THE BUILDING AND OPERATIONS OF REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN THE SOUTH FROM 1954 TO 1965

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
1. 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.
2. 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.
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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.
3. 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.
4. 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
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analysis, synthesis, comparison and interdisciplinary approaches to address the
specific problems of the thesis.
5. 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.

6. 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
7. Structure of the thesis
Addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, References, and Appendices, the
thesis includes 4 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 1
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) ...

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“ 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 2 and 3 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 9 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 1 was entitled “Causes of the war”; Part 2 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 do 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 2 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.

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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

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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:
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- 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

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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 5 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 9 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
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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
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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.
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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 3
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 2 infantry companies. The province also built sapper and infantry, Gia Lai
in the early 1960s built 6 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 3
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
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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 5 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 2
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
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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 9 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

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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 3 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 3 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
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The preparation for places to receive the support form the centre directly
developed the 3 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 3 arms, 3 attacking positions, 3 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
2 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 2 years “1964-1965”
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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
3 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 4
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
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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.

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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.
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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’.

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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.

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