[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Dick Flagg -- Can Tho 1963
Date: 19 Jul 2000
Time: 21:08:31
Remote Name: 38.31.4.208
When looking at the weapons used by the VC and the NVA it is essential to remember that they were 2 separate and different military organizations. The NVA did not become a viable force in South Vietnam until the late 1960s. Also when you look at the weapons of the NVA you have to separate those that they brought south with them in the 60s versus those that they did not bring south until the early 70s. In the latter category would be the 37mm, 57mm and 85mm antiaircraft guns, as well as the ZSU 23-4 and the ZSU 57-2. Just before the U.S. pulled out, NVA brought in the T-54/55 tanks and 122mm howitzers as well as the BTR-50 Armored Personnel Carriers. There were reports of the SA-7 Grail in-country in the very late 60s, but the SA-2 stayed in NVA
In 1963-1965 when I was in Vietnam, the VC was the only enemy (not countong SVN and U.S. polititians and State Department "experts") that we had to be concerned with. The VC in the "field" (as opposed to those living in the larger cities and working as teachers, bar girls, and SVN government employees) were a rag-tag group of peasants that were poorly trained, poorly equipped and seldom if ever paid. They were farmers by day and damn good fighters at night. They seldom gathered in groups of more than 20 and usually 10 or less. In the Delta they controlled the night. They did have, however, the greatest weapon any military unit can have - - a total and absolute belief in what they were fighting for and complete loyalty and admiration of their leaders; Ho Chi Minh and general Vo Nguyen Giap. The VC dedicated their lives to the uniting of the 2 Vietnams
The VC weapons in the early 60s were primitive and often home made. They used old Japanese rifles left over from the Japanese occupation in WW 2 and French weapons left over from thr French Colonial days. The VC made very effective mines and booby traps from unexploded bombs and artillay shells. They made rifles, shot guns and anti-tank weapons in primitive arms factories and amazingly most worked. The use of punji stakes and bamboo spike traps wre very effective against ground troops. Ground glass in soda and beer bottles sold to Americans by small kids while walking throgh a village was also effective on the "FNG". Cross bows were also a weapon used by the VC. Several helicopter crews, on post flight inspection, found arrows sticking out of their aircraft.
In late 1962/early 1963 the VC were strong enough to over-run isolated ARVN out-posts and "Strategic Hamlets" and capture all the ARVN weapons. We often referred to these out-posts and" strategic hamlets" as VC weapons depots and storage areas. In late 62 the VC , for the 1st time, stood its ground in daylight and took on the U.S. Army --AND WON. If you doubt that, check out what happened at the village of Ap Bac in the Delta. One of our fears was the capture by the VC of a 50 cal or 20mm from a downed U.S. aircraft - we lost several in 63 in the Delta. When that happened, getting the U.S. Special Forces to the crash site to secure the weapons was almost as great a prioity as getting the aircrews out. Eventually, the VC was just about as well eqipped as the ARVN - with captured and stolen ARVN and U.S. weapons
If you are interested in what Vietnam was like in the very early 60s, I suggest you read the book "Street Without Joy" by Bernard Fall. In 1963 it was "unauthorized" for U.S. military personnel to have this book in Vietnam. As you read the book, change the words "France" and" French" to" U.S." and "American" and you will see that history does repeat itself. I hope this is some help on your project