Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces (Fortress)

Impressive in terms of scale and structure, the Fire Support Base became a dominant element in ground maneuver during the Vietnam War. Initially a mobile base, it soon evolved into a semi-permanent and more sophisticated fortress as a result of enemy counterattacks and bombardments. As a consequence, the majority of US and other allied troops found themselves pinned down in defensive or support roles, rather than being free to conduct 'search and destroy' or other mobile missions. Thus, the first and foremost function of the Fire Support Base was defensive. Troops, machine guns, mortars, artillery, surveillance radars, and command centers all had to be dug into bunkers and fire trenches by nightfall of the first day. Around these positions there would be deep belts of barbed wire, generously scattered with several different types of mines and even, in a few cases after 1967, with a brand new series of electronic sensors to detect and locate the enemy at a distance. With the benefit of the on-site howitzers, the FSB could also deliver offensive high volume fire, reaching as far as 14,600m and eliminating enemy firing sites, supporting friendly infantry operations, or simply participating in fire missions where exact targets were not known. In fact, the fort offered such a degree of support and protection that ground maneuver was eventually hampered by the troop's reluctance to leave the comfort and safety of the FSB. With a description of the design, development and operational history of the Fire Support Base, this book provides the key to understanding one of the main assets of US battle strategy in the Vietnam War. SDF001......Page 1 SDF002......Page 2 SDF003......Page 3 SDF004......Page 4 SDF005......Page 5 SDF006......Page 6 SDF007......Page 7 SDF008......Page 8 SDF009......Page 9 SDF010......Page 10 SDF011......Page 11 SDF012......Page 12 SDF013......Page 13 SDF014......Page 14 SDF015......Page 15 SDF016......Page 16 SDF017......Page 17 SDF018......Page 18 SDF019......Page 19 SDF020......Page 20 SDF021......Page 21 SDF022......Page 22 SDF023......Page 23 SDF024......Page 24 SDF025......Page 25 SDF026......Page 26 SDF027......Page 27 SDF028......Page 28 SDF029......Page 29 SDF030......Page 30 SDF031......Page 31 SDF032......Page 32 SDF033......Page 33 SDF034......Page 34 SDF035......Page 35 SDF036......Page 36 SDF037......Page 37 SDF038......Page 38 SDF039......Page 39 SDF040......Page 40 SDF041......Page 41 SDF042......Page 42 SDF043......Page 43 SDF044......Page 44 SDF045......Page 45 SDF046......Page 46 SDF047......Page 47 SDF048......Page 48 SDF049......Page 49 SDF050......Page 50 SDF051......Page 51 SDF052......Page 52 SDF053......Page 53 SDF054......Page 54 SDF055......Page 55 SDF056......Page 56 SDF057......Page 57 SDF058......Page 58 SDF059......Page 59 SDF060......Page 60 SDF061......Page 61 SDF062......Page 62 SDF063......Page 63 SDF064......Page 64 SDF065......Page 65 SDF066......Page 66 SDF067......Page 67 Artillery fire support bases of the free world forces played a critical role in the conduct of operations during the Vietnam War. They served to lay down high-volume fire on enemy firing sites, supported friendly infantry operations, and executed harassing fire missions where exact targets were not known. But the firebases themselves - which housed a range of other facilities such as troop shelters, surveillance radars and command centers - had to be defended against ground attack, and as a result became significant fortifications in their own right. This book describes the design, development and operational history of the fire support bases throughout the conflict Impressive in terms of scale and structure, the Fire Support Base became a dominant element in ground maneuver during the Vietnam War. With a description of the design, development and operational history of the Fire Support Base, this book aims to provide the key to understanding one of the main assets of US battle strategy in the Vietnam War.