0
Why did US forces kill south vietnamese civilians and destroy villages?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
It's easy to become moralistic and judge the actions of others, but before you do, perhaps you should attempt to understand the other side. Jungle fighters would chase VC snipers through the trails of South Vietnam, into a village. The villagers "didn't see anything", and when the soldiers searched the village they found weapons and large stocks of food, far more than would be expected for a village of that size. Of course, the VC snipers didn't wear uniforms, so it was easy for them to hide among the villagers. Jungle fighters encountered that mentality CONSTANTLY. Occasionally they would find VC, but usually the villagers protected them. VC often claimed to be civilians, but they weren't. Non-uniformed enemy combatants are called "spies", and according to the Geneva Convention, can be executed. Don't get me wrong, destroying the villages wasn't acceptable... but the jungle fighters would become more angry with each of their buddies that was killed by a non-uniformed enemy combatant. Often US troops felt boxed in and took it out on the Vietnamese... Must pray on your mind about it all-not being able to find your would be killers, or any step could be your last... See My Lai Massacre-An interview somewhere tells you of what that person felt. But I agree- It doesn't make it right.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThis is a simple answer, and it will sound cruel, but this was war. "They got in the way."
Note: When GIs received fire, they returned it, then really poured it on. When the enemy was finally over-whelmed with firepower the area was swept (walked over) and if innocent personnel were observed amongst the bodies, there was nothing the men could do about it.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe killing of civilians was neither the policy nor the intent of the US Military. However, the guerrilla warfare in South Vietnam resulted in the killing of US troops by civilians, including by women or teens in suicide attacks. Many began to see all Vietnamese as the enemy, and treated them inhumanely.
Villagers, caught in the political conflict between the South's government and the Viet Cong, often had to take sides, killing each other as well as US soldiers. Many people were also executed by the guerrillas, either because they supported the government or because they would not take up arms against it.
When massacres such as My Lai (Son My) occurred, it was often out of revenge by soldiers for the loss of their comrades. Many US troops were young and inexperienced, and could not mentally cope with the nightmarish conditions of the war. When command oversight was unclear or absent, barbaric torture and killing of innocents frequently resulted. In addition, indiscriminate air attacks on suspected guerrilla bases often resulted in many collateral civilian deaths.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Defeat of the south Vietnamese forces?
The defeat of the south vietnamese forces was happened in the 30th of April , 1975 .
How does the role Vietnamese civilians played in the war in Vietnam compare to the role Iraqi civilians play in the war in Iraq?
Based upon the information I have read.. there is little difference between Vietnamese and Iraqi civilian behavior during the wars. Some look to the US for help, some appreciate the efforts allied forces have made, and yet others fought or are fighting allied forces/US forces with every man woman or child they can recruit. This particular frame of mind can also be found in many war type scenarios.
Was the Viet Cong an organization?
Yes. They were a Vietnamese Communist paramilitary organization primarily based in South Vietnam in support of the North Vietnamese military forces. The Viet Cong was dissolved in 1976 when South Vietnam capitulated to North Vietnamese military forces.
In which event did North Vietnamese forces launch surprise attacks in South Vietnam during a Vietnamese holiday?
Tet Offensive.
Where did American forces find mass graves containing thousands of South Vietnamese who the North Vietnamese had executed during the Tet Offensive?
In hue
What tactics did the Americans use in Vietnam?
they launched multirole bombers more than enough to destroy the north vietnamese forces
What were the targets of the National Liberation Front's Forces?
The majority of death's caused by the NLF/Viet Cong would most likely be attributed to South Vietnamese civilians, followed by South Vietnamese military and then U.S. military personnel.
Defeat of the south Vietnamese forces?
The defeat of the south vietnamese forces was happened in the 30th of April , 1975 .
How does the role Vietnamese civilians played in the war in Vietnam compare to the role Iraqi civilians play in the war in Iraq?
Based upon the information I have read.. there is little difference between Vietnamese and Iraqi civilian behavior during the wars. Some look to the US for help, some appreciate the efforts allied forces have made, and yet others fought or are fighting allied forces/US forces with every man woman or child they can recruit. This particular frame of mind can also be found in many war type scenarios.
When was Vietnamese American Armed Forces Association created?
Vietnamese American Armed Forces Association was created in 2008.
Why was tet important?
The Tet Offensive was an attack on South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnamese New Year. North Vietnamese troops, i.e. Viet Cong and Viet Minh, came up with a plan that would attack the South Vietnamese forces and the American troops. These tactics included surprise attacks, mow-downs, and setting up booby traps. It was a psychological win for the North Vietnamese because the fact that they found a way that could weaken the South Vietnamese forces. Days later, the US came back with harsh counterattacks such as the My Lai Massacre. The massacre killed over 250 Viet Cong members and 150 civilians, that's over 400 people killed. The leader of this massacre was not welcomed kindly when reentering the US.
Vietcong?
Communist guerrilla movement in Vietnam that fought the South Vietnamese government forces 1954-75 with the support of the North Vietnamese army and opposed the South Vietnamese and US forces in the Vietnam War.
Who are people not in the armed forces?
A civilian.
What is Internal Security Forces's motto?
The motto of Internal Security Forces is 'Security for the Nation and Civilians'.
What is a term that describes people who are not members of the armed forces?
civilians
Can civilians learn the same covert ops as special forces do?
No.
Why did the vietcong dress like civilians?
The Viet Cong were guerrilla forces. They were not a conventional military force like the North Vietnamese Army, therefore they wore civilian clothing. Plus, civilian clothing added an advantage as American and ARVN forces would not recognize them as combatants. The Viet Cong were guerrilla forces. They were not a conventional military force like the North Vietnamese Army, therefore they wore civilian clothing. Plus, civilian clothing added an advantage as American and ARVN forces would not recognize them as combatants.
