Vietnamese War Tactics:
The Viet Cong were famous for using the guerrilla warfare tactic in Vietnam to attack American forces. This was highly effective due to their mastery of it. Guerrilla warfare tactics, in their simplest forms, are used to allow smaller forces to defeat much larger ones. The smaller force would attack the larger army away from it's main force repetitively, slowly chipping away at them, while keeping the smaller army's casualties to a minimum. Plans of attack came in various forms, including setting traps, ambushing, or outright firefights. As long as the Viet Cong could stay away from the U.S. main force, they could even out the difference in numbers.
The Viet Cong were famous for using the guerrilla warfare tactic in Vietnam to attack American forces. This was highly effective due to their mastery of it. Guerrilla warfare tactics, in their simplest forms, are used to allow smaller forces to defeat much larger ones. The smaller force would attack the larger army away from it's main force repetitively, slowly chipping away at them, while keeping the smaller army's casualties to a minimum. Plans of attack came in various forms, including setting traps, ambushing, or outright firefights. As long as the Viet Cong could stay away from the U.S. main force, they could even out the difference in numbers.
Viet Cong Ambush Tactics:
The Viet Cong were also famous for their extensive use of tunnels and traps. Along with an unknown number of traps set by the Viet Cong, they also made over 75 miles worth of tunnels underground. These tunnels allowed them to disappear at any time and remain hidden as long as they need. Viet Cong most often stayed underground during the day and came out at night for supplies and to attack U.S. troops. The upsides of these tunnels were that the Viet Cong could move undetected, they had safety, and somewhere to go when in danger. However, the tight spaces in which most had to crawl, the infestations of rats and poisonous insects, and overall lack of supplies made them a danger as well. Despite these drawbacks, the tunnels were considered a success and did aid the Viet Cong in their campaign.
The Viet Cong were also famous for their extensive use of tunnels and traps. Along with an unknown number of traps set by the Viet Cong, they also made over 75 miles worth of tunnels underground. These tunnels allowed them to disappear at any time and remain hidden as long as they need. Viet Cong most often stayed underground during the day and came out at night for supplies and to attack U.S. troops. The upsides of these tunnels were that the Viet Cong could move undetected, they had safety, and somewhere to go when in danger. However, the tight spaces in which most had to crawl, the infestations of rats and poisonous insects, and overall lack of supplies made them a danger as well. Despite these drawbacks, the tunnels were considered a success and did aid the Viet Cong in their campaign.
U.S. War Tactics:
Unlike the Vietnamese forces, the U.S. had a considerably higher amount of money which came with more technology and equipment. Americans used bomber aircraft, high amounts of artillery, napalm strikes, and nerve gas. These were all fairly effective, as they caused large scale destruction, and could take out large groups of Vietnamese easily. However, in using these assets, a significant number of civilians were killed. This is due to the large AOE (area of effect) of these weapons, causing them to hit anything in the general area of the enemy.
Due to the amount of Viet Cong that used guerrilla warfare, U.S. soldiers were often sent on patrols to search for enemy groups. While this was sometimes successful, it often resulted in high casualty rates due to ambush. The patrols were very visible, making ambush and traps easy. This was also very demoralizing to the United States' troops as they began to realize they were being used as bait so that bombers and artillery knew where to shoot.
Americans were also able to use the helicopters to their advantage. They allowed them to quickly deploy in remote places at anytime. The helicopters also permitted them to quickly leave if they were attacked as long as there was a clearing large enough to touch down. This tactical ability gave the U.S. a huge advantage over the slow moving Viet Cong.
Unlike the Vietnamese forces, the U.S. had a considerably higher amount of money which came with more technology and equipment. Americans used bomber aircraft, high amounts of artillery, napalm strikes, and nerve gas. These were all fairly effective, as they caused large scale destruction, and could take out large groups of Vietnamese easily. However, in using these assets, a significant number of civilians were killed. This is due to the large AOE (area of effect) of these weapons, causing them to hit anything in the general area of the enemy.
Due to the amount of Viet Cong that used guerrilla warfare, U.S. soldiers were often sent on patrols to search for enemy groups. While this was sometimes successful, it often resulted in high casualty rates due to ambush. The patrols were very visible, making ambush and traps easy. This was also very demoralizing to the United States' troops as they began to realize they were being used as bait so that bombers and artillery knew where to shoot.
Americans were also able to use the helicopters to their advantage. They allowed them to quickly deploy in remote places at anytime. The helicopters also permitted them to quickly leave if they were attacked as long as there was a clearing large enough to touch down. This tactical ability gave the U.S. a huge advantage over the slow moving Viet Cong.
American War Disadvantages/Mistakes:
There are very clear reasons as to why the Vietnam War is not one that we can say we won. Despite our technological advantages, larger forces, supplies, and weapons, the Viet Cong were able to hold us off and prevent the U.S. from winning. Even though the America has every advantage, we made one critical mistake: the public was not behind the war. The U.S. gave its citizens no reason to support the war, and, because of this, there was no will to win. It all comes down to whether or not the people fighting have a strong enough desire to win, and America was crippled by this reality.
There are very clear reasons as to why the Vietnam War is not one that we can say we won. Despite our technological advantages, larger forces, supplies, and weapons, the Viet Cong were able to hold us off and prevent the U.S. from winning. Even though the America has every advantage, we made one critical mistake: the public was not behind the war. The U.S. gave its citizens no reason to support the war, and, because of this, there was no will to win. It all comes down to whether or not the people fighting have a strong enough desire to win, and America was crippled by this reality.