Operation Market Time

American ground troops arrive in South Vietnam. The American Navy in operation ‘market time’ cut the sea supply route but the supplies of men and equipment from North Vietnam to the Viet Cong instead are sent down the Ho Chi Minh trail. The South Vietnamese Generals carry on their petty infighting for power, General Khahn is removed from power and sent into exile. A biography of General Ky, pictured below, the new military strong man is given.

To be published on Saturday 27th November

The Air War

President Johnson agrees to a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam to try to force their Government to end the war in the South. It started with operation flaming dart and then operation Rolling Thunder. Damage was done by the Government of North Vietnam would not end the war. American planes are shot down and aircrew taken prisoner.

To be published on Saturday 20th November

Johnson decides on war

There is much disagreement within the American Government as to whether American ground troops should be committed to fight in South Vietnam, for example under secretary of state George Ball is against, his biography is given. However American President Johnson agrees to widen the war with bombing attacks on North Vietnam and the sending of American soldiers to fight the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army.

To be published on Saturday 13th November

North Vietnamese Army intervention

The South Vietnamese Army was already losing the war in the countryside to the Viet Cong. Now in the latter months of 1964, things were looking as they could only get worse as elements of the North Vietnamese regular army enter South Vietnam to aid the Viet Cong. A biography of General Westmoreland the commander of American forces in South Vietnam and its headquarters MACV. He is pictured below.

To be publish on Saturday 6th November