People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam

The People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF), or Viet Cong's army was the official army of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. The PLAF forces were independent of the People's Army of Vietnam. The PLAF was unofficially established after 1954 and was recognized as main battle forces in South Vietnam by North Vietnam in 1961. The PLAF forces were outside of the control of the People's Army of Vietnam, but politically tied to the PAVN, because more than half of the PLAF forces were members of the Communist Party.

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 PLAF was recognized as the official force on February 15, 1961 by North Vietnam. The PLAF originally carried out operations ostensibly to protect South Vietnamese citizens from offensives by the Republic of Vietnam and the United States.[1] Most early soldiers in the PLAF were South Vietnamese. However, casualties of war forced North Vietnam to provide volunteers for the PLAF. As a result, many people mistakenly believed that the PLAF was a part of the People's Army of Vietnam. North Vietnam and other communist nations recognised the PLAF as the main militarily force in South Vietnam and considered the People's Army of Vietnam as supporter.[2] After the reunification of Vietnam, the PLAF was merged into the People's Army of Vietnam.

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 PLAF. The PLAF had 11 battalions, with commanding generals Trần Văn Trà, Hoàng Văn Thái, Lê Trọng Tấn, Lê Đức Anh, Nguyễn Thị Định, and others.

The PLAF 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 PLAF by voluntary mans. The number of the PLAF soldiers reached over 200,000 in December 1974, including 90,000 from the North.[3]

It should be noted that 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 PLAF 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 PLAF merged into the People's Army of Vietnam after the reunification of Vietnam by the 1976 general election.[4]

Equipments

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.

Artillery

The KS-19

Aircraft weapons

Small arms

People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF)troop stands beneath a Vietcong flag carrying his AK-47 rifle.
A U.S. Army M.P. inspects a Soviet AK-47 recovered in Vietnam in 1968.
Vietnamese Communist troops with PPSh-41
People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) soldier with SKS

Handguns

Automatic and Semi-Automatic Rifles

Bolt-Action Rifles

Submachine Guns

Machine Guns

Grenades and other explosives

Flamethrowers

Vehicles

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 People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) and People's Army of Vietnam forces. More than a half of People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) and People's Army of Vietnam soldiers were members of the Labor Party of Vietnam, the old name of the Communist Party of Vietnam. However, People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) and People's Army of Vietnam forces held different flags. The PAVN soldiers carried flags of the Northern government. The People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) troops held flags of Viet Cong. The PAVN was under the leadership of the North while National Liberation Front of South Vietnam army was under the leadership of the Viet Cong. After the collapse of South Vietnam, the People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) 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.[7]

Flag of the People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF)

Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam

For propaganda purposes of dividing forces of enemies, the ARVN and the US army always said that the NLF army 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. nhỏ|trái|250px|Quân trang của một người lính thuộc Quân đội Nhân dân Việt Nam tại bảo tàng ở Hoa Kỳ (thật ra kiểu mũ đan lưới trong hình chỉ dùng trong chiến tranh chống Pháp và đã được thay thế từ năm 1958 bởi mũ cối và mũ tai bèo)

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 Van Tuong or Operation Starlite; Battle of Nui Thanh; Battle of Ba Gia; Defeating Operation Junction City; Victories in the 1968 Tet Offensive; Victories in the 1972 Easter Offensive; Victories in the 1975 Battle of Ban Me Thuot; Victories in the 1975 Battle of Phuoc Long; Victories in the 1975 Battle of Xuan Loc; Victories in the 1975 Hue–Da Nang Campaign; Victories in the 1975 Hồ Chí Minh Campaign.

Significant leaders

Commanders

No. Name (allias) 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 Commisars

No. Name (allias) 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)

Chief of Staff

No. Name (allias) 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)

Others leaders

No. Name (allias) 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 PLAF unit has the same name with a NVA unit, the PLAF name will be added the letter of B after the number.[8]

Chú thích

Template:Tham khảo

Template:Viet Cong's army-People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF)

References

  1. "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.
  2. 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/
  3. Lịch sử Cục tác chiến. NXB Quân đội nhân dân. Hà Nội. 2001
  4. Trang sử vàng của Quân Giải phóng miền Nam, NGUYỄN QUANG TRUNG TIẾN, Báo Đà Nẵng điện tử
  5. 1 2 "NVA Infantry Weapons". tripod.com. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  6. Dockery, Kevin (December 2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York City: Berkley Publishing Group. p. 382. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
  7. http://www.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/chinhphu/noidungchinhsachthanhtuu?categoryId=798&articleId=2892
  8. "Cổng TTĐT Bộ Quốc phòng Việt Nam". mod.gov.vn. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
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