ABSTRACT
The Communists also had an active chemical warfare program during the war, although not nearly as developed as the Allies’. Along with a relatively uninspired propaganda program, their initial focus was on defensive preparation to reduce exposure to the “toxic” herbicides used during deforestation operations. Most of the Viet Cong, and many in the North Vietnamese Army, were from rural backgrounds and relatively naive; they were easily frightened by the magic of modern industry. In one instance, shortly after the start of the program, 112 Viet Cong surrendered simply because they heard defoliants would be sprayed in their area. Capitalizing on these fears, the Communists were able to inspire resentment against the South Vietnamese government and its American advisors. They also conducted rudimentary training on the properties and effects of the other common chemical warfare agents stockpiled in the arsenals of both the United States and the Soviet Union. Although the Communist leadership anticipated there might be limited tangible benefit from these programs, the real dividends once again lay in their leverage as a propaganda and recruiting tool. Their focus changed when the United States began supplying South Vietnam with combat munitions filled with riot-control agents.1
