How does the role of Vietnamese civilians in the war in Vietnam compare to the role Iraqi civilians in the war in Iraq?

Answer 1

Civilians in all wars become inter twined with events taking place. Southern civilians during the U.S. Civil War 1861-1865, civilians in occupied France during WWII, and civilians in South Vietnam during the war, all, unfortunately become involved. If the conflict, such as WWI for example, takes places in a more "traditional clear cut setting" such as trenches two miles north of their city, then the intermingling of soldiers and civilians may be less complicated. But if their is NO "clear cut" front lines, then the war (conflict) becomes more complicated when the enemy soldier can and does try to intermingle with the civilians. Instead of a front line soldier we now have a guerrilla or insurgent. He sells you food in the local store by day, and fights against you when he becomes a guerrilla or insurgent by night. During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong, who were Southern sympathizers, often operated as guerrilla/insurgents. They were largely eliminated during the TET offensive of 1968, because they surfaced into the open, and were clearly identified. From 1968 on, the U.S. and allies were now, predominately, facing the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), a far more deadly foe.