The southernmost region of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
encompassed the vast Mekong River Delta, and area covering 10,190
square miles. Three major rivers run through the Delta, the Song
Hou Giang (aka Bassac) and the Song Mekong, which broke into three
large rivers (Song My Tho, Ham Luong, and Go Chien). The Nhon Trach
delineated the Delta's eastern edge. In all there were some 1,500
miles of natural navigable waterways and 2,500 miles of man-made
canals and channels. The canal system was begun in 800 AD and its
expansion continued up to World War II. The nation's capital,
Saigon, lies on the Delta's northern edge. Few roads and highways
served the region with sampans and other small watercraft via the
canals being the main means of transportation.
At least 70,000 Viet Cong (VC) were scattered over the area
controlling up to a quarter of the population. Three Army of the
Republic Vietnam (ARVN) divisions as well as various paramilitary
forces battled the VC in the marshes, forests, and paddies. In 1965
the military situation in the Delta had deteriorated and the
decision was taken to shore things up by committing a joint Army
and Navy Mobile Riverine Force. This force was unique in its
composition, mission, and the special craft in which it operated.
The Army component was the 2d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division; the
Navy component was River Assault Flotilla One. The various
watercraft assigned to the Mobile Riverine Force are the subject of
this book. These included much-modified landing craft,
purpose-built patrol boats including Swift Boats and Monitors, and
a variety of auxiliary and support vessels. Task Force CLEARWATER,
a much smaller operation in the extremenorthern portion of South
Vietnam, also used these craft.
General
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