The war in Vietnam saw the loss of numerous helicopters through surface to air missiles, fighter interception and antiaircraft artillery, among other means. Others went down in unclear circumstances. The death toll rose by the day with numerous and fascinating stories about the Vietnam War helicopter crashes.
It is claimed in some quarters that a significant number of crashes resulted from command errors. There also are tales of pilots from different segments in the force failing to coordinate leading to huge losses. The Army and Air Force failed to coordinate their operations. The secret of actual number and causes remains closely guarded.
Deaths emanating from crashed helicopters were also high compared to other causes. Some reports place the figure at over ten percent. Two months nicknamed Lam Son 719 are said to have witnessed the hugest losses. The incidences accounted for over ten percent of total losses between 1961 and 1975. The period was too short for such a huge loss and points at undercurrents that occasioned the loss.
Enemy fire and battle field confrontations were not always the causes of death. Some crew members were ambushed during rescue missions to recover equipment or injured crew. The number that suffered this fate was significantly high. It has led to controversies about the fatalities and the level of loss over the entire period.
An interesting statistic about the war in Vietnam touches on the number of bombs dropped. It is claimed that they were significantly more than those used in the WWII. Particularly, Quang Tri province suffered the largest bombarding to the point of creating moonscapes. The number that pounded the province was more than what fell over the whole of Europe in World War II. This has made the province inhabitable to-date.
Crashed helicopters are difficult to find unless you take a hike to the jungle that witnessed the battles. Any veteran will tell you that this is a very risky affair. There is a very high possibility of getting lost in this thick jungle. The best alternative is to visit the museum in Ho Chi Minh City. It has a detailed collection of aircraft and other military equipment that were used in the war. The jungle is risky with possible attacks by crocodiles, tigers and cobras.
An interesting story from this war involved a master in biology graduate from Tufts University. Paul Zabriski had taken a two years break between graduate and dental school. This decision would change his life forever. He lost his deferment opportunity after being drafted into the army. The story gets more intriguing with his narration of how he survived four crashes. He will never forget the advice from an army personnel officer who helped him begin the recruitment process.
2013 also saw the identification and decent send-off of a soldier who went missing in 1970. His remains were identified through circumstantial and forensic evidence and interred at the Arlington National Cemetery. He died in a crash that involved five other soldiers where only one survived. He was in a list of 807 soldiers who were yet to be accounted for.
It is claimed in some quarters that a significant number of crashes resulted from command errors. There also are tales of pilots from different segments in the force failing to coordinate leading to huge losses. The Army and Air Force failed to coordinate their operations. The secret of actual number and causes remains closely guarded.
Deaths emanating from crashed helicopters were also high compared to other causes. Some reports place the figure at over ten percent. Two months nicknamed Lam Son 719 are said to have witnessed the hugest losses. The incidences accounted for over ten percent of total losses between 1961 and 1975. The period was too short for such a huge loss and points at undercurrents that occasioned the loss.
Enemy fire and battle field confrontations were not always the causes of death. Some crew members were ambushed during rescue missions to recover equipment or injured crew. The number that suffered this fate was significantly high. It has led to controversies about the fatalities and the level of loss over the entire period.
An interesting statistic about the war in Vietnam touches on the number of bombs dropped. It is claimed that they were significantly more than those used in the WWII. Particularly, Quang Tri province suffered the largest bombarding to the point of creating moonscapes. The number that pounded the province was more than what fell over the whole of Europe in World War II. This has made the province inhabitable to-date.
Crashed helicopters are difficult to find unless you take a hike to the jungle that witnessed the battles. Any veteran will tell you that this is a very risky affair. There is a very high possibility of getting lost in this thick jungle. The best alternative is to visit the museum in Ho Chi Minh City. It has a detailed collection of aircraft and other military equipment that were used in the war. The jungle is risky with possible attacks by crocodiles, tigers and cobras.
An interesting story from this war involved a master in biology graduate from Tufts University. Paul Zabriski had taken a two years break between graduate and dental school. This decision would change his life forever. He lost his deferment opportunity after being drafted into the army. The story gets more intriguing with his narration of how he survived four crashes. He will never forget the advice from an army personnel officer who helped him begin the recruitment process.
2013 also saw the identification and decent send-off of a soldier who went missing in 1970. His remains were identified through circumstantial and forensic evidence and interred at the Arlington National Cemetery. He died in a crash that involved five other soldiers where only one survived. He was in a list of 807 soldiers who were yet to be accounted for.
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