Vietcong Tactics

List of Guerilla Tactics

• No uniforms.

• The VC blended into the local peasant population.

• It was difficult to identify friend from foe

• No clear supply bases or headquarters. They were supplied by the local population

• Hit and run ambush tactics.

• They attacked and disappeared into the jungle or tunnel networks.

• 51% of American casualties were to small arms fire in ambushes

• Booby traps and mines were used extensively. They caused 11% of American casualties

Why did they use these tactics?

• The VC and ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) were outnumbered and lacked modern artillery, tanks and air power

• The tactics worked and they faced certain defeat if facing the Americans in open battle

• At the Battle of La Drang (1965), the North Vietnamese lost 7 troops for every 1 American

• The tactics maximized Viet Cong advantages which included morale, willingness to take casualties, knowledge of the language and culture/terain

Why were the tactics so effective?

• The tactics minimised the American advantages in numbers, equipment and firepower

• The tactics also wore down American morale

• Soldiers rarely saw the enemy, but were in constant fear of attack

• Viet Cong morale was high. They were willing to take high casualties to win.

• Over 1 million Viet Cong and North Vietnamese died during the war

.

.