Vietnam Gun Trucks by Gordon L. Rottman | Books in Review

The newest entry–number 184–in Osprey Publishing’s New Vanguard series of concise, profusely illustrated books dealing with military machinery throughout the ages is Vietnam Gun Trucks (48 pp., $17.95, paper) with text by Gordon L. Rottman and illustrations by Peter Bull.

Rottman, a Vietnam veteran and prolific Osprey historian, sets out the details of the various U.S. military vehicles that protected convoys that shipped munitions and supplies overland in Vietnam. These are the “gun trucks” of the title, nearly all of which were improvised in country by the crews that manned them. As is the case with other Osprey titles, this book is filled with many technical details, photos, and illustrations.

“Gun trucks, ” Rottman says, “proved to be extremely successful. Even though not officially authorized, their existence was known and their value recognized at all levels in the chain of command. They were considered essential for ensuring convoys made it to their destinations and for limiting losses.”

—Marc Leepson

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