What artillery guns were found on Firebases in the Vietnam era? Were they just artillery guns or did they have self-propelled artillery guns as well? ( i.e. M-109 S.P. Howitizer )

I have seen Howitzer M101's in movies is this accurate or where there other guns all together?

the size of the LZ, plus the actual location had a lot to do with what was placed on it. If it was on fairly level terrain, and have access to roads or even trails you might see a self propeled gun unit there. Also the higher the ground the better it was. If you happened to be out on the Laotian border you'd expect to see 155's or even 105's, but not often an SP. As a rule the guns were laid out in what is known as a "lazy W" formation; with a piece at each point. The direction you expected to shoot in the most was the direction you'd see the three most forward pieces.
Mortar pits were usually back from the perimeter, and most often in the center of the fire base. Should your unit be lucky enough to have a 4.2" mortar; it would be dug in pretty deep to help hide the flash. Often you'd see an 81mm mortar close by, but never right next to it. Also nearby would be a fifty or even an M60 on higher ground to give the crew a covering fire if the perimeter were to be breeched. The 4.2" mortar was very usfull in mountanous regions as it was able to reach into the deep pockets much easier than a howitzer shooting high angle fire. The trick with the mortars was to have as many points as possible registered before anything ever happened.
Lastly it was not at all uncommon to see a six gun unit broke up into two three gun units offering each a covering fire. I've even seen them broke into three two gun units re-enforced with a pair of 81mm mortars at each location.
gary

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the size of the LZ, plus the actual location had a lot to do with what was placed on it. If it was on fairly level terrain, and have access to roads or even trails you might see a self propeled gun unit there. Also the higher the ground the better it was. If you happened to be out on the Laotian border you'd expect to see 155's or even 105's, but not often an SP. As a rule the guns were laid out in what is known as a "lazy W" formation; with a piece at each point. The direction you expected to shoot in the most was the direction you'd see the three most forward pieces.
Mortar pits were usually back from the perimeter, and most often in the center of the fire base. Should your unit be lucky enough to have a 4.2" mortar; it would be dug in pretty deep to help hide the flash. Often you'd see an 81mm mortar close by, but never right next to it. Also nearby would be a fifty or even an M60 on higher ground to give the crew a covering fire if the perimeter were to be breeched. The 4.2" mortar was very usfull in mountanous regions as it was able to reach into the deep pockets much easier than a howitzer shooting high angle fire. The trick with the mortars was to have as many points as possible registered before anything ever happened.
Lastly it was not at all uncommon to see a six gun unit broke up into two three gun units offering each a covering fire. I've even seen them broke into three two gun units re-enforced with a pair of 81mm mortars at each location.
gary

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Gary--who were you with and when were you over there? Each unit was unique to a certain degree. Interesting to find out the variety of set-ups used.
thanks
DJ

Gary-- thanks. I pounded the bush with B, 1/7 CAV, 1CD then came back for a tour with B 1/502. 101st. Good outfits.
DJ

Well, the John Wayne movie (The Green Berets) was filmed at Fort Benning, GA. The Special Forces camp depicted in the film is not a FSB. FSBs were designed for a conventional tactical unit to operate out of under the protection of friendly artillery fire. The emplacements for the perimeter guards were dug into the berm, for example. There were no watch towers. SF guys had above and below ground bunkers along with watch towers. I worked the Cambodia operation and War Zone D for a little over a year and the 1st Cavalry FSBs moved to support the ground companies of which there were four in a battalion every few months, sometimes weeks. One rifle company was on the FSB as a perimeter guard the othe three were in the field at about the twelve, four and eight o'clock positions around the FSB center, but never outside the artillery fan. If memory serves me right that circular fan was drawn 20 kilometers around the FSB. When we were in Cambodiathe FSB was initially in Vietnam covering our move across the border then displaced to suport our given area of operations. They set-up an FSB fairly quickly. Helicopters would air lift the dozers in to clear the jungle and build the berm then bring in the artillery pieces and other junk.
DJ

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Well, the John Wayne movie (The Green Berets) was filmed at Fort Benning, GA. The Special Forces camp depicted in the film is not a FSB. FSBs were designed for a conventional tactical unit to operate out of under the protection of friendly artillery fire. The emplacements for the perimeter guards were dug into the berm, for example. There were no watch towers. SF guys had above and below ground bunkers along with watch towers. I worked the Cambodia operation and War Zone D for a little over a year and the 1st Cavalry FSBs moved to support the ground companies of which there were four in a battalion every few months, sometimes weeks. One rifle company was on the FSB as a perimeter guard the othe three were in the field at about the twelve, four and eight o'clock positions around the FSB center, but never outside the artillery fan. If memory serves me right that circular fan was drawn 20 kilometers around the FSB. When we were in Cambodiathe FSB was initially in Vietnam covering our move across the border then displaced to suport our given area of operations. They set-up an FSB fairly quickly. Helicopters would air lift the dozers in to clear the jungle and build the berm then bring in the artillery pieces and other junk.
DJ

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I'd almost completely forgotten about those little bitty dozers they used to bring out with a helecopter! We used to get this one Indian kid to come out
(he was a Seabee), and have him dig berms for us as well as clear fire zones. Poor guy was shot at more than anybody I'd ever seen, and it finally reached a point that they would send a couple squads of CIDG's out in front of him by about three hundred yards. On mountain tops we started using Daisy Cutters even before we moved in.
gary

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Well, the John Wayne movie (The Green Berets) was filmed at Fort Benning, GA. The Special Forces camp depicted in the film is not a FSB. FSBs were designed for a conventional tactical unit to operate out of under the protection of friendly artillery fire. The emplacements for the perimeter guards were dug into the berm, for example. There were no watch towers. SF guys had above and below ground bunkers along with watch towers. I worked the Cambodia operation and War Zone D for a little over a year and the 1st Cavalry FSBs moved to support the ground companies of which there were four in a battalion every few months, sometimes weeks. One rifle company was on the FSB as a perimeter guard the othe three were in the field at about the twelve, four and eight o'clock positions around the FSB center, but never outside the artillery fan. If memory serves me right that circular fan was drawn 20 kilometers around the FSB. When we were in Cambodiathe FSB was initially in Vietnam covering our move across the border then displaced to suport our given area of operations. They set-up an FSB fairly quickly. Helicopters would air lift the dozers in to clear the jungle and build the berm then bring in the artillery pieces and other junk.
DJ

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I'd almost completely forgotten about those little bitty dozers they used to bring out with a helecopter! We used to get this one Indian kid to come out
(he was a Seabee), and have him dig berms for us as well as clear fire zones. Poor guy was shot at more than anybody I'd ever seen, and it finally reached a point that they would send a couple squads of CIDG's out in front of him by about three hundred yards. On mountain tops we started using Daisy Cutters even before we moved in.
gary

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Gary--- exciting times. Some great memories. Trust you are doing well and continue to be proud of your service to the Nation.
Well done!
DJ

Also the Australian FSB had a mix of Aust, New Zealand and US guns. The Main base at Nui Dat had US heavies (8 " and 155s), Aust and NZ 105s (M101 (Aust) and L5 Pack (NZ) plus the Bns 81mm Mortars.
FSB as deployed tended to have just the Mortars and 105s of either type. FSB Coral which the enemy tried to overrun had M101 105's and Mortars. At least 1 gun was overrun but retaking during the battle. The Gunners were firing Canister at point blank.
Cheers
Al

Guys, you make me feel as thou I was there. And most of it I weren't even born yet ( 8/8/72 ). Your memory is so vivid, and I did know where they filmed " Green Berets " , but the ideas were supposed to be identical to the real thing. I saw it on a docu bout the ' Duke '.
I never got stories from my father or uncle bout in country cause they were wet behind the ears; NAVY. I mean they didn't even do river patrols, so my knowledge was small. Just what I read, saw and the bit I heard. I had a guy I worked with here in Bermuda ( his name has slipped my memory ), but he was is the Australian Forces not sure what div, but he got the Highest Medal awarded in the Australian Army in 2005 I believe. He worked he at the Bermuda Biological station on the the RSV Weatherbird. He told me a bit bout in country before he left to go home to Australia. I have a photo copy of his award and name and all, when I find I will post. Guys feel free to talk about NAm it helps me with my projects. Which I have finalized down to 3 scenes.
1. A FSB
2. A Rice Patty Field
3. A Tunnel System

For the figures I have rite now they are my best moves until I get sum more kits.
No I haven't given up on the Heliobase but after seeing my mates Chinook 1/35, I decided to hold off on that for a while. It weren't the $149 price tag it was the size. My dio would have to be at least 5-6 feet wide just to accommodate the Chinook, and I haven't even thought about adding any other heli. If you were following my other blogs, you'd see were I was told I have the wrong year & model of a AH-1 Cobra, so I got an idea I used to do with my old Tiger tanks to show battle damage. BURN IT!!!! I am gonna use the Cobra , burn it and amke it look like it got shot down. How does that sound for turning a date line around?
Cheers guys!! Keep you posted!!!