applicable in whole or in part for U . S . forces in current and future conflicts . Lt . Col . Andrew M . Johnson , U . S . Army , Retired , Fort Leavenworth , Kansas
THE BATTLE OF AN LOC James H . Willbanks , Indiana University Press , Bloomington , Indiana , 2015 , 256 pages
Many books are written about the Vietnam War , but few are as poignant and relevant to the current global security situation as The Battle of An Loc . This well-written account of a style of battle that is playing out every day in the Middle East is relevant for U . S . advisors and our Middle Eastern allies . The Battle of An Loc is not just a riveting account of the event itself . James Willbanks ’ s work provides background that enables those without a full understanding of the sociopolitical factors that led up to the battle to appreciate the effect it had on the Paris Peace Accords .
The author explores many topics of concern today , as the U . S . military redeploys to Iraq to battle the Islamic State . One such issue is the often-thorny relationship between the soldiers being advised and their advisors . The Battle of An Loc highlights the struggle of the United States to provide meaningful assistance to allies while simultaneously trying to extricate itself from an unpopular war abroad . The issue was one of maintaining a small troop presence and yet providing a link between U . S . airpower and the Vietnamese troops bearing the burden of the casualties in a seemingly endless war . The tale illustrates the challenges advisors faced in mentoring their allied counterparts , integrating air support into an operation , and propping up the flagging morale of allied troops in the face of overwhelming odds .
Filled with gritty details of sacrifice and bravery , one cannot help but feel immersed in this desperate battle . Unlike other books that are character centric , the author weaves in many details of the tactics employed by both forces , and he places the reader at the heart of the various commanders ’ decision-making processes . One example is a detailed account of the responsibilities that were assigned to the various pilots during the defense ; from the B-52 bombers attacking marshalling areas to the AH-1 attack helicopters destroying enemy tanks in the city center , the narrative helps readers feel as if they were in the battle . The actions of the brave Vietnamese troops and U . S . Army and Air Force aviators chronicled in this work underscore the great feats that can be achieved with an effective security cooperation relationship .
The volume and depth of the sources that were used in the making of the book were impressive . The author included North Vietnamese and official U . S . Army records to accurately paint the entire picture of the battle , describing the objectives of both forces . Also included are an impressive array of maps and diagrams to assist the reader in understanding the battlefield geometry .
In the end , the author leads the reader through analysis of the strategic-level implications of the battle of An Loc and a judgement on the effectiveness of Vietnamization that , ironically , sealed the country ’ s fate . Willbanks addresses the hazard posed in withdrawing U . S . troops and their awesome firepower out of a country before it was ready to assume responsibility for conducting a war . The underlying message of the book is that the challenges posed by politically appointed commanders , inept leadership , and tactical incompetence at higher levels can all be overcome with American airpower and advisors , tactical leadership , and firepower . This was true in An Loc , and yet the verdict is still out for the similar struggles we wage overseas . A must read for those in the military profession , Willbanks ’ s account of this seminal battle has many facets that are worthy of discussion and emulation . Eric McGraw , Fort Leavenworth , Kansas
BLACK CAT 2-1 The True Story of a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and His Crew Bob Ford , Brown Books Publishing Group , Dallas , Texas , 2015 , 276 pages
The UH-1 Huey helicopter is an icon of the Vietnam War . Black Cat 2-1 is Bob Ford ’ s autobiography describing his year as a UH-1
136 November-December 2016
MILITARY REVIEW