Vietnam War Raw Footage: Activities of the 1st Infantry Division - Part 1 (1968)

March 18, 1968 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0700615520?ie=UTF8&tag=doc06-20&link... Watch the full film: http://thefilmarchived.blogspot.com/2010/10/ietnam-war-raw-footage-activities...

Contrary to what some people suggested, Lyndon Johnson did not intend to keep escalating until his last day in office. Given his major interests were domestic, and that the war interfered with his domestic focus, he was eager to free his programs from the war — if he could find a way that he considered politically acceptable. Coincidentally, in 1967, Kissinger attended an Pugwash Conference of scientists interested in nuclear disarmament. Two participants approached Kissinger and offered a disavowable means of communicating American thoughts to the Communist leadership. In particular, Raymond Aubrac, an official of the World Health Organization, knew Ho Chi Minh and would carry a message to him.

After discussing the matter with Assistant Secretary of State William Bundy and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, a message was sent. After a ritualized condemnation, Ho said he would be willing to negotiate if the U.S. Operation Rolling Thunder bombing of the North ceased. Mai Van Bo, Hanoi's diplomatic representative in Paris, was named a point of contact. Since Hanoi would not communicate with an American official without a bombing halt, Kissinger served as an intermediary. Johnson made a speech, in San Antonio on September 29, offering the possibility of talks. They were rejected, although brought it up again in 1967.

The resignation of Lyndon Johnson did not end the war. In fact, it was actually escalated until it spread throughout the whole of Southeast Asia. While the Tet Offensive proved to be a military victory for the US and ARVN, it was a political and media disaster. Public support began to erode as Americans started to question the handling of the conflict. Others doubted Westmoreland's ability to command, leading to his replacement in June 1968, by General Creighton Abrams.

While the true strategic intent of the Tet Offensive of January 1968 is still debated, it clearly had an impact om American politics. In February, Walter Cronkite, then the most respected newsman in the U.S., announced he saw potential for nothing better than a stalemate. Other members of the press added to the call to retrench. President Johnson's popularity plummeted and he announced a bombing halt on March 31, simultaneously announcing he would not run for re-election. Ultimately, it was the media's reaction and stressing of a widening "credibility gap" that did the most damage to the Johnson Administration's efforts. Noted reporters, such as Walter Cronkite, began to openly criticize Johnson and the military leadership, as well as called for negotiated end to the war. Though he had low expectations, on May 10, 1968, Johnson conceded and the peace talks between U. S. and North Vietnamese officials began in Paris. But the bloody war on the ground continued.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Vietnam
• War
• 1st
• Infantry
• Division
• raw
• footage
• movie

[153989DaViD]

it doesnt matter if it has sound, my grandad cant hear anyway,..he lost it in this war, he watched this with me, and something strange happened, he jumped when there was an explosion and flinched when there was gun fire, he could hear every thing clear as day when he watched this.

[chazmology]

@MrErnieb01 I'm a Viet - Vet to my man! This is awesome footage. Glad you made it out alive. All these people do not understand whats really up in the world.....WE DO!

[stayblazed954]

i did 6 yrs in iraq 2nd batt my father was in nam and i was looking up videos for iraq firefights just to get that feeling again and my dad asked me to look up nam videos came accross this he watched it for 20sec and got up and said never mind he was the one his platoon sent down in those rat tunnels.. heard alot of nasty stories from him and he lost 3 fingers on his left hand when he was over ranned by 3 vc in the dark one had a machete took 3 of his fingers he left with thier brains on his fac

[blackflag1011]

@MrErnieb01 i think your full of shit.

[MrErnieb01]

I was there , I am the guy enplacing the 105 MM gun, What a battle there it were pure hell, Sgt Byrd

[cobolsaurus]

Was this 35 mm?

[wh306]

it almost doesnt need sound

[123itisfree]

I'd be able to hear this if it had sound .

[ANtr43]

interesting