Note: This is part one of a two-part discussion. The conclusion will be released shortly.
In this episode, we discuss
-The Strategic Hamlet Program (SHP) in Vietnam and the role of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in that effort
-How US platoon positions used in the SHP made enticing targets for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army
-The layout of McDonough’s platoon position and the terrain surrounding it
-McDonough’s assessment of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, as well as the South Vietnamese Regional Forces and Popular Forces
-A particularly soul-shaking patrol that McDonough went on
-The writing of Platoon Leader
-The Viet Cong’s typical tactics, strengths, and weaknesses
-McDonough’s biggest fight: October 6th 1970
-The story of McDonough’s wounding
-The Viet Cong’s technique of employing M-79 ‘barrages’
-McDonough’s assessment of the small arms available to him and his men
-A hair-raising interaction that McDonough had with one of his soldiers and an M-79 grenade launcher
-McDonough’s relationship with Phil Nail, one of his radio operators
-Killigan, arguably the best combat soldier McDonough ever saw
-What it was like to lead a small unit with consistent attrition
-McDonough’s advice for small unit leaders who may face high unit attrition in their units in combat
-How well McDonough’s stateside tactical training lined up with his actual tactics in Vietnam
-The value of “tactical cursing”
Links
Platoon Leader by James McDonough: https://www.amazon.com/Platoon-Leader-Memoir-Command-Combat/dp/0891418008
The Defense of Hill 781 by James McDonough: https://www.amazon.com/Defense-Hill-781-Allegory-Mechanized/dp/0891414754
The Limits of Glory by James McDonough: https://www.amazon.com/Limits-Glory-Novel-Waterloo/dp/0891413847
This Kind of War T.R. Fehrenbach: https://www.amazon.com/This-Kind-War-Fiftieth-Anniversary/dp/1574883348