Portraits of Late War NVA & VC
Here are photographs of NVA and VC taken from the Spring Offensive and the Victory Parade for the Liberation of Saigon. The final photograph is from
the author's collection and may not be used without his permission. The others are from sources assumed to be public domain. Note the proliferation of U.S.
M-1956 web Pistol belts and in some cases "H" straps too!
![[IMAGE]](images/zip4.jpg)
Below:
This obviously posed shot is supposed to indicate popular support for the National Liberation Front (VC). Notice how none of the faces in the crowd are
clearly visible save two older men, and a child or female here or there? Could they all be soldiers used as background for a "crowd scene"? Also please note
U.S. M-79 grenade launcher in hands of man at far right of photo.
![[IMAGE]](images/zip3.jpg)
Below:
NVA Regulars on the march. Please note the use of side bags, and pith helmets, also very uniform look of troops. These are either relatively fresh NVA "Grunts"
or are from way up North! ![[IMAGE]](images/zip2.jpg)
Below:
Photograph (from my collection) taken right after Liberation of Saigon Parade in 1975. This is quite the posed shot! These troops wear streamers pinned to their
sleeves, most likely in blue and red to
signify they are a "VC" unit.....the great lie of the war. The VC was effectively wiped out as a significant fighting force after Tet 1968.
The VC units were kept alive in spirit by the practice of designating some new units as VC and by keeping existing VC units
"active" even though their numbers were being now made up of NVA Regulars! This also perpetuated the myth of massive popular support in the South for the North and "Liberation".
Please note use of U.S. pistol belts. ![[IMAGE]](images/zip1.jpg)
I hope to have more sections like this up on the site. Please help me by submitting your photos! I'd like to show what the U.S. "grunt" looked like in the bush!
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