Tornado Alley (PROG)

[blackhawks]

Iranians must have been on the phone with the NVA.

The phrase “grab them by the belt” (often “grab/hold them by the belt buckle”) refers to a North Vietnamese and Viet Cong close-combat tactic designed to neutralize American superiority in artillery and air power. [johndclare](https://www.johndclare.net/VietnamWar5.htm)

### What the tactic meant

- Communist units were instructed to fight at extremely close range to U.S. troops, literally as close as if you could grab the enemy’s belt. [reddit]
(https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/bdvaec/what_does_it_mean_by_grab_them_by_the_belt_buckle/)

- At this distance, U.S. commanders were reluctant or unable to call in artillery, air strikes, or heavy supporting fire for fear of hitting their own men. [en.wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLF_and_PAVN_battle_tactics)

- This “hugging” tactic is known in Vietnamese as “Nam that lung dich mà dánh” (“seize the enemy’s belt to fight him”). [historynet](https://historynet.com/vietnam-hugging-tactics/)

### Strategic purpose against Americans

- The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong knew they could not match U.S. forces in open, conventional battles dominated by firepower, so they relied on guerrilla tactics and close-quarters engagements. [johndclare](https://www.johndclare.net/VietnamWar5.htm)

- By forcing combat into short-range jungle firefights, they turned battles into infantry contests where U.S. technological advantages—air support, artillery, sensors—were far less decisive. [en.wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLF_and_PAVN_battle_tactics)

- This approach fit their broader protracted war strategy: wear down U.S. forces, exploit their caution about friendly fire, and accept higher casualties in exchange for long-term political and psychological gains. [factsanddetails](https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Vietnam/sub5_9b/entry-3356.html)