Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was not what I expected. Not much material and it did not name very many firebases. One of the worst books I ever received.

The firebases and their desciptions deal primarily of the areas in the FRAC area of operations. But there is no mention of some of the firebases employed in the south DRAC, some of these bases were unusual that they were entirely waterborne and supported riverine operations of the minth inf div.

Randy E.M. Foster's VIETNAM FIREBASES 1965-73: AMERICAN AND AUSTRALIAN FORCES considers artillery fire support bases of the Freeworld forces, surveying their use as troop shelters and command centers, their defense, and their key strategic role during the war. Serious military libraries will want all these histories.

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.

Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces by Randy Foster and illustrated by Peter Dennis

The author's first task is to define for us just exactly what is a Firebase...the answer is somewhat difficult to pin down because of the rapid build up of US forces starting in 1965 that let to multiple tasks for troop locations in a quickly evolving war zone. The author's provide a helpful chart listing all the types of US military installation with a short definition of each one. As expected there is some overlap in the types of bases between say a LZ (landing zone) and a Special Forces Camp.

My distillation of the author's information is as follows: A Firebase is a reinforced, protected military position, semi-permanent in construction, with a significant contingent of artillery, a landing zone for helicopters, used primarily to support convoys and ground troops with intense directed fire. I would add to this that the bases were also used to draw out the enemy for engagements. It would seem that with it's awesome fire power the NVA/VC would avoid attacking these bases with just mortars, sappers and then "human waves" of infantry but that was not the case. In the bizarre geopolitical calculations employed by the North Vietnam leadership their troops were expendable. Uncle Ho and his war planners knew that by attacking a well-fortified base and inflicting casualties the result would be negative publicity in the US and a corresponding political advantage for them. These 'suicidal' attacks were not isolated occurrences as the authors point out with several examples.

The large number of photos and illustrations, with detailed captions, provided this reader (a non-Vietnam veteran) with very clear idea of the types of equipment deployed and the daily life of the military assigned to the Firebases.

Readers new to Osprey titles should be aware all books from this published are similar in size to a National Geographic magazine with a thicker paper cover. The page count of this title was 64 and contained many photographs and several full color painting created especially for this title.

This 2007 Osprey title is a very useful introduction to the study of Firebases used during the Vietnam War.

All Combat units opperated under an "artillary Fan" which consisted of a fortified position which held the artillary that fired protection for defence and offence. The FSB's usually also contained the resupply for the troops they covered as well as the field HQ for those troops. I spent three tours in Vietnam as a combat soldier and been on more FSB's than I can remember. Very acceptable book.
Fast delivery

A very good first research book on FSB's with lots of very good pics. It has most of the basics and can be used to write with authority on the subject.

I wish it had covered more FSB, as I was station in I Corps in 68-69 and was basicly a mountain terrain vs. IV Corps where it was the delta (water), yet it covered the subject as completely as the book would allow.

Vietnam historians and VN vets should purchase this book.

NAM VET

Was a good book, but dissappointing. It did not list all the firebases. The one I was at wasn't there. That was firebase Shula.