“The Fight For Vietnam” (no. 574), part of the U.S. Army’s documentary series The Big Picture, reports on the U.S. military’s efforts to help South Vietnam “stamp out the threat of communism” through training and assisting the South Vietnam military and through civic engagement. It was released in the mid to late 1960s. Filmed on location, the story begins with an overview of Vietnam and a brief history of military intervention in the country, beginning with French occupation (02:31). After the fall of French Indochina, Vietnam is divided, and the communist North poses a major threat to the democratic South Vietnam and its president (03:55), prompting the U.S. to send troops to Vietnam from all branches of the military to help advise and assist the government of South Vietnam. Given the guerrilla tactics used by North Vietnam troops, the U.S. trains South Vietnamese soldiers using U.S.-developed skills and tactics (06:10). Communications in the country is a big problem (07:00), so the U.S. trains men and provides new equipment to enhance communications and . around the country, especially in rural villages where U.S. soldiers install two-way radio systems. This allows for faster retaliatory operations against Vietcong surprise attacks. Although the terrain limits the effectiveness of tanks, they do serve a purpose as they keep roads open and protect convoys (08:40). This enables South Vietnam (09:05) to maintain a well-equipped conventional force (09:05). The film then discusses the three types of terrain in Vietnam: the Mekong River Delta, the high plateau and coastal strips of Central Vietnam, and the jungles of the northern mountains. Each requires unique equipment and tactics to defend against communist attacks. The Mekong Delta (10:30) is patrolled by U.S.-trained and equipped South Vietnamese naval units, as are larger waterways; both waters are also guarded by traditional Vietnamese boats (11:20) in addition to modern naval ships (12:03). Vietnamese Marines (12:25) use U.S. military tactics to engage Vietcong, capturing a beach and pushing the communist forces inland. With American assistance, the South Vietnam Air Force has been built up to a formidable level (13:53), featuring Douglas A-1 Skyraiders (possibly Grenman F8F-1, or Rockwell T-28 Trojan??). Transport craft (14:09) move troops and supplies throughout the country, while paratroopers provide South Vietnam with another tool of force. Helicopters (15:14), especially transport helicopters, make North Vietnamese troops hesitant to move in large numbers. American pilots and helicopters begin not as a combat mission, but as a transport convoy for South Vietnam officers and troops. A Piasecki H-21 Workhorse (17:17) lands, dropping off South Vietnamese soldiers. Quick action is key to capturing VC guerillas in remote villages, where South Vietnamese forces look for guerillas or arms caches (17:43), often capturing both. Helicopters deliver supplies to isolated mountain communities and help rotate men stationed in these remote areas. Helicopters and airplanes fly reconnaissance missions to provide information (20:40). The South Vietnam Civil Guard protects bridges and roads (21:20) due to the . of the U.S. military. Central Vietnam (21:35) with the central highlands is crucial to protecting South Vietnam. U.S. military members train South Vietnamese soldiers and volunteers (22:17) on how to conduct patrols and work to change the paradigm of the local rural population. South Vietnamese patrols uncover traps set by communists (22:38), while the U.S. helps relocate small, isolated communities threatened by communist attacks. U.S. forces work with South Vietnamese troops to protect strategic villages, which become home to thousands of mountain people who leave their homes to avoid Vietcong extortion (this is part of the Strategic Hamlet Program, initiated in late 1961). Civic action teams (25:00) teach hygiene and provide basic medical care for the Vietnamese people in the protected towns and villages. As the U.S. continues to advise South Vietnamese troops, the fight for Vietnam shifts in favor of South Vietnam. The film concludes by presenting the military training facilities, including the Academy for Officers (26:03), the Nha Trang Naval Center (26:17), and the Air Center (26:30), all of which will help the South Vietnamese build their nation and military, and defeat their enemy on their way to becoming a strong member of the free world.
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