<P> Within the United States, the Vietnam War is commonly thought of as a guerrilla war . However, this is a simplification of a much more complex situation which followed the pattern outlined by Maoist theory . </P> <P> The National Liberation Front (NLF), drawing its ranks from the South Vietnamese peasantry and working class, used guerrilla tactics in the early phases of the war . However, by 1965 when U.S. involvement escalated, the National Liberation Front was in the process of being supplanted by regular units of the North Vietnamese Army . </P> <P> The NVA regiments organized along traditional military lines, were supplied via the Ho Chi Minh trail rather than living off the land, and had access to weapons such as tanks and artillery which are not normally used by guerrilla forces . Furthermore, parts of North Vietnam were "off - limits" by American bombardment for political reasons, giving the NVA personnel and their material a haven that does not usually exist for a guerrilla army . </P> <P> Over time, more of the fighting was conducted by the North Vietnamese Army and the character of the war become increasingly conventional . The final offensive into South Vietnam in 1975 was a mostly conventional military operation in which guerrilla warfare played a minor, supporting role . </P>

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