What Were the Weapons Used in the Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1959 to 1975, was a prolonged and bloody conflict between the communist forces of North Vietnam, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and the government of South Vietnam and its main ally, the United States. The war was marked by intense fighting, guerrilla warfare, and the use of a wide range of weapons by both sides. In this article, we will explore the various weapons used during the Vietnam War.
Small Arms
The majority of the fighting during the Vietnam War was conducted with small arms, such as rifles, machine guns, and pistols. The AK-47, a Soviet-designed assault rifle, was widely used by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Viet Cong (VC), while the M16, a US-designed assault rifle, was issued to US troops and the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). Other small arms used during the war included the M14, M1 Garand, and M1911 pistol, all of which were standard-issue weapons for US forces.
Machine Guns and Automatic Rifles
The M60 machine gun, a belt-fed 7.62mm weapon, was widely used by US forces, while the M249 SAW, a 5.56mm squad automatic weapon, was introduced later in the war. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used machine guns such as the RPD and DShK, which were heavier and more powerful than their US counterparts. The M2 Browning, a heavy machine gun, was used by US forces for suppressive fire and perimeter defense.
Grenades and Explosives
Grenades were widely used during the Vietnam War, particularly by US forces. The M61 fragmentation grenade was standard-issue for US troops, while the M26 hand grenade was used by both US and ARVN forces. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used grenades such as the RPG-2 and RPG-7, which were more powerful and had a longer range than the M61. Mines and booby traps were also used extensively by both sides, often with devastating effect.
Artillery and Rocket Systems
Artillery played a significant role in the Vietnam War, with both sides using a range of weapons to deliver high explosives to the battlefield. The US used howitzers such as the 105mm M101 and 155mm M109, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used recoilless rifles and mortars. Rocket systems such as the M132 mortar carrier and the M29 rocket launcher were also used by US forces, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used rockets such as the RPG-2 and 9M14 Malyutka.
Air Power
Air power played a significant role in the Vietnam War, with both sides using aircraft to deliver bombs, rockets, and strafing runs. The US used fighter-bombers such as the F-4 Phantom II and F-100 Super Sabre, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters. Helicopters such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-47 Chinook were used by US forces for transport, medevac, and close air support, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used helicopters such as the Mi-4 and Mi-8 for transport and reconnaissance.
Navy and Coast Guard
The US Navy and Coast Guard played a significant role in the Vietnam War, with both services using a range of vessels to patrol the waters and support ground operations. The US Navy used destroyers, frigates, and patrol boats to patrol the waters and interdict enemy supply lines, while the Coast Guard used cutters and small boats to patrol the coastline and support ground operations. The North Vietnamese Navy used patrol boats and destroyers to attack US ships and support ground operations.
Chemical Weapons
Chemical weapons were used during the Vietnam War, particularly by the US. The US used napalm, a flammable gel-like substance, and white phosphorus, a chemical that causes severe burns, to attack enemy targets. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used chemical weapons such as tear gas and CS gas to disrupt US operations.
Statistics
Here are some statistics on the weapons used during the Vietnam War:
- Small arms: Over 1 million M16s and M14s were issued to US troops, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used over 1 million AK-47s.
- Machine guns: Over 100,000 M60s and M249 SAWs were issued to US troops, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used over 50,000 machine guns.
- Grenades: Over 100 million fragmentation grenades were used during the war.
- Artillery: Over 10,000 artillery pieces were used during the war, including howitzers, recoilless rifles, and mortars.
- Air power: Over 10,000 aircraft were used during the war, including fighter-bombers, transports, and helicopters.
- Navy and Coast Guard: Over 1,000 ships and boats were used during the war, including destroyers, frigates, patrol boats, and cutters.
Conclusion
The Vietnam War was a complex and bloody conflict that involved a wide range of weapons and tactics. The US used a variety of weapons, including small arms, machine guns, artillery, and air power, while the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong used guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and booby traps to attack US forces. The war had a profound impact on both the US and Vietnam, and its legacy continues to be felt today.
