Vietnam Question, Women in Combat?

[Bill Greenwood]

Does anybody have an direct first hand knowledge or any valid research on whether the VC/NVA ever used women as combat soldiers? I don't mean spies, saboteurs, or anything undercover; what I am talking about is regular armed up front combat missions? And not just propaganda? I have never seen or read of this as for as I know, but someone told me this recently.

[skymstr02]

I've seen movies on the History Channel and on the 10,000 Day War were females were on anti-aircraft batteries, and repairing the HoChiMinh Trail after a strike.

[Bill Greenwood]

Yes, I know they did road repairs, etc. and I might recall them on aa batteries. But what I am looking for is front line combat soldiers, and I don''t know of any.

Last edited by Bill Greenwood on Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

[tom d. friedman]

viet cong prostitutes...... meee saw hawny g.i. joe!!

[warbirdcrew]

[JDK]

C'mon guys, Bill's asked a reasonable question. Let's keep it non political. Any sensible answers?

I know the Russians had bomber and fighter units crewed by women in the Great Patriotic War, but I don't know beyond that.

[muddyboots]

I've read of the VC using women numerous times.

[Oscar Duck]

lighten up JDK...

jokes are allowed...

my recollection from the time is that they disguised themselves as bar girls and stole money from me..

Yes the VC were known to use females. The NVA units in the South were guys however NVA in North used them in many combat related activities..

[Bill Greenwood]

I had a reason for asking, something a vet was supposed to have seen. And I am talking about actual armed combat female soldiers, not "combat related", spies, or anything like that. So far it it like trying to find Big Foot, some rumors, but no proof.
It doesn't matter if a country was desperate or fanatical. The Russians had women as combat pilots, the Japanese did not use them in combat. I can't find any proof that the VC/NVA did. Sadaam did not.
I don't mind it being "political", especially since my side just won the Superbowl. It is the other side that wants to restrict discussion, not me. They are a bit touchy these days.
Oscar Duck, I don't mind humor either. I had a friend, Major Giles, who did his second tour in Nam rather than spend another winter in Minot. I don't know about the bars, but he liked the Vietnamese food.
I would like to ask Warbirdcrew one question since he put the Jane Fonda photo up. I have read vets blame her for the mistreatment of American POWs after she visited them. Do you believe that?

[Oscar Duck]

Jane, who I know and is actually a fantastic lady, got caught up in the politics of the day. Her actions then, for which she has apologised on numerous occassions, wern't smart. I don't know if there is any evidence that her actions caused direct "hurt" to POW's. It became a propaganda coup for the North rather than having the effect she had hoped for which was to help end a stupid war..

Bill, try this: http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/tayvie.html