Military Model Scene

Title: Shooting Vietnam

Author: Dan Brookes and Bob Hillerby

Publisher: Pen and Sword Books

ISBN: 978-1-52674-400-5

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Another take on the history of the Vietnam War, the experiences of the Military Photographers who served there. Not the multitude of press photographers who covered the war so extensively, but soldiers who served their year in the country taking/processing pictures for the US military.
The two major parts of the book are those of Bob Hillerby, a photographer (or 'shooter') whose job took him into action with the 'grunts', and Dan Brookes, who was working in the film processing lab. They both met at times when Bob did return to their main camp, near Saigon. As a photographer, Bob tells us of his experiences, where though only a Private, had his Photographers ID card which gave him access to flights and briefings. Maybe only a photographer, but he went into combat situations alongside the troops of the 1st Cavalry (Airmobile) Division. He describes his experiences and what he witnessed, both good and bad.
Then we have the account from Dan Brookes, already in a photography business at home, he had to leave that behind when he was drafted and spent the bulk of his time in Vietnam in the processing lab in Saigon, at Tan Son Nhut airport, where he did experience the forceful Viet Cong attacks against the facility, and found himself armed and on guard during these times of stress. He also saw more of life in Vietnam, including access to female company in the city.
Well illustrated throughout, this is another interesting aspect of military service in Vietnam during the 1960s and well worth a read.

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Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

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Robin