The Vietnam War

Short History Of...

Noiser

History

4.8 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 6 October 2024

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The battle for Vietnam waged between the communist-ruled North of the country, and the US-backed south, lasted almost 20 years, from 1955. It spilled over into neighbouring countries, and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 3.8 million people - half of them civilians. It was a brutal, un-winnable conflict, which reshaped global geopolitics. But how did what might have been a little local trouble in Southeast Asia evolve into an international conflict? Why did the rise of an anti-colonial, national movement prompt such a ferocious playing out of the Cold War? And what were its consequences? This is a Short History Of The Vietnam War. A Noiser Production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Max Hastings, a historian of the Vietnam War, and a former foreign correspondent in the country. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:30.4	It's the 18th of May 1969 in the Central Region of Vietnam, not far from the border with
0:36.3	Lau. In a large valley, a young American GI in jungle green fatigues, and a steel pot helmet struggles uphill 937,
0:47.1	named for its elevation in meters above sea level.
0:51.0	His ears buzz with the sound of artillery fire, his vision blurry from the torrential rain and sweat pouring down his face.
0:58.0	Alongside the 1800 or so soldiers from the US Army,
1:02.0	are men from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam,
1:05.4	the military that rules the southern part of the country.
1:08.8	The aim is to wrestle control of the hill from the enemy fighters from the Communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam,
1:14.8	which rules the North. For eight days, the GI and his comrades have tried and failed to take the hill.
1:22.4	And as he fights through the dense jungle,
1:24.7	passed thick bamboo and razor-sharp waist-high elephant grass,
1:28.9	there's little confidence that today will be much different. His muscles burn as he swings his machete through the vegetation.
1:37.0	Up above, the whir of helicopter blades adds to the bewildering cacophony.
1:42.0	Yard by yard. adds to the bewildering cacophony.
1:43.0	Yard by yard, he battles up the hill until he comes to a clearing the summit in sight.
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