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Osprey Fortress #58
Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces
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.
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.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 29, 2014
Fantastic overview of why firebases existed in the Vietnam war, what their overall contribution to the war was, and how they were made and evolved. Extremely good diagrams and illustrations. I could have done without some of the editorializing, but that's to be expected of any Vietnam book.
April 17, 2018
This was a good reference for how an American firebase in Vietnam was constructed. We see how artillery was emplaced for all around fire. The title mentions the Australians, and I was hoping we could get some detail. All the author does is mention them having bases, but he doesn't tell us how they did things. I'm a Yank but I'd like to have known how the Aussie made their bases.
The author also shows us his bias near the end when he talks about America's "vindictive" blockade after the war.
The author also shows us his bias near the end when he talks about America's "vindictive" blockade after the war.
September 5, 2019
No index; no volume table of contents, hence requires reading without directed process.
No index; no vtoc; lacks cross-refs; fire drill during chinois.
I wasted money and time on this. Some of the fault may be the reading application from Amazon. It's up to the author to demonstrate.
No index; no vtoc; lacks cross-refs; fire drill during chinois.
I wasted money and time on this. Some of the fault may be the reading application from Amazon. It's up to the author to demonstrate.
August 28, 2011
Something that's been a slow growing fascination with me is the Vietnam War. Something from my youth where I can remember watching on the nightly news seeing the actions of the day. Over the years I've read various pieces, mainly focusing on Rolling Thunder (love the F-105 Thunderchief) with the occasional dabble into the land campaign (loved Brennan's War, 5 stars!). When I was in a hobbyshop and looking around I saw this Osprey book on Vietnam Firebases and decided to pick it up to expand my knowledge a little.
This is your stero-typical Osprey book, this time following their fortress format, something I haven't really delved into prior to this. Formatting is similar to other Osprey offereing; Introduction, About the Subject, an Action, and Aftermath, with a slight modification of Touring and Life at a firebase. This is a nice simple book, direct with a good level of details for Osprey. The actions described (Firebase Bird and Firebase Crook) are interesting because they're almost diametrically opposite (FB Bird was almost overrun while Crook was never threatened as much). Normal operations are covered in Life in a Firebase.
Given the normal scope and writings of Osprey books this ones a standout. I'm calling it 5 stars because it expanded my knowledge on Vietnam era firebases and did it with a surprising level of detail. Items that impressed me in the book were how quickly a firebase could be established, the level of thought and analysis put into deploying a firebase to ensure coverage from supporting firebases (espeecially given the technology of the 1960's), and the large number of National Guardsmen who served at them (because each firebase had at least one artillery battery many national guard units were activated to serve at these firebases, totally destroying the myth about the National Guard being a safehaven for people not wanting to go to war [sorry folks, a little pain from our national press in their direction to a former vice-president]). This is an excellent addition to your library if you're interested in learning a little bit about what firebases were like during the Vietnam War or if you're a wargamer and interested in expanding your knowledge for a on the Vietnam War.
This is your stero-typical Osprey book, this time following their fortress format, something I haven't really delved into prior to this. Formatting is similar to other Osprey offereing; Introduction, About the Subject, an Action, and Aftermath, with a slight modification of Touring and Life at a firebase. This is a nice simple book, direct with a good level of details for Osprey. The actions described (Firebase Bird and Firebase Crook) are interesting because they're almost diametrically opposite (FB Bird was almost overrun while Crook was never threatened as much). Normal operations are covered in Life in a Firebase.
Given the normal scope and writings of Osprey books this ones a standout. I'm calling it 5 stars because it expanded my knowledge on Vietnam era firebases and did it with a surprising level of detail. Items that impressed me in the book were how quickly a firebase could be established, the level of thought and analysis put into deploying a firebase to ensure coverage from supporting firebases (espeecially given the technology of the 1960's), and the large number of National Guardsmen who served at them (because each firebase had at least one artillery battery many national guard units were activated to serve at these firebases, totally destroying the myth about the National Guard being a safehaven for people not wanting to go to war [sorry folks, a little pain from our national press in their direction to a former vice-president]). This is an excellent addition to your library if you're interested in learning a little bit about what firebases were like during the Vietnam War or if you're a wargamer and interested in expanding your knowledge for a on the Vietnam War.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews