Excellent post Zim!
Your post explains where the AK 47's came from they were using.
I have always had the thought after actually being in fire fights against the enemy, that if the leadership wanted to and the public was not so against the war, that we could have pushed the gooks out and shoved them back across their border.
I don't believe a war could be successfully won invading North Vietnam and trying to defeat them on their home turf.
Glad we didn't. The body bag totals would have been horrific.
AS you stated, I think you are spot on in your assessment. Thanks Zim!