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Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc
A history of one of the least known and most misunderstood battles in the Vietnam War.The strategic potential of the three-day attack of two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regiments on Kham Duc, a remote and isolated Army Special Forces camp, on the eve of the first Paris peace talks in May 1968, was so significant that former President Lyndon Johnson included it in his memoirs. This gripping, original, eyewitness narrative and thoroughly researched analysis of a widely misinterpreted battle at the height of the Vietnam War radically contradicts all the other published accounts of it. In addition to the tactical details of the combat narrative, the authors consider the grand strategies and political contexts of the U.S. and North Vietnamese leaders.Praise for The Battle of Kham Duc“This book is a must read for any Vietnam historian or veteran.” —Patrick Brady, Major General, USA (ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient“For an authentic, detailed view of how large battles between U.S. combined-arms forces and regular North Vietnamese Army forces were fought in Vietnam in 1968, The Battle of Kham Duc is required reading.” —General H. Hugh Shelton, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff“This first-hand, exhaustively documented account of a large battle in the Vietnam War shows the decisive role of air power in all its forms.” —Carl Schneider, Major General, USAF (ret.)“One of those rare historical narratives that explains in rich detail a battle that was little understood or reported on at the time it was fought but was of strategic importance and heroic dimension.” —Marine Corps Gazette“The account of the battle is both detailed and exceptionally well-written; McLeroy’s participation in the battle adds authenticity to the narrative.... Highly recommended for anyone interested in how large-scale battles were fought in Vietnam at the height of U.S. commitment on the ground there.” —Journal of Military History
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 1, 2022
A fairly detailed (at many points too detailed) telling of the Battles of Ngok Tavak and Kham Duc. The authors have done an exhaustive study of this subject and it shows; however in their attempt to write a truly comprehensive account, the book often gets bogged down in minutiae. As a result, the narrative of this book becomes very difficult to follow at many points.
The authors, both Vietnam veterans, attempt to be objective but fail miserably. I have talked to many Vietnam vets throughout the years, and I have found that their anger often vacillates between two basic arguments: first, they will express their anger at being sent to fight an unwinnable and pointless war – a legitimate position, I might add. Then they will switch to an argument of, “we could have won the war if _______” and the “ifs” always vary: if only the US had bombed North Vietnam more; if only the public back at home hadn’t lost hope; if only Johnson or Nixon had done this or that; if only the media hadn’t portrayed the war as unwinnable… on and on. These are, of course, variations of the incorrect position. The fact of the matter is that the Vietnam War was a conflict that the United States never should have gotten itself involved in; a completely avoidable tragedy in which millions of people were killed, all for nothing.
The authors of this book do not hide their biases, and blame everyone for the US’ failure in Vietnam. They blame Lyndon Johnson, they blame the American media and journalists, they blame Pham Xuan An (a South Vietnamese double agent of miniscule influence), and they can’t help but take stabs at the supposed hypocrisy of antiwar demonstrators back home in the US (ignoring the fact that many of these antiwar demonstrators were returned Vietnam vets). They blame Johnson for not “end[ing] the war quickly and conventionally with a massive air and land campaign against the NVA in the DRV [North Vietnam], Laos, and Cambodia.” I’m sorry, what are these guys smoking? "If only we'd... invaded all of Southeast Asia!" Okay, buddy.
The authors cannot hide their loathing for their former enemies, and have no problem calling North Vietnam a “totalitarian police state,” but in the same breath will explain away the cruelties and undemocratic tyranny of the South’s government, saying, “all governments in all wars for national survival, including the US government under Lincoln in the American Civil War, are necessarily authoritarian.” The hypocrisy of this position - that that same reasoning applies to the North - is apparently lost on them. They argue that the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was a legitimate entity and not a foreign-controlled puppet, and compare it to “the two Koreas and the two Germanys,” ignoring that those other two countries had been summarily divided up by foreign powers and were not organic national entities either.
Other Freudian slips such as “the Socialist French Government” (that sure would surprise the French) or calling the US media “viscerally anti-anti-communist” (huh?) are too frequent to mention. And while the sources they cite are exhaustive (these two definitely did their homework) at one point in their chapter about the PAVN they cite the book The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh. This wouldn’t be an issue if that book weren’t a novel – a piece of fiction loosely based on the author’s experience as a PAVN soldier. Not exactly what I’d call scholarly research. There are also scattered editing mistakes here and there, but they don’t detract too much.
Despite their strong biases, McLeroy and Sanders still do a decent job of explaining the equipment, tactics and strategy employed by both sides during these battles, and if you can wade through all their propaganda and nonsensical opinions, you will come out with a better understanding of this fairly unknown and hitherto underreported subject.
The authors, both Vietnam veterans, attempt to be objective but fail miserably. I have talked to many Vietnam vets throughout the years, and I have found that their anger often vacillates between two basic arguments: first, they will express their anger at being sent to fight an unwinnable and pointless war – a legitimate position, I might add. Then they will switch to an argument of, “we could have won the war if _______” and the “ifs” always vary: if only the US had bombed North Vietnam more; if only the public back at home hadn’t lost hope; if only Johnson or Nixon had done this or that; if only the media hadn’t portrayed the war as unwinnable… on and on. These are, of course, variations of the incorrect position. The fact of the matter is that the Vietnam War was a conflict that the United States never should have gotten itself involved in; a completely avoidable tragedy in which millions of people were killed, all for nothing.
The authors of this book do not hide their biases, and blame everyone for the US’ failure in Vietnam. They blame Lyndon Johnson, they blame the American media and journalists, they blame Pham Xuan An (a South Vietnamese double agent of miniscule influence), and they can’t help but take stabs at the supposed hypocrisy of antiwar demonstrators back home in the US (ignoring the fact that many of these antiwar demonstrators were returned Vietnam vets). They blame Johnson for not “end[ing] the war quickly and conventionally with a massive air and land campaign against the NVA in the DRV [North Vietnam], Laos, and Cambodia.” I’m sorry, what are these guys smoking? "If only we'd... invaded all of Southeast Asia!" Okay, buddy.
The authors cannot hide their loathing for their former enemies, and have no problem calling North Vietnam a “totalitarian police state,” but in the same breath will explain away the cruelties and undemocratic tyranny of the South’s government, saying, “all governments in all wars for national survival, including the US government under Lincoln in the American Civil War, are necessarily authoritarian.” The hypocrisy of this position - that that same reasoning applies to the North - is apparently lost on them. They argue that the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was a legitimate entity and not a foreign-controlled puppet, and compare it to “the two Koreas and the two Germanys,” ignoring that those other two countries had been summarily divided up by foreign powers and were not organic national entities either.
Other Freudian slips such as “the Socialist French Government” (that sure would surprise the French) or calling the US media “viscerally anti-anti-communist” (huh?) are too frequent to mention. And while the sources they cite are exhaustive (these two definitely did their homework) at one point in their chapter about the PAVN they cite the book The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh. This wouldn’t be an issue if that book weren’t a novel – a piece of fiction loosely based on the author’s experience as a PAVN soldier. Not exactly what I’d call scholarly research. There are also scattered editing mistakes here and there, but they don’t detract too much.
Despite their strong biases, McLeroy and Sanders still do a decent job of explaining the equipment, tactics and strategy employed by both sides during these battles, and if you can wade through all their propaganda and nonsensical opinions, you will come out with a better understanding of this fairly unknown and hitherto underreported subject.
March 7, 2023
Excellent Story On The Battle Fro Kham Duc In 1968
Khamenei Duc was an outpost near the South Vietnam/Laos border was. It was a base camp used by US and allied armies to train soldiers on how to infiltrate Laos and monitor the Hochi Min Trail. The NVA sent two regiments against a battalion of men and special forces troops and the Vietnamese Cadre they were trying and a few miscellaneous American army and marines that were there. Well worthwhile to read especially if you are interested in not only the battle but also what led upto the battle and what followed after complete with an unbiased (in my opinion) critic of both sides failures and victories.
Khamenei Duc was an outpost near the South Vietnam/Laos border was. It was a base camp used by US and allied armies to train soldiers on how to infiltrate Laos and monitor the Hochi Min Trail. The NVA sent two regiments against a battalion of men and special forces troops and the Vietnamese Cadre they were trying and a few miscellaneous American army and marines that were there. Well worthwhile to read especially if you are interested in not only the battle but also what led upto the battle and what followed after complete with an unbiased (in my opinion) critic of both sides failures and victories.
July 21, 2020
A Complete and Readable Overview of a Forgotten Battle
This is an account of a single battle in 1968 Vietnam; a three-day fight that could have easily become an American Cannae. That it did not is a testament to the heroism, toughness, and ingenuity of US Special Forces, Regular Army, Air Force and Navy servicemen. And luck. Luck was a big factor in this engagement.
Not as engagaing as "We Were Soldiers Once", it is still a riveting account of terrible sacrifice, foolish decision-making, and remarkable performance by a US military fighting a series of one-year wars over the course of seven years. It will be of particular interest to combat veterans, who will reaadily grasp the tumult behind the descriptions of the battle.
This is an account of a single battle in 1968 Vietnam; a three-day fight that could have easily become an American Cannae. That it did not is a testament to the heroism, toughness, and ingenuity of US Special Forces, Regular Army, Air Force and Navy servicemen. And luck. Luck was a big factor in this engagement.
Not as engagaing as "We Were Soldiers Once", it is still a riveting account of terrible sacrifice, foolish decision-making, and remarkable performance by a US military fighting a series of one-year wars over the course of seven years. It will be of particular interest to combat veterans, who will reaadily grasp the tumult behind the descriptions of the battle.
May 8, 2020
This is an interesting read. If it is accurate it is the most researched book I’ve ever read on a major combat action. This book includes names of just about everybody involved including pilots copilots members of the special forces and SOG and the Americal divisions infantry Battalion, etc. etc. still leaves me wondering as I was in Kontum with the 2d Squadron 1st Cavalry Regt. from Jan-Apr 68 and then south along Hwy 19 & was not aware of this battle at all.
September 27, 2020
Excellent account of little known battle
I found this to be a very good summary of the battles in the borders of Viet Nam during the mini Yet offensive of May 1968. The writers pull no punches in describing the mistake made leading up to the battles and the role of MACV in letting the camps become a target of the NVA so as to be venerable to massive air power in pursuit of its " strategy " of attrition.
I found this to be a very good summary of the battles in the borders of Viet Nam during the mini Yet offensive of May 1968. The writers pull no punches in describing the mistake made leading up to the battles and the role of MACV in letting the camps become a target of the NVA so as to be venerable to massive air power in pursuit of its " strategy " of attrition.
May 4, 2020
Could smell the stench as soon as I began the book!
I beg forgiveness if I am wrong, but this literally reeked of propaganda! I couldn't even stomach it enough to get more than a few pages in. Again I may be speaking out of ignorance, but I am now going to ask for my money back. Go ahead and hate on me all you want, I just can't deny my gut feelings here.
I beg forgiveness if I am wrong, but this literally reeked of propaganda! I couldn't even stomach it enough to get more than a few pages in. Again I may be speaking out of ignorance, but I am now going to ask for my money back. Go ahead and hate on me all you want, I just can't deny my gut feelings here.
September 12, 2022
Incredibly detailed story of American military leaders to use American soldiers as bait to draw NVA soldiers and hopefully destroy them with air power. While the mission was largely successful it resulted in dozens of American aircraft to be lost and several hundred soldiers and pilots to be killed. In the final analysis it was another of many FUBARs by our military. Sickening.
October 5, 2023
Communication is hard and in war or more specifically battles, it is almost impossible and that theme runs throughout this text. The more I read on the history of our (America's) involvement in Vietnam the more I am convinced we should have never sunk ourselves into that quagmire. Well worth the read.
November 10, 2020
Well researched history
Quite detailed, some editorial opinion, a great history lesson on Kham Duc and the war. You must read the glossary, footnotes and illustrated presentation at the end. I recommend this book to any serious student or veteran of the war.
Quite detailed, some editorial opinion, a great history lesson on Kham Duc and the war. You must read the glossary, footnotes and illustrated presentation at the end. I recommend this book to any serious student or veteran of the war.
January 19, 2020
You are there!
Good to hear the story from the warrior not the REMF. Too many valuable lives thrown away. America lost a generation of heroic young men and women.
Good to hear the story from the warrior not the REMF. Too many valuable lives thrown away. America lost a generation of heroic young men and women.
May 20, 2020
Incredible account of a battle that involved a multitude of moving parts. The additional information surrounding the influence on the media on the Military War effort, the interaction of different branches of the military, levels of command, SOG, Special Forces, Artillery and Infantry and details pertaining to individuals before, during and after the Battle was detailed and informative. Great book and a good one for any military history buff or enthusiast.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews