Re: LBJ -- US 2 Period 1

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Date Posted: Sunday, March 09, 12:38:36pm
Author: T.J. Rooney
Subject: Re: LBJ
In reply to: Mr. Davis 's message, "LBJ" on Sunday, March 02, 05:20:09pm

Question 1

President Johnson’s strategy of gradually increasing the pressure on Vietnam failed for several reasons. The reason most given is that time it took to get to full strength allowed the North Vietnamese Army and the Vietcong time to adjust to the American presence and learn the U.S. military’s operating procedures. While this is a reason, I do not believe it that it was the main reason we lost. The real reason we lost the war was our inability to adapt to NVA and Vietcong Tactics. America at this time was used to fighting formal wars where armies meet in pitched battles, where there are clearly defined fronts, and where battles are actually decisive. The Vietnam War was different; the enemy launched surprise raids against bases and patrols then vanished into the jungle after the fighting. In the small villages around the country, it was impossible to tell friend from foe. Patrols moving through the jungle were often ensnared in booby-traps, such as tripwires attached to hidden grenades. This kind of warfare negated the advantage of a large United States military presence because the U.S. commanders would not know where to strike the enemy. My last reason as to why the buildup failed is that our underestimation of the resolve of our foes. The Vietnamese had been struggling for independence since the end of the Second World War, so by the time we sent in combat troops in 1963 Vietnam had been fighting for an independent, unified country for almost 18 years. I do not understand how anyone could believe that these determined people would suddenly settle for anything less than total victory.

I apologize for the length of this post.

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Replies:

Re: LBJ -- Matias Shimada, Sunday, March 09, 02:21:00pm

Re: LBJ -- Maria Onofrio, Sunday, March 09, 04:16:25pm