Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces (Fortress)

I was at and opened FSB Concord located about 1 mile north of the Bein Joah Air base about 3 miles from Saigon. I was with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, 2nd / 40th Artillery. I was with that Bn's S3 Section and spent time with all our units Batteries, BN's and Brigades TOCs.I found this book very truthful. I was there from Oct. 67 till Oct 68. Mostly around the Saigon Area, but not in Saigon. We weren't allowed to stop in Saigon even though we were protecting it. I was drafted and in that year i went from E-3 to E-5. I would have been made E-6 but as a draftee I wasn't that thrilled about Army life and I wanted to die of old age. Unfortunately, tens of thousands where never given that chance given that chance. The one thing that I noticed was the difference between being in the North of South Vietnam and being in the South of the same place.I was there during TET of 68 at a 3 gun Battery located At our Brig. Main base located next to II FIELD FORCE HQ. That night our small battery fired close to 800 rds. I was with HQ's FDC. Our gun bunnies (I use this term with great respect) did an out standing job under some very difficult situations. They were able to fire up to 4 different missions at the same time in support of our defense. This was done with only 3 tubes. They also displaced one tube to fire beehive rds. They did that 3 times. This took place over 6 hrs. of non stop action.. Our only mishap was the destruction of a Generals out house by one of our Illumination rounds empty casings. Illum. rds are base ejected and the thin casing that held the flare falls to earth while the flare floats and illuminates the surrounding area as it burns out and floats to earth. The General was upset and investigated, by survey, who fired the round. He criticized us for doing damage to his throne. The only problem I could see was that he wasn't sitting on it when it happened. The only time we calculated fall of casing's during Tet, was when we fired in the direction of the airbase.This was so they wouldn't land on the runway preventing destruction of a craft going to help someone. I guess this Gen. didn't understand that there was a war going on. The second time, my work was criticized, was later when I pointed out to a Major General, that the mistake he thought we made was actually caused by the unit he Commanded. He didn't take kindly to my criticism, which was I showed him was true. I was very short at the time and wasn't going to put up with his crap. The reason was he had criticized MY CO in front of his men. My CO was the the best ones that I had ever served under. He realized that HE had made a mistake and changed the subject to the footwear I was wearing on duty, flip flop's! I told him " I was on a medical profile for foot fungus after being in rice paddies. I had now made him look like a fool twice and my NCO told me to go get changed. I had about 7 days and a wake-up and this event almost put me in grave danger. That's another war story.

Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces by Randy Foster and illustrated by Peter DennisThe author's first task is to define for us just exactly what is a Firebase...the answer is somewhat difficult to pin down because of the rapid build up of US forces starting in 1965 that let to multiple tasks for troop locations in a quickly evolving war zone. The author's provide a helpful chart listing all the types of US military installation with a short definition of each one. As expected there is some overlap in the types of bases between say a LZ (landing zone) and a Special Forces Camp.My distillation of the author's information is as follows: A Firebase is a reinforced, protected military position, semi-permanent in construction, with a significant contingent of artillery, a landing zone for helicopters, used primarily to support convoys and ground troops with intense directed fire. I would add to this that the bases were also used to draw out the enemy for engagements. It would seem that with it's awesome fire power the NVA/VC would avoid attacking these bases with just mortars, sappers and then "human waves" of infantry but that was not the case. In the bizarre geopolitical calculations employed by the North Vietnam leadership their troops were expendable. Uncle Ho and his war planners knew that by attacking a well-fortified base and inflicting casualties the result would be negative publicity in the US and a corresponding political advantage for them. These 'suicidal' attacks were not isolated occurrences as the authors point out with several examples.The large number of photos and illustrations, with detailed captions, provided this reader (a non-Vietnam veteran) with very clear idea of the types of equipment deployed and the daily life of the military assigned to the Firebases.Readers new to Osprey titles should be aware all books from this published are similar in size to a National Geographic magazine with a thicker paper cover. The page count of this title was 64 and contained many photographs and several full color painting created especially for this title.This 2007 Osprey title is a very useful introduction to the study of Firebases used during the Vietnam War.

Some of the firebase that I was on weren't listed

I served in Vietnam from mid-67 to mid-68 in MACV. We had a firebase about a mile up the road from our Districtt HQ and I couldn't find it in this book.

A very good first research book on FSB's with lots of very good pics. It has most of the basics and can be used to write with authority on the subject.I wish it had covered more FSB, as I was station in I Corps in 68-69 and was basicly a mountain terrain vs. IV Corps where it was the delta (water), yet it covered the subject as completely as the book would allow.Vietnam historians and VN vets should purchase this book.NAM VET

The book is how the Fire bases were built but nothing about locations, not very interesting

I have been very pleased with and impressed with the quality of Osprey publications. The Fortress series is focused on military fortifications. Vietnam Firebases 1965-73: American and Australian Forces (Fortress Volume 58) includes what is a firebase, building a firebase, the operational use of firebases, tour of a firebase, design and developments, life in a firebase, aftermath, the site today and bibliography with maps, charts and illustrations.

All Combat units opperated under an "artillary Fan" which consisted of a fortified position which held the artillary that fired protection for defence and offence. The FSB's usually also contained the resupply for the troops they covered as well as the field HQ for those troops. I spent three tours in Vietnam as a combat soldier and been on more FSB's than I can remember. Very acceptable book. Fast delivery

Well put together and thought out. Concise and accurate.

All is as i would expect for a good and trustworthy DVD supplier, well packed, and as described.

Very interesting

Good book with good photos , I like to read about artillery and this book cover a great period of "arty" use ; the Vietnam war!! Please please Osprey, make more books on artillery pieces !