M113 APC 1960–75: US, ARVN, and Australian variants in Vietnam (New Vanguard, 252)

In Osprey's New Vanguard #252, author Jamie Prenatt gives us this work entitled "M113 APC 1960-75" recounting he use of the ubiquitous armored personnel carrier in Vietnam.The author begins with a short introduction of the design and development of fully tracked APC's after WWII and how the M113 was designed and the purposes it was intended for. The aluminum-alloy armored vehicle was envisioned as a family of weapons systems on a common chassis with reconnaissance, APC, SP artillery and command versions.Most of the book recounts their use in Vietnam, first with the South Vietnamese army, then the US Army in Vietnam and allied forces such as the Australians, the South Koreans, etc.It's here where the book shines. In each section, he highlights use by each country by recounting battles fought where armored forces using the M113 were center stage. From early battles like Ap Bac in 1963 to Lam Son 719 in 1971, the author gives the story of battles and the roles played by the M113. Although there are no first-person accounts (something I like to read), the stories of the battles are quite well written for the length of this book. That the M113 was able to play a part in the war in an environment such as Vietnam shows how versatile they were and no one can doubt the M113 was one of the most numerous and successful post WWII vehicles.There's only one thing missing: there's no real specifications for the vehicle itself or its variants. There's no dimensions, weight, horsepower, armor thickness per front, side, rear, etc.Like any Osprey title, you get all the excellent period photos and color plates you can expect from any Osprey title. I don't mean to take too much away, so it's really a 4-1/2 star book. Definitely worth the money and a good read.

Veterans of a certain age (Vietnam and the Cold War) may, or may not, have a soft spot for the M113 armored personnel carrier. It was the awkward-looking predecessor to the much more sophisticated Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and like the buffalo, once there were thousands. A lightly armored box on tracks, it had the advantage of utility, in that practically anything could be put inside of it or on it. This reviewer has vivid memories of the M577 command version and the M106 mortar carrier (13 tons of high angle hell, anyone?)...The M113 would seem to be a mismatch for the jungles of Vietnam, but as author Jamie Prenatt points out, there was in fact lots of maneuver room in many parts of Vietnam, and the M113 made its own room in the jungle. In this New Vanguard Series book, the author quickly sketches the development of the M113 and its many variants. As another reviewer has already noted, he wisely devotes the bulk of this very concise book to the combat history of the M113 with the U.S., South Vietnamese, and Australian armies in Vietnam. He has chosen some good examples, including of how vulnerable the M113 became later in the war. The narrative is nicely amplified with a great selection of period photographs and some good illustrations by Henry Morshead and Johnny Shumate. Well recommended as a very readable introduction to the topic.

Good delivery. I enjoyed reading about the early M-113 APC during my time there as an Advisor to the ARVN in '63-64 serving with MAAG in III Corps area.

Good service and good book.

This is an excellent addition to the series.

great book

thank you

Keep in mind an enemy 50 caliber stug will bounch around inside of APC for a long time tearing up everything and everybody.

Great little book gives a great over view of M113 and variants

Very informative and reference for a project I’m currently working on.

Normal Osprey product, provides a good but short overview of the subject.

Good book on the M113 APC

Interesting look at the early M113 variants