Written by Col. Victor Croizat, USMC, Retd. Blandford Press, LinkHouse, West Street, Poole, Dorset, England BH15 1LL (distributed in the United States by Sterling Publishing Co. ' Inc., 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016) Hardcover, 160 pp., 186 black and white photos, 6 ills., 11 maps (both general & tactical), 5 charts/schematics Glossary, index (no bibliography) Price: $17.95 ISBN 0-7137-1272-4 Audiences: historians of naval and guerrilla warfare and the war in Southeast Asia, researchers, veterans Waterways are a major geographic feature in Southeast Asia, and, not surprisingly, the many rivers and extensive coastline figured prominently in the long guerrilla war fought in South Vietnam. Efforts to protect and control the Mekong Delta, the winding rivers, fishing areas, and cargo routes of Vietnam are examined historically and analytically in this study. Col. Croizat, who advised the forces of South Vietnam and helped draft doctrine on riverine warfare during the involvement by the United States, brings together an impressive body of data on the many types of units, waterborne equipment, and tactics employed in this aspect of the larger conflict. Through a selection of actual combat acccounts, the reader is taken on missions of patrol, resupply, and armed assault by the riverine formations. A recurring theme is that the communists could be denied the use of the rivers and coast of South Vietnam by forces which were properly trained, equipped, and led. Instances of riverine warfare from other eras, such as the American Civil War, are used in comparison with the unique circumstances in Southeast Asia. Both narrative and diagrams help explain the experiences of the French and South Vietnamese navies in this specialized combat. The utilization of the forces of the United States, particularly the U.S. Navy, as advisors and fighting units is explored. Basic logistical vessels, like the barracks ships and LSTs, are not forgotten beside the more glamorous weapons systems such as Swift boats and monitors. The examination of a number of "what ifs", e.g., the deployment of U.S. Marines in the Mekong Delta, enhance the value of this study to anyone interested in riverine warfare and the long conflict in Vietnam. More Book Reviews The Brown Water Navy: The River and Coastal War in Indo-China and Vietnam, 1948-1972 Uniforms of the Indo-China and Vietnam Wars The French Foreign Legion: The Inside Story of the World-Famous Fighting Force Back to Table of Contents -- Game News #8 To Game News List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1985 by Dana Lombardy. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com