Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975
The combatants in the three Vietnam wars from 1945 to 1975 employed widely contrasting supply methods. This fascinating book reveals that basic traditional techniques proved superior to expensive state of the art systems.

During the Indochina or ‘French’ war, France’s initial use of wheeled transport and finally air supply proved vulnerable given the terrain, climate, and communist adaptability. The colonial power gave up the unequal struggle after the catastrophic defeat at Dien Bien Phu.

To stem the advance of Communism throughout the region, the Americans stepped in to support the pro-Western South Vietnam regime and threw vast quantities of manpower and money at the problem. The cost became increasingly unpopular at home. General Giap’s and Ho Chi Minh’s ruthless use of coolies most famously on the Ho Chi Minh Trail proved resistant to carpet-bombing and Agent Orange defoliation.

The outcome of the final war between the Communist North Vietnam and the corrupt Southern leadership, now with minimal US support, was almost a forgone conclusion.

The author is superbly qualified to examine these three wars from the logistic perspective. His conclusions make for compelling reading and will be instructive to acting practitioners and inquiring minds.
1136483761
Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975
The combatants in the three Vietnam wars from 1945 to 1975 employed widely contrasting supply methods. This fascinating book reveals that basic traditional techniques proved superior to expensive state of the art systems.

During the Indochina or ‘French’ war, France’s initial use of wheeled transport and finally air supply proved vulnerable given the terrain, climate, and communist adaptability. The colonial power gave up the unequal struggle after the catastrophic defeat at Dien Bien Phu.

To stem the advance of Communism throughout the region, the Americans stepped in to support the pro-Western South Vietnam regime and threw vast quantities of manpower and money at the problem. The cost became increasingly unpopular at home. General Giap’s and Ho Chi Minh’s ruthless use of coolies most famously on the Ho Chi Minh Trail proved resistant to carpet-bombing and Agent Orange defoliation.

The outcome of the final war between the Communist North Vietnam and the corrupt Southern leadership, now with minimal US support, was almost a forgone conclusion.

The author is superbly qualified to examine these three wars from the logistic perspective. His conclusions make for compelling reading and will be instructive to acting practitioners and inquiring minds.
28.95 In Stock
Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975

Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975

by N S Nash
Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975

Logistics in the Vietnam Wars, 1945-1975

by N S Nash

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$28.95 
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Overview

The combatants in the three Vietnam wars from 1945 to 1975 employed widely contrasting supply methods. This fascinating book reveals that basic traditional techniques proved superior to expensive state of the art systems.

During the Indochina or ‘French’ war, France’s initial use of wheeled transport and finally air supply proved vulnerable given the terrain, climate, and communist adaptability. The colonial power gave up the unequal struggle after the catastrophic defeat at Dien Bien Phu.

To stem the advance of Communism throughout the region, the Americans stepped in to support the pro-Western South Vietnam regime and threw vast quantities of manpower and money at the problem. The cost became increasingly unpopular at home. General Giap’s and Ho Chi Minh’s ruthless use of coolies most famously on the Ho Chi Minh Trail proved resistant to carpet-bombing and Agent Orange defoliation.

The outcome of the final war between the Communist North Vietnam and the corrupt Southern leadership, now with minimal US support, was almost a forgone conclusion.

The author is superbly qualified to examine these three wars from the logistic perspective. His conclusions make for compelling reading and will be instructive to acting practitioners and inquiring minds.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526798145
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 02/03/2022
Pages: 312
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

NA ‘Tank’ Nash CBE was educated at Latymer Upper School before entering the catering industry with J Lyons and Co Ltd. He enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company in 1957 and served until conscripted for National Service in 1960; he was a member of the Army Catering Corps for thirty years, rising to the rank of Brigadier. He resigned his commission in 1991. For thirty-three years, from 1973, he wrote humour under the pen name ‘Sustainer’ and his work was published internationally in a variety of military journals. His books for Pen and Sword include K Boat Catastrophe, ‘Strafer’ Gott – Desert General, Chitral Charlie – The Rise and Fall of Major General Charles Townshend and Valour in the Trenches.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Preface viii

Glossary ix

1 The Way It Is 1

2 The Battleground 6

3 Why War? 11

4 The 'Dirty War', 1946-1953 22

5 The Debacle of the Border Forts 43

6 Escalation, 1951-1953 58

7 The Siege, 1953-1954 79

8 The Reckoning 106

9 Interlude 113

10 The Second War: Early Days 119

11 Managing a War 128

12 Search and Destroy 137

13 Hide and Seek 151

14 Operation Ranch Hand: Defoliation 170

15 Prelude 179

16 Operation Rolling Thunder 183

17 Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support 191

18 Surprise: Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive 195

19 The M16 Rifle Debacle 203

20 The Siege of Khe Sanh 209

21 Critical Times, 1968-1969 222

22 Disintegration, 1969-1973 228

23 Cambodia and Laos 240

24 Operations Linebacker I & II 251

25 Reunification: The Finale 260

26 Reunification: The Cost 267

Epilogue 271

Notes 277

Bibliography 292

Index 296

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