The Sources 1. Extract
“If I left (the war in Vietnam) and let the Communists take over South Vietnam, then I would be seen as a coward and my nation would be seen as an appeaser, and we would both find it impossible to accomplish anything for anybody anywhere in the entire world.”
USA President Lyndon B. Johnson – 1964

2. An evening with Hanoi Hanna
Ms Trinh Thi Ngo, North Vietnam’s chief female radio propagandist during the war was labelled ‘Hanoi Hanna’ by the American troops. In fact there were many ‘Hannas – all females with persuasive voices – who saturated radio frequencies easily found by American soldiers in the field. Hanoi Hanna always operated at night and continually focused on conditions in Vietnam and the American homefront. Hanna’s primary goal was to destabilise the emotions and fortitude of the US troops. The following is an extract from one of her broadcasts:
‘... Intelligent American GIs, why have you come to Vietnam? Your government has betrayed you. There is nothing noble about your mission. There is no reason why you should be here. You will never defeat the forces of our Fatherland. The French never learned, will you? Do you miss your families and homes? There are questioning why you are here. In America there is no unity there is violence, there is protest against you. Why are you here? When you sit alone at night and think of your loved ones, our gallant soldiers are watching you. You cannot escape. Do you have a watch, American servicemen? Look at it, the minutes are ticking away. Soon your time will stop in Vietnam. You will be killed when you least expect it. Your imperialist government will never defeat us. Our soldiers are politically motivated and strong. You are weak. You have no cause. No one wants you here. Why do you stay? Tell your officers you want to go home, GI. Tell them you will not fight anymore. Tell them you