Why were American soldiers so frustrated by fighting the Vietcong?

Answer 1

First, U.S. soilders were fighting a guerrilla war in unfamiliar jungle terrain. Second, the South Vietnamese government that they were defending was becoming more unpopular. At the same time , support for the Vietcong grew, with help and supplies from Ho Chi Minh, the Soviet U, and China.

Answer 2

For the very same reason the British army had trouble with the Swamp Fox (Francis Marion) during the Revolutionary War; for the same reason the US Army had difficulty with Quantrill's Raiders (William Quantrill) during the American Civil War...Guerrillas (Bushwhackers) don't fight fair (don't always follow the rules of war) and don't often wear uniforms (they can blend in with their surroundings), the VC were no different. They hit, they run, they disappear.

Answer 3

because of the vietcong's tactics of warfare. Specifically called "guerrilla warfare" (pronounced gorilla). There are no real rules of combat in guerrilla warfare, the Vietcong just went out, hid in the jungle, and killed what they could.

The jungle is probably what frustrated the Americans the most, though.

Answer 4

This has many answers, all are right but some are, politics UN restricted bombings to certain areas, new weapons that was not tested in the field, Vietnam tunnel network, the suddan surprise attack during a truce, unwilling to support their troops by the American public, the list can go on and on.

Answer 5

The VC kept a low profile. Can't hit what ya can't see!

Answer 6

American troops were not prepared to fight in the jungle, while they were.