Call for Artillery and Air Strikes in the Vietnam War: A Comprehensive Guide

During the Vietnam War, ensuring the successful call for artillery and air strikes was crucial for the safety and effectiveness of ground forces. This guide details the procedures used, providing a deep dive into the methods employed by U.S. ground forces in the conflict.

Artillery Strikes

To initiate an artillery strike, the first step was to designate specific points of reference on the battlefield. These points, often named in a way that made them hard for the enemy to understand, were crucial for precise coordination. Following this, the exact location of the target was communicated relative to the reference point. For example, if a target was 1000 meters north and 2000 meters west of a named point Christmas, the location would be communicated as #34;Christmas up one left two.#34;

The artillery battery would then fire a spotter round, typically either smoke or white phosphorus, to mark the target. If the round landed off-target, adjustments were necessary. This was communicated with precise coordinates, such as #34;adjust 50 up over left 100 meters.#34; After multiple adjustments, when the target was confirmed, the command #34;fire for effect#34; would be given. This meant that the artillery would fire a predetermined number of rounds, depending on the type of artillery being used, before the battery stopped firing.

Air Strikes

While the process for air strikes was similar in terms of precision targeting, it involved unique challenges. Unlike artillery, air strikes required the aircraft to be absolutely certain of the target's location in relation to their position. During the day, smoke grenades were often employed to mark the position of friendly forces. At night, small holes were dug and strobe lights or flashlights were placed inside to mark locations precisely.

In certain scenarios, small aircraft known as bird dogs or helicopters called loaches were used to act as spotters. These aircraft would shoot smoke or phosphorus rockets to mark the target. Forward observers were also sometimes deployed to direct both the aircraft and the artillery.

Limitations and Challenges

Though the procedures were meticulously designed, there were inherent challenges and limitations. The system was not always foolproof, and on occasion, the strikes could be too close to friendly forces. This experience was shared by many, including the author, who served with the Marine infantry in 1967-68. Despite the risks, these methods kept ground forces alive by providing critical support.

The intricacies of the coordination and execution of artillery and air strikes in the Vietnam War highlight the immense effort required to ensure the safety and success of U.S. ground forces. These procedures remain a significant part of military history and serve as a testament to the precision and effectiveness necessary in modern warfare.