The war in Vietnam saw the loss of numerous helicopters through surface to air missiles, fighter interception and antiaircraft artillery, among other means. Others went down in unclear circumstances. The death toll rose by the day with numerous and fascinating stories about the Vietnam War helicopter crashes.
According to some analysts, a significant number of helicopters crashed due to errors in command. Others claim that there was a supremacy battle between Air Force and Army pilots which made it difficult to control the airspace. This is regarded among the most guarded secrets of this war alongside the extent of losses.
Deaths emanating from crashed helicopters were also high compared to other causes. Some reports place the figure at over ten percent. Two months nicknamed Lam Son 719 are said to have witnessed the hugest losses. The incidences accounted for over ten percent of total losses between 1961 and 1975. The period was too short for such a huge loss and points at undercurrents that occasioned the loss.
Death around helicopters was not necessarily due to a crash. In some cases, the crew was attacked while on rescue mission. They were either recovering equipment or crew that had been shot down. Such incidences caused a significant rise in the number of casualties. It has made it difficult to enumerate the actual crashes from such attacks. This explains the controversy in the numbers of accidents involving helicopters and their crew.
The statistics about Vietnam War do not only deal with crashing helicopters. Some sections have claimed that more bombs were dropped during the war than during the Second World War. It is said that Quang Tri had more bombs dropped than Europe witnessed during WWII. This created what came to be referred to as the moonscape. A large area of this province is now inhabitable.
The jungle that witnessed the war is expansive, making it difficult to trace the crashed helicopters. Veterans narrate of the possibility of getting lost within 20 meters of entering the forest. There are wild animals as deadly as cobras, tigers and crocodiles to deal with. The best option is Ho Chi Minh City which has a well kept museum with military gear and crashed aircraft recovered from battle fields.
An interesting story from this war involved a master in biology graduate from Tufts University. Paul Zabriski had taken a two years break between graduate and dental school. This decision would change his life forever. He lost his deferment opportunity after being drafted into the army. The story gets more intriguing with his narration of how he survived four crashes. He will never forget the advice from an army personnel officer who helped him begin the recruitment process.
2013 also saw the identification and decent send-off of a soldier who went missing in 1970. His remains were identified through circumstantial and forensic evidence and interred at the Arlington National Cemetery. He died in a crash that involved five other soldiers where only one survived. He was in a list of 807 soldiers who were yet to be accounted for.
According to some analysts, a significant number of helicopters crashed due to errors in command. Others claim that there was a supremacy battle between Air Force and Army pilots which made it difficult to control the airspace. This is regarded among the most guarded secrets of this war alongside the extent of losses.
Deaths emanating from crashed helicopters were also high compared to other causes. Some reports place the figure at over ten percent. Two months nicknamed Lam Son 719 are said to have witnessed the hugest losses. The incidences accounted for over ten percent of total losses between 1961 and 1975. The period was too short for such a huge loss and points at undercurrents that occasioned the loss.
Death around helicopters was not necessarily due to a crash. In some cases, the crew was attacked while on rescue mission. They were either recovering equipment or crew that had been shot down. Such incidences caused a significant rise in the number of casualties. It has made it difficult to enumerate the actual crashes from such attacks. This explains the controversy in the numbers of accidents involving helicopters and their crew.
The statistics about Vietnam War do not only deal with crashing helicopters. Some sections have claimed that more bombs were dropped during the war than during the Second World War. It is said that Quang Tri had more bombs dropped than Europe witnessed during WWII. This created what came to be referred to as the moonscape. A large area of this province is now inhabitable.
The jungle that witnessed the war is expansive, making it difficult to trace the crashed helicopters. Veterans narrate of the possibility of getting lost within 20 meters of entering the forest. There are wild animals as deadly as cobras, tigers and crocodiles to deal with. The best option is Ho Chi Minh City which has a well kept museum with military gear and crashed aircraft recovered from battle fields.
An interesting story from this war involved a master in biology graduate from Tufts University. Paul Zabriski had taken a two years break between graduate and dental school. This decision would change his life forever. He lost his deferment opportunity after being drafted into the army. The story gets more intriguing with his narration of how he survived four crashes. He will never forget the advice from an army personnel officer who helped him begin the recruitment process.
2013 also saw the identification and decent send-off of a soldier who went missing in 1970. His remains were identified through circumstantial and forensic evidence and interred at the Arlington National Cemetery. He died in a crash that involved five other soldiers where only one survived. He was in a list of 807 soldiers who were yet to be accounted for.
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