7610-66-023-3281

AUSTRALIAN

MILITARY

FORCES

POCKETBOOK

SOUTH VIETNAM

7610-66-023-3281/1
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AUSTRALIAN MILITARY

FORCES

POCKETBOOK
SOUTH VIETNAM
(REVISED JVN 1967)

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RESTRICTED AMENDMENTS Amendment Number Date of Amendment Date of Insertion

DISTRIBUTION AMF Scale C One per member posted to South Vietnam. RESTRICTED 5

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Army Headquarters, Canberra, A.C.T. 31st October, 1967

Prepared and issued under the direction of the Chief of the General Staff

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PREFACE 1. When you reach South Vietnam, you will be in a country with a civilization that predates the birth of Christ but which, since 1954, has been a divided nation, like Korea. Wherever you go, remember that Vietnam is a land of dignity and reserve. Good manners, thoughtfulness, and restrained behaviour will be appreciated by the Vietnamese. You will benefit, as will the country you represent, in terms of friendship built on the solid foundation of mutual respect and admiration. 2. Vietnam and the Vietnamese are prepared to welcome you officially and unofficially. Meet them halfway and you will be glad you did. By helping the people of this proud nation repulse the aggression of the Communist Viet Cong, you will strike a telling blow for democracy and add greatly to the strength of freedom throughout tho world. 3. Remember at all times that you represent Australia, which has already done much to assist South Vietnam in her struggle and has earned the respect and gratitude of the Vietnamese people.

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Preface Contents CONTENTS Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter 1The War in South Vietnam 2History 3Geography 4Government and Administrative Structure 5The People 6The Armed Services 7The Viet Cong 8Vietnamese Language Guide 9Useful Information 10Security

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 1 THE WAR IN SOUTH VIETNAM 1. As a member of the Australian Army you are going to South Vietnam. You should know why you are going there, and the reasons that led to the decision to send Australian forces to help the Government of that country. 2. This chapter of the pocketbook has been written to give you a very brief account of the background events which led to the present struggle in South Vietnam so that you, your family and friends, will understand why we support South Vietnam. In a small publication of this size, explanations must be brief, and the background given is of necessity restricted to a few of the most important aspects. You will have to complete the story for yourself from your own reading. 3. The 1954 Geneva Agreement, signed at the time of the ceasefire which led to the withdrawal of French troops, provided for the division of Vietnam into two parts, and laid down that neither North nor South Vietnam should be used for a resumption of hostilities or to further an aggressive policy. These obligations were accepted by North Vietnam which was a signatory to the international agreement. It was also under the Geneva Agreement that early in 1955 the United States provided a small military advisory team of 342 men to assist in the reorganization and training of the South Vietnamese Army. 4. One of the key provisions of the Geneva Agreement was that the forces from communist led North Vietnam should be withdrawn from South Vietnam to the North. In practice, the Northern forces left behind them several thousand hard core communists dispersed throughout the South, whose task was to prepare the way for communist subversion and the subsequent takeover of South Vietnam. After 1954 while South Vietnam was struggling to establish itself and was making some economic progress, the communists, now called the Viet Cong, built up their strength and consolidated their hold on certain rural areas, aided, encouraged, and in general directed, by the communist government of North Vietnam. Then in 1959 when it considered the time ripe, the North Vietnamese authorities called for an intensification of the Viet Cong activities and for full scale guerilla warfare against the Government of South Vietnam. RESTRICTED 9

RESTRICTED 5. It is most significant that in 1959 when North Vietnam plainly announced her intention to overthrow the South, there were still only some 340 US military advisory troops in South Vietnam. From 1959 to 1964, North Vietnam infiltrated more than 40,000 trained men into the South to join the Viet Cong as well as providing the Viet Cong with very large quantities of arms, ammunition and supplies. Faced with this increasingly grave situation South Vietnam appealed for help to the United States which progressively increased its military advisory strength to 3,000 by the end of 1961, and 21,000 by the end of 1964. However, it was not until 1965, some six years after the opening of North Vietnam's campaign against the South, and in response to the infiltration of a regular North Vietnamese Division into South Vietnam, that the United States introduced ground combat troops. Thus the communist claims that North Vietnamese action was taken only in reaction to a considerable build up of United States strength are blatantly untrue. 6. The war in Vietnam is not a civil war as some people try to make out, but deliberate, sustained aggression started, controlled, directed and supported by North Vietnam against the South. In this type of conflict the standard communist tactics of subversion, terror, murder, attacks on women and children and the wanton killing of village administrators are being employed daily by the Viet Cong. As well as at least 50,000 dead and almost 100,000 wounded in the South Vietnamese armed forces since 1961, tens of thousands of local government officials, civilian school teachers and even nurses have been slaughtered by the Viet Cong. 7. Australia, as you know, is a member of the SEATO Pact and, as such, we have undertaken to come to the aid of South Vietnam, a Protocol State under the Pact, should our assistance be requested. South Vietnam has sought our aid and for this reason alone we have an obligation to come to its assistance as we have done, apart from the moral compulsion to help it resist the unwarranted aggression by North Vietnam through the Viet Cong, its agents in South Vietnam. Such pacts as SEATO are vitally important for the collective security of the signatory powers and we should never forget that these treaties are reciprocalthere may come a time of national emergency when Australia needs the help of other treaty countries. By helping in South Vietnam we are strengthening our own future security.
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RESTRICTED 8. We should also remember that Australia is a responsible country in the same geographical region as South Vietnam. We have an obvious stake in helping to preserve stability in our area. And we should not forget that it would be immensely more difficult to defend Australia on our own soil alone. Our security is tied to that of all the countries of the region. Our strategic defence frontier must be as far forward as possible and in fact today it is in South Vietnam. Should we and the United States leave South Vietnam, before a just settlement has been reached, communism, acting through North Vietnam and China would soon take over South Vietnam. Thailand and subsequently Malaya would then be in an intolerable position and we here in Australia could soon find ourselves facing aggressive communism close to our shores. Containment of the militant forces of communism in South Vietnam is therefore very important to Australia's future security. By helping the South Vietnamese to defeat the communists you are therefore directly assisting the long term Australian strategy of defence forward of our own shores. 9. Many attempts have been made to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in South Vietnam. The United States, Britain, the United Nations and many other countries have all tried without success to open the way for negotiations; the Government of North Vietnam encouraged by Communist China has rejected each approach. The Hanoi Government has stated repeatedly that there will be no peaceful negotiations unless the forces of all the countries engaged in the defence of South Vietnam are withdrawn. Hanoi's actions are clear proof that North Vietnam and China are demanding nothing less than complete military capitulation, not a negotiated peace. A ceasefire under such conditions would be favourable only to the communists and totally unacceptable to the people of South Vietnam and all other fair minded people. We cannot subscribe to such a policy. 10. A statement often heard is that a military solution is not possible for South Vietnam. In the broad sense this is correct and the threat from communism can only be overcome in the long term by social, economic and educational programmes in conjunction with the establishment of a sound government administration. However, in South Vietnam, Viet Cong terrorism and sabotage have been deliberately designed to prevent the Government from implementing such measures; and it should be clear to everyone that economic and social progress RESTRICTED 11

RESTRICTED cannot be great until the Viet Cong have been brought to the point where they stop seeking to overthrow the established Government by armed force and until North Vietnam ceases to give this assistance and direction. What United States, South Vietnamese and Australian forces are now engaged in then is the first, but critical step of helping the Government of South Vietnam establish the degree of physical security necessary to put into effect a balanced programme of civic reform and development. 11. A declaration by President Johnson in February, 1965, set out the United States position on Vietnam in the following words: " Our purpose, our objective there is clear. That purpose and that objective is to join in the defence and protection of the freedom of a brave people who are under an attack that is controlled and that is directed from outside their country. We have no ambition there for ourselves. We seek no dominion. We seek no conquest. We seek no wider war. But we must all understand that we will persist in the defence of freedom, and our continuing actions will be those that are made necessary by the continuing aggression of others. These actions will be measured and fitting and adequate. Our stamina and the stamina of the American people is equal to the task." 12. For our own part, the Australian Prime Minister when announcing the Government's decision to send 1 RAR to Vietnam, told Federal Parliament that: a. The decision is a further extension of military and economic aid which commenced in 1962. b. It was taken at the request of the South Vietnamese Government after close consultation with the United States Government. c. The decision is in pursuance of our SEATO obligations. " We do not and must not overlook the point that our alliances, as well as providing guarantees and assurances for our security, make demands upon us ". d. " It is our judgement that the decision to commit a battalion in South Vietnam represents the most useful additional contribution which we can make to the defence of the region at this time. The takeover of South Vietnam would be a direct military threat to Australia and all countries of South and South East Asia. It must be seen as part of a thrust by Communist China between the Indian and Pacific Oceans."
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RESTRICTED e. " The Government has no desire to have Australian forces in Vietnam any longer than necessary to ensure the security of Vietnam." 13. On 8 Mar. 66, and as a result of a further request from the Government of South Vietnam, the Prime Minister announced that a self cpntained task force under Australian command would be sent to South Vietnam to replace 1RAR, thus trebling our military assistance to South Vietnam. 14. It will be seen that through our treaties we are pledged to halt the progress of aggressive communism in South East Asia and help other member nations to do the same. South Vietnam has asked us to help her in the present struggle. Not only have we a contractual and moral obligation to do so, but it is in our interests that we should. That is why we are there.

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CHAPTER 2 HISTORY Introduction 1. Vietnam has one of the world's oldest living civilizations, with roots deep in Asian religions and philosophies. 2. Much of Vietnam's history is the story of its relations with China, its vastly larger and more powerful neighbour to the North. The Vietnamese for many centuries both admired China for its culture and feared her for her power. During the thousand years between the second century BC and the tenth century AD when the Vietnamese were dominated by China they accepted much Chinese culture without themselves being absorbed. Since freeing themselves from Chinese control in AD 1038, the Vietnamese have cherished their tradition of national independence and have jealously guarded it. 3. The Vietnamese are proud of their history and of their military accomplishments of the past. To the prowess of their ancestors they attribute not only successful resistance to Chinese encroachment but also the extension of their territory to the present boundaries of North and South Vietnam by victories over neighbouring kingdoms to the South and West. Although they regard themselves as a peaceful people, they assign high importance to valour and fighting ability as factors in their survival as a nation. Historical Background 4. Legend establishes the first Viet Kingdom of Nam Viet in what is now North Vietnam. In 111 BC the kingdom came under the control of the Chinese who renamed it Annam (" Pacified Country to the South "), and continued to rule it almost continuously for the next thousand years in spite of many unsuccessful rebellions of the Viet people. Chinese Domination Ends 5. For part of the period of Chinese domination, the provincial governors allowed local feudal lords to govern the people and even collect taxes, which the Chinese then extracted from the lords. Later the Chinese began paying more direct attention to their subjects and 14 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED introduced Chinese civilization in Vietnamese life. The Viet people were such apt pupils that by the year 950 AD they had advanced sufficiently and developed enough strength to rid themselves of the Chines* yoke. 6. The Viets made another courageous stand for survival as a free nation when, in 1284, they repulsed the Mongolian hordes of Kublai Khan. In the next century they pushed southward to conquer the once great kingdom of Champa which occupied much of what is now South Vietnam. They also met the Khmers from the region of Cambodia on the field of battle and forced them to retreat to their present boundaries. The Kingdom of Champa 7. The Chams were an Indonesian people to whom a Hindu civilization had been brought from India as early as the 2nd century. They were seafarers and traders. Their kingdom survived for more than 1,000 years with capitals first at Indrapura, near Da Nang and later at Vijaya, near Qui Nhon. 8. Champa never recovered from its defeat by the Viets at Vijaya in 1471, and it disappeared from history during the 1700s. However, about 25,000 Chams who have never been assimilated into Vietnamese life still cluster in their own villages near Phan Rang, about midway down the coast. They follow a way of life scarcely distinguishable from that of the backward tribespeople in the area, and speak only their native Cham language. Vietnam's Golden Age 9. Under a dynasty founded in the 15th century by Emperor Le, Vietnam enjoyed a period of brilliant progress. Arts, crafts, agriculture, and commerce flourished. The code of laws developed during this time remained in effect until almost modern times. 10. Government service was recognized as the highest calling a man could pursue. Nine grades of civil and military positions were established and literary competitions were held to determine for which grade a person was qualified. The competitions and civil service examination based on the ancient Chinese model were still conducted in the former capital of Hue as late as the early 1900s. RESTRICTED 15

RESTRICTED 11. Emperor Le's dynasty went through periods of strength and weakness. Two powerful families, the Trinh and the Nguyen, finally reduced the Le regime to puppet status and divided the country between them. The Trinh controlled the northern province of Tonkin, and the Nguyen controlled the central and southern province of Cochin China and Annam. 12. In 1802, the last scion of the original Nguyen familyGia Longmanaged to gain the throne and united all Vietnam under a single government and one set of laws. China granted the nation formal recognition and no longer insisted on the age old payment of tribute by the Vietnamese. In this enlightened era, there were schools in most villages, and foreign trade was encouraged and carried on through settlements of Dutch, Portuguese, French, and Japanese merchants in several towns. The French Takeover 13. Conflicts between the Vietnam people and French missionaries are said to have sparked the French military action that resulted in the takeover of the province of Cochin China by the French in 1863. Before another decade had passed, the other two provinces, Tonkin and Annam, were also under French rule. From then until World War II, South Vietnam was part of French Indo-China. 14. Although some of their administrative policies led to deep resentments by the Vietnamese, the French did much to advance the standards of living of the country. They built roads and railroads, canals, dikes, churches, hospitals and scientific institutions and sent many Vietnamese to France for advanced education. 15. After the fall of France in 1940, the Japanese occupied French Indo-China. This occupation continued until 1945 when Japan granted Vietnam independence under Emperor Bao Dai. The Communists Show Their Hand 16. Meanwhile, by the time of the Japanese occupation, a group of expatriate, anti-French Vietnamese had formed in South China. One of these was Ho Chi Minh, a dedicated Communist, who led an apparently Nationalist guerilla force during the years of resistance against the Japanese. 16 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED 17. After the surrender of Japan, Ho's forces became the " Vietnam Liberation Army " and the shadow government set up by Japan under Emperor Bao Dai soon fell before the well organized communist onslaught. The Emperor abdicated, handing over his powers to Ho Chi Minh. At the same time, a " Provisional Executive Committee for South Vietnam " with seven Communists among its nine members, took control in Saigon. 18. Like many other former colonial people the Vietnamese wanted national independence above all and that is why many followed Ho Chi Minh and the communist directed Viet Minh which pretended to be a Nationalist league for the country's independence. The Post-war Period 19. When the French tried to regain a foothold in Vietnam in 1946, Viet Minh forces attacked them widely and fiercely with the support of many people, who, though not communists, had only one purpose in mindindependence for their country. So began the costly eight year Indo-China war which ended with the division of Vietnam at a Geneva conference table in July, 1954. The southern part of the country remained a free nation, the Republic of Vietnam, under the leadership of President Ngo Dinh Diem, with Saigon as its capital. The territory north of the 17th parallel of latitude became the communist controlled Democratic Republic of Vietnam, with Hanoi as its capital. 20. President Diem, a devout Catholic, was a patriotic leader, dedicated to the defeat of communism in his country and to the well-being and prosperity of his people. He instituted many social reforms and some far-sighted plans to counter the communists, such as the Strategic Hamlet Programme and the National Pacification Plans. Under President Diem the country was gradually being placed on a sound footing and some progress was being made against the Viet Cong. 21. It was allegedly religious repression of the Buddists which caused the overthrow and assassination of President Diem in a military coup d'etat on 1 Nov., 63, led by Major-General Duong Van Minh. General Minh proceeded to form a Military Revolutionary Council to govern the country but was himself overthrown by a bloodless coup d'etat on 30 Jan., 64, led by Major-General Nguyen Khanh, the commander of the 1st Army Corps. RESTRICTED 17

RESTRICTED 22. General Khanh, as Chairman of the Military Revolutionary Council became Prime Minister and formed a new government composed of military and professional men, with General Minh as titular Chief of State. 23. In Oct., 64, the Khanh Government was again replaced by a new government led by Tran Van Huong in an effort to return the country to civilian control. However this new group was itself dissolved in Jan., 65, and on 16 Feb., 65, Dr. Phan Huy Quat became Prime Minister. 24. The new government's efforts to rally the country to greater efforts against the Viet Cong were hampered by growing rivalry between the Armed Forces and the Buddhists and eventually Dr. Quat found it impossible to govern. He called on the military to resume power and on 19 Jun., 65 a new military government was formed. 25. The new military government, or Congress of the Armed Forces, was led by Lieutenant-General Nguyen Van Thieu as Chief of State and Air Vice Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky as Prime Minister. A Directory of 10 Commissioners was elected from within the Congress to direct the affairs of the nation. 26. The government was able to consolidate its authority mainly as a result of its own stability, and of its successful handling of the challenge to its authority by the militant Buddhist " Struggle Movement" in April, 1966. 27. On 6 Jun., 66, a National Leadership Council was formed comprising 10 military and 10 civilian members and since then, South Vietnam has been governed by the Council with the assistance of an 80-member Military/Civilian Advisory Council. 28. In spite of a concerted Viet Cong effort to disrupt them, elections for a Constituent Assembly were successfully held on 11 Sep., 66. Four blocs (or parties) were formed from among the 117 elected deputies. 29. Since then, the Assembly's main task has been the drawing up of a new constitution preparatory to the election of a civilian government. 18 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED 30. Presidential and Senate Elections were held on 3 Sep., 67. Lt.-Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu was elected President, with Air Vice Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky as Vice-President. 31. Elections for a House of Representatives will be held on 22 Oct., 67.

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 3 GEOGRAPHY PART 1TERRAIN 1. The Republic of Vietnam (RVN) occupies a crescent shaped area of 67,000 square miles on the south-eastern edge of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. Due to its long and narrow configuration, RVN has extended frontiers and although it has a border of only 45 miles with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), it has a sea coast of 1,500 miles on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. Its land borders with its western neighbours, Laos and Cambodia, extend for approximately 900 miles. (See map inside front cover.) 2. The area may be divided into four distinct geographical regions as follows: a. The Highlands Region. The northern two-thirds of the country is dominated by a chain of broken mountains (The Annamite Chain) which extend from the north-western corner in a southeasterly direction terminating on the edge of the delta plain about 50 miles north of Saigon. b. The Coastal Plain. This plain varies from 10 to 25 miles in width, extending from the northern boundary to the delta plain in the south. The area is characterized by sandy beaches and dunes, backed by padi fields and marshes which extend to the mountains. c. The Plateau Area. An extensive plateau area lies in the central highlands adjacent to the Laos/Cambodia border. The northern area is covered by dense tropical forests and jungles and the southern portion is typical savannah country with large open expanses covered by tropical grasses and open forests. d. The Delta. The southern third of the country is a large plain formed by the Mekong, Saigon and Dong Nai rivers. The area is relatively flat with few points exceeding an elevation of 20 feet above sea level. In addition to the major tributaries of the Mekong, the area is divided by numerous smaller streams and a dense network of unfordable canals. During the rainy season, the area is inundated. The eastern portion of the delta plain is
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RESTRICTED heavily forested and there are extensive mangrove swamps located in the south-western portion, the Ca Mau Peninsula. The Plaine des Jones, a large marshy area covered with tall reeds and scrub trees is located in the centre of the delta region, adjacent to the Cambodian border.

PART 2CLIMATE 3. South Vietnam has a tropical monsoonal climate with high temperatures and humidity, and a heavy rainfall in all parts except the south-east coast between Cap Padaran and Vung Tau (Cap St Jacques). The south-west monsoon season (May to September or October) brings heavy rain to all but the east and part of the south-east coast and is characterized by high temperatures and humidity; it is also the period of most cloud. The north-east monsoon, which commences in November and ends in March, is a dry season in most areas, but brings some rain to the east coastal regions, particularly between November and January. March/April and October/November are transition periods, the former marked by depressions sometimes reaching typhoon force which move in from the China Sea and produce heavy rain on the east coast. This rain and that of the north-east season, give this east coast a wet season from September to December or January. 4. Rainfall ranges from under 40 inches on the south-east coast to over 100 inches on the central plateaux; Saigon and Da Nang each have an average annual rainfall of 77 inches. About 80 per cent of the rainfall occurs during the wet season. 5. Temperature and humidity are high. The mean maximum temperature ranges between approximately 80 F. in the higher plateaux to 94 F. on the lowlands; mean minima for these areas are approximately 50 F. and 70 F. respectively. The annual relative humidity range varies between approximately 70 per cent and 90 per cent with highest readings normally occurring in the highlands; maxima in all areas coincide with the wet season. 6. South Vietnam, particularly the east coast, is likely to be affected by typhoons between July and November, with September to November being the most dangerous period. RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED PART 3COMMUNICATIONS Roads 7. The road system throughout South Vietnam is poor in both quantity and quality. In the northern area the roads are few and far between, narrow, poorly constructed and handicapped by low capacity bridges and problems of maintenance. In the south it is somewhat more extensive and of better quality, a serious handicap, however, being the lack of fixed crossings over major streams. 8. The road system radiates from Saigon and broadly comprises: a. Two trunk routes running roughly from south to north. One (RN 1) up the east coast and the other (part of RN 13 and RN 14) through the interior. Several laterals connect these routes. b. A route (RN 20) north-east of Djiring and Dalat. c. A route (RN 13) north to Cambodia and Laos. d. A route (RN 1) west-north-west to Phnom Penh. e. Routes south-west across the delta to the Ca Mau peninsula and to Cambodia. 9. Supplementing the main network are numerous local roads. These are used by jeep type vehicles and animal transport. The standards of construction and maintenance are poor. Railways 10. A 690 mile single track metre gauge (3 ft 3 in) railway closely parallels the coast from Saigon to Dong Ha near the demarcation line. From this main line extend two branch lines; one of 73 miles to Loc Ninh, close to the border of Cambodia and the other of 52 miles to the mountain city of Dalat. There are no connections with the systems of other countries and no alternative routes to any part of the internal system. 11. Due to the present security situation, travel by road and rail throughout the country is practically impossible except under armed convoy.

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 4 GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE Constitution 1. The Republic of Vietnam came into existence as a result of the 1954 Geneva Conference which set the 17th parallel as the boundary between North and South Vietnam. On 26th October, 1956, just one year after the President Ngo Dinh Diem proclaimed the new republic, a national constitution was adopted and this is still effective despite changes of government. 2. Under the constitution, largely the hard work of ex President Diem, a good start was made toward showing how much a determined nation can accomplish under dedicated leadership. In spite of the chaotic condition of the war ravaged country and the continuing terrorism and sabotage carried on by Viet Cong insurgents, the new nation has made great progress. Economic, health and educational programmes are under way to improve the living conditions of th people. The Government 3. The Armed Forces who hold power in the country have instituted a Congress of Armed Forces with membership of high ranking officers, Corps and Divisional Commanders. This Congress appoints a Directory to carry on the actual business of governing. 4. The Directory, from which is drawn a Cabinet, consists of the Head of State, the Prime Minister and seven senior officers. 5. There is also an Executive Council headed by the Prime Minister which contains the specialist Ministers actually involved in the administration of the country. Provincial Organization 6. Vietnam has 44 provinces and four cities with provincial status Saigon, Hue, Dalat, and Da Nang (Tourane). Within the provinces are districts made up of several cantons which, in turn, are each composed of several villages, called lang. The villages are made up of hamlets (ap) which may be from a hundred metres to several miles apart. To at least eight out of every 10 Vietnamese, " the Government " is the administrative group that runs his village. RESTRICTED 23

RESTRICTED CHAPTER J THE PEOPLE PART 1GENERAL Introduction 1. Th population of the Republic of Vietnam is about 16 million, four-fifths of them farmers. (North Vietnam has an estimated 17 million people). The majority of the people of South Vietnam are ethnic Vietnamese. 2. There are over half a million tribespeople; about the same number of Chinese (most of whom now hold Vietnamese citizenship); just under half a million ethnic Cambodians and a few thousand each of French, Indians, and Pakistanis. 3. Compared with most Asian nations, South Vietnam is uncrowded. The population density varies from 19 per square mile throughout the six high plateau provinces to 43,100 people per square mile in Saigon, the capital. Saigon is the largest city, with nearly a million and a half people. Da Nang is a distant second largest with about 160,000 people. 4. The Vietnamese are small, well-proportioned people, with dark, almond-shaped eyes and black hair. The slender, small-boned women move gracefully in their national dress of long trousers under a long-sleeved tunic slit from hem to waist. 5. Most non-labouring Vietnamese men wear Western clothing on the street, but you will see an occasional Chinese in traditional Mandarin dress. Workmen and peasants dress in loose black trousers and short black or white jackets. Often a black turban tops the male costume. 6. Somewhat reserved and very polite, the Vietnamese are warm and friendly with people they like, and they are very co-operative and helpful. They have great respect for virtue and knowledge and honour older people. Many of their customs are conditioned by religious beliefs. Religion 7. Instead of saying that only one religion is the true one, the Vietnamese are more apt to take the position that although one is right, others are not necessarily wrong. For instance, a man who 26 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED makes offerings in a Buddhist temple probably pays reverence also at the ancestral altar in his own home in keeping with the teachings of Confucius. You may even find Christ, Confucius, Mohammed and Buddha all honoured in the same temple. 8. Consequently, it is not too meaningful to say that a certain percentage of the Vietnamese are Buddhists and another per cent something else. The percentages may be made up of individuals who are both Buddhists and something else. 9. The national Constitution reflects the people's belief in religious tolerance. It provides for freedom of religion, and states that no jingle religion is designated as the country's official one. 10. Nevertheless, religion has been a significant factor in the Vietnamese way of life throughout history. The present culture and customs of these proud and sensitive people are strongly conditioned by their religious beliefs. For example, feeling that the universe and man's place in it are essentially preordained and unchanging, they place high value on stoicism, patience, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. 11. To get along in Vietnam you must have some understanding of these traditional beliefs. If, for instance, you did not know that the parts of the human body are believed to possess varying degrees of worthinessstarting with the headyou would not see why patting a child on the head might be considered a gross insult. Or why it would be insulting for you to sit with your legs crossed and pointed toward some individual. Either of these actions would cause you to be regarded in a poor light by Vietnamese who follow the traditional ways. Confucianism 12. Confucianism, a philosophy brought to Vietnam centuries ago by the Chinese, not only has been a major religion for centuries, but also has contributed immensely to the development of the cultural, moral, and political life of the country. It established a code of relations between people. For example, the relation between sovereign and subject, father and son, wife and husband, younger and older people, friend and friend are governed by its teachings. Believing RESTRICTED 27

RESTRICTED that disorders in a group spring from improper conduct on the part of its individual members, achievement of harmony is the first duty of every Confucianist. 13. When he dies, the Confucianist is revered as an ancestor who is joined forever to nature. His descendants honour and preserve his memory in solemn ancestral rites. At the family shrine containing the ancestral tablets, the head of each family respectfully reports to the ancestors all important family events and seeks their advice. Buddhism 14. Confucianism exists side by side in many Vietnamese homes with Buddhism, a religion first taught in India some 26 centuries ago. In Buddhism, the individual finds a larger meaning of life by establishing identity with eternitypast, present, future through cycles of reincarnation. In the hope of eventual " nirvana," that is, oneness with the universe, he finds consolation in times of bereavement and special joy in times of weddings and births. 15. The Greater Vehicle form of Buddhism has more followers in Vietnam, as in China, Korea and Japan, than has the Lesser Vehicle form. The Greater Vehicle branch regards the Gautama Buddha as only one of many Buddhas (Enlightened Ones) who are manifestations of the fundamental divine power of the universe. They believe that, theoretically, any person may become a Buddha, though those who attain Buddhahood are rare. Saints who earnestly strive for such perfection are known as " bodhisattvas." Both Buddhas and bodhisattvas are recognized and venerated in Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) temples. 16. Lesser Vehicle believers follow the teachings of Gautama and regard him as the only Buddha. Only in the southern delta provinces of Vietnam, particularly in Ba Xuyen and An Giang where there are large groups of ethnic Cambodians, will you see the saffron-robed monks of the Lesser Vehicle. This branch is also found in Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laosin other words, in those countries which have had a dominant Indian rather than a dominant Chinese historical influence. Taoism 17. Like Confucianism and Buddhism, Taoism came to Vietnam from China centuries ago. Like Buddhism, its philosophy focuses on the idea of man's oneness with the universe. In modern Vietnam, 28 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED Taoist priests are regarded as skilled magicians, adept at controlling the spirit world through intercession with Taoist gods. The priesthood is a family calling, taught by father to son. Christianity 18. Christianity reached Vietnam in the 16th and 17th centuries, mainly through the efforts of Roman Catholic Spanish and Portuguese missionaries. As a result of persistent missionary effortsfrequently in the face of persecution by emperors who feared Western political and economic controlapproximately 10 per cent of the population of the Republic of Vietnam are Catholics. This is the highest proportion of Catholics in any Asian country except the Philippines. 19. American Protestant missions have been in Vietnam since World War I. At first their activities were mainly limited to the mountain tribes of the high plateau, but with the gradual rise of American assistance and influence, there has been an increase in Protestant activity in the lowlands. Baptist, Mennonite, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Seventh Day Adventist missions now exist in several cities, and some Vietnamese Protestant students are being sent to the United States for advanced theological training. New Religions 20. In addition to the religions and philosophies brought to Vietnam from other countries, new ones were developed there. Chief among these were the Cao Dai and the Hoa Hao. 21. Cao Dai is a blend of the three great oriental philosophies Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhismset in an organizational structure based on that of the Roman Catholic Church. The head of the church, the " Superior " fills a position similar to that of the Pope. 22. The words Cao Dai mean " supreme palace ", a term frequently found in Buddhist prayer books. This is a reference to the divinity's dwelling place and, by polite indirection, to the divinity himself. The Cao Dai symbol is a large, all-seeing eye. 23. You can tell which branch of the Cao Dai religion a priest belongs to by the colour of his robes. Those that are in the Confucian RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED branch wear red; the Taoist, sky-blue; and the Buddhist, saffron. The Superior wears all three colours. Women may also become members of the clergy, rising even to become cardinals, but they all wear white. 24. Cao Dai morality is based on the duties of man toward himself, his family, society, and humanity. Its philosophy preaches the attainment of pure spirituality without seeking honour and riches. 25. The philosophy and practice of Cao Dai are examples of religious and ethical borrowingorganization and some ritual from Catholicism, reincarnation and not eating meat from Buddhism, man's obligations to society and veneration of ancestors from Confucianism, despising honour and riches from Taoism. 26. At one time Cao Dai claimed a following of three million. Now the religion is much less widely practised, but Cao Dai temples may still be seen throughout Vietnam. The cathedral near the city of Tay Ninh, about 55 miles north-west of Saigon, is the largest and best known. Built between 1933 and 1941 it is located not far from the revered Nui Ba Den, Mountain of the Black Virgin. The mountain is a holy place of the Buddhist faith, one to which pilgrimages have long been made. 27. In its peak period, Cao Dai had not only millions of followers but also an army of some 15,000. For a time the Cao Dai troops opposed President Ngo Dinh Diem, throwing their support behind Communist Ho Chi Minh. With the defeat of anti-Diem forces in 1955, the Cao Dai leader went into exile in Cambodia and the sect, except for scattered remnants of its military, resumed purely spiritual activities. 28. Hoa Hao, an offshoot of Buddhism, began in An Giang province in south-west Vietnam in 1939. Its founder was a young man named Huynh Phu So, and he gave the new religion the name of his village of birth. He became famous as a teacher and miracle healer, preaching that temples, rituals, and priests were not necessary to the worship of God. This greatly appealed to the poor people and peasants. Some 20 years after its founding, Hoa Hao had a million and a half or more followers, but Viet Minh communists murdered the founder in 1942 and no leader of comparable stature appeared to take his place. The sect has declined in influence and prestige since that time. 30 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED PART 2MANNERS AND CUSTOMS Introduction 29. You will find many areas of common interest with the Vietnamese; their regard for their familiestheir historic struggles for national independencetheir wish to allow people individual freedom within the framework of laws made for the good of all. 30. But there are many differences between their culture and customs and our own. You must be prepared to deal with them in a way that will make you an acceptable friend of the Vietnamese. 31. Some of the differences are small things, like the way a Vietnamese seems to be waving goodbye when he is actually beckoning you to come toward him. If you use a typical European motion to signal to a Vietnamese you should not be dismayed if he does not respond. He is probably just as confused by your gesture as you are by his. 32. More important differences are attitudes toward older people, manual labour, display of emotion, and time. For instance, the average Vietnamese is less compulsive about time than the average European, and regards punctuality with less reverence. Therefore, you should not consider it a personal affront if people arrive late for an appointment or even if they don't arrive at all. 33. Moderation should be practised in all things and the moral code of the people you are among strictly observed. For instance, if the rule i s " no dancing ", don't ignore it because you feel like demonstrating your version of the twist. Remember, also, that trouble breeds in situations where people drink too much or forget to show the utmost respect and courtesy toward women; make it a special point to stay away from this sort of trouble. Family Loyalty 34. The Vietnamese are justifiably proud of their culture and national identity but their primary social outlook revolves around their family and village. These claim first allegiance. Members of a family, for instance, have an absolute obligationto be violated only at the risk of serious dishonourto care for their relatives and to prevent any of them from being in want. Even after a girl marries, her love and respect for her parents traditionally continue to overshadow her love and respect for her husband. RESTRICTED 31

RESTRICTED 35. The traditional family unit includes living and dead members and members not yet born. On festival days and in family ceremonies the ancestors are invoked and revered, and at all times there is thought of the grandsons and great-grandsons yet to be born who will carry on the family name. A family without male heirs is assumed to have disappeared. 36. The importance of family is evident in the many terms used to denote family relationships. In addition to the usual ones like father, mother, brother, sister, the Vietnamese have terms to show relative age, the father's side of the family versus the mother's, and other niceties of relationship. In keeping with the lesser importance of younger people, there is only one term for a younger brother or sister. Either is " em ". But " anh " means elder brother and " chi " elder sister. 37. In the Confucian tradition, older people with their accumulation of a lifetime of experience are the wisest members of society and therefore are accorded the highest standing. If you are invited to a Vietnamese home for a meal be sure to let the older people begin eating before you do. Be solicitous about helping them to things at the table. Older Vietnamese, by the way, will usually not shake hands but will greet you by joining their hands in front of them and inclining their heads very slightly. Responding with the same gesture will show them that you know and appreciate this respectful custom. Woman's Place Is at Home 38. Since the purpose of marriage is to continue the family line, the parents believe that the selection of a proper wife for their son is their personal responsibility, a duty they owe both to their ancestors and to their son and his future children. Usually with the help of a " go-between ", they search for a girl who is skilful at housework and who will be a good mother to many children. Beauty is not as desirable as good character. In fact, beauty is sometimes considered a disadvantage because the Vietnamese believe that fate seldom is kind to beautiful women. 39. The traditional position of women is totally subordinate to men and their social life is limited. At the same time, wives often exercise a great deal of influence in the family, particularly in connection with financial affairs, and, of course, in selecting a marriage partner for their sons and daughters. 32 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED 40. People of upper-class families, as well as people living in villages removed from big city and Western influences continue to follow time-honoured traditions and customs. Among others, the customs have been considerably modified. Women are assuming a new and important position in the life of the nation, and young men and women are breaking away from tradition to choose their own marriage partners. The Professional Man 41. The Vietnamese have always felt that a deep division exists between manual and " intellectual" labour. Traditional Vietnamese who have achieved positions with the Government as a result of long and patient study, or who have become doctors, teachers, and so on, avoid using their hands for tasks they feel they have graduated beyond. It would be unusual, for example, to see such a person washing his car, helping his wife clear the table, or working in his garden. 42. Another thing, a Vietnamese might avoid looking a superior in the eye when talking to him. This does not mean the man cannot be trusted. It means he is being polite by not " staring " at a person of greater standing. 43. At your first meeting with a Vietnamese he might ask: " How much money do you make ? " This is a natural question in the sequence of " Are you married? " and " How many children do you havet" It simply expresses polite interest. If you feel uncomfortable about replying, you can avoid a direct answer by stating that you are paid in Australian currency and don't know what the equivalent would be in Vietnamese currency. Your indirect reply lets the other person know you do not want to answer and have told him so politely. The matter is thus dropped without embarrassing anybody. 44. If you want to ask a favour, you should remember that hinting and indirection are preferable to making an outright request. Also avoid launching too quickly into a new topic or disagreeing too vehemently. Exercise moderation in your conversation. At a first meeting, it is often best to stay on safe topics like families or the weather. Politeness and Restraint 45. Even among the most sophisticated Vietnamese, manners have not became lax or social customs unrestrained. Manners are conditioned by age-old religious teachings and are deeply ingrained in the life of the people. RESTRICTED 33

RESTRICTED 46. Public display of emotion is almost always considered in bad taste. Raising the voice, shouting, or gesturing wildly are most impolite. Tied with the view that marriage is primarily for continuance of the family line is a feeling that display of affection should be confined to the privacy of the homeand even there, not practised before guests. 47. The Vietnamese regard men and women who walk arm-in-arm as vulgar. But you may occasionally see two boys or men walking down the street hand-in-hand. This is an ordinary mark of friendship common to many Asian and other countries. 48. If you follow the general practices of good manners and courtesy, and observe those that are particularly important to your Vietnamese hosts, you will be a welcome guest in Vietnam. This is vital to your mission there. You will fulfil your duty as a responsible representative of Australia best by remembering at all times that you are in a land where dignity, restraint, and politeness are highly regarded. Village Life 49. The Vietnamese village, lang, is made up of a number of scattered hamlets or ap, each set against a back-drop of bamboo thickets and groves of areca (betel nut) and coconut palms. Located at the seat of government in a lang are a school, athletic or parade field, and a meeting hall. Instead of a Christian church there is a Buddhist temple. Some villages also have a dispensary and a maternity building containing a couple of beds and staffed by a trained midwife. 50. An " information " booth displays government notices. Saigon newspapers may be kept here for public reference. The dinh, or village communal temple, houses a decree naming the village guardian spirit. 51. There's also a village market. On market day, which is once or twice a week, people file out of the hamlets to follow the narrow paths or padi bunds to the market place. They come to sell, to buy, or just to gossip. Some balance baskets of tempting fresh fruits and vegetables on their heads. 52. You can buy live chickens or duck eggs, conical hats to ward off the sun and plastic coats to keep away the rain, Chinese rferbs and Western aspirin. You can even buy a brightly coloured scarf in which to carry home your purchases. 34 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED S3. A popular feature at the market is the man with a portable stove-and-bakery suspended from the ends of a bamboo pole balanced across his shoulders. From this ingenious double-duty device the merchant offers noodle soup on one side, papaya and red peppers on the other.

PART 3THE MOUNTAIN TRIBESPEOPLE (MONTAGNARD) 54. Tribal people outnumber the ethnic Vietnamese at places on or near Vietnam's high plateau. They formerly lived along the coast of north and central Vietnam. But about the time of Christ's birth, powerful nations like Funan and Champa forced them out of their coastal villages into the mountains. 55. You may hear these people called montagnard or moi. The first is a French word meaning " mountaineer". The second is a Vietnamese term meaning " savage" or " barbarian". Understandably, the tribespeople resent this. Two terms much more acceptable to them are dong bao thuong meaning " highland compatriot " and nguoi thuong du meaning " highland people ". A good English word is " tribespeople ", since it described their way of life without uncomplimentary meanings. There are an estimated 600,000 who live in the interior highlands. 56. The more than a score of different tribes can be grouped in two broad classifications based on language. Those in the larger group speak languages of the Mon-Khmer linguistic family related to present-day Cambodian. Some of these are Baru, Katu, Cua, Sedang, Hrey, Bahnar, Koho, Stieng, Muong and Ma. 57. Those in the smaller group speak languages of the MalayoPolynesian linguistic family that are related to Cham. The principal tribes speaking languages of this family are Rhade, Jarai, and Raglai. 58. But even within a language group, people of one village sometimes cannot understand those of another. If 10 to 20 miles of matted jungle trail separate the villages, there is not much communication between them and language differences develop. RESTRICTED 35

RESTRICTED 39. Languages of both these two linguistic families, Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian, differ greatly from Vietnamese in at least one major respectthey have no differing tones, while Vietnamese does. Since tones are usually difficult for Europeans, tribal languages should be easier for you to learn than Vietnamese. 60. Also, none of these people ever had a written language of their own until French and American missionaries began devising them, mostly in this century. Comparatively few tribespeople know how to read.

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 6 THE ARMED SERVICES General 1. In May, 1964, the armed forces of South Vietnam were merged into a single organization named " Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam " (RVNAF). These forces are responsible to the Defencs Ministry and include: a. The Army (ARVN). b. The Navy (VNN). c. The Air Force (VNAF). Command and Control 2. The Chief of State is nominal head of the Armed Forces, however executive control is exercised through the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Armed Services down to the Commander in Chief. Organization 3. The country is divided into four corps areas called Tactical Regions which are further sub-divided into divisional areas called Tactical Zones and Special Tactical Areas. 4. Major formations consist of 10 infantry divisions. There are also airborne, armoured, artillery and ranger elements on a nondivisional basis as well as logistic and support units. The Soldier 5. The South Vietnamese soldier is generally sturdy and wiry and has good stamina. Active and manually dextrous he is readily trained in the use of modern military equipment. Most of them are accustomed to working out of doors in tropical heat, humidity and monsoonal rains. He can live in the field for an extended period on a daily ration of two pounds of rice and a portion of fish. In oounter insurgency operations, trained soldiers under capable leadership have displayed excellent combat discipline and are regarded as being effective, trustworthy and courageous under fire. RESTRICTED 37

RESTRICTED Para-mill tary Forces 6. There are also two country-wide para-military forces known as: a. The Regional Force (RF). b. The Popular Force (PF). 7. These forces are an essential part of the war effort and bear the brunt of combat. 8. The Regional Force/Popular Force are a nationally organized, full-time, uniformed and equipped force. The Regional Forces are assigned on a province and district level and whilst their main role is to complete internal pacification of areas and provide area security they also assist regular forces in combat as required. The Popular Forces organized at village and hamlet level are primarily concerned with protecting their own village and providing inter-village protection. National Police 9. The National Police Force, in the process of expansion, also plays a vital part in maintaining security in rural and urban areas. The Navy 10. Operating forces of the Navy consist of three major commands; The Sea Forces; The River Forces operating in the Mekong Delta Region; and the Marine Corps Group. A part of the shore establishment is the Junk Force, organized as a para-military force and an inshore patrol force. It is manned in part by naval personnel with Vietnamese fishermen providing the bulk of the force. Though small, the Navy is developing into a highly efficient organization. The Navy shipyard in Saigon is the largest of its kind between Singapore and the Philippine Islands. The Air Force 11. The Air Force occupies four bases and consists of transport, fighter, helicopter, and liaison squadrons, with necessary supporting units and a pilot training school.

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 7 THE ENEMY Introduction 1. There is little doubt that the Viet Cong, while posing as purely revolutionaries, are controlled, directed and in part resupplied by the Communist state pf North Vietnam. Since 1954 they have built up their organization and strength on twin political and military lines to the point where they are now capable of fielding divisional and regimental size formations. In addition, beginning in late 1964 we have seen the introduction of regular North Vietnamese Army (NVA) combat formations into South Vietnam to bolster the communist effort. By a systematic campaign of terrorism and coercion the enemy have gained control over large portions of the rural countryside. The enemy follow a set pattern of revolutionary warfare which is based in part on the teachings of the Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung and on the successful methods employed by the North Vietnamese Viet Minh forces in their struggle against the French. Concepts 2. The basic concepts of this form of warfare are: a. Political Objective. The movement must have a popular . objective which is acceptable to the people. Nationalism and anti-colonialism are two which are still current. Without such an acceptable objective, the movement will failMalaya being a prime example of this. b. Popular Support. This stems from the political objective. Every propaganda device will be used to demonstrate to the people the fact that the struggle is for their benefit. Without this support the movement will fail. c. Organization. As will be seen from the phases of insurgency, this receives the highest priority. Organization down to the lowest level is a necessity to utilize effectively the initially weak insurgent forces. A central organization is always set up within the country usually with help from sympathetic countries. d. Tactical Initiative. This is founded on resourcefulness, planning and offensive action at all times even when on the strategic defensive. Offensive action is adapted to the local conditions RESTRICTED 39

RESTRICTED of terrain, population, communications, and the strength of the security forces. Mobility, flexibility and concentration are stressed at all times. 3. Within this broad plan the insurgent effort is divided into three military phases which depend upon the strength and success of the organizational growth. These military phases are flexible and it is difficult to define the transition between each. The phases of revolutionary warfare are: a. Passive Phase. This exists while the enemy forces have superiority which make the setting up of an organization and subsequent insurgent operations hazardous. In this phase the main effort is given to building up an organization which can make the most effective use of scattered forces by controlling the necessary concentration. It is in this phase that the country is divided into Regions, Provinces, Districts, and Hamlet/Village areas. Co-ordinating committees are set up at each level. b. Active Phase. This phase is characterized by harassing attacks in increasing number and strength by the insurgent forces against selected targets. Local superiority is achieved by concentrating forces within an area. The main object of this phase is to build up strength and to wear down the enemy by constant and telling attacks. The ultimate military aim of the insurgents, which is to build up strong regular formations up to divisional level in order to challenge and defeat the enemy in open combat, will not be achieved in this phase. c. Counter Offensive Phase. For this phase the insurgent units will be organized into conventional formations, grouped into " regions " though the principle of concentration for operations will still be adhered to. This phase begins when the balance of power shifts from their enemy to the insurgent forces and his conventional military can bring the regular security forces to battle and defeat them. This shift in the balance of power will only be local at first but the insurgents will strive eventually to make their enemy commit his main forces in an unfavourable area where their destruction will open the way for take-over of the Government by the insurgents. 40 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED Types of Forces 4. To implement these phases and to utilize the varying degrees of support and standards of equipment available, communist forces are usually organized into three main classes. Whilst the names may differ from country to country, the break down is always similar. In South Vietnam these forces are: a. Village Guerillas. This is the lowest echelon and also the largest force. In the early stages these units take the brunt of the fighting and casualties. They are partially and poorly armed and are raised on a part-time basis as required by the District and Hamlet Committees. They are effective in local actions and can disperse and blend into the background rapidly. They are used to support any Regional/Regular action in their local area by providing porters or scouts. Their dress is that of the working peasant with perhaps a bandolier or pouch.

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A typical part-time village guerilla of the type to be encountered throughout South East Asia. Unarmed, he is indistinguishable from any peasant working in the fields. These part-time guerillas are effective in gathering intelligence and supporting operations by regular and regional troops. No uniform is worn, and the only equipment is a weapon of poor quality and possibly a bandolier and pouch. The advantages of concentration, dispersion and the ability to merge into the surrounding countryside are fully exploited by the insurgents. 42 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED b. Regional Forces. These differ little from the main-line regular forces except that they have a lower standard of weapons, equipment and training. The main difference is that they are restricted to a regional area. These forces are used mostly in the first two phases in company and battalion sized groups. They fight as formed, full-time units but live dispersed in sub-units. c. Regular Forces. The main force is well equipped and armed with the most modern weapons that communist countries can provide or that can be captured from the security forces. Well trained, aggressive and well indoctrinated they comprise those troops who have risen through the two lower echelons by proving their military skill and political reliability.

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Regular Insurgent Soldier There is little or no difference in appearance between the regular soldier and regional soldier. The only difference is in standards of training and political reliability and to some extent the poorer quality of weapons and equipment. A typical regular soldier is dressed in a 44 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED light grey/khaki blouse and trousers and wears either rubber/canvas boots or local thong pattern sandals. For particular operations and in order to blend with the local environment the normal black calico peasant smock and trousers may be worn in lieu of or over the uniform. A plastic covered bamboo helmet or captured steel helmet is worn. Weapons could include the latest Communist bloc sub-machine gun, grenades and possibly a pistol. Equipment is usually a pouch or haversack and bandolier with a belt to which is attached a water bottle and rice sack. Enemy Capabilities 5. Whilst the enemy fight to a predetermined and proven plan, and though we must never underestimate their fighting qualities, they are basically no different from the Government soldiers and the only reason for their success to date is that they have always been able to operate from secure bases, concentrating in great strength against selected targets, while the Government Forces have had to spread their effort to provide an overall security. 6. On the occasions when actions have been fought on near equal terms, the Government soldier has proved his value by defeating the enemy, who are, by comparison, relatively poorly armed and badly equipped. Once they attempt to challenge the Government Forces in the open they know that they are vulnerable to defeat at the hands of a superior army. 7. Your presence in the country will free Government Forces and help to regain the freedom of action not only to contain the enemy but to penetrate into their hitherto secure bases. 8. Finally, remember that the enemy is not invincible and in fact once he loses his terrain advantages he becomes vulnerable. Weapons 9. The Viet Cong have been fighting with a variety of weapons left over from the French, Japanese, British and Neutralist Chinese occupations and with some United States weapons which have been captured from the Government Forces. However, although these older types of weapons will still be found in the hands of the lower echelon insurgent forces the regular and regional forces are now being equipped to an increasing degree with weapons newly manufactured in communist countries. RESTRICTED 45

RESTRICTED 10. At present the enemy is equipped mainly with small arms and infantry support weapons which include 57 and 75mm recoilless rifles, 12.7mm or similar calibre machine guns, 60mm, 82mm and 120mm mortars. Mortars form the basis for his artillery support capability which is also believed to contain pack-type howitzers. 11. Whilst it is not feasible to lay down exactly what types of weapons will be encountered in the hands of the enemy, a representative selection of infantry small arms and light support weapons, with a brief outline of their capabilities, is shown in the following pages.

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RESTRICTED JAPANESE 75MM MOUNTAIN GUN, MODEL 94

The 75mm Mountain gun, Model 94 (1934) is manufactured to replace the 75mm gun, Model 41. This mountain gun can be towed or dismantled into six different parts to be carried by pack transport. The weapon is equipped with a bipod and a ring rack with Panoramic Telescope. CHARACTERISTICS Calibre 75mm Muzzle velocity 390m/l,265 fps Maximum range (HE Shell Model 90) 8,229.6m/9,000 yds. Length of barrel 156.21 cm/61.5 inches Weight 535.130kg/l,190 pounds Rate of fire 10-12 rpm Traverse 40 degrees Elevation limit From - 8 to +45 degrees RESTRICTED 47

RESTRICTED CfflCOM 57MM RECOILLESS RIFLE (MODEL 36)

This weapon is a CHICOM copy of the US 57mm Recoilless Rifle. Distinguishing features of the CHICOM weapon are: the three legged triangular frame mount; the firing linkage is rod type as compared to cable linkage on the US weapon; no standard US arsenal markings; all parts are stamped with a weapon component number, which is not US practice. This weapon will chamber and fire both CHICOM and standard US ammunition. The CHICOM 57mm ammunition can not be used in US weapon. CHARACTERISTICS Calibre 57mm Operation Single loading Length 62 inches Weight 45 pounds; w/mount 55 pounds Ammunition Chinese or US 57mm rounds Rate of fire 15 rpm maximum Muzzle velocity 1,115 fps Maximum range 4,375 metres 48 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED 82MM MORTAR M1937, M1941, AND M1943

OPTICAL SIGHT

STRAIGHT EDGE

HINGED - CARRYING HANDLE

BASE P L A T E GENERALLY ROUND; F L A T OH T O P

There are essentially three models of the 82mm mortarthe M1937, the M1941, and the M1943. The M1937 reverted to standard use after the M1941 and the M1943 bipod mounts were proven unstable. All models fire the same ammunition and have the same ballistic characteristics. Also, all models can fire the conventional 81mm mortar ammunition of the United States and other countries. Each of the mortars can be separated into three pack loads to be carried by three men or one animal. The mortar tubes are identical and interchangeable on the various models; the only differences between the models are the base plates and the mounts. The M1937 uses two short cylinders as shock absorbers and has a portion of the circular base plate cut away, while the M1941 and M1943 have a comparatively long, shock absorber cylinder and a fully circular base plate. CHARACTERISTICS (M1937) Weight, travelling position 55.8 kg Maximum horizontal range 3,040 m Maximum rate of fire 25 rpm Projectile weight: HE 3.05 kg Smoke 3.41kg RESTRICTED

123 lbs. 3300 yds. 6.72 lbs. 7.52 lbs.

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RESTRICTED SOVIET 120MM MORTAR, MODEL M.1938

The 120mm Mortar M.1938 with the easily attached transport limber and the weight saved in the design of this circular, stamped baseplate make this 120mm Mortar highly mobile despite its size. It is usually towed behind a truck which carries the ammunition, but a caisson is available when animal draft is necessary. For pack transport, it breaks down into three loads. The 120mm Mortar M.1938 includes provision for trigger firing as well as the more usual drop-firing method. 50 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED CHARACTERISTICS Calibre 120mm Weight in firing position 265.024kg/606 lbs. 1,854mm/73 inches Length of tube 480.332 kg/1,058 lbs. Weight w/caisson 15.912kg/35.05 lb. Weight of projectile (HE) 287mps/892 fps Muzzle velocity 5674m/6,236 yards Range 45 to 80 degrees Elevation Traverse 3 degrees (without moving bipod) up to 15 rpm Rate of fire

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RESTRICTED CHICOM 12.7MM HEAVY MACHINE GUN, MODEL 54 (Copy of Russian DShK 12.7mm Gun, Model M.1938/46)

The 12.7mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun is the primary HMG of the Soviet Armed Forces. It is used against aircraft and provides fire support for infantry units and armoured vehicles. The weapon used by the enemy is a copy of the Russian gun and is called 12.7mm HMG, Model 54. This weapon may be used against ground or air targets on its combination ground mount. For anti-aircraft fire, the wheels and shield are removed and the trail legs are extended to form a shoulder-high tripod. It is effective against low flying, slow aircraft. For ground support of infantry and armoured vehicles, its legs fold together to form a trail and the two wheels and armour shield are repositioned. US .50 inch ammunition (12.7mm) cannot be used in this weapon.
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RESTRICTED CHARACTERISTICS 12.7mm Calibre Gas operated Operation 125 rpm Practical rate of fire 550-600 rpm Maximum rate of fire 1.60m/62.7 inches Overall length (gun only) 34.05 kgs/75 pounds Weight Weight w/tripod, shield and 50 178.51 kgs/393.2 pounds rounds 870m/2,822 fps Muzzle velocity Link belt (50 rds) Feed Maximum effective range: 3,036m/3,300 yds. Ground l,000m/3,000 feet (approx.) Air target

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RESTRICTED CZECHOSLOVAK 7.92MM LIGHT MACHINE GUN ZB 26 (Brno)

ADJUSTABLE C A R R Y I N G HANDLE

Recognition features of this weapon include cooling fins or grooves cut in the barrel, a carrying handle with wooden grip mounted around th barrel near the breach end, a perforated flash hider, a folding bipod, and a top feeding magazine. This weapon has been sold throughout the world and in recent years has been manufactured by Communist China. Calibre Operation Length Weight (loaded) Ammunition Magazine Capacity Cyclic rate of fire Practical rate of fire Muzzle velocity Effective range 54 CHARACTERISTICS 7.92mm Gas, selective fire 46 inches 21 pounds All 7.92mm Mauser rimless cartridges Box/20, 30 and 35 round types Up to 700 rpm 180 rpm 2,700 fps 785 metres RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED 7.62MM SEMI-AUTOMATIC CARBINE SIMONOV (SKS)

The SKS is one of the members of the Soviet post-war amall arm family firing the M1943 short rimless cartridge. Although classified as a carbine by the Soviets, it qualifies as a rifle by United States standards. The normal production model is fitted with a permanently attached folding knife-type bayonet. Older models had a cruciformtype bayonet instead. This light, handy weapon is easily recognizable by its characteristic bayonet, its almost sporting rifle appearance, and by the triangular portion of the magazine which extends through the lower side of the stock, just forward of the trigger guard. CHARACTERISTICS 7.62mm/0.30 in. Gas, semi-automatic 35 to 40 rpm Soviet Ml943 10 rounds 400 m/440 yds.

Calibre Operation Rate of fire Ammunition Magazine capacity Effective range

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RESTRICTED 7.62MM SHPAGIN SUB-MACHINE GUN M1941 (PPSh)

The PPSh-41 is a high cyclic rate weapon which can be fired either fully or semi-automatic. The change lever for selecting the type of fire is located on the trigger guard: for automatic, it is pushed forward; for semi-automatic, it is in the rear position. The barrel jacket, which extends beyond the muzzle, acts as a muzzle brake and compensator. Either a drum magazine or a curved box magazine may be used. CHARACTERISTICS 7.62mm/0.30 in. 100 rpm 200 m/220 yds.

Calibre Practical rate of fire Effective range

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RESTRICTED CHICOM 7.62MM DPM DEGTYAREV LIGHT MACHINE GUN TYPE 53

FLASH H I D E D

This automatic rifle has been modified from the Soviet 7.62mm DP DEGTYAREV AR by adding a wooden stock and placing the recoil spring in a tube attached to the back of the receiver. The 7.62 DPM Automatic Rifle is a gas operated and air cooled automatic weapon. It provides the basic firepower for an infantry squad and fires automatically only. Its gas cylinder, however, has three different size gas ports which permit changing of the rate of fire. The DPM Automatic Rifle operates from an open bolt. The bolt and receiver are designed in such a manner that the firing pin cannot strike the percussion cap of the cartridge until the bolt is locked. The weapon is used with a drum magazine placed on the receiver. A bipod is fixed to the barrel. It has a safety catch on the right side of the receiver, in front of the trigger. CHARACTERISTICS 7.62mm Calibre Gas operated and automatic firing Operation Drum-type, containing 47 rounds Magazine 600 rpm Theoretical rate of fire Overall length 1.27 metre/50 inches Weight with fully loaded maga12.200kg/27 pounds (approx.) zine 1,058 mps/2,760 fps Muzzle velocity 805 metres/880 yards Effective range RESTRICTED 57

RESTRICTED SOVIET 7.62MM ASSAULT RIFLE AK-47 (CHINESE COMMUNIST 7.62MM ASSAULT RIFLE TYPE 56)

The AK-47 is the basic individual weapon for most of the Communist World Armies. Two major types exist, a model with a conventional wooden buttstock and one with a folding metal stock. The AK-47 is recognized by its high front sight, long receiver with large selector/ safety on the right side, and long curved magazine. CHARACTERISTICS 7.62mm Calibre Gas, selective fire Operation 10.58 1b. Weight, loaded 25.4 in. LengthStock folded 34.25 in. Stock extended Frontprotected post; rearadSight justable V notch 30 rd detachable box magazine Feeding device Effective rangeSemi-automatic 400 m Fully automatic 300 m 40 rpm Rate of fireSemi-automatic 90 to 100 rpm Automatic Soviet 7.62mm M43 or Chicom Ammunition type Type 56 rimless cartridges 58 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED BICYCLE MINE

This mine is fired electrically, by means of a wrist watch delay firing device. DESCRIPTION a. Body. The main charge and detonator are introduced into a tube of the bicycle frame under the saddle, and an electric wire is extended outside the frame. b. Detonation. Initiated by a watch and two 4.5 volt batteries which are placed inside the bicycle headlight, with its wire protruding outside along the frame. RESTRICTED 59

RESTRICTED OPERATION During movement, the ignition device is not linked to the explosive, but upon arriving at the prescribed sabotage site, these two components are then connected, and the watch of the ignition device is pre-set. The enemy have also adapted another firing device, using bicycle generator power. Thus, during movement, the generator is kept apart from the wheel. When arriving at the sabotage site, the head of the generator is placed against the bicycle wheel. When someone operates the bicycle, its generator sends a spark up the ignition line and initiates the explosive.

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 8 VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE CUIDE Introduction 1. Some 27,000,000 people speak Vietnamese as their tirsl language. The great majority of them live in Vietnam. Others are in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, France, and New Caledonia. 2. Vietnamese was first written in Chinese characters, then in (he late thirteenth century, in a modified form called chu nom. In the early 1600s Portuguese and French Jesuit missionaries devised a system of writing Vietnamese with the Latin alphabet. Chinese characters and chu nom continued in use through the early part of this century but were officially replaced in 1920 by Latin script. This is called quoc ngu and consists of 12 vowel and 27 consonant forms. 3. The simple vowels are: a, e, i, o, u and y. Modifications of these vowels add six more to the alphabet. The modifications are indicated by diacritical marks like this: Sf, 2, e, o, d, if. These diacritical marks are part of the letter and have nothing to do with word accent or tone quality. The vowels are pronounced: a" ah " (long) as in party. t " ah " (short) as in but. 3not pronounced, e, eg, bal would be pronounccd bl, ' e" e " as in pet. S" eh " as in pear, i/y" ee " as in Pete, o" o " as in orange. $" owe " as in low. d" er " as in Bert, u-^-" oo " as in coo. 11" u " as in " ugh RESTRICTED 61

RESTRICTED 4. Of the consonants, only the " d " has two forms. " D " with a line or bar drawn through it (B or tf) is pronounced like the English " d ". The one without a line or bar is- pronounced like our " z " in the north, and like a " y " in central and southern Vietnam. Speaking Vietnamese 5. There is considerable difference between the way Vietnamese is spoken in various parts of the country. If you learn the southern accent, you may be able to understand people from the north but not necessarily those from central Vietnam. Vietnamese in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Hghe An have an accent which even their fellow countrymen from other districts find difficult to understand. Hue, too, has its own geographically limited but highly specialized accent, 6. The sounds of many Vietnamese letters and letter combinations are familiar to English speaking people but a few others are quite difficult to learn, especially the initial " ng " and the vowel " i/", To learn to make the " ng " sound, repeat our word " sing " several times, gradually dropping first the " s " and then the " si ". To learn to pronounce the Vietnamese " i f " say " you " and then broaden the lips as though about to smile, but without moving the position of the tongue. 7. An advantage of Vietnamese is that once you have learned the sound indicated by a given combination of letters, you know it wherever it appears. 8. Words beginning with " t " and " th " are pronounced alike except that there is an aspirated (or h) sound after the " t " in the " t h " . The same is true of words spelled with an initial " c " or " k " as compared with the aspirated " ch " and " kh ". The importance of knowing how to make this small but tricky distinction is plain when you understand how greatly it changes the meaning of a word. Tam means three: tham, greedy: Cam is orange: kham, to suffer. 9. An " s " and " x " are both pronounced like the " s " in " soap " in northern dialect. But with a southern accent the " s " becomes " s h " as in " s h o t " .
10. " N h " is pronounced like the " ny " in " banyan " .

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RESTRICTED Tones Change Meaning 11. Vietnamese is a monosyllabic.language, Each syllable expresses a distinct idea and therefore is a word in itself. Often two or more syllables are joined to form new words, as in place names like Sai-gon and Ha-noi. 12. Vietnamese is also tonal. In other words, the tone or level of your voice changes the meaning of a word. ' The word ma, for instance, has many different meanings depending on how you.say it, and symbols are used to show the differences. Word Symbol Tone Meaning ma none level' or middle ghost ma high mother; cheek ma low but; that; which 1 ma waving or rising tomb

. . .

nut. ma

interrupted heavy

appearance rice seedling

13. The northern dialect has these'six tones. The southern combines the waving and interrupted tones by pronouncing them in the same way and thus has only five tones. With oneexception, tone symbols are placed above the principal vowel of the syllable. The heavy symbol ( . J is placed under the principal vowel. 14. Here's how to use the different tones when talking: a. Level1 tone is a monotome in the middle of the normal speaking range. b. The high or high-rising tone starts above level tone and rises sharply. c. The low-falling tone starts off in fairly low voice and falls rather slowly to the bottom of the normal range. d. The waving or mid-rising tone starts at about level tone, dips very slightly, and then rises slowly. The interrupted, or highbroken tone starts a bit above normal range, dips a little and then rises abruptly. During the rise the throat is constricted to cause a light, brief interruption of sound.. RESTRICTED 63

RESTRICTED e. The heavy or low-dipped tone starts below the middle of the normal speaking range and falls very abruptly. At this point an additional sound is produced by forcing air through the almost closed vocal cords. Learn by Listening 15. You can't learn a foreign language, especially a tonal one like Vietnamese, from books alone. You learn it by listening to the way people around you talk and by speaking it yourself. Get a Vietnamese friend or someone else who knows the language well to give you lessons. Getting a good working command of Vietnamese is not easy, but the effort will reward you with a sense of accomplishment and a new feeling of confidence. Yourjibjlity to speak their language will win the respect of the Vietnamese "people with whom you are associated. USEFUL PHRASES 16. The word " you " varies in Vietnamese depending on the speaker and the person spoken to. The form used throughout this language guide is ong, but it means " you" only 'when addressing a man. Depending on the person you are addressing, you should replace ong with one of the following forms: married woman ba unmarried girl co child (either boy or girl); girl friend; wife em close male friend; male servant anh female servant; close female chi friend Greeting and Courtesy Phrases I am an Australian Hullo; Goodbye; Good morning; Good afternoon; 64 TOi la ilgMi Uc Chiao ing (alio bci, em, anh, ch[ depending on the person you are addressing) Chao 8ng Chau Ong

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RESTRICTED Goodnight How are you I'm fine I'm glad to meet you Thank you Please speak a little more slowly Please say it again Do you speak English? No, ( don't Can you understand me? Yes, I can Cliao Dug dug mtinh gioi ch'f Tt!i mqnh nluf llufoiig T6i h(tn hanh ttiA/c gap Dug Cam On Ong t H Xin lr)i Dug, it)i Mug hien Xin dug noi lai dug noi tieng Anh SMc khdng'! T&i khdng noi diMc dug HILU lOi iTMc khdng'} Him diMc

Questions and Answers 17. Most of the following phrases represent highly idiomatic southern Vietnamese. You can compile your own list of nouns by asking the first question and getting the names of things you will most often need to know. What is this? Cai nay la cai git It s a mango Cat nay la irai xoai Which one? Cai naol
/ \ **

Either one Cai nao cung SMc Who's there? Ai d&yl It's me T&i t ddy / It's only me Chi co idi ihSi What does it mean?' Nghfa lit gil It has no meaning at all Khdng to nghia g7 ca"! What kind of person is lie? dng Sy let iigOti ltit> nao"! He's a good man ,P"S la ngiMi for How do you work it? Cai nay dung the naol How do you do it? I.am life ntio? RESTRICTED 65

RESTRICTED Any way at all This.way What else? All finished; nothing else Who else? You too What for? Isn't that so? That's right So I've heard Maybe I think so I guess so What's the matter? Nothing at all 1 changed my mind I want to ask you a favour Tlu? nao cung iTi/lfc Nhu> tlfc nay Con gi niAi'l Hh r$i Con ai ntto'l Clfng co Ong null L~am gi ? Co phai khong dug'! Phai Tdi co nghe noi nil if Vay Cof I? ^ Toi nghi nhtt \6y TSi Ooan nluf lit? Co vi&c gi ihfa KhSng co vifc gt Ttti (ta Mi y rtii Toi muon phiert ong mqt v/fc.

Don cam rfii Dinner's ready .You called the wrong number Qng goi sO sai Co gi la khfing'l What's new? KhtSng co gt la Nothing's new Ai noi v&i Ongl Who told you? Chinh Ong noi You yourself did Miscellaneous Phrases Chung ta <ti chit Let's go Bi <ti Co away Mau Itn Hurry up TSi xem chdi I'm just looking 'fbl lam That's fine;

RESTRICTED Thai's enough ; Bu rtiiI'll take it; (buying something) TOi se mua cai do Agreed BiMc rSi Quantity and Degree How much is it? Not much

Bao nliiOu ticil'! Khftng illicit NSm dOng ihui Only five dong ,rNHm dftng (tat qua Five dong is too expensive I'll give you three dong for i T8i Ira ba (tong (hoi s \ \ Mfty gilt roi Sngl Bdn gict r$i Viec 6y x3y ra vao hoi nao'i Cach day ntia thang Trong iliang t,am nttm ngoai dng di bao gM ChSc nt/a Khdng Ian mfa Bay gib L$n mo? L$ti chut Ldn dau Hen toi dng thi^ng iti din d3y kitting 1 Thinh thoang thai Mdi chiiii Luc nao co djp Bi/ttc bao tin rOil 67

Time What time is it? It's four o'clock When did that happen ? Half a month ago August of last year When are you going? In a while In a short while Right now Which time? Last time The first time Next time Do you go there often ? From time to time Every afternoon Whenever I can How long ago?

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RESTRICTED A long time ago A while ago, recently Too long a time The other day Location Where do you live I live in Da Nang Where did you just come from? 1 came from Saigon Where do you come from ? Where are you going? I'm going home Where have you been',' I'm on my way back from the market Where is it? Upstairs Downstairs inside the houseOutside Over this way Over that way Way over there Military General Lieutenant general Brigadier general or general 68 Ba l/tu rf?i gftn <t(ty Ldu qua H6m no

Ong, !> itflu? 1 ' I r T&i if Ba Nang 6ng o> dan tcfi day1! TSi o> Saigon ra A \ \ / \ Ong la ngMi nMc nuu'l 6ng di d&ul Toi ve'iiha' Ong di dffu vh Tdi di ch<f 5; rftfi/? O trOn gac 0 dMi nha O trong nhct U ben ngotii O dSng nay U dang kia b dang kia kia dai n/dng Irimg [Mng

major

iliiPu nfOng RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED Colonel Lieutenant colonci Major Captain 1st lieutenant 2nd lieutenant Soldier Sailor Airman Officer Warrant officer Sergeant Corporal Lance-corporal Private Pilot Marine Army Navy Airforce
itaj truilg thtfu Irimg lhi?u iigi/ui ihuy' <tai uy uy uy Huh thil t/utht lu lu tu

link khSng .' quail ihMllg trung .sT ha si ha si pho bin/: si plii cOng s?

liuh ihuy quart Ilia chirii Luc i/iiOii Hai quO/i Xhdug quflii Where is the enemy? Q ufin Oich b (ttiu? Which way did the enemy go? ()itflii itkh ifi !? phia mm'!

Days of the Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday . Friday

Tint hai Th!f ba Tint Hi1 Th!f iiaul Th if sau RESTRICTED

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RESTRICTED Saturday Sunday

to-day

lOTmorrow yesterday
Numbers

Thftbly Chu nh&t htm nay ngay mat htm qua

1 2 3
4 5

6 7
8 9

10
20
.3.5

100

mot hai ba bin nam / sau hfiy lam / chin mikli hai inMi hai mitii lanr mdt tram

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RESTRICTED CHAPTER 9 USEFUL INFORMATION Important National Dates and Festivals 1. The chief Vietnamese festivals (tet) by the lunar calendar are: a. The New Year, Nguyen Dan, 1st to 7th day of the first month. b. The Trung Sisters, Hal Ba Trung, 6th day of second month. c. Buddha's Birthday15th day of fourth month. d. The Summer Solstice, Doan Ngo, 5th day of the fifth month. e. Wandering Souls, Trung Nguyen, I5th day of the seventh monthalso celebrated on the 15th day of tha first and tenth months. f. Mid autumn, Trung Thu, 15th day of the eighth month. g. Tran Hung Dao, 20th day of the eighth month. h Le Loi, 22nd day of the eighth month. 2. The Vietnamese lunar calendar, like the Chinese, begins with the year 2637 3C. It has 12 months of 29 or 30 days each, totalling 355 days. Every third year or so an extra month is slipped in between the third and fourth months to reconcile the lunar calendar with the solar calendar. Instead of centuries of 100 years each, the Vietnamese calendar is divided into 60 year periods. 3. The Tel Nguyen ban, or New Year, often called " Tet " is the big event of the year. It macks' the beginning of spring and by the solar calendar usually falls toward the end of January or early in February. All work usually stops for the first three days and most shops are closed. Gifts to servants and employees are given on this day as they pay their compliments to their employer or head of the house. 4. Another important national day is 1st November (Solar Calendar) the anniversary of the 1st November, 1963, Revolution. RESTRICTED 71

RESTRICTED Currency 5. Vietnam's unit of money is the piastre or dong (sometimes referred to as Vietnamese dollar). Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 piastre or dong. Coins up to 20 piastres or dong are also in use. The normal rate of exchange is 88.44 piastres or dong to 1 Aust dollar or 80 piastres or dong to 1 US dollar but you as a serviceman are entitled to a special rate of exchange of 118 piastres or dong to 1 US dollar. As a rule of thumb 1 piastre or dong is roughly equal to 1 cent Aust. 118.00 piastres or dong to 1 US dollar. 131 piastres or dong to $1 Aust. 221.76 piastres or dong to $1 sterling. There is also a " black market" in currency but dealings with this are strictly forbidden to Australian troops. Time 6. Vietnam is eight hours ahead of Greenwich time and therefor two hours behind Sydney (ie, when it is 2 pm in Saigon, it is 4 pm in Sydney). Weights and Measures
7. T h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l metric system o r weights a n d m e a s u r e s is used t h r o u g h o u t V i e t n a m . G a s o l i n e a n d o t h e r liquids a r e sold by the litre ( 1 . 0 5 6 7 liquid q u a r t s ) ; cloth by lite m e t r e (39 inches); f o o d a n d o t h e r weighted items by the k i l o g r a m ( 2 . 2 p o u n d s ) . D i s t a n c e is m e a s u r e d by the k i l o m e t r e ( 0 . 6 2 mile); speed in k i l o m e t r e s per h o u r (25 k p h e q u a l s 15 m p h ) . Distance and Speed Conversion Kilometres Miles .6 1
?

5 3

10 6

25 15

50 31

100 62

500 311

1 .2 1 .8 2 . 5

Gasoline Conversion Litres.. Gallons 72 3.8 1 7.6 2 11.4 3 15.1 4 18,9 5 37.9 10 56.8 15 75.8 20

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CHAPTER 10 SECURITY 1. The war in Vietnam is an insurgent war and the enemy's intelligence agents will be everywhere. He will use all possible ways to acquire intelligence and his agents may be men, women or children. More than ever your own safety will depend on how good your security is. Watch the following points in particular. 2. Security of Information. Watch careless talk about your unit and its operations. Never discuss your activities, or those of other forces which you may know about, other than in the course of your duties. The enemy can pick up useful bits of information from apparently innocent conversations so don't take any chances; for instance women are often used to get information from unwary soldiers on leave. Watch, also, what your mates say in public and caution them if necessary. It may save your life. Be careful also that you safeguard any military papers which are placed in your care. Above all do not put anything about military operations, your experiences or the nature of other forces around you into letters home. 3. Security of Weapons and Equipment. The Viet Cong depend largely on captured weapons, ammunition and equipment. Safeguard yours at all times. Take appropriate action if you see any suspicious individuals in the vicinity of service installationsthe enemy will try to damage equipment which he cannot remove. 4. Enemy Propaganda. The enemy will be trying to break down your morale. He will try to discredit you, your unit, your country and the Government and Armed Forces of South Vietnam. Do not be taken in. Above all do not spread rumours. You will be kept informed of the true position regarding the war by your officers; discount stories you hear in the street. 5. From time to time you will be permitted to go on leave to major centres. It is during this period that you tend to relax after the hard work of war; it is also at this time that you become very vulnerable to propaganda, rumour, and the more physical attacks of terrorist grenades, snipers and knives. While you are shopping or relaxing RESTRICTED 73

RESTRICTED always maintain your vigilance. On entering buildings check for the location of exits and mentally consider your actions in the event of an emergency. Movement in all areas must be accompanied. Go on leave in groups or at least pairs. If you become separated, join an allied soldier group at the earliest opportunity. The best way to help Vietnam is to remain alive and do your job well. The best way to this end is: CONSTANT VIGILANCE, ETERNAL SUSPICION.

By Authority: A. 74

J. A b t h u b ,

C'wealth Govt. Printer, Canberra.

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US ARMY INSIGNIA I
"ft ft
MAJOR GENERAL

GENERAL

ft
BRIGADIER GENERAL COLONEL

LIEUTENANT GENERAL

H
LIEUTENANT COLONEL OTHER MAJOR CAPTAIN FIRST LIEUTENANT SECOND LIEUTENANT RANKS

A ^
SERGEANT MAJOR FIRST SERGEANT MASTER SERGEANT SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT CORPORAL

A A

PLATOON SERGEANT OR O r \G OC NT I I1st SL E. R E. H AIN CLASS

PRIVATE 1st C L A S S