VietNam, The Jungle Trivia Quiz

Answer: French defeat

It was a battle between the French and the Communist Vietminh. Fiercely fought for 57 days, the French suffered 1,726 killed, another 1,649 missing in action and over 5,000 wounded. The Vietminh never divulged their losses but they attacked with roughly 100,000 men against 15,000 Frenchmen.

A conservative estimate of 8,000 killed and 15,000 wounded according to the French General Staff. As a result of this battle the impetus would now shift to the United States, which gradually became increasingly involved in Vietnam.

Answer: Danang

Units of the Third Marine Division. Although there were quite a few American military personnel already there, this was the first large deployment of American forces at any one time in Vietnam.

Answer: Army of the Republic of VietNam

Compared to their Communist brethren up North they were like the 'little brother'. A very corrupt, crony-minded, nepotistic force that was very well equipped. Yes, there were many excellent soldiers in the ARVN but they were definitely not the majority.

Answer: North Vietnamese Army

The NVA along with the VietCong or VC fought against the US and its South Vietnamese ally the ARVN.

Answer: AK-47

Russian made weapon designed by Kalashnikov after the end of WWII. Tough and dependable, works in adverse battle conditions, easy to clean, easy to manufacture. It is one of the finest assault rifles ever made.

Answer: Westmoreland

He was a controversial figure and major player in the Vietnam War. Historians today still argue over how much or how little his decisions influenced the eventual outcome of the war. Or how much outside forces manipulated his decisions. He tried to sue CBS in 1983 concerning 'body count' figures, but lost the suit.

Answer: Indigenous Vietnamese

Indigenous people of the Central Highlands of Vietnam who are also known as the Degar. Today the Degar are being systematically driven from their mountain homes by the modern Vietnamese.

Answer: Operation Rolling Thunder

Rolling Thunder was a sustained bombing of North Vietnam to put pressure on their leadership to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict. Arc-Light was a sustained bombing of Viet Cong positions in South Vietnam. Linebacker 1 and 2 started in the early 1970s and were short but very intense 'carpet bombing' of North Vietnam, especially Hanoi.

Answer: B-52

Old and reliable, it has been in service starting in 1955 with the US Air Force's Strategic Air Command. Able to carry a large bombload at unlimited range by refueling in the air. Holds about 108 750-pound bombs. Can fly at 594 mph at 35,000 feet. Pretty good deal the Air Force got from the design, unlike some other procurements the Pentagon has made.

Answer: bamboo stake

Sharpened bamboo stakes stuck into a hole dug in the ground, and then covered over and camouflaged. They can easily penetrate a boot and pierce clear through the top. Usually the tips of the stake were infected with poison, feces, or some other foul organic material. One of the many different and insidious booby traps used.

These booby traps were very effective at wearing down the morale of combat troops.

Answer: Cu Chi

Located about 45 miles north-west of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). Extensive tunnel network totalling 75 miles of tunnels. A three level network with mess halls, meeting rooms, operating theaters, and a small cinema. It is now a popular tourist attraction in Vietnam.

Answer: Hue

A city located almost half way along the Vietnamese coast. Designed after the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Answer: Tet

Tet is the beginning of the Vietnamese new year. It was a large scale offensive occurring at all major cities and provincial capitals throughout South Vietnam. One of the major battles during this offensive was for the city of Hue. At first captured by the Viet Cong it took three weeks before American and ARVN troops retook the city.

Although this was a military defeat for the Communists, it turned out to be a political defeat for President Johnson and turned American opinion (those that weren't already against the war) against further involvement in the war.

Answer: General Giap

The main military architect of the communists, planner of the Tet Offensive. He was trained in Russia.

Answer: Ho Chi Minh Trail

Route that took advantage of the Rules of Engagement, specifically the rule about the US not operating in Laos or Cambodia. Because of that the North could bring down supplies and troops unmolested down the trail and into South Vietnam.

Answer: Khe Sanh

Marine base that was surrounded by Communist forces to detract attention from their main plan which was the Tet Offensive. Completely cut off and surrounded,it could only receive supplies and reinforcements by air. Eventually the NVA quietly lifted their siege.

Answer: McNamara

By the time McNamara was replaced he was against a continuation of hostilities between the US and North Vietnam.

Answer: Kissinger

Treaty to allow the USA a way out of this malicious and costly war. Eventually turning over all military responsibilities over to South Vietnam. Turning over this responsibility was a gradual procession through a program the Americans called 'Vietnamization'.

Answer: General Abrams

Fought in World War II as a tank commander. He was part of the US Third Army which was commanded by old 'blood and guts' himself, General George Patton. He (Abrams) was one of the first units arriving at the surrounded town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, to help in relieving the exhausted troops there.

Answer: 'We were soldiers once ... and young'

True story based on the real combat experiences of Lt. Gen Hal Moore and combat correspondent Joel Calloway, especially at the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley.