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

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SECRET
MACV-IVC-2 24 May 1968
SUBJECT:
U MINH FOREST FIRE (U)
9. (C) Naval gunfire, operating off the coast of An Xuyen and Kien Giang provinces fired into the area on a constant
basis (see incl 2). From 27 March to 13 May 1968, Naval gunfire expended 8,331 rounds of 5 inch min stabilized
rockets. 1.878 rounds of 5 inch/38, 455 rounds of 5 inch/54 and 1,097 rounds of 40mm ammunition. The spin stabilized
rockets were all high explosive ordnance, while many of the 5 inch/38 rounds included both high explosive white
phosphorous ammunition. Together they accounted for hundreds of structures destroyed and numerous secondary explosions.
This constant shelling also hampered VC attempts to transfer ammunition and supplies out of the area and
1.prohibited this concentration of laborers who were attempting to stop the fire from spreading to new areas.
10. (C) USAF flew 10 missions with 29 sorties over the U Minh area from the period 27 March to 26 April 1968. (see
incl 3) 5 of these missions were flown with the purpose of starting new fires, while the remainder were flown to
assist the burning process in areas where the fire was already in progress. Their ordnance consisted primarily of napalm
although white phosphorous and anti-material fragmentation bombs were also used.
I II. (C) As a result of the fire, enemy activity increased throughout the U Minh area. The S2 of glen Giang Province reported
that the VC during much of April were frantically seeking new storage areas for their supplies and ammunition. It
is estimated that a large portion of the goods removed were taken back up normal routes of resupply where they were
then exfiltrated by sea to the three sisters area (XS 885 165) or stored in areas lying to the north-northeast of the
forest. By the same token, the S2 of An Xuyen providence reported a similar increase in activity in the extreme south-
3 western portion of the forest, (vic VR 85 15). This area has long been used as a storage area and it is estimated that
the number of caches in this area has increased as a result of the fire.
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12. (C) Within the forest proper there is very little cover and concealment remaining. Trails and canals which were formerly
covered by several layers of jungle canopy are now clearly visible by aerial observation. In essence, enemy activity in
this area has ceased.
13. (C) A final analysis of the U Minh fire indicates that its success came from several contributing factors. First, the
area experienced an exceptionally long dry season. Second, the constant shift in winds along the coastal area literally
fanned the fire causing it to burn rapidly and over a vast area. Third, the peat-like substance of the forest floor caused
the fire to continue burning with only a minimal amount of combustible material and very little wind. Fourth, fires
started in several areas at about the same time which prohibited a concentration of laborers in any one area.
Furthermore, personnel who were attempting to put out the blaze were constantly in danger of friendly firepower and
therefore could not make large and open attempts at stopping the fires' progress. Finally, measures were taken by
friendly personnel to assist the overall burning process.
14. (C) As a result of the above factors, the following estimate of final damage is submitted:
a. 75 to 85 percent of the true forest was destroyed.
b. 50 percent of various outlying swamps were destroyed (vic VR 920 300; VR 830 300; VR 960 610; WR 100 530;
WR 120 370; WR 070 290).
c. Hundreds of tons of ammunition, rice and petroleum products were destroyed.
SECRET A-7
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