"Best book about Riverine warfare?" Topic

Now that I am on my way with my ARVN armor I was wondering if the helpful people on TMP could recommend the best book for a gamer/modeler about riverine warfare?

Thanks

Joe

Couldn't say if it's the best or not, but I really like the only one I have by Squadron/Signal: Riverine: a Pictorial History of the Brown Water War in Vietnam

link

I can recommend the Concord pictorial booklet The Vietnam Brown Water Navy. Although I don't have it, I see that there is an Osprey Vanguard.

For a history, there is Brown Water, Black Berets.

"Papa Bravo Romeo" by Wynn Goldsmith. A personal memoir with quite a number of interesting (and probably gameable) actions.

Go here – link

and here – PDF link

B

"The Brown Water Navy" by Victor Croizat.

Thank you all for the responses! those look like some great leads. I will start with the Signal book since I found it on EBAY for $10 USD and it covers from 1950-1975.
Will let you know.
Thanks again

Joe

I bought "War in the Shallows" a while back but I have not started it yet.

Joe,
I also found "Armor in Vietnam" on Ebay, if your looking for armor regarding ARVN forces, there is also the "M41 Walker Bulldog". There are two versions of them, the 2nd is 'M41 a Walk Around" both are by Squadron Signal Publications and Osprey has "Vietnam Riverine Craft 1962-1975".

Joe,

Vietnam Ironclads: A pictorial history of U.S. Navy river assault craft,1966-1970 by John M. Carrico. Lots of pictures and useful info.

Jim

Thank you all for the additional info. My Signal book arrived today; look really good with lots of pictures AND writing. Also set up a small scenario with an Alpha and Tango entering a town ( My Tho) during Tet.

Thanks again

Joe

Hi guys! I recently joined TMP, for SYW rules purposes, but I also decided to check out the Vietnam boards, especially this one,as I have been working on a Brown Water Navy game (20mm) myself. As a semi-retired military historian, here are my two cents worth on good books for the BWN. Out of all those mentioned and ones I have read, by far the best on the history, organization, operations, boats and personal accounts is War in the Shallows, by John Darrell Sherwood. The book covers from 1965-1968, which were the major years for the BWN in Vietnam. The book can be acquired for around $20 USD from Barnes and Noble and a download in PBF, MODI and EPUB can be obtained from the Naval History and Heritage Command here:

link

Another book from Navy H&H Command, which is free, is Combat at Close Quarters, Warfare on the Rivers and Canals of Vietnam, By Edward J. Marolda and R. Blake Dunnavent, here:

link

Brown Water, Black Berets – an excellent read – has a lot of great personal/first hand accounts, many of which are also in War in the Shallows. Croizat's book is pretty good, as is the Squadron book on Riverine warfare, especially for drawings and photos. Osprey had a nice book which photos, drawings and some good specifications on the various boats in their New Vanguard Series #128 – Vietnam Riverine Craft. Another fine book, by Ed Marolda again (who has been a great source at Navy History), is By Sea, Air and Land, an Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the War in Southeast Asia. If you can find a copy – perhaps on Ebay – The Illustrated History of the Vietnam War series, Volume 8, is on the Riverine Force. A small book, but good accounts, photos and info on the force. Lastly, any research on the BWN would be incomplete without a copy of the U.S. Navy Seawolves- The Elite HAL-3 Helicopter Squadron in Vietnam, which you can still find on Amazon and other places, here:

link

Anyway, those are a few suggestions and, as i said, my two cents worth. I hope it helps! Have fun!

FM,

Thanks for the list. I really like the squadron signal book, very informative and the pictures are great. Just downloaded Combat at CLose Quarters. It looks good as well.
Thanks for the tips. Think you will enjoy TMP; lots of friendly knowledgeable people.
thanks again

Joe

Happy to help, Joe! Enjoy!

Found the first book Flagmaster listed here;

PDF link

That one is by far the best, in my opinion, Stephen! Lots of good, well researched and detailed info on the subject. Good catch! Now everyone can read it if they choose!