Search and Destroy

Question 1

What was it?

Answer 1

U.S. troops were flown into jungle areas by helicopter to:
• Search for Vietcong soldiers, tunnels, or supplies
• Destroy enemy villages, bunkers, or bases
• Then leave quickly
• Often backed by airstrikes, artillery, and napalm

Question 2

Goal?

Answer 2

Kill as many Vietcong as possible → “Body count” used to measure success.

Question 3

Why did it fail?

Answer 3

1. Hard to identify the Vietcong
   • Vietcong didn’t wear uniforms — looked like ordinary villagers.
   • Many civilians were killed or injured by mistake.
   
   2. Increased hatred of the USA
      • Whole villages were burned, people killed, animals shot.
      • Even suspected Vietcong were tortured or killed → turned locals against Americans.
   3. False body counts
      • U.S. commanders often exaggerated kills to impress superiors.
      • Success based on numbers, not real progress.
   4. Boosted Vietcong recruitment
      • Survivors of attacks often joined the Vietcong out of anger and grief.