Combat Tips from Malcolm W. Browne

As Saigon bureau chief for the Associated Press during the Vietnam War in the early 1960s, Malcolm W. Browne produced "A Short Guide to News Coverage in Viet Nam," offering journalists on everything from news sources to trust to common weapons used in the field. 

Browne warned those daring to report from the battlefront that coverage in South Vietnam required "aggressiveness, resourcefulness and, at times, methods uncomfortably close to those used by professional intelligence units. You can expect very little help from most official sources, and news comes the hard way."

Fellow AP newsman Peter Arnett, who worked with Browne in Saigon, became enamored with the twenty-four-page guide Browne had prepared. Arnett had heard of the guide through the AP rumor mill, with most of the comments about it negative, especially from veteran newsmen “who figured they had nothing left to learn.” Arnett, however, believed that Browne’s pamphlet contained the finest journalism instruction he had ever received and added that if “the military had anything similar it would be classified!”

Browne warned rookie reporters that Vietnam had three seasons--the hot season, the monsoon season, and the dry season. In the field, a light sweater and poncho or plastic raincoats were advisable to wear in the Highlands, especially in the dry and monsoon seasons. "In some mountain areas blankets are needed at night," he noted.

If a correspondent planned on accompanying a one-day operation, Browne wrote that he should have on hand at least a pistol belt with an attached canteen and case. "A jack knife, film and some candy are useful," he added, adding that the candy helped to fill the long hours between meals and often pleased the children in villages.

For longer operations, Browne recommended the following equipment:

A GI field pack, or its equivalent.

A camouflaged mosquito net (not a white one).

Canteen with case, jack knife, C-Ration can opener.

Assorted canned or packaged food, especially canned meat, enough to last as least one day. 

A rubber air mattress, if obtainable; otherwise a ground cloth.

Several pairs of socks, some underwear, and a white shirt, if there's room.

Toilet items, including towel and soap.

A ample supply of toilet paper.

A small flashlight.

Mosquito repellent.

A light blanket, if season and area indicate it.

An aid pack.

A bottle of halizone water purification tablets.

Aspirin.

Matches or lighter, if you smoke. Candy.

A suitable map.

Money and identification papers.

Optionally, a pocket pistol.

When faced with a combat situation, Browne advised reporters to always react to them as a soldier would, especially doing everything they could to keep themselves alive and unwounded. He also advised the following:

"Try to keep in good physical condition so you can march or run for a reasonable distance. You might have to save your life doing this at some point. You should know how to swim. Canals and ditches often are above your head.

If you hear a shot and think it’s not from your own side, don’t get up and look around to see where it came from. The second shot might get you. Lie prone under fire, and move only on your belly. Look for cover and move toward it.

When moving with troops DO NOT stay close to the head of a column or the 'point man' in a formation. Professional soldiers are paid to do this. DO NOT stand or march next to a radio man or an aid man. They are prime targets. Stick close to the commander, who is generally in the safest position available. The whole idea of covering an operation is to GET THE NEWS AND PICTURES BACK, not to play soldier yourself.

When moving through enemy territory (a good part of Viet Nam is enemy territory) watch your feet. Spikes, mines, concealed pits and booby traps are everywhere. When possible, step in exactly the same places as the soldier ahead of you. If he wasn’t blown up, you probably won’t be.

If you should get stuck under a mortar barrage or accidental air strike on your own side, the best place to be is under ground. Holes are better than nothing. Most Vietnamese huts have roots cellars inside them, which offer fairly good cover.

Do not pick up Viet Cong flags or other souvenirs from hay stacks, tree branches or poles. They are often booby-trapped with grenades.

Never be the first to walk into a hut.

Beware of water buffalo. When they get excited they stampede, charge and kill. Vietnamese forces suffer a number of casualties from water buffalo. Don't be mislead by seeing children playing on their backs; children and buffalo are friends."