For the most part, the Viet Cong fought essentially a guerrilla war of ambush, terrorism, and sabotage; they used small units to maintain a hold on the countryside, leaving the main population centres to government authorities.

Why was the Viet Cong so effective?

They were extremely successful because they had very good and vital knowledge of the forests and jungles and were able to protect their supplies from damage by using the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

How tough were the Viet Cong?

The Viet Cong is a tough enemy but no tougher than his opponents. He is not a superman, nor is he invincible. It is impossible to predict how long it will take but the Republic of Vietnam and the United States are committed to stopping his aggression.

How were the Viet Cong able to strengthen their defense?

12. How were the Viet Cong able to resupply and strengthen their air defenses? Supported by aid from China and the Soviet Union, North Vietnam strengthened its air defenses. 13.

Who were the Viet Cong and what were they fighting for?

The Viet Cong were South Vietnamese supporters of the communist National Liberation Front in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War (known in Vietnam as the American War). They were allied with North Vietnam and the troops of Ho Chi Minh, who sought to conquer the south and create a unified, communist state of Vietnam.

What are 3 tactics used by the Viet Cong?

The Vietcong encouraged a fear amongst the peasants that the Americans and South Vietnamese would take this land back. They would frustrate the Americans by simple tactics: retreating when the enemy attacked; raiding enemy camps; attacking the enemy when they were tired and pursuing the enemy when they retreated.

Why did the Viet Cong fight so hard?

The Vietcong had an intricate knowledge of the terrain. They won the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese people by living in their villages and helping them with their everyday lives. Their tunnel systems, booby-traps and jungle cover meant they were difficult to defeat and hard to find.

Who were the Viet Cong afraid of?

The destructive effects of American planes dropping napalm bombs—the Vietcong are terrified of them—are very great, and the insurgents have no answer to them. Every day, B‐26’s strafe the jungle, bombarding anything that looks suspicious and setting fire to what are presumed to be Vietcong crops.

Were the Viet Cong well trained?

Though essentially a civilian militia, the Viet Cong also had a significant number of men who were highly trained and well drilled regular soldiers; consequently, they saw themselves as professionals.

Did America fight the Viet Cong?

Vietnam War, (1954–75), a protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States.

What tactics used by the Viet Cong made fighting difficult?

Lacking the firepower of the American forces, the Vietcong used ambushes, booby traps, and other guerrilla tactics. These techniques could be greatly destructive.

Did the Viet Cong win any battles?



The Viet Cong won its first military victory against South Vietnamese forces at Ấp Bắc in January 1963.

What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam?

The 199th Infantry Brigade is most notable for its participation in combat operations during the Vietnam War.

Were the Vietcong tactics successful?

The Vietcong successfully utilized guerrilla warfare to fight against the United States and South Vietnamese forces.

Why were the Vietcong so successful against the United States 5 points?

Why were the Vietcong so successful against the United States? U.S. troops could not engage the Vietcong in traditional warfare. Which country controlled Vietnam prior to the Vietnam War? NOT Nixon transferred control of most of the fighting to a strong South Vietnamese army.

Why would the Vietcong be a difficult enemy to defeat?



Members of the Vietcong would hide among innocent civilians, which made detecting the enemy difficult. Homemade booby traps caused many American deaths. About one hundred Americans died per week from these guerrilla methods. The Air Force was a fundamental component of US forces fighting in Vietnam.

Why could the US not win a quick victory over the Vietcong?

The U.S. could not quickly defeat the Vietcong because they engaged in guerrilla tactics of quick attacks and disappearing into the jungle. The result was a loss of morale among U.S. soldiers.