Just like every other war that has ever been fought, the climate and geography played a major role in the Vietnam war. It posed a huge challenge for US forces. About 75% of Vietnam is not level, meaning troop movement could consist of traveling up a mountain one day and the very next day you're marching down into a valley. The vegetation is highly diverse, with each region of Vietnam containing vastly different vegetation throughout the country due to the different climates. All of Vietnam is covered in dense jungle, with some areas containing different plants and animals. One of the worst types of plants in Vietnam was elephant grass. Elephant grass is very tall, dense grass that is razor sharp. This almost always proved problematic for US forces. The local Vietnamese, however, used this kind of vegetation to their advantage.
The climate of Vietnam hardly changed. It is a tropical country, experiencing hot and humid temperatures almost all the time (located just above the equator). They have two major seasons, monsoon season and dry season. Monsoon season brought constant rain, heat, and flooding. The rain and flooding lead to a lot of problems. Cuts and scrapes would become infected because of the humidity. Foot and fungal infections became very common and would slow troop movement. Soldiers constantly stopped to pull leeches off their body and out of their boots. With monsoon season lasting about 8 months, it was almost impossible to stay dry or get dry. (247 words)
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Vietnam/sub5_9h/entry-3488.html
Photo of troops moving through a typical "rice paddy"
I agree that climate and geography is a very big part of any war. I was surprised to learn that there are only two seasons in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteHi James. Based on what you wrote, it seems the climate and geography of Vietnam made it incredibly difficult for the US soldiers’ day to day lives. I can see how the Viet Cong would use the landscape of their home country to their advantage, as the US did not know the area well. Definitely puts into perspective why we were unable to win the war.
ReplyDeleteMonsoon season was what probably contributed to the "In the Field" chapter. Most likely there was a monsoon in a low area and it created a very thick mud that would suck objects and even soldiers into it. I can imagine that the crops and vegetation there only grow in that area because of the extreme weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteClimate affects many things that are done, and can change the way things happen. It sounds like the climate in Vietnam gave the soldiers a very hard time, and made it very miserable throughout the war.
ReplyDeleteThe geography most have been much more difficult for soldiers to face. The last 3 wars American was a part of had more flat and level especially in Europe. When you said 75% of Vietnam was not level and it caused hard troop movement really pushes the point that America was fighting differently than it used to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how geography was one of the biggest challenges. The vietnamese would often times use this harsh environment as a means to ambush and trap allied movements. They fought with guerilla tactics and hid well.
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