The Weapons: Southern Forces

Jan 24

M16A1

The M16A1 assault rifle was the standard issue infantry weapon to the United States forces by 1968. Only just entering service, it served alongside the earlier M16 and XM16E1 pattern rifles, but shared many of the same features. The weapon was select-fire with a semi and fully automatic setting with a fire rate of 700rpm. The weapon was made of black colored polymer and aluminum, and was known as the “Black Rifle” in service, and had gained a reputation for poor reliability. The M16A1 was introduced to correct the flaws of the earlier rifle but doubts remained with the troops over the viability of the weapon for service use. It chambered the new 5.56mm small bore cartridge, feeding from a detachable 20 round box magazine.

Type: Assault Rifle
Action: Gas Operated Select Fire (SA/FA)
Overall Length: 39.5 inches
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Box Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1965

M14

The M14 rifle was adopted in 1959 to replace the M1 rifle in US service. This select fire rifle, chambering the 7.62x51mm cartridge and firing from a detachable box magazine, was also intended as a replacement of the M1918 BAR and the M3 Grease Gun as a universal infantry weapon. In this role it would prove lackluster, with the weapon proving nearly uncontrollable in full auto. (In most cases the selector had been disabled, rendering the M14 entirely semi-automatic) It had been the standard issue rifle of the US forces that first entered South Vietnam in 1965, but had been replaced by the M16 in that role just two years later. The M14 remained in service, however, with some units having not been fully re-equipped with the M16 and the M14 also remained popular as both a marksman’s rifle and sniper’s rifle, as it enjoyed far better ranged performance compared to the M16.

Type: Battle Rifle
Action: Gas Operated Semi-Automatic
Overall Length: 44.3 inches
Weight: 9.2 pounds
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Box Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1959

M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine had its origins during the Second World War as a personal defense weapon that could provide better ranged performance than the standard US issue M1911A1 pistol. The M1 Carbine was later adopted and used in large numbers by US paratroopers during that war, and later on was used in large numbers during the Korean War. It was during this latter conflict that the weapon gained a reputation for poor performance, stemming mainly from its use as a replacement to the full power Garand rifle, a role in which it was poorly suited. The M1 Carbine, and its select-fire counterpart, the M2, would remain commonly issued in Vietnam, especially as the issue of an M16 based carbine was slow. The weapon also enjoyed great popularity with ARVN soldiers who were issued vast quantities of them by the Americans. The weapons compact nature made it a better fit for the generally smaller statured ARVN soldiers, and combined well with its light weight and good handling.

Type: Carbine
Action: Gas Operated Semi-Automatic
Overall Length: 35.6 inches
Weight: 5.2 pounds
Cartridge: .30 US Carbine
Magazine Capacity: 15 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Box Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1942

The M2 Carbine was select-fire, and capable of a 750rpm rate of fire. It was commonly issued with 30 round magazines, which were also compatible and commonly issued with the M1 carbine in Vietnam.

M1 Garand

The iconic Garand rifle had been carried by US troops during the Second World War as well as in Korea, where it had proven itself a capable autoloading rifle. It had lent features to the M14 rifle that replaced it, and remained in service in Vietnam with the ARVN, having been issued as aid to the Saigon Government in vast numbers. The power offered by the rifle’s .30-06 cartridge was appreciated in some situations, but in general its weight made it less popular than the M1 Carbine in ARVN service. In addition, the en-bloc clip feeding system was decidedly obsolete by the late 1960s, and the old rifles would be a relatively light presence in the conflict.

Type: Infantry Rifle
Action: Gas Operated Semi-Automatic
Overall Length: 43.5 inches
Weight: 9.5 pounds
Cartridge: .30-06
Magazine Capacity: 8 Cartridges
Feed System: En-Bloc Clip
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1936

M1911A1

The standard issue .45 caliber automatic pistol that has been in service with the United States in one form or another for most of the century. A reliable and powerful handgun, it is commonly seen in the hands of both the American and South Vietnamese forces during the conflict. In another interesting note, the US forces are all using leftovers from the Second World War, just as the ARVN is, as the Federal Government has not purchased more of the handguns since 1945. Handguns such as the M1911 will see common use during the coming close quarters fighting.

Type: Handgun
Action: Single Action Semi-Automatic
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 2.4 pounds
Cartridge: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 7 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1911 (1926 fot M1911A1)

M1A1 Thompson

The Thompson submachine gun had originally been developed near the end of the First World War, and had later gained fame in the hands of America’s prohibition era gangsters. The weapon had been simplified as the M1A1 in 1942 and saw heavy use in the Second World War, and these remain in service with the ARVN in 1968, along with many other weapons from that period. While often rendered obsolete by the widespread use of assault rifles, in the street fighting of Hue the Thompson, with its high rate of fire and hard hitting .45 cartridge, is in its element.

Type: Submachine Gun
Action: Fully Automatic (600rpm)
Overall Length: 31.9 inches
Weight: 10 pounds
Cartridge: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 30 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1942

M3 Grease Gun

The simple, stamped steel M3 Grease Gun was developed during the Second World War to replace the Thompson in US service. The Thompson was heavy and labor intensive to manufacture, and thus the US looked to the British Sten for inspiration. The result was a cheap, stamped weapon with a collapsible wire stock. The “Grease Gun”, so named for its similarity to the tool, featured a very low rate of fire, leading to excellent controllability. Unlike the Thompson, which has mainly been relegated to ARVN use, the US still issues the M3 and the M3A1 in significant numbers, especially to tank crews.

Type: Submachine Gun
Action: Fully Automatic (450rpm)
Overall Length: 29.1 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
Cartridge: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 30 Cartridges
Feed System: Detachable Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1942

M60

The standard general purpose machine gun in the hands of both the ARVN and the US Armed Forces, the M60 is a belt fed support weapon firing the 7.62x51mm cartridge. The M60 was adopted in the late 1950s, and uses several design points from German weapons of the Second World War, and has gained a reputation as a solid and effective weapon in Vietnam. Known affectionately as “The Pig”, due to its large size and ammunition consumption, it provides an excellent source of mobile firepower for US and ARVN units in the field.

Type: Light Machine Gun
Action: Fully Automatic (650rpm)
Overall Length: 43.5 inches
Weight: 23.15 pounds
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm
Magazine Capacity: Belt Fed
Feed System: Disintegrating Belt
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1957

M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun

The US .50 caliber Browning M2 Heavy Machine Gun is possible the most iconic machine gun of all time. Haing served from just after the end of the First World War to the 21st Century, the weapon has played a prominent role in every conflict involving the United States, and Vietnam was no exception. With its hard hitting cartridge the Browning allows US and ARVN troops to have a relatively mobile reserve of heavy firepower, deploying it on tripods as well as on all manner of vehicles, from jeeps to trucks, armored vehicles and even aircraft.

Type: Heavy Machine Gun
Action: Fully Automatic (650rpm)
Overall Length: 65 inches
Weight: 84 pounds
Cartridge: .50 BMG
Magazine Capacity: Belt Fed
Feed System: Disintegrating Belt
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1919

Combat Shotguns

The United States Armed Forces had a long tradition of the use of shotguns in combat, including their famous use in the First World War. This had continued in World War II, Korea, and on into Vietnam. Various models remained in service, from older M1897 (pictured here) and M12 Winchesters, as well as the more modern Ithaca M37. Many coult be found in the “trench gun” configuration, featuring a bayonet lug and heatshield as well as sling swivels. These were almost always 12 gauge, cylinder bore weapons fitted with barrels of roughly 20 inches. These weapons were slow to reload, but with standard issue 00 buckshot were proven close quarters weapons.

Type: Shotgun
Action: Pump*
Overall Length: Average 40 inches
Weight: Average 7.5 Pounds
Cartridge: 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot
Magazine Capacity: Average 5
Feed System: Tube Magazine
Country of Origin: United States
Year: Various

*Some semi-automatic desings are also in service

M67 Grenade

The new standard issue hand grenade of the US force, just introduced in the end of te previous year, the M67 “baseball” and its nearly identical older variant the M33 used the same composition B charge as the older M26 “Lemon, which itself remained in widespread use. The weapon is a simple fragmentation device, and upon detonation of the charge the steel casing will disintegrate into lethal shards that spread out over a radius of up to 50 feet. These grenades, along with the older M2 “Pineapples” mainly used by the ARVN, will form a critical component of the urban combat in Hue.

Type: Fragmentation Grenade
Charge: Composition B
Weight: 14 ounces
Fuse Duration: 4.5 seconds
Blast Radius: 50 feet
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1967

M79 Grenade Launcher

The M79 had come from a long program by the US Army to replace the various rifle grenades in service in the post-WWII period with a more versatile system. The result was a 40mm grenade cartridge, and after the failure of attempts to create a repeating weapon to fire them the simple, break action single shot M79 entered service. The weapon would become extremely popular in Vietnam, where it allowed small units to enjoy direct fire support in a simple, lightweight platform. This would prove extremely useful in urban operations in Hue, with the ability to launch a grenade into a window from a distance and take out strongpoints, as well as other uses.

Type: Grenade Launcher
Action: Break Action
Overall Length: 28.8 inches
Weight: 5.9 pounds
Cartridge: 40mm Grenade
Magazine Capacity: Single Shot
Feed System: Single
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1961

M72 LAW

The M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon, generally known as the LAW, was a single use, disposable rocket launcher introduced to replace the aging bazooka series of reusable launchers in US service. Designed to be easily operated by a single soldier as opposed to the specialized two man crew of the older weapon, the LAW was also intended to be disposable, meaning that after being fired the tube would be discarded so as not to encumber the soldier who had deployed it. The main issue in the tight urban environment of Hue is that the weapon produces a significant backblast, precluding its use inside of most structures.

Type: Rocket Launcher
Action: Single Shot
Overall Length: 37.8 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Cartridge: 66mm Rocket
Magazine Capacity: Single Shot
Feed System: None (Disposable)
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1963

M20 Super Bazooka

*Image from Swedish Army Museum via* *Wikimedia*

Despite the popularity of the lightweight LAW, the older M20 Super Bazooka remained on inventory at Phu Bai Combat Base south of Hue, and would prove invaluable in the street fighting. The larger reusable launchers were capable of penetrating both thick armor as well as concrete walls, with their larger explosive warheads being capable of inflicting more damage than the M72. The M20 was also reusable, meaning that even though one man would be forced to carry the heavy launcher, rockets could be scattered among the other men of his unit, ensuring a significant reserve of firepower would be available.

Type: Rocket Launcher
Action: Electrical Ignition
Overall Length: 60 inches
Weight: 14.3 pounds
Cartridge: 90mm HEAT Rocket
Magazine Capacity: Single Shot
Feed System: Rear Loading Rocket
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1952

UH1 Huey

Perhaps the most famous icon of the American experience in Vietnam, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (best known by its nickname, the Huey) is a general purpose utility helicopter used in vast numbers by the US Army and Marine Corps as well as by the ARVN. In addition to the typical transport version, gunships, known as “Hogs” also exist with additional weaponry. Typically available in any area of South Vietnam, the Allied forces have become accustomed to the general availability of Hueys, and the shortage of them in the area of Hue in early 1968 would be felt. Although they remain in the area, the redeployments around I Corps in the lead-up to Tet has resulted in severe shortages of fuel and parts as their bases are relocated. As a result, the usually ubiquitous Huey will have a relatively small role to play in the streets of Hue.

Type: Utility Helicopter
Engine: 1x Lycoming T53 Turboshaft
Top Speed: 127mph
Service Ceiling: 12,600 feet
Crew: 4
Cargo Capacity: 14 Troops or 3,880 pounds
Weapons: 2x M60 Machine Gun (Optional)
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1959

CH46 Sea Knight

The Boeing CH46 Sea Knight was first adopted by the US Marine Corps as their main medium lift helicopter in 1961, and the aircraft would see heavy use in Vietnam alongside its larger Army cousin the CH47 Chinook. Despite some teething problems early in the conflict, the aircraft had begun to reenter service in late 1967, and was the primary rotorcraft available to the 1st Marine Division at Phu Bai by the time of the Tet Offensive in early 1968. The aircraft, with their impressive payloads and ability to carry 24 marines or 15 wounded on stretchers, would prove critical in the fighting to come on the streets of Hue.

Type: Transport Helicopter
Engine: 2x Lycoming T55 Turboshaft
Top Speed: 196mph
Service Ceiling: 20,000 feet
Crew: 3
Cargo Capacity: 24 Troops or 24,000 pounds
Weapons: 3x M60 Machine Gun (Optional)
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1961

AH1 Cobra

Based on the UH1 Huey, the AH1 Cobra was the first purpose built gunship helicopter, entering service with the US Army in 1967. The rear fuselage was retained from the UH1, as was the engine and rotor arrangement, but he forward fuselage remained very slim, with a crew in a small, armored tandem cockpit, and fitted with stub wings for various armaments. Mated with a turret mounted minigun and 40mm grenade, this made for a potent package. The Cobra was not available in large numbers in early 1968, but some had been delivered to the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Camp Evans to the north of Hue.

Type: Attack Helicopter
Engine: 1x Lycoming T53 Turboshaft
Top Speed: 171mph
Service Ceiling: 11,400 feet
Crew: 2
Cargo Capacity: None
Weapons: 1x M134 minigun, 1x M129 40mm grenade launcher - Turret
2x XM18 minigun pods, 2x 2.75 rocket pod (7 or 19 tube) - Pylons
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1967

Both the turret and pylon weapons are interchangeable with various permutations

O1 Bird Dog

The first aircraft ordered by the US Army after the separation of the US Air Force, the Cessna O1 Bird Dog had been adopted as a replacement for the various liason aircraft in service during the Second World War. An all metal monoplane, the aircraft was intended both as an observation and spotting platform, and was operated by both the US Army and the US Marine Corps in Vietnam, as well as the VNAF. Both Army and Marine bird dogs were available in the Hue area in early 1968, although they were, like most aircraft, grounded by poor weather in late January.

Type: Observation Plane
Engine: 1x Continental O-470 Piston Engine
Top Speed: 115mph
Service Ceiling: 18,500 feet
Crew: 2
Weapons: None
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1949

F4 Phantom

The McDonnel-Douglas F4 Phantom was a multirole fighter aircraft operated by the US Navy, US Air Force and US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. A workhorse, the F4 was the primary air superiority fighter of the US forces in the conflict, and was also used as needed in a ground support role, although in 1968 it was less often seen in this role. Despite this, due to the chaotic nature of the Tet Offensive, any available aircraft would often be pressed into various roles to support ground forces, in Hue and elsewhere.

Type: Fighter
Engine: 2x GE J79 Turbojet Engines
Top Speed: 1,470mph
Service Ceiling: 60,000 feet
Crew: 2
Weapons: Various, including air to air missiles, air to ground missiles, cluster munitions and conventional bombs
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1961

A4 Skyhawk

A small attack aircraft operated by the US Navy and US Marine Corps, the A4 Skyhawk was the most commonly used aircraft of its type in the Vietnam War by those forces. Capable of carrier operation, the reactively compact and light aircraft proved quite popular. These aircraft operate out of various USMC bases, including Chu Lai Combat Base, with USMC Squadron 311 operating the type. These would be available in the event of trouble in the area of Hue, assuming that the weather was clear enough for flights.

Type: Attack Aircraft
Engine: 1x Pratt & Whitney J52 Turbojet
Top Speed: 673mph
Service Ceiling: 42,000 feet
Crew: 1
Weapons: 2xMk12 20mm Cannon
Various, including air to ground missiles, cluster munitions and conventional bombs
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1956

A1 Skyraider

Having entered service in the year following the end of the Second World War, the A1 Skyraider was something of an anachronism in the late 1960s, but still saw significant service with the RVNAF. Six squadrons were operating the type in early 1968, and when the Tet Offensive commenced these aircraft would find no shortage of targets. With a combination of poor weather and restrictive orders, American air power would be almost non-existent over Hue for much of the battle, but RVNAF Skyraiders would periodically hit targets during gaps in the dreary weather.

Type: Attack Aircraft
Engine: 1x Wright Duplex Cyclone Pistol Engine
Top Speed: 322mph
Service Ceiling: 28,500 feet
Crew: 1
Weapons: 4x M3 20mm Cannon, 15x External Munitions Hardpoints
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1946

M274 Mechanical Mule

Intended to bridge the gap between jeeps and larger vehicles, the M274 Utility Platform Truck, commonly known simply as the Mechanical Mule, was a very simple flatbed cargo transport that was used in large numbers during the Vietnam War. The mule was used for a wide variety of tasks, including as a light transport, casualty clearing, cargo transport and even as a weapons platform. Several of these were available at the Phu Bai Combat Base as utility vehicles, and could be requisitioned if needed. These could notably mount an M40 recoilless rifle to form an efficient platform for the deployment of these powerful but cumbersome weapons.

Type: Utility Transport Vehicle
Top Speed: 25mph
Weight: 0.5 ton
Crew: 1
Passengers: Varied
Weapons: None
Armor: None
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1957

M113

Introduced in 1960, the M113 was an amphibious armored personnel carrier that would see extensive deployment for the first time in Vietnam. A simple tracked box, the vehicle was capable of both transporting troops in relative safety from small arms fire and providing supporting fire with its mounted weapons, typically an M2 .50 caliber Browning machine gun with an M60 or an older M1919 machine gun as well. Known simply as the “113” by US troops and the “Green Dragon” by the ARVN, the vehicle was in Hue operated almost exclusively by the ARVN Armored Cavalry units attached to the 1st ARVN Division at Mang Ca.

Type: Armored Personnel Carrier
Top Speed: 42mph
Weight: 13.6 tons
Crew: 2
Passengers: 15
Weapons: 1x M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun
Maximum Armor: 1.7 inches (aluminum)
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1960

M41 Walker Bulldog

The first post war American light tank design to see significant service, the M41 Walker Bulldog was first deployed in Korea, where the vehicle was found to be less than satisfactory, in large part due to the cramped crew conditions. This was not an issue for the smaller statured ARVN crews, however, who began receiving the tanks in 1964 to replace the aging World War II vintage models left behind by the French then in service. The ARVN made use of the M41 in significant numbers, and the 1st Division at Hue boasted several via its 7th Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at PK17 to the north of the city on Highway 1 as well as a depot in the Triangle at Tam Thai.

Type: Light Tank
Top Speed: 45mph
Weight: 25.89 tons
Crew: 4
Passengers: None
Weapons: 1x 76mm M32A1 Cannon, 1x M60 MG, 1x M2 MG
Maximum Armor: 1.25 inches
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1953

M48 Patton

The M48 Patton was a main battle tank designed to replace the light, medium and heavy tanks in service since the Second World War in American service. The M48A3 was the standard variant in service in Vietnam in early 1968, serving with both US Army and USMC units. The basic version was a standard tank equipped with a large bore 90mm cannon, and served in significant numbers alongside the M67A1, which swapped the 90mm for a flamethrower and was commonly known as the Zippo. Both models were in the area of Hue with a marine armored unit in January of 1968, although they are intended to be redeployed to Da Nang via the Perfume River at the end of the month.

Type: Main Battle Tank
Top Speed: 30mph
Weight: 49.6 tons
Crew: 4
Passengers: None
Weapons: 1x 90mm M1 Cannon, 1x M137 MG, 1x M2 MG
Maximum Armor: 8.7 inches
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1956 (M48A3)

M42 Duster

The M42 was a self propelled anti-aircraft platform based on the M41 light tank chassis. Fitted with dial 40mm autocannons, the vehicle had entered actually been considered obsolete in the jet age and retired from Army service in 1963, but early experiences in Vietnam soon proved the need for such a machine. The result was that the M42 was recalled into service and deployed to Southeast Asia in 1966. These weapons proved to be fearsome against enemy troops in the jungle brush, soon gaining the name “duster” for the clouds that were kicked up by the concussion of the weapons when fired against ground targets. Several dusters operated by the US Army were available near Hue in January of 1968, and soon would be put to use.

Type: Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
Top Speed: 45mph
Weight: 24.8 tons
Crew: 6
Passengers: None
Weapons: 1x 40mm M2A1 Dual AA Cannon, 1x M60 MG
Maximum Armor: 1 inches
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1953

M50 Ontos

A rather unorthodox tank destroyer, the M50 Ontos was originally designed for use by the US Army but was rejected, but found a home with the US Marine Corps. The vehicle was equipped with six 106mm recoilless rifles outside a small, lightly armored chassis, enabling it to rapidly fire a powerful barrage against armored targets or structures. The Ontos did suffer from one notable problem, however: the recoilless rifles needed to manually reloaded from outside the vehicle, leaving the loader completely exposed. Only relatively small numbers were available, but a handful were present at the USMC base at Phu Bai.

Type: Tank Destroyer
Top Speed: 30mph
Weight: 9.5 tons
Crew: 3
Passengers: None
Weapons: 4x M40 106mm Recoilless Rifles, 1x M1919 MG
Maximum Armor: 0.5 inches
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1955

PBR (Patrol Boat, River)

Designed in response to a need for the US Navy to interdict Vietcong weapons shipments along the many waterways of Vietnam, the PBR was a simple, versatile fiberglass craft with a very shallow draft. It also packed a significant punch in such a small package, with dual .50 caliber machine guns in a bow turret as well as mounting points for M60s aft. The Perfume River was no exception to American operations, and several PBRs were based at the Hue LCU ramp near the MACV compound. Their mobile firepower could also be called into service to cover forces operating along the edges of the river, if needed.

Type: River Patrol Boat
Top Speed: 28.5 knots (apx.32mph)
Displacement: 8.9 tons
Crew: 4
Weapons: 2x M2 Browning, 2x M60
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1966

US Navy Warships

In addition to the direct presence of the PBRs based in Hue, the US Navy also had several surface warships available in the South China Sea that could be tasked to provide powerful naval gunfire support. The city of Hue was only about eight miles from the coast, and as thus well within the 15 mile average range of the ships’ big guns. During the ensuing fight the destroyers USS Lynde McCormick (pictured), USS Lofberg and USS Manley would be present, along with the heavy cruiser USS Providence and the command cruiser USS Northampton at various times.

Type: Charles F. Adams Class Destroyer
Top Speed: 33 knots (apx.38mph)
Displacement: 4,526 tons
Crew: 354
Main Gun Armament: 2x 5’’Mk42 Guns
Country of Origin: United States
Commissioned: 1961

USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8) is the most commonly cited ship, and the specifications here are for her, a Charles F. Adams Class Guided Missile Destroyer.

M45 Quad M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun

A battle-tested leftover from the Second World War, the M45 was a simple turret mount fitted with four M2 .50 caliber Browning machine guns. Originally developed as an anti-aircraft weapon, it gained a nickname as the “Kraut Mower” in Europe, and remained in service in the late 1960s. Despite the weapon’s lack of effectiveness against modern jet aircraft, the M45 had found a new life fitted to the bed of standard Army 2 1/2 ton utility trucks and used as convoy escorts. Several of these are on Highway 1 as the Tet ceasefire comes into effect, attached to the various convoys executing General Westmoreland’s redeployment of troops around I Corps, and could be rapidly made available if needed.

Type: Anti-Aircraft Gun
Caliber: .50 BMG
Rate of Fire: 2,300 rpm
Crew: 1
Range: 5,000 feet
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1943

E8 Gas Launcher

The E8 Gas Launcher is a deployable, single use CS gas deployment system, intended to be carried on the back of an infantryman. The device is a simple fiberglass launcher that can be placed on a surface with a fold-out stand attached to the 8 tube launcher. The weapon is fired by pulling a cord, creating an electrical spark to ignite the propellent within, which in turn causes the launcher to begin the rapid dispersal of 64 canisters of CS gas (8 canisters per tube) at a target. A small cache of these launchers was located at an ARVN depot in the triangle, among various other munitions.

Type: Gas Launcher
Caliber: 35mm CS Gas Canister
Rate of Fire: 20s to fire all canisers
Crew: 1
Range: 250 meters
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1967

M40 Recoiless Rifle

Developed to replace older recoilless rifles, but predating emplaced anti-tank guided missles, the M40 was a 105m recoilless rifle, commonly called the “106mm” to avoid confusion with the older 105mm designs, which did not share ammunition. These weapons had been introduced as an anti-tank weapon, but such targets were uncommon in Vietnam. The weapon was instead used due to its ability to be mounted to a wide variety of vehicles, including jeeps and mechanical mules. Its ability to accurately destroy fortified positions and structures was well appreciated, and would come into great effect against the well built structures of Hue.

Type: Recoilless Anti-Tank Rifle
Caliber: 105mm
Rate of Fire: 1 rpm
Crew: 4
Range: 1,350 meters
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1955

M29 Mortar

A lighter replacement for the World War II era M1 81mm mortar, the M29 retained the same caliber and was in widespread service by both the US Military and the ARVN in early 1968. One of the most commonly encountered light artillery weapons in the Vietnam conflict, the M29 would see service will the US Army, US Marine Corps and ARVN during the fighting in and around Hue, as well as captured examples in use by the NVA and VC.

Type: Mortar
Caliber: 81mm
Rate of Fire: 12 rpm (Maximum)
Crew: 5
Range: 4,700 meters
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1952

M101 105mm Howitzer

The M101 howitzer had been introduced into US service during the Second World War, and remained the primary towed artillery piece of the United States Military in early 1968. Originally designated the M2A1, it had been renamed the M101 in 1962 when the designation system for artillery was revised. The M101 is a fairly heavy but very durable weapon, and is capable of putting 105mm shells on target with great accuracy. These weapons were during the fighting in Hue available in USMC batteries at the Phu Bai Combat Base, US Army batteries at Camp Evans and PK17, and by an ARVN battery also at PK17.

Type: Howitzer
Rate of Fire: 10 rpm (Maximum)
Crew: 8
Range: 11,270 meters
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1941

M110 Self Propelled 8 inch Howitzer

A heavy siege howitzer first deployed in the Second World War, like its smaller cousin mentioned above, the M115 had originally been known as the M1. Design work had begun just after the end of the Great War, and it had served throughout the Second World War as well as in Korea. In Vietnam the weapon was primarily seen as a component of the M110 self propelled gun. These constituted the largest artillery weapons available to the SEATO forces in the conflict, and were deployed to both Phu Bai and PK17 when needed.

Type: Self-Propelled Howitzer
Caliber: 115mm (8 inch)
Rate of Fire: 1.5 rpm
Crew: 13
Range: 14 miles
Country of Origin: United States
Year: 1963

Walter Gurske