Slide 1Vietnam War (part II- 1965-1975): Escalation & Stalemate (1965-68)Rolling Thunder’s ImpactBattle of Ia Drang (Nov’65)ExecutionMedal of HonorUS CounterattackStrategy of Attrition – Flaws?Political DimensionTet’68 & Battle for HueExecution – Phase IExecution- Phase IIBattle for Hue (31 Jan-2 Mar’68)Slide 14Assaults & CounterattacksMilitary & Political Impact of Tet & HueStrategic & Political Impact of Tet & HueStalemate: Negotiating & Fighting (1968-1975)Nixon’s Secret Strategy The “Carrot & Stick”NVA ResponseVietnamization – or “Exit Strategy”Cambodian “Incursion” (April 1970) & Political Fall Out1972 Easter OffensiveSlide 24Nixon’s Response: Linebacker IRescue of Two Downed Pilots1973 Paris Peace AgreementBreakthrough?“Peace is at hand” (?)Linebacker II – the Christmas Bombing (Dec 1972)Agreement ReachedFinal OffensiveFall of Saigon (30 April 1975)The Vietnam War’s LegacyBack-up SlidesConflicting post-War AnalysisSerious Strategic DisconnectReview of Vietnam’s LessonsModern Hi-tech Military AdvancesWeapons Technology AdvancesTroops, Weapons, & EquipmentStrategy of Attrition: Search & Destroy1Military HistoryChapter 21bVietnam War2Vietnam War (part II- 1965-1975): Escalation & Stalemate (1965-68) •By’65 SVN Gov appeared on verge of collapse:–NVN shifts to large scale military attacks–Operational strategy: destroy SVN main forces•Shift to stage 3 was strategically premature – why?–US response: (1965 =>’68) major force ?_______________•Fortunately for NVN, US force escalation was gradual:–LBJ incrementally increased pressure (Ltd War Theory)•But NVN able to absorb pain & rebuild/re-supply•Made minor tactical adjustments & continued war3Rolling Thunder’s Impact•Rolling Thunder’s limited impact:–Gradually increased IAW Limited War Theory•Result: –Failed to meet operational objectives:–NVN continued to infiltrate & re-supply/reinforce VC insurgents in the south•All along well established Ho Chi Minh Trail•General Westmoreland’s Operational Strategy on the ground:–Halt enemy’s momentum => –Provide security to cities–Then: major search & destroy operations:•Aim:–Punish main force units & break NLF rural lead–Subsequent to above – stabilize & pacify South–Compel enemy to negotiate terms with US4Battle of Ia Drang (Nov’65) •Central Highlands:–1st major direct clash between US & NVA•NVA corps executes series of ops in Pleiku area:–Aim: “knock out blow to SVN”•Plan: conduct diversion on SF camp near Plei Me–Then ambush the relief column–Classic lure & ambush tactic5Execution •1st stage – NVA diversion is successful:–NVA springs ambush on ARVN relief column•Then US & SVN units launch sharp counterattack–Gain fire superiority with infantry, Arty, & CAS air strikes–NVA plan defeated => conduct tactical withdrawal•Interim Result: –NVA: 850 KIA & 1700 WIA•Westy sent 1st Air Cavalry to search & destroy of enemy:–Series of violent clashes ensue–14 Nov: largest encounter at LZ X-ray (Map)–Fierce & heroic fighting ensued at individual platoon level*Medal of Honor6Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. 1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all 4. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machinegun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. 1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. 1st Lt. Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.7US Counterattack•As NVA attack – US counterattack with superior fire power–Arty bombardment from other LZs (8K rounds expended)–F-105 & B-52 CAS (friendly fire cas result)–Bitter “danger close” fighting last 2 days •(LTC Moore declared: “Broken Arrow”)–Then NVA withdraw & set ambush•Next day 2nd Battalion of 7th Calvary ambushed & suffer heavy casualties at LZ Albany–Casualties: NVA – 3K KIA US: 300•Impact on Giap & Westy’s conclusion about their Strategy?8Strategy of Attrition – Flaws?•Westy concluded his strategy of attrition would work•Assumption: US can inflict unbearable losses on NVA–while keeping US casualties within acceptable limits•Historic experience: all ran counter to previous events:–WWII & recent experience in Asia:–Recall US campaigns in Japan (Oki & Iwo) & Korea –Recent French experience in Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu•Enemy sacrifice: Giap will sacrifice as many as it takes:–Willing to sacrifice any amount of casualties necessary to win–NVN’s Protracted War strategy = based on sacrifice–To what extent was US willing to go same distance?•NVA control of losses: can chose when & where to strike–Retained strategic & tactical initiative–Await US to depart op area => then reoccupy–Result: No lasting operational solution=> fluid & dynamic sitcom9Political Dimension •Political aspect gained importance over time:–While military situation bogged down•Saigon government in state of flux –Coup recently ousted (assassinated) Diem–Power struggle among SVN generals sucked all oxygen out–Series of coups &