unless he enlisted in the Marine Corps, Navy, or Air Force prior to his induction date. He did not, and in fact declared "I don't have no quarrel with those VietCongs."
The Body Count began early in the Vietnam War 1965 - but it became senseless, because they count all killed people (also civilians after bomings). At the end of the 60ies the US Army stoped it and said, this is an inefficient way of calculating. At the beginning they wanted to count just all these killed vietcongs after the battle - but the GIs counted every killed person - South and North Vietnamese. Therefore it became senselss and they stoped the Body Count. But if you want to know more about it, ask Vietnam Vets. I am just from Austria - I am in the same age like your Vets and I got these informations from Vietnam Vets in the 70ies. They can tell you more about it. Peter Garn Vienna Austria The Body Count began early in the Vietnam War 1965 - but it became senseless, because they count all killed people (also civilians after bomings). At the end of the 60ies the US Army stoped it and said, this is an inefficient way of calculating. At the beginning they wanted to count just all these killed vietcongs after the battle - but the GIs counted every killed person - South and North Vietnamese. Therefore it became senselss and they stoped the Body Count. But if you want to know more about it, ask Vietnam Vets. I am just from Austria - I am in the same age like your Vets and I got these informations from Vietnam Vets in the 70ies. They can tell you more about it. Peter Garn Vienna Austria
One major event the Tet Offensive which attacked over 100 towns, cities, and military installations in South Vietnam at the same time. This strategy by the vietcongs had a great impact to the United State.
The low morale of the soldiers was for the most part on account of the actual warfare. For many soldiers most of their time in Vietnam was mostly taken up by just walking around with little action to be found. Other problems were the frustration of being shot at by enemies that were absolutely no where to be found, mostly because of the Vietcongs familiarty of the landscape and their use of geurilla warfare. Another reason for their low morale was the feeling of not being backed by their country. Many soldiers knew of accounts of soldiers who came back to have strangers spit in their faces. Also many soldiers that were drafted to participate in the war were strongly against it so therefore they were likely to have low morale upon getting their draft statement. hope this was helpful