VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Le Dinh Hung THE BUILDING AND OPERATIONS OF REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN THE SOUTH FROM 1954 TO 1965 DOCTORAL THESIS OF HISTORY HANOI - 2016 VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Le Dinh Hung THE BUILDING AND OPERATIONS OF REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN THE SOUTH FROM 1954 TO 1965 Major: History of Vietnam Code: 62 22 03 13 DOCTORAL THESIS OF HISTORY SCIENCE SUPERVISOR: Assoc Prof Nguyen Dinh Le Hanoi - 2016 INTRODUCTION Urgency of the topic The Resistance War against the American invasion in the period of 1954 1975 is a special event not only of the modern history of Vietnam but world history in the twentieth century It is a event of the era significance which gains the attention of researchers worldwide Armed violence is one of the two subjects of this historical event in this stature era Research on the history of building and operation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South (RAFS) the period from 1954 to 1965 will shed light on context of the Revolutionary history of Vietnam after the Geneva agreement, the creations of the southern people in the armed construction and operation to defend themselves These creations provides revolutionary pioneering solid arguments to redirect strategic guidance, recognize and direct the construction, develop and accelerate the operation of RAFS This research clarifies the construction and operation of RAFS in the period 1954 – 1965 which is the beginning the foundation, clarifies its role with the revolutionary process in general and decisive role in the war against the US in the period of 1954-1975 Studying the Resistance War against the American invasion also suggests and provides the scientific foundation to facilitate the building and reinforcement of the proper and scientific foreign policy, defense and security guidelines in the new situation Therefore, requirements for research, review and draw on lessons in the country construction and defense in the Resistance War against the American invasion in the period of 1954 -1975 becomes urgent However, the beginning of this war, the construction and operation of RAFS in the period of 1954 - 1965 has not been studied as a whole, basically continuous and comprehensive system Hence, a deep, comprehensive and systematic research on RAFS in the period of 1954 -1965 will contribute to more complete awareness of the decisive role of RAFS in Resistance War against the American invasion, as well as to enrich awareness of the artistic Vietnam resistence war This work also provokes methodology arguments in the context of country construction and defense at present From the above sense, we chose: "The building and operation process of the revolutionary armed forces in the South from 1954 to 1965" as the Ph.D thesis in History of Vietnam Research objectives and tasks 2.1 Research Objectives Recreate the system, rule, construction and operation scale of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South from 1954 to 1965 2.2 Research Tasks To achieve the objectives, thesis includes these following tasks: - Research and clarify essential requirements to maintain the operation of RAFS for Southern Revolution - Analyze and interpret to clarify the policy and the direction of the Party in building armed forces and armed struggle in 1954 – 1965, the construction and operation progress of RAFS defeat America - Republic of Vietnam in the period from 1954 to 1965 - Evaluate the characteristics and role of the construction and operation progress of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South from 1954 to 1965 Research object and scope 3.1 Research Object The process of construction and operation of RAFS from 1954 to 1965 3.2 Research scope - Area: South, from Quang Tri to the South (The Southern parallel of latitude 17th) , based on the division under the Geneva Agreement - Time: Since the Geneva Agreement was signed (7/1954) to May 7-1965 when the strategy of "special war" failed, the US officially launched strategy of "partial war " - Content: The thesis studies comprehensively the process of building and operation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South from 1954 to 1965 Resources, methodology and research methods 4.1 Resources The thesis exploits collective documents of Party and documentation of the Land Committee, the Central Bureau, the United district commissioner V; National Archives Centre II, Military Region V, VII, IX and military history of the provinces and cities directly under the central government from Quang Tri to the South; Books, newspapers, magazines, master thesis in history, doctoral dissertation in history and other resources related to the thesis from 1954 to 1965 4.2 Methodology and Research Methods - Methodology: The thesis was based on the fundamental perspectives of Marxism Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Ideology ; the views of the Communist Party of Vietnam on the Revolution War, the People's War - Research Methodology: During the study, we used historical and logical approaches as the core In addition, we also use a number of methods such as analysis, synthesis, comparison and interdisciplinary approaches to address the specific problems of the thesis New scientific contribution of the thesis - Firstly, the thesis embodies the overall picture of the construction process and the activities of the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces from 1954 to 1965 to against the neocolonial invasion of America and the Republic of Vietnam - Second, it contributes to affirm the tremendous role of RAFS in the transitional stage of the anti-US resistance war in the period of 1954-1965 The theoretical and practical meaning of the thesis The thesis brings RAFS to a deserved position in the period from 1954 to 1965 of Vietnam's Revolutionary history Thesis supplements documenting about the Resistance War against the American invasion of Vietnamese people; It can be used as reference contributing to the study and teaching history; adds to the tradition and experience in building and fighting for more than 70 glory years of the people's armed forces The results also suggest significant methodology problems in the of building and firmly defense the socialist fatherland Vietnam today Structure of the thesis Addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, References, and Appendices, the thesis includes chapters: Chapter 1: Overview of research Chapter 2: The Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces from 1954 to 1960 Chapter 3: The Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces from 1961 to 1965 Chapter 4: Some comments on the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces from 1954 to 1965 Chapter AN OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION 1.1 Group of domestic research on anti-US Resistance War in general 1.1.1 Group works review, the leaders of the Communist Party, the State, the Vietnam People's Army Firstly, some of the studies of the War and the Revolutionary War should be mentioned such as Military theses Collection, volume III, Ha Noi: People's Army Publishers; Ho Chi Minh, Le Duan, Truong Chinh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Van Tien Dung, Song Hao (1996) “ About the Resistance War against America” by Gen Van Tien Dung Hanoi Truth Publishers, 1976 Gen Vo Nguyen Giap, the Great Brother of Vietnam People's Army forces, wrote “ The People's Liberation War and the People's national defense war”, Hanoi: Truth Publishers, 1979 1.1.2 Group of monograph projects on the Resistance War against the American Empire to Save the Nation in Vietnam “The South on the road to victory” Part and by Tran Van Giau, Hanoi: Social Sciences Publishing House, 1965 and 1968 Vietnam Academy of Military History wrote “History of resistance against American 1954 -1975” including parts, Ha Noi: People's Army Publishers This monograph mentioned the War of Resistance against American through the period 1954 – 1965 in the first 03 parts: Part was entitled “Causes of the war”; Part with “Moving Strategies” and the last one was “Winning the Special War” “History of the Southern Resistance” by Editor Directing Council of the Southern Resistance History, volume II period 1954 - 1975, Hanoi: National Political Publishers- The truth, 2010 These monographs are studied in detail on the 21 years of the resistance War against the American Empire to Save the Nation of Vietnam in general or on a specific aspect and a field of the anti-US Resistance war for national salvation that related to the armed forces However, these study authors not have in-depth research on the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces’ processes and activities in the Resistance War against the United States in general and in the crucial period of the war (1954 -1965) with sense of a problem or the most important aspect of a comprehensive war against the most powerful superpower in the world in that period 1.2 Group of monograph projects on the People's armed forces in general and in particular on the Southern Revolutionary armed forces 1.2.1 Group monograph books on the People's armed forces and the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry of Defense wote “ The special subjects of the local people's war in defencing the nation”, the saved documents at the Military History Institute “The History of the Vietnam People's Army”, Part issued by the People's Army Publishers, Hanoi, 1994; “Vietnam Military History”, vol 11, Hanoi: National Political Publishing House, 2005 by the Institute of Military History Most military region has published books on the history of the People's armed forces or the Resistance war against American to save the Nation History of the military Region VI (South Central Coast - Southern Central Highlands) wars against the American in the period of 1954-1975 Hanoi: the People's Army Publishing House, 1995 by Military Region V; Military Region IX - 30 years of war (1945-1975) issued by the People's Army Publishing House in Hanoi, 1999 by Military Region IX; Military Region VIII (The Mekong River Delta) War against American for Resistance from 1954 to 1975, the National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2001 by Chen Yang served as editor; History of the Military Region VII’s Armed Forces (1945-2010) by Military Region VII, issued by the People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2010 All of the Southern Military Commands published books related to the history of the People's Armed forces or Resistance war against America in their own locality Typical books are Quang Nam - Da Nang, 30 years of Fight and Victory, the People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 1988 by the Quang Nam Da Nang Provincial Military command; History of the Ben Tre people’s Resistance war against American Ben Tre people, 1993 by the Ben Tre Provincial Military Command ; History Dong Nai Armed forces (1945-1995) by Military command of Dong Nai, issued by the People's Army Publishing House in Hanoi, 1999 1.2.2 Group of theses, dissertations and scientific journals about the People's armed forces and the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces Party’s leadership of the struggle against the " national policy " of the US strategic hamlets in the South Vietnam (1961 – 1965) by Tran Thi Thu Huong PhD thesis in historical science, major in Historical Party, by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Polistics, Hanoi, 2000 Being related to the group of monograph projects on the Revolutionary armed forces, there are hundreds of scientific articles that published in the journals such as Military History, Historical Studies, History of the Party There are some typical articles of these for instance, Aspects of the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces period 1954-1960, Journal of Military History, No 4, 1996, the Fifth resolution on the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces, Journal of Military History, No 1, 1999 by Nguyen Dinh Le; the Signal Battle, Journal of Military History, No 1, 2003; Journal of Military History, No 3, 2003; Journal of Military History, No 12, 2005 by Ho Khang; and the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces in the diversion processing in the Party's direction at that crucial momentary history by Nguyen Dinh Le, Journal of Military History, , No 1, 2010 The achievement of these researches on the Southern Revolutionary armed forces was very valuable It could be in a concrete field of the construction or operation of the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces, or was generalized in a certain time period which associated with the special history events, the battles, the strategic significance campaigns The demension and domain of study can be generalized on a short period of time or a historical turning-point of the resistance War against the American Empire to Save the Nation in the period 1954-1965 or a specific field related to construction and operation of the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces during this period The research achievements of the authors and monographic studies would be the valuable documentations and foundation that the authors can gather, inherit and apply for deploying in the foundation and completing thesis process … 1.3 Group of studies conducted by foreign scholars and the Saigon government William Westmoreland - the direct leader of the US military commander in Southern Vietnam wrote “Report of a soldier”, issued by Ho Chi Minh City Youth Publishing House in 1988 In 1995, Robert Strange McNamara, former American National Sercurity Defense P minister, who took part in planning policy to Vietnam under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson completed the memoir “The Past reminiscence, great tragedy and experienced learning about Vietnam”, Random House Publisher, 1995 Since the capitalist standpoint, originated from the other side, the scholars tried to mention the American war in Vietnam in the most objectively interpretation Although the viewpoint and assessment in the war are different, inobjective and inconsistent with the traditional Labour Party stance, the authors considered it one of the important documentary souces for comparison and cross-referenced of their own researches 1.4 Thesis issues needed to be further researched and resolved Due to lacks of concrete science projects, specific thesis research to clarify appearing laws, operation, characteristics, establishment andoperation of the Southern Revolutionary armed forces in the crucial period of the Resistance War against the American Empire to Save the Nation between 1954 and 1965 The thesis aimed to go details, scientific interpret some of the following subjects: - Analyze factors, historical circumstances affecting the appearance of the Labour Party violent revolution way, laid foundation for the establishment and operation of the Southern Revolutionary armed forces in the period from 1954 to 1965; Analyze the origin, operation, characteristics and nature of building and operation of the Southern Revolutionary armed forces during the period 1954 1965; On the basis of the system, overall, including regional factors, specific characteristics to these procedures The thesis attempts to interpret rules, assess objectively the role of the Southern armed forces to the Resistance War against the American empire to save the nation in the South during the period of 1954 1965; Evaluate the construction and operation of the Southern Revolutionary Armed Forces Suggest issues which have methodology meanings in the national construction and defense nowadays Chapter 2: THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN SOUTH VIETNAM FROM 1960 TO 1954 2.1 Factors affecting the building and operation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in South Vietnam 2.1.1 The Geneva Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Indochina Strictly implementing the Geneva agreement, North Vietnam moved to North latitude 17 with 120,000 soldiers and officers Southern Revolution went back to the development period of “from nothing to something”, with the rule of “fewer wins more”, “long-term struggle”, “fighting and force developing at the same time” like the 9-years against French colonialism”, which was being renovated in recent conditions 2.1.2 The US and Ngo Dinh Diem administration, the new objects of the revolution in South Vietnam The US decided to choose Vietnam as an experiment for global strategy to crush the Vietnam revolution, prevent and repel communism in Indochina and Southeast Asia, construct a military base; impose neocolonialism in South Vietnam; set up military bases in Southeast Asia 2.1.3 Resources of the United States and the Saigon regime in South Vietnam from 1954 to 1960 In March, 1956 under the auspices of the US, Ngo Dinh Diem regime held elections, to set National Assembly In October, 1956, Diem promulgated Constitution of “the First Republic" and carried out comprehensively in military, politics, social-culture When the US government - Diem had been built in a perfect way from the central to grassroots levels, Republic of Vietnam embarked on the implementation of the "pacification" of South Vietnam, started up the policy "anti-communist" 2.1.4 International Context National liberation movements from the Middle East spread to Africa and Latin America The year 1960 was called “the year of Africa" Labor movement struggling for peace, democracy, national independence and progress in capitalist countries and nationalism became an important front line hitting the bourgeoisie and monopoly capitalist state In Indochina peninsula, after the Geneva agreements, Cambodian government maintained the pursuit of neutrality In Laos, the Lao People's Party was open to the public in 1955 and the Lao Patriotic Front operated actively Such changes benefited the Vietnam revolution However, the communist movement and worker movement in other countries also gave some disadvantages The opinions of the leading Communist Parties of the two largest countries in the socialist system at that time that had not supported using violent solution to the reunification, and the outstanding features of the cold war impacted negatively on the process making way against American invasion of Communist Party of Vietnam 2.1.5 North Vietnam forward to build socialism In 1958 North Vietnam implemented socialist renovation and further developed in economy – culture section The result of the 3-year plan (1958-1960) of socialist renovation created enormous changes in the North of Vietnam Up to 1960, the People's Army had completed the tasks in the first years military plan; took a further step, from the force mostly infantry with not very unified organization, and shortages of weapons and equipment to a regular army, more modern, including forces: Army , Navy, and Air Force 2.2 Revolutionary armed forces in the South from 1954 to 1960 2.2.1 Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South from 1954 to 1956 2.2.1.1 Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South in the resistance against France Southern battlefields proved that, through years of resistance, the armed forces held here was in line with the capabilities of the remote central battlefield, to adapt to a guerrilla war in the enemy's rear The small-scaled and tenacious armed units, could withstand greater forces many times, destroy the large number of enemies, maintained the control on the base and opened some liberated areas 2.2.1.2 Efforts for the implementation of the Geneva agreements 10 On September 5, 1954, the Political Bureau of Party Central Committee had a meeting to concretize the tasks of the revolution in the South in the current period was "to lead the people in the South implement the Armistice Agreement, to consolidate the peace and to implement democratic freedoms (freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of organization, freedom of movement, etc.), improve people's livelihood, unify and enlist independence " 2.2.1.3 Formation and other forms of revolutionary armed forced activities of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in South Vietnam from 1954 to 1956 With 200 officers and soldiers, at the beginning, to support the political movement, the South propaganda armed safeguard forces had grown with 37 armed platoons for propaganda But these only worked in restriction, in order to not be against the policy of the Party at that time, which was political struggle By May 5, 1956, within U Minh Ha base (Ca Mau), Western Provincial Union had set up 14 armed “companies" (a company is equivalent to a platoon); provinces had built secret self-defense forces Based on difficult terrain and on people's habits in the West, the delta area V was armed against the oppression of the US - Diem The unique form of selfdefense of the officers and people in the West was spontaneous, but it was the beginning of the combine of political struggle and armed self-defense 2.2.2 Revolutionary Armed Forces Southern 1957-1958 2.2.2.1Resources of the US - Diem in 1957-1958 A series of campaigns anti-communist, land reform programs, dense area establishment, parks and estates setting up, Law 10/59 the US – Diem regime made heavy loss for the revolution in South To completely destroy the revolution in South, the US - Diem continued to implement more violent policies 2.2.2.2 Advocated building and operation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South in 1957 - 1958 Before implementing blatantly undermining Geneva Agreement of the US RVN, on June 8, 1956, the Political Bureau had a meeting, gave a resolution determining the nature and mission, the guideline of the revolution in the South Although southern revolution still used peaceful and politic means, but by no means not armed to protect themselves and support the political struggle To concretize the Party's policies, the South and the area V directed flexibly depending on specific conditions of their locality 2.2.2.3 The construction and operation of the revolutionary armed forces in the south in the years 1957-1958 In June, 1958, Southern Committee decided to establish the commander of the Eastern Military Committee under the Southern Committee, in charge of the 11 unified of South Vietnam propaganda armed forces, advising the Committee in armed activities and events In late 1958, the armed forces continued to operate efficiently in many places In particular, on 11-10-1958, Southern Committee, the Military Committee Party and Eastern armed forces Party attacked Dau Tieng county (Thu Dau Mot province) Dau Tieng Victory proved RAFS ability to carry out a battle on a relatively large scale, supporting political movement The battle cleared the communication between War Zone A (East war zone, War zone D), with the north of Tay Ninh War (War Zone Duong Minh Chau, War Zone B), enabling the Southern Commission to leave Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to the Southeast base to steer the southern revolution By the end of 1958, the revolution had established self-government in many parts of Tay Nguyen and the western plain provinces in which there were many bases with 5-7 communes, even more than 10 communes Most of villages with regular self-government and a posse on business 2.2.3 Southern Armed Forces Revolutionary in general uprising in 19591960 2.2.3.1 The policy of the Central Committee in Resolution 15, the turning point for the Southern Revolutionary Armed Force In January 1959, the Central Committee decided to convene the 15th informal conference (II) in expansion in Ha Noi to release Resolution 15 Central Resolution 15 identified the basic development path of revolution violence Therefore it was a great significance in ending the awkwardness of Party in directing Southern revolution It was considered as a landmark marking the strategic guidance to Southern revolution 2.2.3.2 Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South To promote stronger uprising and taking weapons of the mass to equip the armed forces, the Southern Party Secretary- Nguyen Van Linh approved to attack Tua Hai performed by military forces of Eastern provincial federation Tua Hai battle was the big victory stirring southeastern regions and spreading to the entire regions, creating a turning point that moved southern revolution from protection to initiative attack to defeat the enemy and was the first resounding victories of Vietnam revolutionary war fighting of aggressive war deployed by the US neocolonialism Tua Hai victory represented a popular method of general uprising movement in Tay Ninh, the southeastern region and the entire regions, that was military offensive to create “đòn xeo” to support the mass to launch the general uprising to defeat Republic of Vietnam Gorvernment at local regions 12 That was a typical mothod proving the position, role and capabilities of South Vietnam Revolutionary Forces in general uprising movement 2.2.3.3 Revolutionary Armed Forces in Saigon urban In early 1960s, the armed forces of Saigon - Gia Dinh region were united The first focused company of Region was still the number of C12, however platoons Liberated areas were expanded 2.2.3.4 Revolutionary armed forces in Zone V Implementation of the Party’s policy, Zone V built 12 modern sapper companies and infantry companies The province also built sapper and infantry, Gia Lai in the early 1960s built armed focused platoon named village 10, village 20, village 30, village 40, village 50, village 60 In July, 1960, Hoai Duc - North battle is a great victory of the military and civilian at Zone V The opponent must admit: "Tua Hai Tay Ninh and Hoai Duc- Bac Ruong was the stinging defeat of the arm of the Republic of Vietnam " Chapter SOUTHERN REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES FROM 1961 to 1965 3.1 Historical background and policy strategies of the parties in South Vietnam after general uprising movement 3.1.1 Historical background of the 60s of the twentieth century 3.1.1.1 Historical background 60s world of the twentieth century a The impact of the Soviet Union and China to Vietnam's revolution Despite favorable conditions of the socialist camp grew ceaselessly and gradually approached the strategic balance with the Capitalism camp, unti 1964 Soviet Union revealed a new path for national salvation with Vietnam and China for many reasons, did not support violent revolutionary path to liberate the South and reunify the country In early 1960s, the rift between the two ruling parties, the two largest countries of the socialist camp, US and allies was becoming fiercely b US and allies 13 G.Kenedy becoming Us president in 1961 replaced a new policy and a new military strategy – “flexible response" strategy and immediately tested "special war " strategy in South Vietnam However, within the Capitalism camp, National capitalism have been new developments with being more autonomous, more independent with the US and competed fiercely with American capitalism and America's economic superpower position c National liberation movement National liberation movement developed extensively and widely, completely defeated Classical colonialism and their colonial system, strengthened the world revolutionary movement 1960 was called the year of Africa In 1965, 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America became independent 3.1.1.2 Domestic background in the 60s of the twentieth century a The building of socialism and the defense consolidation in the North From 1960 onwards, the North entering a new period - the period of building socialism with the plan of the first years (1961-1965) to build the initial infrastructure of socialism in the North and make a massive industrialization, won a great victory Northern revolutionary armed forces after 10 years of construction grew significantly The main divisions advanced regular and modern army The army troops were equipped with more modern weapons and in readiness to fight b The Southern situation after general uprising movement By the end of 1960, general uprising movement in the South had dissolved most rural local authorities of the Saigon regime The general uprising movement ended temporary stabilization period of the Saigon regime, pushed it on a comprehensive crisis Through the Dong Khoi movement, the Southerners won the ownership under different forms, different levels: in the South,1,100/1,296 communes with 4.5 million people; in Zone V, 4,440/4,700 villages with million people 3.1.1.3 Development Requirements of the Southern revolution after Dong Khoi movement Objective requirement of the southern revolution of this period was to build the armed forces that were strong enough to prevent and eventually destroy an important part of the enermy’s energy and to put Southern revolution forward However, to meet that mission requirements, the vanguard had to handle 14 international relations at extremely complex and highly sensitive level at the time of Cold War in the early 1960s The process was based on the independent and creative guidance viewpoints to decide rhythm, scale, characteristics and nature of the construction and operation of the Southern revolutionary armed forces against Special war 3.1.2 The policy strategy of the parties in South Vietnam after Dong Khoi movement 3.1.2.1 Special war strategy of the United States and Saigon regime a Stalay - Taylor war plan To concretize "special war" strategy in South Vietnam US – Diem goverment developed and implemented Stalay - Taylor plan b Johnson – McNamara war plan In late 1963, the basic objectives of Stalay - Taylor plan was defeated February 17th, 1964, the 36th US president, Johnson adopted a new war plan: Johnson McNamara 3.1.2.2 Changing guidance strategies of the Central Committee from 1961 to 1965 To meet the requirements against Special war, in 1961 and 1962, the Politburo led resolutions to parallel the armed struggle with the political struggle and at the central committee conference in December 1963 the armed struggle was put one step higher than the political struggle 3.2 Establishment and operation of the military force in South liberation revolution from 1961 to 1965 3.2.1 Establishing the military force in South liberation revolution from 1961 to 1965 3.2.1.1 Managing the military force and building the administration boards in the South battlefield and section V Building the military force was the most priority duty to the establishing the military force in South liberation revolution To confront with the strong enemy, and to have a bright modern strategy, the military force of the south liberation revolution had to reinforce the bigger units to smaller units and made them a professional and modern military unit, so as to deal with the harsh 15 situations The success of establishing the military force in South liberation revolution attached with the results from this duty 3.2.1.2 Building the revolutionary base, reinforce the powerbase of the leaders’ premises and the strategic zones The strategic way from the North to the South was a prominent idea in the world military history, showing the Vietnamese intelligence, and the war art of Vietnamese people “the strategic way” ceaselessly extended and kept operating no matter how strong the enemy’s attack was The strategic way embraced the support of the North rear, the supports from the international friends, and the supports of the era Protecting, maintaining and ceaselessly expanding the strategic zones means continually reinforcing the country liberation revolution in the south in general, and establishing the military force in South in particular 3.2.1.3 Building the primary units and local armed force for the south liberty revolution The year 1964 marked the stable development of three armies All of the wards have their own guerilla units which come from squads to platoons and company The district level has its own company while the province level has its own battalion Each region or zone has its own regiment The combating skill has been enhanced so as to defeat all the schemes of the “special war” strategy of the enemy Together with the primary force of region, local armies co-ordinated types of army and extended its own attack circle to the Saigon army’s occupy The south military district got to the level of devastating 2-3 zones 3.2.1.4 The initial steps in founding the modern army of the army force in the south liberty revolution a The service of artillery b Commando and Saigon ranger Although the newborn armies were still inexperienced at that time, they had a positive role in improving the attack power to armies of the south liberty revolution It shows that the armed force of the south liberty revolution were being increased in size and skills, in order to defeat the “special war” plan of the opponent 3.2.1.5 Building the parking stops, stores, and the rear bases for the centre’s supporting 16 The preparation for places to receive the support form the centre directly developed the armies, especially the primary force in regions and districts It is the direct requirement to proceed the battle and the bigger schemes destroying Saigon main armies at battalion and regiment level (e.g: Binh Gia campaign in 1964, Spring-Summer 1965, Phuoc Long-Dong Xoai…) 3.2.1.1 Building and operating the security force in the south so as to satisfy the new demands of the armed force for revolution The operation of building and operating the South security in the period 19541965 and especially 1961-1965 contributed to protect our personnel of the revolutionary armed force and secure its activities, maintain the surprising agent, secret agent, playing an important role to the great achievements of the revolutionary armed force in the early stage of the war against American invaders Developing together with operating was one of the feature of the security in regions and zones, which was the same characteristic of the revolutionary armed force in the period 1954-1965 3.2.2 The South revolutionary armed force defeat the enemy in the special war 3.2.2.1 The revolutionary armed in the south co-ordinated the political struggle and arms to destroy the plan of “national hamlet” and defeat the strong units of Saigon army (1961-1963) The RAFS of VN had the speedy pace, gradually combined with the political struggle The armed force of arms, attacking positions, strategic zones exposed all their strength The combination between politics and army power slowed down the plan of “national hamlet” and the enemy’s attack However, these efforts could not change the situation because the American – Saigon army had its own schemes The key of the plan was the strategy “helicopter and tank operation” The revolution didn’t find the right remedy to deal with this problem efficiently, so there was a balance in the war Without the support of the south revolutionary armed force, the political and combat tendency were not efficient The situation changed only after the victory of Ap Bac (My Tho) January 1963 After the victory of Ap Bac, the enemy’s strategy “helicopter and tank operation” was not scary at all Three armies of the south revolutionary armed force was confident to withstand efficiently, thus we could foster the political and combat tendency with aim to take the control of the war, and proceeded to defeat the plan “special war” of the enemy in years “1964-1965” 17 3.2.2.2 The south armed force fostered the combating operation in dry season of 1964-1965 From 12-1964 to 7-1965, the south battlefield had continuously carried on campaigns attacking the enemy in one large area of the South East of VN, and the section V The armed force developed significantly, especially the the regional armed force The leaders and combating conductors improved their skills, allowing the regional armed force to extend its operation and coordinating with the local armed force to intensively attack the Saigon armed force fiercely Together with the combating, the political struggle was fostered, hence the basic content of the plan “special war” from America declined At the end of 1964, Saigon government only had 3461 hamlets, until 6-1965 the number dropped to 2000 hamlets, the main army of Saigon armed force was defeated by the liberty revolution army Chapter SOME REMARKS ON THE SOUTH REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCE DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1954 TO 1965 4.1 The foundation of the south revolutionary armed force as the necessary demand, and reasonable results from the war with the American invaders 4.1.1 Being founded to protect the south revolution 4.1.2 Being attributed to the development of the south revolution during Dong Khoi movement 1959-1960 4.1.3 Having grounds from the struggle of the south people against the special war 4.2 The characteristics of building and operating the south revolutionary armed force during the period 1954-1965 4.2 Features of the inception and the operation of the South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces during the period of 1954-1965 4.2.1 Restraining the enemy 4.2.2 Basic components of local forces 4.2.3 The structure of the force for the people's war 4.2.4 Fortes 4.3 The role of the South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces in the war against the American invaders 18 4.3.1 The role of the revolutionary armed forces in the milestone of Total Revolution 4.3.2 The South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces performed the tradition of the Vietnamese People's Armed Forces 4.3.3 The Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam - a new image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the war against American invasion 4.4 Some historical experience 4.4.1 The direction of the Communist Party of Vietnam - the decisive factor for the inception and development of the revolutionary armed forces in the South 4.3.2 The inheritance and flexible performance of methods of violent revolution 4.3.3 The construction and proper, flexible and practical functioning 4.3.4 Building armed forces must focus on the core armed force, the local armed force and militias in a harmonious way along with characteristics of each battlefield and specific duties in each historical period 4.3.5 Maintaining efforts to overcome challenges and difficulties, drawing lessons in order to against sophisticated new tactics and modern weapons of the American enemy CONCLUSION The Geneva Treaty of 1954 ended Vietnam’s nine-year resistance against the French colonialists It also opened a new page of the people’s long war against American invaders The US government and the Republic of Vietnam hatched their plots by implementing a series of policies to destroy Vietnamese people’s revolutionary movements and aspirations to reunify the country They brutally crushed citizens movements for peace in the South Vietnam, gradually leading the region to the war With the anti-communist policies, the Law 10/59, and then the strategy of "Special War", the US – Diem alliance pushed the revolutionary movements in the South in jeopardy with serious losses The peaceful path to the country reunification was totally destroyed This difficult situation required Vietnam to undertake the revolution by force instead of political and peaceful solutions 19 The inception of the South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces was a historic necessity After nine years of politically-revolutionary movements in vain, Vietnamese revolutionists and people in the South got maturity and had to stand up with weapons to fight against an enemy with notorious tricks which had put their movements down in the blood bath The revolutionists formed local self-defense teams and militia groups with an aim to survive from the brutal enemy Since late 1957 and early 1958, armed self-defense groups were formed in most of localities in the South Then these self-defense groups developed and essentially transformed into armed forces for propaganda in favour of the revolution In the middle of 1958, the Board of Eastern Military Command was established to strengthen military operations and revolutionary propaganda In 1959, there were 139 armed platoons and those for propaganda, hundreds of self-defense groups focusing on fights and propaganda in political field Vietname’s objective was to use force against the enemies’ anti-revolution activities in order to protect the major revolutionary forces in the South, and then reach the reunification of the country The clearly demanding situation led to the promulgation of the Resolution No.15, which kicked off Vietnam historic Total Revolution The strategy changed from maintaining armed forces to undertaking great battles As a result, Vietnam armed revolutionary forces took control over a huge rural area in the South, marking an important period of officially legal operations of our armed forces During 1954-1960, Vietnam Southern armed revolutionary forces were still modest but they were considered as a vital drive towards the revolution in the South Since 1961, the US - Diem alliance had focused on the extreme militarization of Saigon government to correct their failures in restraining the Total Revolution They set up a strategy called ‘Special War’ and hatched dangerous plots to make an end to the strong revolutionary upheaval In order to deal with the new challenge, the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee adjusted its strategy, making armed operations its mainstream and conducting people’s revolutionary movements under the option No.2 of Resolution No.15 To reach this aim, all the armed revolutionary forces in the South were unified under the name of ‘The Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam’ with a vertical structure from the centre to local grassroots levels with an aim to tighten the unification for an improved capacity to receive supports from the North of Vietnam 20 The shift in the PCV’s political strategies was completely performed after a complicated long process from 1961 to 1963, when the PCV’s PolitBuro affirmed its privilege of armed fights which must go a step ahead fights in the political field Therefore, this shift had a profoundly historical and practical signification to the Vietnam Revolution It played an important role of a momentum for the revolutionary movements in the South and the subsequent victory of the revolution It not only defeated the US strategy of "Special War", but also contributed to the victory of Vietnamese people’s "holy war" against the most powerful country in the world During 1961-1963, The Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam built up its first major forces basically divided into combat troops and platoons to operate in small fights in local battlefields This strategy aimed at the protection of core ground forces during American special war and temporarily hide itself in a complicated international situation Despite lack of experiences and limited power from the beginning, the young revolutionary army overcome tough challenges to develop and completely defeated Staley - Taylor plans on taking control over the South Vietnam for 18 months One of Vietnam’s great achievements was the win in the Ap Bac battle The war situation changed dramatically in 1964 The US government started to expand the war to the North of Vietnam by sending more combat troops to operate directly in the South For its part, The PCV’s Central Committee took initiative to intensify the important role and the power of the Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam with modern military troops with an aim to win the war in a relatively short term Therefore, the period from late 1964 to early 1965 was considered as the decisive time of Vietnam war To meet the new requirements, the Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam gradually built up its large-scale foundation, focusing on the development of the ground forces to form ‘tight fist’ in the South and the military areas Technical units were also improved rapidly, making a great coordination and supports to the major forces in long large battles, which caused huge damages and losses of the rival in Binh Gia, Dong Xoai, Ba Gia Vietnam totally swept out American plots in the strategy of ‘Special War’ 21 The victory of ‘the inception and operation of Vietnam Armed Revolutionary Forces in the South from 1954 to 1965’ was considered as the foundation for subsequent great historic achievements of Vietnam in the war against American invaders It was a vital proof of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s essential directive role It also had precious experiences and historic values to contribute to the development of Vietnam People’s Army over 70 years and the construction and defense of the country today 22 [...]... development of the south revolution during Dong Khoi movement 1959-1960 4.1.3 Having grounds from the struggle of the south people against the special war 4.2 The characteristics of building and operating the south revolutionary armed force during the period 1954- 1965 4.2 Features of the inception and the operation of the South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces during the period of 1954- 1965 4.2.1 Restraining... stage of the war against American invaders Developing together with operating was one of the feature of the security in regions and zones, which was the same characteristic of the revolutionary armed force in the period 1954- 1965 3.2.2 The South revolutionary armed force defeat the enemy in the special war 3.2.2.1 The revolutionary armed in the south co-ordinated the political struggle and arms to destroy... was The strategic way embraced the support of the North rear, the supports from the international friends, and the supports of the era Protecting, maintaining and ceaselessly expanding the strategic zones means continually reinforcing the country liberation revolution in the south in general, and establishing the military force in South in particular 3.2.1.3 Building the primary units and local armed. .. as to satisfy the new demands of the armed force for revolution The operation of building and operating the South security in the period 19541 965 and especially 1961 -1965 contributed to protect our personnel of the revolutionary armed force and secure its activities, maintain the surprising agent, secret agent, playing an important role to the great achievements of the revolutionary armed force in the. .. Restraining the enemy 4.2.2 Basic components of local forces 4.2.3 The structure of the force for the people's war 4.2.4 Fortes 4.3 The role of the South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces in the war against the American invaders 18 4.3.1 The role of the revolutionary armed forces in the milestone of Total Revolution 4.3.2 The South Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces performed the tradition of the. .. revolutionary armed forces in the south in the years 1957-1958 In June, 1958, Southern Committee decided to establish the commander of the Eastern Military Committee under the Southern Committee, in charge of the 11 unified of South Vietnam propaganda armed forces, advising the Committee in armed activities and events In late 1958, the armed forces continued to operate efficiently in many places In particular,... violence Therefore it was a great significance in ending the awkwardness of Party in directing Southern revolution It was considered as a landmark marking the strategic guidance to Southern revolution 2.2.3.2 Revolutionary Armed Forces in the South To promote stronger uprising and taking weapons of the mass to equip the armed forces, the Southern Party Secretary- Nguyen Van Linh approved to attack... unify and enlist independence " 2.2.1.3 Formation and other forms of revolutionary armed forced activities of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in South Vietnam from 1954 to 1956 With 200 officers and soldiers, at the beginning, to support the political movement, the South propaganda armed safeguard forces had grown with 37 armed platoons for propaganda But these only worked in restriction, in order to. .. People's Armed Forces 4.3.3 The Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam - a new image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the war against American invasion 4.4 Some historical experience 4.4.1 The direction of the Communist Party of Vietnam - the decisive factor for the inception and development of the revolutionary armed forces in the South 4.3.2 The inheritance and flexible performance of methods of violent... the South, and then reach the reunification of the country The clearly demanding situation led to the promulgation of the Resolution No.15, which kicked off Vietnam historic Total Revolution The strategy changed from maintaining armed forces to undertaking great battles As a result, Vietnam armed revolutionary forces took control over a huge rural area in the South, marking an important period of officially