The Vietnam War

Part 4:

Search and Destroy

What is “Search and Destroy?”

Class Viewing

Offensive operations designed to find and destroy enemy forces rather than establish permanent government control.

Also called "Zippo missions."

Soldiers would be dropped into enemy areas by helicopter.

Enemy villages would be burned down.

Enemy held jungle would be napalmed (or defoliated).

What is “Search and Destroy?”

Free Fire Zones

Were areas near an airbase cleared of people to allow aircraft to drop leftover bombs before landing.

Based on the assumption that all friendly forces had been cleared from the area.

Anyone unidentified was considered an enemy.

Soldiers were to shoot anyone moving around after curfew.

Violation of the Geneva Convention?

Free Fire Zones

“The My Lai Massacre”

Class Reading