Vietnam military vehicles.

[clarkkent_904]

I'm in no way familiar with what vehicles (tank, apc, sofskin, artillery, etc) the NVA and Vietcong used primarily. If I could get some help or advice, I would greatly apreciate it.

[voltigeur]

In general the Communist forces were soley an infantry based army and insurgency. There are very few exceptions since the terrain doesn't lend its self to armored warfare. I have only heard of one battle where the NVA used PT76's against US M48's with 90mm guns. The NVA armor got slaughtered.

During the fall of Siagon there is footage of T55's T34's and PT 76's. But these wre not brought south till after America was well into its pull out.

Vietnam is primarily an infantry war with air and artillery support. Infantry anti tank weapons were primarily for busting bunkers and othe strongholds.

[Ben]

Hi,

some additions you may find useful:

YW-531 (K-63) APC (GHQ RC2)
Type 63 Light Tank (GHQ RC3)
ZIL-157 Trucks (GHQ W73 / W76)

For more I have to look into my Concord paperback...

Cheers Ben

[clarkkent_904]

Thanks guys! That's very helpful! So If I'm thinking about having a two sided conflict between the forces that be, what should I buy and in what quantity? I guess I am wondering why there are so many us vehicle models listed under vietnam in GHQ and no Vietnam models. I really am not trying to be difficult or dense. I appreciate your help.

[voltigeur]

Trying not to sound like a stick in the mud I would not buy any armor for the Communist unless you are playing a hypothetical invasion of North Vietnam by the US. Or the Communist take over against the ARVN in late 74 and 75. There was simply no way to deploy them given the restrictions on the Ho CHi Min trail and the terrain of the central highlands. (Heavily jungled & lots fo water obsticals.)

I bought the US comand pack 5 packs of Viet Cong and enough for a battalion of NVA. This is a war where civilians must be part of the scenarios. And don't forget the Huey gunships. I'm picking up some aircraft for the USA (Another company since GHQ doesn't make many of the aircraft I need.) and that will cover 95% of the war historically.

If you want tot do convoys then US Walker Bulldogs (M41?) & M48's only 2 or 3 (Section) in each scenario. One pack of the Cav 113 and one pack of M113 are pleanty.

If you do the last months NVA vs ARVN then all the tanks mentioned (only 1 pack each) and arm the ARVN with M41 bulldogs. (We were seliing M48's to Israel for Yom Kippur)

Vietnam was a contest fo firepower vs mass. and alomost totally infantry. And the Riverene forces is a good buy if you want to game the Iron Triangle secnarios along the Mekong. A US player should face anywhere from 5 to 10 to 1 in Infantry numbers but have Artillery and Airpower in abundance. It was not uncommon for a company of 2 platoons to be facing a Regiment.

[clarkkent_904]

Thank you again for your reply and patience with my questions.

You mentioned "US command pack" Is that just a pack of regular infantry?
Also, what numbers comprise "platoon" / "regiment" / "batallion"?


If you know of any web sites that would aid me in my further study of vietnam and the various conflicts, I would really apreciate it.

Greatfull

[voltigeur]

I was talking about the VN150 contains 6 hueys and an OH58 and 2 platoons of Infantry. this is a standard deployment 90% of the time.

What Vietnam vets have told me was that during the war the Army did away with the weapons platoon and formed a 4th rifle platoon. The standard deployment was 2 platoons in the field and 2 platoons on alert at the base. You have enough choppers to carry 6 squads of 11 men (usually would be under strength).

You will find conflicting TO&E's because this never became official, so TO&E's showing 3 rifle platoons and one weapons platoon were still the standard in other parts of the world, and keep showing up in people's research.

[ltcconard]

For basic organization of the U.S. forces, take a look at Shelby Stanton's "Vietnam Order of Battle." Almost any of SLA Marshall's Vietnam books will give you a glimpse of the "** CENSORED ** in the grass" strength. Take a gander at "Seven Firefights in Vietnam." and Google (hate that as a verb) Viet Nam War. In an hour you'll be an expert. Any of the books should be a a pretty good library.

A good rule of thumb for any military organization since 1943 or so is

Squad: around 8 - 12 soldiers.
Rifle Platoon: three squads plus a headquarters; around 35 - 40 men.
Company: three rifle platoons, a weapons platoon (MGs, and/or mortars) plus headquarters -- 100 to 150 or so.
Battalion: three rifle companies, a heavy weapons company (heavier mortars, maybe some AT weapons) plus headquarters -- around 500-700 men.

The U.S. had a weapons squad per platoon, (for 4 squads per platoon) but many of these were used for riflemen replacments for the rifle squads.

As anyone will tell you actual "on the ground" strength was lower and in many cases MUCH lower than the "authorized strength. Companies of 60 guys were not unknown