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

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I 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. Swere 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 4i
I SECRET MACV-Il'C-2 24 May 1968 ' SUBJECT: U MINH FOREST FIRE (U) d. 100-200 Viet Cong were killed or incapacitated while either fighting the fire or by rocket ships and airstrikes in the area. e. The probable dislocation of large quantities of supplies and ammunition and the relocation of several major VC headquarters and rear service areas. f. The increased opportunity for aerial reconnaissance of the area. g. The lack of lumber and possible food shortage for the local populace. h. The increased danger of floods in areas adjacent to the forest since there are no longer trees or underbrush to provide watershed. 4 Inclosures WILLIAM K. CAREY I -Map of U Minh area LTC MI 2 - Naval Gunfire Missions Sr Intel Advisor 3 - USAF Support Missions 4 -Pictures of U Minh Fire SECRET A-8
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VIETNAM WAR Forest Fire as a Milita
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Forest Fire as a Military Weapon A
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OF7 A iD5S Hil'---0 __ = IIIII- _w
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SECRET FOREST FIRE AS A MILITARY WE
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SECRET INDEX (Continued) Page Weath
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SECRET FOREST FIRE AS A MILITARY WE
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SECRET detailed and timely intellig
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SECRET I I I i it FI.I FIG. 2 I I B
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I SECRET I I I I I S....... '•FIG
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SECRET FI.I TYIAIRONFR BEOR FIG.FIG
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SECRET REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL
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I I SECRET heating adjacent unburne
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I SECRET FUEL TYPE 8o e1 82 83 84 I
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I SECRET I ii 11 I S~FIG. 17 | GRAS
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I I SECRET I I FIG. 18 SHRUB TYPE I
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Relative Humidity SECRET Table 2 "S
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I U I I I I I SECRET I FIG. 21 CONI
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S~SECRET A I. B O I I I IB. IN O LE
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I I SECRET I- I I I I I I I FIG. EV
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SECRET In developing recommended pr
Page 42 and 43: U SECRET The yearly sums of (+) val
Page 44 and 45: I Fireclimate Classification SECRET
Page 46 and 47: SECRET TABLE 5 KEY TO IDENTIFICATIO
Page 48 and 49: SECRET SHumid, long bum season (HUL
Page 50 and 51: I SECRET Table 6 Surfac,,/Volume Ra
Page 52 and 53: I SECRET FIG. 29 AVAILABLE FUEL WEI
Page 54 and 55: SECRET 100 80 FIG. 31 FLAME HEIGHTS
Page 56 and 57: I SECRET I Table 7 Precipitation Ef
Page 58 and 59: I SECRET FIG. 32 EQUILIBRIUM MOI$TU
Page 60 and 61: •Sunshine: SECRET Solar radiation
Page 62 and 63: I I SECRET I Ii I II I g I FIG. 34
Page 64 and 65: Technique"s for Kdlin, D•rming an
Page 66 and 67: SECRET I t '4Pi I I FIG. 35 * AERIA
Page 68 and 69: SECRET FIG.36 EFFECTS OF OVERSTORY
Page 70 and 71: SECRET FIG. 37 TYPICAL EFFECT OF CO
Page 72 and 73: I .SECRET Use of Systemic Desiccant
Page 74 and 75: SECRET 6. Effectiveness of foliar s
Page 76 and 77: SECRET Example of a Desiccation Pla
Page 78 and 79: SECRET If a lighted match is droppe
Page 80 and 81: SECRET 0 0 ----- 0" E I- -- z -- o
Page 82 and 83: SECRET The advantages of multiple i
Page 84 and 85: SECRET DISCUSSION The deliberate in
Page 86 and 87: 1 SECRET U MINH FOREST FIRES PROLOG
Page 88 and 89: SECRET Spread Analysis: Spread to K
Page 90 and 91: SECRET HEADQUARTERS US ARMY ADVISOR
Page 94 and 95: SECRET NAVAL GUNFIRE MISSIONS DATE
Page 96 and 97: SECRET Rach Gia - Kien Giang Hourly
Page 98 and 99: SECRET APPENDIX B Pertinent Incendi
Page 100 and 101: SECRET Major vegetation type: Tropi
Page 102 and 103: SECRET CLIMATE FF-HUSB FROSTFREE WI
Page 104 and 105: SECRET FIG. B2 CLIMATE FF-HUSB HANO
Page 106 and 107: SECRET Soil appiicat ion: Apply 20
Page 108 and 109: SECRET CLIMATE FF-NHLB FROSTFREE WI
Page 110 and 111: SECRET CLIMATE FF-DRYL FROSTFREE WI
Page 112 and 113: SECRET CLIMATE MI-HUYL MILD WINTER;
Page 114 and 115: SECRET FIG. B6 CLIMATE MI-HUYL NEW
Page 116 and 117: SECRET Soil application: Apply 15 p
Page 118 and 119: SECRET CLIMATE MI-HULB MILD WINTER;
Page 120 and 121: SECRET FCa. W8 CLIMATE MI-HULB RHOD
Page 122 and 123: SECRET FIG. B9 CLIMATE MI-NHSB AUST
Page 124 and 125: SECRET Dates for examl ocationAU.s
Page 126 and 127: SECRET CLIMATE MI-DRYL MILD WINTER;
Page 128 and 129: * climates& j SECRET CLIMATE CL-HUY
Page 130 and 131: SECRET FIG. 512 CLIMATE CL-HUYL COL
Page 132 and 133: SECRET Dates for example location (
Page 134 and 135: SECRET t (IIMATI (L HILD ('(X)I WIN
Page 136 and 137: SECRET (1lMAU- (L NH.% 41()1. *INTI
Page 138 and 139: I SECRET (IIM-AIF ( Hl•Nt1 ( Wl W
Page 140 and 141: SECRET FIG. 816 CLIMATE CL-NHLB GRA
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SECRET FIG. 817 CLIMATE CL-DRYL LAS
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Foliar sTray: Apply per acre: SECRE
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Warm continental climates SECRET CL
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SECRET FIG. B19 CLIMATE SC-HUSB MT.
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SECRET Dates for cxampre location (
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SECRET CLIMATE SC-NHYL SHORT COLD W
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SECRET FIG. B21 CLIMATE SC-NHYL PAR
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SECRET FIG. 522 CLIMATE SC-NHSB SAN
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SECRET FIG. 823 CLIMATE SC-NHLB REN
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SECRET Foliar Žpxa: Apply per acre
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SECRET CLIMATE LC-HUSB LONG COLD WI
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SECRET Foliar spray: Apply during t
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"SECRET CLIMATE LC-NHLB LONG COLD W
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SECRET CLIMATE VC-HUYL VERY COLD WI
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I SECRET FIG. 827 CLIMATE VC-HUYL D
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SECRET "CLIMATE VC-NHSB VERY COLD W
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SECRET I Publiction-,: Protect EMOT
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