A 22-year-old paratrooper, James Speed Hensinger, captured these nighttime images in 1970 as the 173rd Airborne Brigade attempted to take out sniper near Phu Tai, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
Long exposure photos capture Vietnam firefight —
A 22-year-old paratrooper, James Speed Hensinger, captured these nighttime images in 1970 as the 173rd Airborne Brigade attempted to take out sniper near Phu Tai, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
James Speed Hensinger/Rex
Hensinger used a long exposure to capture the firefight, resulting in dramatic images of the path of tracer and heavy artillery fire.
Long exposure photos capture Vietnam firefight —
Hensinger used a long exposure to capture the firefight, resulting in dramatic images of the path of tracer and heavy artillery fire.
James Speed Hensinger/Rex
A Viet Cong sniper had been sporadically attacking the camp at night, aiming for sleeping huts. The attacks had killed at least one soldier as he slept.
Long exposure photos capture Vietnam firefight —
A Viet Cong sniper had been sporadically attacking the camp at night, aiming for sleeping huts. The attacks had killed at least one soldier as he slept.
James Speed Hensinger/Rex
The red lines in the photos are tracer fire from M60 and M2 machine guns. The white areas were created by Browning Machine Guns firing in long bursts.
Long exposure photos capture Vietnam firefight —
The red lines in the photos are tracer fire from M60 and M2 machine guns. The white areas were created by Browning Machine Guns firing in long bursts.
James Speed Hensinger/Rex
At the time, he didn't know how well the photos turned out; he only discovered their impact after mailing the rolls of film home. He decided to share them Memorial Day, on May 27.
Long exposure photos capture Vietnam firefight —
At the time, he didn't know how well the photos turned out; he only discovered their impact after mailing the rolls of film home. He decided to share them Memorial Day, on May 27.
James Speed Hensinger/Rex