Vietnam Riverine Craft 1962–75

Gordon L. Rottman

Jun 2012 · New Vanguard Book 128 · Bloomsbury Publishing

About this ebook

In 1965 the military situation in the Mekong River Delta of southern Vietnam had deteriorated to such a degree that the decision was made to commit a joint US Army and Navy Mobile Riverine Force to the area. This force was unique in its composition, mission, and the means by which it operated – riverine craft. Comprising the Army's 2d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and the Navy's River Assault Flotilla One, it used a variety of watercraft, including heavily modified landing craft, purpose-built patrol boats, and a whole host of auxiliary and support craft. This book explores those craft, and also gives an account of Task Force Clearwater, a much smaller operation in the extreme northern part of South Vietnam.

About the author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a special operations forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Centre for 12 years and is now a freelance writer.

Hugh Johnson is a highly experienced and talented freelance digital illustrator who has completed a number of books for Osprey including New Vanguard 102: T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944–2004, New Vanguard 117: Jeeps 1941–45 and Fortress 030: Fort Eben Emael. He lives in Surrey, UK.