Liberation Army of South Vietnam
The Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV), or Viet Cong's army, was the official army of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF), or more commonly known in the West as Viet Cong (VC). The LASV forces were independent of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) of North Vietnam, but were closely allied with each other in war against the US forces and South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The LASV was unofficially established after 1954 and was recognized as main battle forces in South Vietnam by North Vietnam in 1961. The LASV appeared to be outside of the control of the People's Army of Vietnam, but under the command of the Central Office for South Vietnam, politically and militarily controlled by Hanoi and functioned as a branch of the North Vietnamese Army.[1]
| Liberation Army of South Vietnam Quân Giải phóng miền Nam Việt Nam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | January 1961 – July 2, 1976 |
| Country | National Liberation Front and Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam |
| Allegiance | Central Office for South Vietnam |
| Type | Irregular militia, Light infantry |
| Role | Guerrilla Forces, Asymmetric warfare and Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | 24,000 (1961) 64,000 (1963) 200,000 (1974) |
| Part of |  |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
Organization
According to 1954 Geneva agreements, the Viet Cong were not compulsorily removed to the North because it was a political entity, not a military force. North Vietnamese support for the Viet Cong to establish the NLF forces was allowed on the basis that it remained a militia in the South. The LASV was recognized as the official force on February 15, 1961 by North Vietnam. The LASV originally carried out operations ostensibly to protect South Vietnamese citizens from offensives by the Republic of Vietnam and the United States.[2] Most early soldiers in the LASV were South Vietnamese. However, casualties of war forced North Vietnam to provide volunteers for the LASV. As a result, many people mistakenly believed that the LASV was a part of the People's Army of Vietnam. North Vietnam and other communist nations recognised the LASV as the main militarily force in South Vietnam and considered the People's Army of Vietnam as supporter.[3] After the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, the Liberation Army of South Vietnam was merged into the People's Army of Vietnam in 1976.
Developments
In January 1961, the militia in South Vietnam became the official force there. On February 15, 1961, North Vietnam recognized it as the main battle force in South Vietnam. At the end of 1961, there were 24,500 soldiers and 100,000 militants in the LASV. The LASV had 11 battalions, with commanding generals Trần Văn Trà, Hoàng Văn Thái, Lê Trọng Tấn, Lê Đức Anh, Nguyễn Thị Định, and others.
The LASV initially confined its operations to rural areas due to Ngô Đình Diệm's tough crackdown on Communist sympathizers. However, the number of soldiers still went up to 64,000 in 1963. As the result, regiments were established. Since 1964, North Vietnam started providing soldiers for the LASV by voluntary mans. The number of the LASV soldiers reached over 200,000 in December 1974, including 90,000 from the North.[4]
The South Vietnamese and United States forces outnumbered the PAVN by at least 7 to 1 until 1965; even after 1965 the coalition forces still outnumbered the PAVN by 3 to 1.
The LASV also included urban fighting forces, especially in Saigon. These forces had mission of carrying out cover attacks against South Vietnam and American forces and its allies in urban areas, especially in Saigon. The urban special force in Saigon is famous in the 1968 Tet offensive.
The Liberation Army of South Vietnam merged into the People's Army of Vietnam after the reunification of Vietnam by the 1976 general election.[5]
Equipment
The Viet Cong established the NLF in order to help create a Communist state in South Vietnam. PAVN forces that went to the South were sent with the express mission to aid the NLF. The NLF army had different uniforms, flags and badges to those of the PAVN.
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Artillery
- ZPU-4 quad 14.5 mm anti-aircraft machine gun
- ZU-23 twin 23 mm anti-aircraft cannon
- M1939 37 mm anti-aircraft gun
- S-60 57 mm anti-aircraft gun
- 85 mm air defense gun M1939 (52-K)
- 100 mm air defense gun KS-19
- 82 mm, 107 mm, 120 mm, and 160mm mortars
- 122 mm Katyusha rockets
- Type 63 multiple rocket launcher
- BM-21 Grad
- BM-25 (MRL) limited numbers
- 122 mm gun M1931/37 (A-19)
- 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30)
- D-74 122 mm Field Gun
- 130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)
- 152 mm howitzer M1943 (D-1)
- 152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)
Aircraft weapons
Small arms
Handguns
- Tokarev TT-33 – Soviet-designed single-action 7.62×25mm semi-automatic pistol. More commonly used were the Chinese variants of the T33, known as the Type-51 and Type-54. Carried by PAVN and Viet-Cong officers, it accepted an 8-round single stack box magazine.[6]
- Makarov PM – Soviet-designed double/single-action 9×18mm Makarov (9.5×18mm) semi-automatic pistol. Reproduced in China as the Type-59, this small and reliable pistol became the standard sidearm of communist forces in Europe and Asia. Utilizing a simple blow-back action, this self-loading pistol fed from an 8-round single stack box magazine.[6]
- P-64 CZAK handgun
- Nagant M1895 revolver
Automatic and Semi-Automatic Rifles
- AK-47 and AKM assault rifles (from the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries)
- Type 56 assault rifle (from the People's Republic of China)
- Vz. 58 assault rifle (from the Czechoslovakia)
- Type 63 assault rifle
- Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle (captured by the Soviets during World War II and provided to the PAVN and the LASV as military aid)
- SVD-63 Very limited use semi-automatic marksman rifle, also known as the "Dragunov" sniper rifle
- MAS-49 rifle Captured French rifle from first Indochina War, used by PAVN throughout the 1950s and up to the mid 1960s
- M16A1 American assault rifle captured from U.S and ARVN forces.
- SKS semi-automatic carbine, also known as Simonov
Bolt-Action Rifles
- MAS-36 rifle Captured French rifle from first Indochina War, used by PAVN in earlier stages of the Vietnam War
- Mosin–Nagant bolt-action rifles and carbines (from the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact countries, and the People's Republic of China)
- Mauser Kar98k bolt-action rifle (many of the Mausers used by the PAVN and the LASV were from rifles captured from the French during the First Indochina War and rifles provided to them by the Soviets as military aid)
- Type 99 Rifle captured from the Japanese during World War II
Submachine Guns
- K-50M submachine gun (Vietnamese edition, based on Chinese version of Russian PPSh-41, under licence)
- Škorpion vz. 61 sumbmachine gun from Czechoslovakia
- PPSh-41 submachine gun (both Soviet and Chinese versions)
- MP-40 German sub machine captured during World War II by the Soviet Army, supplied to the Viet Cong in limited amounts
- MAT-49 submachine gun – Captured from the French by the North Vietnamese, many were converted to 7.62×25mm.[7]
- PM-63 Polish submachine gun
- MP-38 submachine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War II and provided to the PAVN and the NLF as military aid)
- PPS-43 Russian submachine gun
Machine Guns
- Type 99 LMG
- RPD light machine gun
- Degtyarev DP light machine gun
- SG-43/SGM medium machine guns (including Communist Chinese copies of these guns)
- RPK light machine gun
- PK machine gun Very limited use.
- MG-34 light machine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War II and provided to the PAVN and the NLF as military aid)
- MG-42 medium machine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War II and provided to the PAVN and the NLF as military aid)
- Uk vz. 59 general-purpose machine gun
- DShK heavy machine gun
- PM M1910 heavy machine gun
Grenades and other explosives
- F1 grenade
- Type 67 ChiCom Stick Grenade
- RG-42 grenade
- RGD-5 grenade
- 9K32 Strela-2 anti-aircraft weapon
- RPG-2 anti-tank weapon (both Soviet and locally produced B-40 and B-50 variants used)
- RPG-7 anti-tank weapon
- Type 69 RPG anti-tank weapon
Flamethrowers
- LPO-50 Flamethrower (limited use)
Activities
The Viet Cong established the NLF army in order to create the status of independence with North Vietnam and People's Army of Vietnam. PAVN forces that were sent south had the express mission of supporting NLF operations in the south. The NLF forces had different uniforms, flags and badges to those of the PAVN. The People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam was recognized as the main battle force of the communist coalition in the Vietnam war by North Vietnam and other communist nations.
In Vietnam war, members of the NLF army had different uniforms. Their uniforms were up to circumstances. There are not many traits to distinguish between Liberation Army of South Vietnam (LASV) and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces. More than a half of LASV and PAVN soldiers were members of the Labor Party of Vietnam, the old name of the Communist Party of Vietnam. However, Liberation Army of South Vietnam and People's Army of Vietnam forces held different flags. The PAVN soldiers carried flags of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). The LASV troops held flags of National Liberation Front. The PAVN was under the leadership of the North while LASV was under the leadership of the NLF. After the collapse of South Vietnam, the Liberation Army of South Vietnam merged into the People's Army of Vietnam. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period to the formal reunification of Vietnam under the Socialist Republic by the elections controlled by the government in 1976.[8]
For propaganda purposes of dividing forces of enemies, the ARVN and the US army always said that the LASV was comprehensively independent to the People's Army of Vietnam.
In South Vietnam, members of the Communist Party of Vietnam held membership of the People's Revolutionary Party.
According to American documents, the main battle forces in South Vietnam were the NLF army, not the People's Army of Vietnam.
Significant victories
- Battle of Ap Bac
- Battle of Binh Gia
- Battle of Dong Xoai
- Battle of Nui Thanh
- Battle of Ba Gia
Significant leaders
Commanders
| No. | Name (alias) | Period | others position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trần Văn Quang (Bảy Tiến) | 1961–1963 | Tư lệnh kiêm Chính ủy Quân khu Trị – Thiên (1966–1973) |
| 2 | Trần Văn Trà (Tư Chi) | 1963–1967 | Phó Bí thư Quân ủy, Phó tư lệnh Miền (1968–1972) |
| 3 | Hoàng Văn Thái (Mười Khang) | 1967–1973 | Phó Bí thư Quân ủy (1967–1973), Tư lệnh kiêm Chính ủy Quân khu 5 (1966–1967) |
| 4 | Trần Văn Trà (Tư Chi) | 1973–1975 | Phó Bí thư Quân ủy, Phó tư lệnh Miền (1968–1972) |
Political Commissars
| No. | Name (alias) | Period | others position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phạm Thái Bường (Ba Bường) | 1961–1962 | Bí thư Khu ủy 9 (1969–1974), Ủy viên thường vụ Trung ương Cục miền Nam (1965–1974) |
| 2 | Trần Nam Trung (Hai Hậu) | 1962–1964 | Ủy viên Quốc phòng Mặt trận Dân tộc Giải phóng miền Nam (1961–1976) Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Chính phủ Cách mạng lâm thời Cộng hòa Miền Nam Việt Nam (1969–1976) |
| 3 | Nguyễn Chí Thanh (Sáu Di) | 1964–1967 | Bí thư Trung ương Cục miền Nam (1964–1967) |
| 4 | Phạm Hùng (Hai Hùng) | 1967–1975 | Bí thư Trung ương Cục miền Nam (1967–1975) |
Chiefs of Staff
| No. | Name (alias) | Period | others position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lê Đức Anh (Sáu Nam) | 1964–1969 | Phó Tư lệnh Miền (1964–1969, 1974–1975), Tư lệnh Quân khu 9 (1969–1974) |
| 3 | Nguyễn Minh Châu (Năm Ngà) | 1969–1970 | Tư lệnh Quân khu 6 (1963–1969), Tham mưu phó Miền (1970–1974) |
| 4 | Hoàng Cầm (Năm Thạch) | 1970–1974 | Tư lệnh Công trường 9 |
| 5 | Nguyễn Minh Châu (Năm Ngà) | 1974–1975 | Tư lệnh Quân khu 6 (1963–1969), Tham mưu phó Miền (1970–1974) |
Other leaders
| No. | Name (alias) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nguyễn Thị Định (Ba Định) | Deputy chief of commander (1965–1975) |
| 2 | Đồng Văn Cống (Bảy Cống) | Tư lệnh Quân khu 3 (1964–1968) Phó tư lệnh Miền (1965–1972) Tư lệnh Quân khu 1 (1972–1975) |
| 3 | Nguyễn Hữu Xuyến (Tám Kiến Quốc) | Phó tư lệnh Miền (1965–1974) |
| 4 | Lê Trọng Tấn (Ba Long) | Phó tư lệnh Miền (1965–1971) |
| 5 | Trần Độ (Chín Vinh) | Phó chính ủy Miền (1965–1974) |
| 6 | Trần Quý Hai | Tư lệnh B5 (1968, 1971–1972) |
| 6 | Lê Quang Đạo | Chính ủy B5 (1968, 1971–1972) |
| 7 | Chu Huy Mân | Tư lệnh Quân khu 5 (1967–1975) |
| 8 | Lê Văn Tưởng (Hai Chân) | Chủ nhiệm Chính trị Miền (1961–1965, 1967–1975), Chính ủy Công trường 9 (1965–1967), Phó chính ủy Miền (1972–1975) |
| 9 | Trần Văn Nghiêm (Hai Nghiêm) | Tham mưu phó Miền (1965–1975) |
| 10 | Đàm Văn Ngụy | Tư lệnh Công trường 7 (1972–1973) |
| 11 | Nguyễn Hòa | Phó tư lệnh B5 (1967–1968), Tư lệnhCông trường 5 (1965–1966), Công trường 7 (1966–1967) |
| 11 | Dương Cự Tẩm | Cục phó Chính trị Miền (1964–1966), Chính ủy Công trường 7 (1966–1967), Phó chính ủy Quân khu 3 (1968–1969), Chính ủy Quân khu 2 (1969–1974), Chính ủy Quân khu 7 (1974) |
| 12 | Lê Tự Đồng | Chính ủy B5 (1969–1972), Chính ủy Quân khu Trị Thiên (1972–1975), Tư lệnh Quân khu Trị Thiên (1974–1975) |
| 12 | Đoàn Khuê | Phó chính ủy Quân khu 5 (1963–1975) |
| 12 | Trần Văn Phác (Tám Trần) | Chủ nhiệm Chính trị Bộ tư lệnh miền |
| 13 | Bùi Phùng | Chủ nhiệm Hậu cần Bộ tư lệnh Miền |
| 14 | Nguyễn Thành Thơ (Mười Khẩn) | Tư lệnh Quân khu 3 (1961–1964) |
| 15 | Nguyễn Văn Bé (Tám Tùng) | Chính ủy Quân khu 3 |
| 16 | Nguyễn Đôn | Tư lệnh Quân khu 5 (1961–1967) |
Battle forces
If a LASV unit has the same name with a PAVN unit, the LASV name will be added the letter of B after the number.[9]
- Tây Nguyên Corps (Main battle force in Central Highlands (Vietnam) area)
- Cửu Long Corps (Main battle force in Mekong Delta area)
- Division 1 (Main battle force in Central Highlands (Vietnam) area)
- Division 2 (Main battle force in South Central Coast area)
- Division 3 Sao Vàng (Golden Star) (Main battle force in South Central Coast area)
- Division 4 (Main battle force in the South)
- Division 5 (Main battle force in Mekong Delta area)
- Division 6 (Main battle force in Southeast (Vietnam) area)
- Division 7 (Main battle force in the South)
- Division 8 (Main battle force in Mekong Delta area)
- Division 9 (Main battle force in the South)
- Division 10 (Main battle force in Central Highlands (Vietnam) area)
- Division 31
- Division 303 (Main battle force in the South)
- Division 304B (Viet Cong)
- Division 308B (Viet Cong)
- Division 324B (Viet Cong)
- Division 325 (Main battle force in Central Highlands (Vietnam) area)
- Special forces Division 100 (Viet Cong)
- Special forces Division 305
References
- "The Vietnamese women who fought for their country"..
- "KỶ NIỆM 50 NĂM NGÀY THÀNH LẬP QUÂN GIẢI PHÓNG MIỀN NAM VIỆT NAM (15-2-1961 – 15-2-2011):Trang sử vàng của Quân Giải phóng miền Nam". baodanang.vn. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- http://www.mod.gov.vn/wps/portal/!ut/p/b1/vZXZjqs4EIafpR8gitnhEgJhN4vNlhtEQiAEEgghhPD0Q8-0Rpoene6bc9p1Zekvfa6_SuX1bh2vd9dsrMpsqNpr1rzfd2y6FaHPS4QIAEAM0CnRDCxhuYjcIkgWwUYVNZqzAOAtdRGIWuALHkUBkfpvviqGW6AbCIgbjiE3Kr2O1vH5QE7yXX_KIvZ6vmmnDJ1qQ3Mzq1Dy-iaemmxaaewNt1UHBLDHl1xzCCv0jwJpy1VKRhvrvolA2xtn5nArVo17IkKcymjsACmpnO1vZXCSnu4YeIV-KuWRIlFUFbZpUZiNHbGxTMLN_SQeDmrJxdOKsl5o2o3K20d94BdHBN_V90_-F4Jv_I3Wuy8RNPch-KoFfwu-qCFZBNyvH8ms8dKlRIB7Xn8qip-iJ8_se2ryuecBI89DJvBClTIMbBy3IPJ0pw06l2Mf3et2PZ_h7FyhQhPtafDIoSMZZg4hovNZmHt5ik2573cqcXXxOIQud2znuO9xSPRMkU-AShV_LMK2TiSrC6T0oOP8JJ51VYKJlOrY3CdNVb_aWOC2w11eTWJwkef6lEcOf8a2W0jXVShXl0PxSml_Vj1azfocI9stEzSIZFjL0s481XsqWyBdOPLyngaxWnGjcB-OOW4s0Gk39tEeCj1LGkJ8e_vGMJ59NwzQKTq_On2uZ_88-xbGOnWvTxDM0WwrXAjx1kE5hFAOXQAIiGvCgH0CBmVyMNTcPPQDSdyQmtGP3wHpPw50tHcgNhjkeCSgyZ-ukPntQGO9K5t2vyy5ME46SW6X2Rbl4nlRXSTkCBYlEuDuUU1GZ8bJeaU9wjpVgM1fWtwRoz7WimR5dzSTdOTaQZkndFeagcbYGt9k91HTRbpqDGTqjwv7qpybTMdJv5U5xVb6LCkKyxVMm952Wjp110YePAyD7b7k_cFT4aHkWWAde6HNj84jT_0goeLbtZWjsF3R5TKDUGsvx8-2fVog3v9tA8_ZliUHBi0AONSHen63zbCHHbR7FRBy8ILBfUZ15-CzDWxYfNgmEgAR9TdAlv5hoMf9aeDn0Qc_bSn724HR8il9ue-j_njNj_26uwSjabG-Nsf_xlEdLx8xi8sy_AvHL7pL/dl4/d5/L3dHQSEvUUtRZy9nQSEh/
- Lịch sử Cục tác chiến. NXB Quân đội nhân dân. Hà Nội. 2001
- Trang sử vàng của Quân Giải phóng miền Nam, NGUYỄN QUANG TRUNG TIẾN, Báo Đà Nẵng điện tử
- "PAVN Infantry Weapons". tripod.com. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- Dockery, Kevin (December 2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York City: Berkley Publishing Group. p. 382. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- http://www.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/chinhphu/noidungchinhsachthanhtuu?categoryId=798&articleId=2892
- "Cổng TTĐT Bộ Quốc phòng Việt Nam". mod.gov.vn. Retrieved 28 June 2016.