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Why were the Vietcong so hard to defeat? - Coggle Diagram
Why were the Vietcong so hard to defeat?
Guerrilla Warfare
Small groups called cells
Used ambushes, raids, and sabotage
Used traditional weapons
After attacking, they quickly disappeared into the forest or secret tunnels
Wore no uniforms
Search and Destroy missions
Aimed to identify Vietcong and prevent them spreading communism
Strategic Hamlets policy
Peasants were moved out of their villages into fortified hamlets
However it was impossible to tell Vietcong apart from villagers, so many infiltrated them
Villagers became angry with US soldiers
Some joined the Vietcong to rebel
Ho Chi Minh Trail
It was a supply route going from N. Vietnam through Laos/Cambodia to the South
Was a response to US efforts to block supplies / troops across the North/South border
Used simple transport (bikes)
Went through Laos and Cambodia, so US could'nt attack it
Deadly booby traps
Hidden grenades in food items
Thin branches covering a pit of sharpened bamboo spikes
10% of dead US soldiers were killed by traps
Made US soldiers paranoid that they could at any time fall victim to a trap suicide rates and drug use was high
Commitment
US
Most US soldiers were young and inexperienced
The Vietcong were a difficult opponent
Many soldiers were focused on their survival rather than winning the war
Commanding officers were often attacked and even killed by their own soldiers
Drug abuse was common - declining mental health, from booby traps as well
Vietcong
Had been fighting for independence for many years, more determined to win
Prepared to suffer more casualties
They loved their leader Ho Chi Minh (contrasts to S. Vietnam, whose government was short-lived and oppressive)
Help from China and the USSR
Supplied guns, grenades, bicycles and more to North Vietnam
The US feared invading N. Vietnam, as they feared China would join the conflict (like in the Korean War)
Chemical Warfare
Increased support for Vietcong
Increased opposition of war (Napalm girl)