What was Agent Orange during Vietnam War?

Answer 1

During the Vietnam War, the US instituted a massive herbicidal program that ran from 1961 through 1971. The aim of the program was two-fold, one to destroy the "cover" provided by the jungle-like forest, and another to deny food to the enemy. First named Operation Trail Dust, then Operation Hades, it was finally renamed Operation Ranch Hand. A variety of chemicals, fifteen in total, were tested or used operationally during this program. The primary broad-leaf herbicides sprayed during the "testing" phase of the program between 1962 and 1964 were Agent Orange, Agent Purple and Agent White. The chemicals themselves had no color; the names refer to colored stripes painted on the 55 gallon barrels to identify their contents. Much smaller amounts of other herbicides were also tested, including Agent Pink, Agent Green, Dinoxol, Trinoxol, Bromacil, Diquat, Tandex, Monuron, Diuron and Dalapon. Agent Blue was an unrelated herbicide based primarily on arsenic used to kill rice plants which were not susceptible to the phenoxy-based agents. A variety of Paraquat-related chemicals were apparently also tested in this role. For spraying, the various agents were mixed with kerosene or diesel fuel. By 1964 the testing phase had ended, and Agent Orange was selected as the most effective agent for "territory denial". Operational use started in January 1965, increasing in breadth as logistical problems were solved. Most of Agent Orange sprayed during the program was delivered from modified US Air Force C-123K Provider aircraft under a program known as Operation Ranch Hand. Other delivery methods included helicopters, truck and hand spraying, notably for the areas directly around US bases. From 1968 on, an improved version known as "Orange II" or "Super Orange" was used as well. Spraying reached its maximum during the most intense period of the war, between 1967 and 1968. After that the program "drew down", and ended in 1971. By this point an estimated 19 million gallons of herbicide had been sprayed on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, somewhat more than half (55%) of that Agent Orange, between 1962 and 1971. Early estimates from 1974 had placed the amounts lower, between 12 and 14 million US gallons (45,000 and 53,000 m�). In total about 6 million acres (24,000 km�) were sprayed in Vietnam alone.

Answer 2

The enemy hid in jungles/forests; Agent Orange destroyed those jungles/forests. The chemical was later replaced by ROME PLOWS (bull dozers fitted with an angled blade and cages to protect the driver from falling trees). The Rome Plows lined up behind one another (like cars following each other on the highway), 10 or more at a time, and like mowing the lawn (cutting grass) they followed each other in circles, making the forest smaller, and smaller, until the forest was gone.

Rome Plows, which were manned by US Army Engineers, had US Mechanized Infantrymen mounted on M113 ACAVs parked at strategic places to protect them in case they were attacked.

Answer 3

The purpose of agent orange was to deprive the enemy of shelter,forcing them out into the open and theoretically making it easierto fight them also to crops that might feed the enemy.

Answer 4

South Vietnam, replaced by Rome Plows..

Answer 5

Weapon

Answer 6

defoliation