Vietnam War: Forest Fire as a Military Weapon - Paperless Archives

SECRET
HEADQUARTERS
US ARMY ADVISORY GROUP, IV CTZ
ADVISORY TEAM 96, APO SAN FRANCISCO 96215
MACV-IVC-2 24 May 1968
SUBJECT:
U MINH FOREST FIRE (U)
TO:
Commanding General
Military Assistance Command. Vietnam
ATTN: J2 Production
APO 96222
1 (C) References:
a. MACV Secret message 12539, dIg 030545Z May 68, Subject: U Minh Fire (U).
b. MACV Secret message 13510. dtg 100345Z May 68, Subject: U Minh Fire (U).
2. (C) An analysis of reports received by this headquarters concerning the fire in the U Minh area indicates that the fire
began on or about 10 March 1968. It is not known precisely how the fire began although several explanations have been
presented. CORDS personnel suggest that it began after a group of irate fishermen, who were denied access to the
area by the Viet Cong, stcrted several fires at approximately VR 970 390 (see ind i, item 1) as a means of retaliation.
Regardless. the fire reportedly spread rapidly from this area to thc -outhwest through the aid of thirty knot winds from
the northeast, extremely dry conditions in the entire area, and the ignition of a large ammunition dump located within
200 meters of the original fire.
a. On or about 14 March 1968, a fire also started through the use of white phosphorous ammunition from Thoi
Binh (WR 105 335) in the area near WR 080 330 (see incl 1, item 2). Again, the relatively strong winds and extremely
dry conditions caused this fire to spread rapidly and throughout a large area.
b. Although the exact cause is not known, a fire also started on approximately 20 March 1968. in the area of VR
970 140 (see Incl I, item 3). Initially this fire spread to the southwest also, although a sudden change in wind
direction caused it to burn to the north at an even more rapid rate.
C. During the latter part of March and the early part of April, the fire spread over an enormous area. This increase
in the burning rate was largely caused by coastal wind shifts which occur throughout the U Minh area during this
time of year.
3. (C) Several reports were received on approximately 6 April 1968 which indicated that the VC were attempting to establish
firebreaks in several areas throughout the forest. One such report stated that the VC were using a large number
of forced laborers in the area of VR 900 130 to VR 900 300 to construct such a firebreak. A visual reconnaissance of
this area on 12 April partially confirmed this report, and although the laborer could not be seen, there was evidence
that a dried up canal in the area might have been used for this purpose. This canal did not contain the fire, however,
since large areas on both sides were thoroughly burned,
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