Why didn't the gunner need to sight targets in Vietnam jungle warfare, and what role did they play instead?


 If you are referring to an Infantry platoon in the jungle, the target, for the most part was concealed in thick vegetation and very close by. Usually the “bad guys” would ambush us from within 30 feet away and our nighttime ambushes were even closer!

We were trained to “point” our weapons to the sound, moving vegetation and very rarely actual targets. Reflexes and returning fire (fire power) is what made a big difference in our success in breaking off one of their ambushes.

There was no need to “site “ our weapons because the enemy was so close most of the time! Note, my rifle with a sling, ready to fire instantly

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