THESE ARE ARCHIVED PAGES OF THE OLD EHISTORY SITE click here for the NEW eHistory site These pages are not actively maintained and may have errors in content and functionality
A light, twin-engined attack aircraft, created by using a modified T-37 trainer aircraft, fitted with J-85 engines sans afterburners. Flown mainly by by the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF).
A-4 Skyhawk
A single-engined subsonic fighter-bomber operated by the USN and the USMC from carriers and land bases. Used in close support by the USMC and in interdiction by the USN.
A-6 Intruder
A twin-engined subsonic jet fighter-bomber operated by the U.S. Navy and USMC. It could operated in any weather, and often carried up to 22 500 lb. bombs.
A-7 Corsair II
A U. S. Navy single-engined subsonic fighter-bomber. Usually operated from aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Highly accurate bomber.
A6M1 Zero
Single-engined prop-driven Japanese fighter. Built by Mitsubishi, it was the most famous Japanese aircraft of the War.
abatis
(also abattis) - an obstacle created by felling trees in the direction of the enemy.
Abu Simbel
Site of two massive rock temples build by Ramesses II of Egypt around c. 1250 BC. Abu Simbel was originally located on the banks of the nile. It was moved in the 1960s onto the shore of Lake Nasser.
Abwehr
The German Intelligence Service.
Achemenid Empire
Persian empire named after its founder Achemens. The empire lasted from about 550 to 330 BC when it was conquered by Alexander the Great.
aghal
Double headcord worn on top of the Arabian cloth headdress.
AIM-7 Sparrow
An air-to-air missile carried by fighters to destroy other aircraft. It relied on the launching aircraft's radar to help it find the target. It had greater range and a larger warhead than the smaller Sidewinder.
AIM-9 Sidewinder
An air-to-air missile carried on fighters to destroy other aircraft. It had an infra-red seeker head that allowed it to home on a target up to a couple of miles away.
Air Cav
Air Cavalry. Infantry unit that normally uses helicopters for mobility.
airburst
Munition detonation prior to contact with the target, thus providing a wider fragmentation pattern.
ALO
Air Liaison Officer - A USAF pilot, qualified as a fighter pilot and forward air controller, who is assigned to an Army brigade or higher to facilitate close air support.
ambuscade
ambush.
Anatolia
A historical term for the land that includes most of the Asian part of Turkey.
antiscorbutics
remedies for scurvy.
ANZAC
Australian New Zealand Army Corps.
Anzio
Town on west coast of Italy. Site of Allied amphibious invasion in January of 1944.
Arc Light
A B-52 strike. Normally multiples of three aircraft carrying about 108 bombs each.
ARTY
Artillery.
ARVN
Army of the Rebublic of Vietnam. South Vietnam's army.
Ashur
City in northern Mesopotamia located on the river Tigris.
askar
a soldier
Assyria
An ancient empire in Mesopotamia.
Attica
The territory extending around the city of Athens.
Avalanche
Code name for the Allied invasion of Salerno in September of 1943.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Four-engined U.S. bomber. Gained fame by flying precision daylight bombing raids from England into Europe. Flew 40% of the missions.
B-24 Liberator
U.S. bomber that carried the brunt of the precision daylight bombing mission in Europe. Flew 60% of the missions.
B-25 Mitchell
U. S. twin-engined light bomber. Highly successful in all theaters.
B-26 Marauder
U. S. twin-engined medium bomber. Used against Germans and Japanese.
B-29 Superfortress
U. S. four-engined high altitude bomber. Used extensively in the Pacific late in the War. A B-29 dropped two atomic bombs on Japanese cities, forcing the Japanese to sue for peace.
Babylonia
A region of southern Mesopotamia named after the city of Babylon.
bailey
forecourt; court of the outer works or yard of a fortified position
baksheesh
Arabic word for gratuity or tip.
ballista
a large crossbow mounted on a wooden frame.
banana clip
AK-47 magazine. It is shaped like a banana.
Bangalore torpedo
A threaded tube containing explosives. Any number of segments could be threaded together, pushed into an obstacle, and detonated from a distance. Mainly used for breaching wire obstacles.
BAR
Browning Automatic Rifle.
Barbarossa
Code name for German invasion of Russia in June of 1941.
barbican
exterior defence protecting an entrance
barbote
a ship used in sieges with protective shields to cover archers
barrage balloon
A large captive balloon supporting a steel cable forming part of an anti-aircraft defence.
battering ram
a large tree trunk usually capped with iron used to make an opening in a castle gate or wall
battlement
An alternately high and low parapet at the top of a wall, for the defence of a building.
bazooka
A shoulder-fired unguided anti-tank rocket launcher. Normally operated by a two-man team.
BDA
Bomb damage assessment.
beach-master
An officer supervising the landing of troops.
beehive round
An artillery round containing thousands of little darts, called fleshettes. Very effective against troops in the open.
bhisht
Kuwaiti term for the Arabian outer robe or cloak. Known in Saudi Arabia as the mishlah.
bireme
A galley having two banks of oars.
blitzkrieg
German lightning warfare. Characterized by highly mobility and concentrated forces at point of attack.
Boeotia
Region in central Greece; Thebes was located in Boeotia
brevet
the conferring of nominal military rank without corresponding pay.
Bronco
OV-10 observation aircraft. Used by USAF and USMC forward air controllers.
broom handle
German machine pistol.
buskin
a half-boot.
butternut
Confederate - pertaining to the color of some Confederate uniforms.
buzz bomb
German pulse jet-powered cruise missile. Launched from the Low Countries and often targeted against London.
C-123 Provider
The C-123 was a USAF twin-engined piston transport that required a relatively modest runway, but delivered a hefty payload. Also used to spray defoliants such as Agent Orange.
C-130 Hercules
A USAF four-engined turboprop transport that required a modest runway, but delivered hefty payloads.
C-4
A putty-like explosive that has a multitude of uses in the field. Often used for removing trees from a landing zone or even burned in small quantities to heat rations.
C-7 Caribou
The C-7 Caribou was a USAF twin-engined piston transport capable of delivering cargo into very short landing strips.
C-rations
Also known as C-rats or C's. Canned rations carried by troops in the field.
CA
Combat assault. An assault by infantry from helicopters.
caisson
An ammunition wagon for artillery.
Caliph
Literally 'successor' to Muhammad.
Canaan
A historical and bibilical term used to describe the strip of land which includes most of present day Gaza Strip and Israel and the Western part of Jordan. The term was found on Egyptian writings from the 15th century BC.
candystripe
A road depicted on a map. The maps used by infantry units depict roads that appear like a candy cane..
canister
type of artillery projectile consisting of a number of pellets in a cylindrical container.
carrack
a large medieval ship
Carthage
An ancient city in North Africa destroyed by Rome in the Third Punic Wars.
cascabel
Knob at breech end of a cannon.
castellan
keeper of the castle
CBU
Cluster Bomb Unit. A type of ordnance dropped from jet fighter-bombers that separates into numerous small bomblets and covers a wide area. CBUs come in a wide variety of bomblets and fusings.
celerity
swiftness, speed.
cherry
A brand-new replacement.
chevachees
plundering raids.
chevaux-de-frise
An obstuction to attacking infantry or cavalry created by implanting sharpened stakes in a central timber.
Chu
Major feudal state of the Zhou kingdom in southern China.
Cinque Ports
Five ports of southern England: Dover, Hastings, Hythe, Romney, and Sandwich.
Cobra
AH-1G attack helicopter.
Cohort
A sub-unit of the Roman Legion. Approximately 600 men; a Legion is composed of ten Cohorts.
constable
a senior member of a royal or noble household usually in charge of military organization
Consul
Title of the two leading magistrates of the Roman Republic. Consuls were elected annually.
Copperheads
Peace Democrats. A political faction opposed to Lincoln and the prosecution of the war.
corps de chasseurs
body of troops trained and equipped for rapid movement.
cottonclad
a vessel using bales of cotton placed on the deck to provide some protection from enemy fire.
coup de main
A surprise attack.
croakers
term given to Mobile citizens that in the spring of 1865 simply hoped for an end to the fighting.
Crossbow
Code name for operation against German V-1 launch sites.
Crown
A USAF C-130 aircraft that functioned as an airborne command post for SAR efforts. It could also refuel the SAR helicopters on the way into and out of the objective.
DASC
Direct Air Support Center - an air headquarters that is responsible for allocating airstrike resources to support ground units. Requests may be pre-planned or immediate. The DASC is usually co-located with the ground corps headquarters.
debouches
openings in a fortification where troops may enter or leave.
Delian League
Athenian-led alliance formed to stop Persian advances into Greek territories. Named after the island of Delos where the alliance's funds were held.
destruction in detail
destruction of an opposing force one small part at a time.
DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone. A band of land separating North and South Vietnam. Theoretically, it was free of combatants.
Domesday Book
A record of all the properties of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085.
DRV
Democratic Republic of Vietnam. North Vietnam.
DUKW
An amphibious vehicle, also known as a Duck, used to transport troops from a ship to the beach.
Dust Off
term used for medical evacuation helicopters that extracted wounded personnel directly from the battlefield.
Dutch Harbor
Town in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Attacked by the Japanese in 1942 as a diversion to their planned attack on Midway.
Dynamo
British evacuation of Dunkirk beachhead in May and June of 1940.
Eagle's Nest
Hitler's redoubt in the Bavarian Alps.
Eed al Adha
Feast celebrating the end of the Hajj. Marks the day when sacrifices are offered in Mecca.
Eed al Fitr
The feast ending the fast of Ramadhan. One of the two principal holidays in Saudi Arabia.
Emir
Arabic for 'commander'. Male members of the house of Saud are referred to as emir, usually transliterated as 'prince'.
encomium
a formal or high-flown expression of praise.
enfilade
the situation of a position that it commands a line from end to end.
Enigma
German coding machine. Capture and study of an enigma machine allowed the Allies to intercept and make use of thousands of German messages.
Enola Gay
The name of the B-29 bomber that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. It was named by the pilot for his mother.
epaulement
a parapet or breastwork, especially one protecting the flank.
ETO
European Theater of Operations.
Etruscans
A group of people who lived in Italy south of the river Arno and north of the river Tiber (approximately modern day Tuscany) around 1000 BC.
F-4
A twin-engined supersonic jet fighter flown by the USAF, USN and USMC. It was capable of carrying a relatively heavy bomb load, but was less than accurate. As an air to air fighter it performed well, though early models suffered for lack of an internal gun.
F4F Wildcat
U. S. Navy carrier fighter. Was in production at start of war.
F4U Corsair
Single -engined piston-driven fighter with an inverted gull wing. Used by USMC in the Pacific. It was fast and rugged.
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy carrier fighter. Replaced the F-4 Wildcat in mid-war.
FAC
Forward Air Controller. A pilot, usually flying a light aircraft, who can locate targets and control airstikes on them,
fascine
a long bundle of sticks or twigs used to line a trench.
fatwa
A decision, usually written, on a point of Islamic law, given by a mufti.
FDC
Fire Direction Center. An artillery command post that receives requests for fire support and assigns a battery to perform the fire mission.
Fertile Crescent
First used by Henry Breasted a 19th century scholar. The area of land arching from the Persian Gulf over the watersheds of the Tigris and Euphrates river in Iraq through the western coast of the Mediterranean into Egypt.
fief
land held by a knight
filibusters
private armies that menaced Central and South America. They sought the expansion of slavery.
Final Solution
Hitler's plan of genocide for the Jewish people.
flak
Anti-aircraft fire. From the German word 'fliegerabwehrkanone', which means 'aviator-defence-gun'.
fleurs-de-lis
a pattern of heraldy representing a stylized flower
floating battery
A battery of artillery mounted upon a barge or raft. They were towed into desired firing positions inaccessible by land.
Frank
Originally a member of the German tribes in the Rhine area; became used to represent a Frenchman after they conquered Gaul around 300 a.d.
free fire zone
An area in which anything that moves is assumed to be hostile and may be attacked without securing permission prior to the attack.
freedom bird
The aircraft that takes an individual home at the end of his/her tour. It was usually a civilian contract aircraft.
Fw-190
German single-engine prop-driven fighter.
gabion
a large open-ended wicker-work frame, filled with earth, used to protect soldiers while they were digging trenches. They served as a retaining wall or bracing to hold the sides of trenches in place and to keep breastworks from caving in.
Gestapo
The German Secret Police. An acronym for the German name 'Geheime Staatspolitzei' which translates to 'Secret State Police'.
ghutra
Arabian cloth headdress. In Saudi Arabia, it is usually red and white, but may be solid white in very hot weather.
Gloster Meteor
British twin-engined jet fighter. Saw very limited combat service.
grape
an artillery projectile consisting of small cast iron balls grouped together to make a scattering charge.
grayback
Confederate.
Greek Fire
a pottery container filled with flaming naptha and catapulted from a warship onto a target.
Greek Fire
a generic name for various liquid incendiary weapons
Gustav Line
German defensive line in Italy, centered on Monte Cassino.
H & I fire
Harrassment and interdiction fire. Typically, artillery fire at randon intervals during the night, designed to disrupt enemy movement along trail systems in the jungle. Targets may be known trail intersections or river crossings. It also kept friendly troops from sleeping.
Hajj
The Pilgrimage. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, all Muslims are required to attempt one pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetimes.
hajji
Arabic word for pilgrim. One who makes a hajj.
half-track
A vehicle having wheels in front and tracks at the rear.
hard tack
A hard bread-like ration issued to troops in the field.
Hashishiyyin (Assassins)
Islamic military order known in the West as the Assassins who targeted important persons for killings.
haversack
A leather bag used to carry rations. Also used by artillerymen to carry powder to the gun.
Hellespont
Narrow passage of sea between ancient Anatolia and the ancient Greek mainland.
Helots
Enslaved people located in Messenia; the Spartans enslaved the Helots and used them to provide food.
hijrah
The migration of the prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.
Ho Chi Minh sandals
crude footwear made from scrapped tires.
Hook
Common term for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter
Hot LZ
A landing zone which is contested.
Hun
USAF F-100 fighter aircraft. Often used in close air support of U.S. and allied ground forces.
Husky
Code name for Allied landings in Sicily in July of 1943.
Ikhwan
'The Brothers.' The fanatical Muslim warriors who formed the nucleus of Saudi armies from 1919 to 1928.
Imam
'He who goes before.' Those who lead prayer in Saudi mosques.
in defilade
shielded from observation or enemy file by natural obstacles or fortifications.
in the air
term used to describe the end of a line of troops which has no protection.
indulgence
forgiving a sin, typically in return for a payment issued to the Christian church
Insh'allah
'As God wills'. Commonly used Arabic expression. Often used to disclaim responsibility for one's mistake.
ironclad
an armored ship designed to resist cannon fire.
Iwo Jima
Island in the Western Pacific. Site of hotly contested battle. U. S. Marines invaded the island in February of 1945. The island fell after a five week battle.
Jihad
Holy war or struggle. More than referring to military warfare, it means the total effort of the Muslim community to reach a religiously sanctified objective.
Jolly Green
Term used for USAF HH-3 and HH-53 rescue helicopters.
Josef Stalin
Russian leader during World War II.
JU-87 Stuka
A single-engined German light dive bomber.
Ju-88
German twin-engined prop-driven light bomber and night fighter.
Judah
Region in Palestine from about 922 to 587 BC named after one of the tribes of Israel.
jungle boots
U. S. issued combat boots that had uppers mostly of green canvas-like synthetic material. By replacing leather with a synthetic material, the boots didn't rot as quickly. They also had a metal shank in the sole that offered some protection against sharp objects.
Juno Beach
Principally Canadian beach in Normandy in June of 1944.
K-Bar
A fighting knife issued to U.S. ground troops.
KBA
Killed by air. Casualties inflicted by ordnance delivered by an aircraft.
KC-135
The KC-135 is a four-engined jet tanker. It provided air refueling fpr the entire air war, except for a miniscule percentage of refueling provided to SAR helicopters by C-130 aircraft. Without the KC-135, the air war against North Vietnam would have been almost inpossible.
kepi
A hat worn by both armies, originally of French design. It had a circular flat top, sloping toward the front, and a horizontal peak.
klick
kilometer. Approximately .61 statute mile.
Knights Hospitallers
Christian military order; called Knights of Rhodes after 1309 and Knights of Malta after 1522 after the fall of Rhodes.
Knights Templar
Christian military order that fought in the Crusades.
Koran
The Muslim Holy Book. God's revelation to the prophet Muhammad containing 114 chapters or suras.
lamp posts
ten-inch projectiles fired by Federal gunboats.
LAW
Light Anti-Tank Weapon.
Legion
A Roman military unit composed of about 6,000 men. Legion comes from legio which means levy or draft.
Levant
Land area between Mesopotamia and Egypt; it includes modern day Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan
lifer
A career soldier.
Lightfoot
Code name for British offensive at El Alamein in October of 1942.
lima-lima
landline. A telephone, as opposed to a radio.
limber
A detachable forepart of a gun-carriage. It hastwo wheels on an axle, a pole for horses, and one or two ammunition boxes.
line of contravallation
the chain of redoubts and breastworks constructed by besiegers for protection against sorties of the garrison under siege.
Linear A
Script developed by the ancient Minoan culture
Lion
The USAF radar site located near Ubon Royal Thai Air Base.
LOH
OH-6 Light Observation Helicopter. Sometimes written as Loach. It was small, maneuverable and carried two pilots and three passengers.
LRRP
Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol. A small team dropped covertly into enemy-infested areas to gather intelligence, snatch a prisoner, etc.
LRRPs rations
Freeze-dried rations issued to Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol troops. Universally considered superior to almost anything else that could be consumed in the field.
Luftwaffe
The German Air Force.
lunette
a raised firing platform built into the perimeter of a fort to allow guns to fire directly at an attacking force.
M-1 Garand
The standard infantry weapon for U. S. troops. It was a clip-fed, semi-automatic weapon, chambered in 30-06 and weighing 9.5 pounds.
M-14
The infantry weapon that was replaced by the M-16. The M-14 was heavier, fired a heavier 7.62mm round, and was also produce in a sniper rifle variant.
M-16
The standard weapon of U. S. infantrymen. It fired 5.56mm round in auto or semi-auto mode.
M-79
A grenade launcher carried at the squad level that fired a variety of 40mm projectiles.
M113 APC
The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier is a tracked, gasoline-powered lightly armored personnel carrier that can transport 12 infantrymen. It has a machine gun on top for self-defense.
M26 Pershing
U.S. medium tank. Produced late in the war.
machicolation
overhanging structure on a fortified wall; allowed soldiers on the wall to shoot down on the enemy
MACV
Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. The overall headquarters for U.S. Forces in Vietnam
Magic
Code name for U.S. code-breaking operations against the Japanese.
Magna Carta
The charter of English political and personal rights obtained from King John in 1215.
majlis
Arabic reception or sitting room.
Mameluke
Military caste originating with Turkish slaves who ruled Egypt from about 1250 to 1510.
man-at-arms
a cavalry man supplied with heavy arms
mangana
large throwing machine
mangonel
smaller version of the mangana
Manhattan Project
Code name for U.S. program to develop the atomic bomb.
Maniple
A sub-unit of a Roman Legion. About 160 men. Three Maniples to a Cohort.
mantlet
protective screen used to protect a soldier or worker from enemy fire
March
border or frontier region in England and France
marplot
a person who spoils a plot or hinders an undertaking.
Me-109
German single-engined prop-driven fighter.
Me-262
German twin-engined jet fighter.
meeting engagement
a firefight resulting from the accidental convergence of opposing forces.
Megiddo
Town located in Palestine; location of one of the earliest battles recorded in history.
Mesopotamia
An ancient region in southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, site of the ancient civilizations of Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. Roughly equivalent to present-day Iraq and part of Syria.
Messenia
Soutwest region of the Peloponnese conquered by Sparta.
mine
used in siege warefare, a tunnel used to approach or go under a castle wall
Minoan
Civilization that lived on Crete around 2000 BC; named after King Minos, the legendary ruler of the island.
mishlah
Traditional Arabian outer robe or cloak. It may be black, brown or cream and trimmed with gold thread.
motte and bailey
early form of castle; a tower on a mound of earth surrounded by an outer court encasedin a wooden stockade
MPC
Military payment certificates. Sometimes called script or funny money. Used in lieu of U.S. currency to thwart the black market. Periodically, it was all recalled from the troops in a 24 hour period and replaced with new and different MPC, thus rendering the old MPC worthless to the black marketeers.
MTB
Motor torpedo boat. Also known as PT boats. They had three large engines and could outrun anything else on the water.
mufti
A Muslim cleric or legal expert. Authorized to render opinions on religious matters.
Nagasaki
City in Japan. Site of the second nuclear attack, only days after Hiroshima.
National Socialism
Nazism. The doctrines of nationalism, racial purity, anti-Communism, and the all-powerful role of the State. Advocated by Adolf Hitler in Germany.
Nubia
Region along the Nile, south of Egypt.
Nubia
Region located south of Egypt along the Nile.
NVA
North Vietnamese Army.
O-1 Bird Dog
A single-engined piston-driven observation aircraft used by forward air controllers. It carried either 4 or 8 white phosphorous rockets.
O-2A
A twin-engined piston-driven observation aircraft used by USAF forward air controllers. It usually carried 14 white phosphorous rockets and could also carry flares.
Okinawa
Largest island of the Ryukyu chain. Very near to Japan. Invade by U.S. troops in April of 1945. Island fell in July.
Oligarchy
Rule by the few.
Omaha Beach
One of the Normandy beaches assigned to the U. S. on D-Day in June of 1944.
OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. An organizationwhich attempts to regulate the production levels and prices of crude oil exported by member countries.
Overlord
The Allied invasion of Normandy in June of 1944.
P-38
A flimsy can opener that came with C-rations. Some troops wore it around their necks on their dog tag chains.
P-38 Lightning
A U.S. twin-engined fighter aircraft. Used in the Pacific, due to its excellent range.
P-39 Airacobra
American single-engined prop-driven fighter. Built by Bell.
P-40 Warhawk
A U.S. fighter aircraft, used against the Japanese by the Flying Tigers in support of the Chinese.
P-47 Thunderbolt
U.S. fighter-bomber. Sturdy aircraft, also know as the Jug. Inflicted great damage on Nazi forces and infrastructure in Europe.
P-51 Mustang
A high performance U. S. fighter aircraft, used extensively in Europe. With drop tanks, had sufficient range to escort bombers on raids deep into Germany.
P-61 Black Widow
American twin-engined prop-driven night fighter. Built by Northrup. Used in the Pacific.
P-61 Black Widow
American twin-engined prop-driven night fighter. Built by Northrup. Used in the Pacific.
Palestine
Derived from the Philistines who were part of the group of the Sea Peoples. It includes the southern half of the Levant.
Panama
The USAF radar site located atop Monkey Mountain near Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam.
panzer
A German tank.
Papal States
The band of territory running about 200 miles north and south of Rome held by the popes.
Parthenon
Name of the temple built on the Acropolis in Athens. Built for Athena the patron goddess of Athens.
PBY Catalina
A large twin-engined flying boat. Used for many functions. Excellent patrol bomber.
Peloponnese
The large peninsula of southern Greece.
Pharaoh
Wasn't used until 1400 BC but is now used generally for the kings of ancient Egypt.
plank road
a road made more passable in wet weather by planking it with trunks of saplings.
point d'appui
a fulcrum, a strategic point.
portcullis
iron grid that is lowered behind the wooden gates of a castle or fortified town
potato masher
German hand grenade. So names for its long wooden handle.
Prairie Dog Village
Derisive term coined by besieging Federal infantryman to describe Vicksburg. Many residents tunneled into the side of the bluff to escape the constant artillery and naval bombardment.
provost duty
military police duty, often in an army's camp.
PSYOPS
psychological operations. Operations, such as leaflet drops, designed to influence the behavior of enemy or local population.
Punic Wars
A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage: 264 - 241 bc; 219 - 202 bc; and 149 - 146 bc.
Qadi
Arabic word for 'judge'.
Quaker guns
Dummy cannons constructed from a length of log painted black. Designed to deceive an enemy from a great distance.
quarrel
a short arrow used with a crossbow
quiver
a container for arrows usually carried on the back
Quran
Alternative transliteration for Koran.
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force.
RAF
Royal Air Force. Britain's air force.
Ramadhan
The Islamic month of fasting in which Muslims celebrate God's gift of the Koran to man.
RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force.
ready finders
civilian scavengers who moved in the wake of a maneuvering army, gleaning for profit items left in their wake.
Red Army
The Soviet Army.
refuse the line
to maneuver a regiment or larger to cause the front to change direction by 90 degrees.
Rhodes
Island located off the southwestern tip of modern day Turkey.
riyal
Modern Saudi Arabian unit of currency.
RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Rub al Khali
'The Empty Quarter'. Loose transliteration from the Arabic for the great, featureless desert that comprises the southeastern part of Saudi Arabia.
salaam
Peace be upon you. The traditional Arabian greeting.
Sandy
A piston-driven A-1 fighter which directed and provided cover for SAR efforts. It carried lots of ordnance and could stay over the downed pilot along time.
sap
an approach trench, dug by besieging forces, always zigzagged, which connects old and new parallel trenches.
sapper
soldier who attempts to infiltrate a fire base by night and cause damage before being discovered.
SAR
Search and rescue
Sardis
Capital of the Lydian kingdom; located in western Anatolia.
scalawag
a Southern White who supported Reconstruction.
scaling ladders
ladders carried by infantry units to cross a wall of a position under siege.
Scott's Anaconda
plan by Union General Winfield Scott to strangle the Confederacy by blockading their ports and controlling the Mississippi River.
Sea Peoples
A group of people who migrated to eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea around 1400 BC.
Semites
People who spoke a Semitic language which originated in Arabia and Mesopotamia. Some of the peoples include the: Arabs, Hebrews, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.
shabraque
a saddle cover.
Shareef
Descendant of the prophet Muhammad.
Shariah
The law of God. Arabic word for Islamic law.
Sheikh
From the Arabic word for 'elder'. A title that is earned, not inherited. Given to tribal leaders, business chieftains and public figures.
Sherman
U. S. light tank, gasoline powered, with an inferior main gun. It was no match for the German Panzers.
short timers
personnel having 30 or less days remaining of their scheduled tour in Vietnam.
simony
the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, such as pardons or benefices.
Skyspot
An airstrike performed by jet fighters, level bombing from medium altitudes, and guided by a ground radar site. Useful when weather precludes more accurate visual bombing.
slick
helicopter whose main function is to move people or cargo, rather than deliver ordnance or perform reconnaissance.
snakes and nape
a selection of ordnance for a fighter aircraft comprised of high-drag bombs and napalm
Souq
Arabic word for market.
Spooky
callsign used by AC-47 gunships.
squire
a servant to a knight; could be an inspiring knight
straggler
A soldier who has allowed himself to be separated from his unit, either by being physically unable to keep up, or through mere shirking his duty.
Strait of Hormuz
The narrows at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Strategically important to naval warfare.
Suez Canal
A canal extending from the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It enables large ships to avoid the long trip around Africa.
Supermarine Spitfire
British single-engined prop-driven fighter. Thousands were built in numerous versions.
sutlers
civilians who sell provisions to troops in the field or in garrison.
T-34
Soviet medium tank.
TACC
Tactical Air Support Center - the air headquarters for the entire tactical air support mission. Allocates air resources to the DASCs. Located in Saigon.
TAOR
Tactical Area of Responsibility. The geographical area for which a specific ground unit is responsible. That unit has control of all combat within their TAOR.
terminus ad quem
the finishing-point of an argument, policy, period, etc.
Tet
The Vietnamese lunar New Year. Usually occurs in late January.
Tet Offensive
A major offensive launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the tet holiday in 1968. More than a month was required to expel them from areas occupied during the attack. Communist losses were very heavy, and some Viet Cong units were never again effective.
tête-de-pont
bridgehead
thobe
The long shirt-like garment worn by Arabian men. It is usually white and thin in the summer, and heavy and dark or striped in winter.
Thud
The F-105 Thunderchief was always called the Thud by those who flew it. It was a single-engined jet fighter-bomber that carried the major load of strikes against North Vietnam.
thunder barrels
Powder-filled hogsheads, fuzed at the bung and rolled downhill into enemy trenches.
tin can
A naval destroyer. So called because they were lightly armored.
tinclad
a ship with armor no more than musket-proof.
TOC
Tactical Operations Center. Essentially a command post for a tactical unit. Often built underground or dug into the side of a hill.
Torch
Code name for Allied invasion of Northwest Africa in November 1942.
torpedoes
Land mines. Usually artillery shells buried in opportune places and fitted with pressure fuzes or concealed trip wires. First used in the Civil War by Confederate defenders at Yorktown in 1862.
TOT
Time on target. A term used to describe an attack by multiple batteries of artillery, timed so that all the rounds impact the target at the same instant.
trebuchet
large stone-throwing siege engine
Tripartite Pact
The formal alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan. Signed in September 1940.
trireme
A galley having three banks of oars.
Triumvirates
A group of three people in power. There were two Triumvirates in Roman times: Crassus, Pompey and Caeser; and Antony, Octavian and Lepidus.
Troubadour
A poet or singer.
Ulema
Religious scholars. In modern Saudi Arabia, they meet weekly with the king and regulate religious life.
USAAF
United States Army Air Forces.
USARV
United States Army, Vietnam. The headquarters for all U. S. Army personnel in Vietnam.
Utah Beach
A beach assigned to U. S. troops in the Normandy invasion of June 1944.
vidette
a mounted sentry placed in advance of an army's position to observe enemy movements.
VNAF
The South Vietnamese Air Force.
wadi
Arabic word for a rocky watercourse. Dry except in the rainy season.
Waterboy
The USAF radar site located near Dong Ha, South Vietnam.
Wermacht
German military forces.
Whigs
Antecedents of Republicans. Believers in protective tariffs and a strong central government.
White Mice
South Vietnamese police. Nicknamed for the white uniform, helmet and gloves.
willy peter
White phosphorus. Often used in the warheads of 2.75" aerial rockets. Used by forward air controllers to mark targets for fighters.
window
Chaff. Aluminum strips dropped from bombers to cloud enemy radar scopes.
Yards
Montagnards. Mountain tribesmen who often assisted U.S. forces in special operations missions
Zionism
The political movement for the establishment on a Jewish state.
