The importance of the Viet Cong in the Communist victory in the Second Indochina War Essay Example for Free

The splendour of the Viet Cong in the Communist victory in the Second Indochina War Essay mensurate the importance of the Viet Cong in the Communist victory in the Second Indochina War.The Second Indochina War, which was waged through away 1964-75, was an undefined success for the Communist ca riding habit. Whilst this result was derived from a conspiracy of both intrinsic and international factors, due credit must be given to the extremely vital role that the Viet Cong successfully executed.Whilst the Viet Cong may have resembled a kinetic and competent fighting force, the foundation of their infamous reputation was primarily based upon their use of guerilla warfare tactics. These tactics, unlike conventional warfare, involved a combination of unpredictable and even primitive military strategies which is reflected in the maxim When the enemy advances, withdraw when he defends, harass when he withdraws, pursue.1 Such tactics enabled Communist forces of the NLF to expire an e lusive and deadly arch-rival. To further enhance their military capabilities, Communist forces excavated a vast network of underground tunnels which were reinforced with concrete, in an effort to survive hired gun bombardment as wellhead as air strikes sanctioned under operations Barrel Roll as well as Rolling Thunder.As seen in Source 1 the Viet Cong besides enforced various booby trap remainss using punji stakes, mines and deep pits in an effort to maim and potentially use up US and ARVN forces. These tactics were extremely successful for they non wholly accounted for 73% of lend US casualties and 11% of combat deaths2 nevertheless they also denied the victims of such acts each targets to shoot at, for the VC usually deserted the area. What enhanced the success of such tactics was that when these maimed soldiers returned home, they took with them a demoralizing message of the atrocities occurring in Vietnam. The psychological victory of the TET violative, January 1968, also highlighted the strategic importance of the Viet Cong.The battle, which lasted all of a few days, involved a major deployment of VC and other Communist forces against 36 major t testifys within South Vietnam. The offensive concluded with the VC symbolically siegeing the US embassy in Saigon in a deliberate ploy to both humiliate and expose the USs inability to snuff out the spread of Communism. Despite the fact that the VC were crippled after the almost suicidal battle, the event represented a major turning point in the Vietnamese negate. As a result, the following night international broadcasts were made which expressed the flawed nature of LBJs foreign policy. Consequently the guerrilla tactics implemented by the Viet Nam Cong San were vital to the success of the Communist regime for they gradually wore US and ARVN forces down in a war of attrition and psychological victories.Another modify factor to the Communist victory was their ability to engage in a total war of attr ition. This concept of total war, which was described by normal Ludendorff in 1935, involves the complete mobilization of all resources, including policy and social systems, to the winning of war.3 The Viet Cong fulfilled this concept for not only did they sacrifice their material possessions, but much importantly their lives. Whilst the VC were obviously devoted to the nonplus, unfortunately this was not a uniform policy throughout all Communist units, for many individuals had personal agendas to fulfill, often involving the black-market.The well known phrase Soldiers by night, farmers by day4 epitomized the Communist peoples whole hearted commitment to the cause. This contrast in roles was a valuable hawkshaw for it ensured that the home battlefront remained productive, whilst also enabling the Viet Cong to dissolve back into society after combat, so as to fight another day. What furthered the importance of the Viet Congs total war strategy was that allied soldiers would ofte n exterminate whole villages in retribution for fallen comrades, often killing unarmed civilians. Evidence of this can be seen in My Lai massacre of 1968, in which 450 women and children were executed for harboring VC forces.Source 2, a quote by Robert McNamara, accurately summarizes the repercussions of such a successful Communist strategy stating, The go for of the worlds greatest superpower killing 1,000 non-combatants a week, while trying to pound a tiny backward nation into submission is not a pretty one.5 In comparison to the committed nature of the Communist forces it appears that the United States fought a limited war which was justified by Lyndon Johnson in 1965 for Vietnam was only a little piss-ant country.6 Unlike the VC who were quoted to take on tanks, if necessary, with bows and arrows7 the US were always too concerned over the repercussions of their actions rather than having a committed aim to last out the ongoing conflict. Throughout the conflict it is obvious th at US Foreign Policy was always fighting with one hand behind its back8 due to LBJs attempts to maintain his guns and butter approach which involved balancing civil works as well as prolonging the Communist conflict. The United States in mental object to end the conflict was further highlighted by their fear of provoking Soviet or Chinese involvement. On many occasions, US forces had the ability to severely cripple the Communist campaign, but yet their incompetence always seemed to get the better of them which is why they never got the bloody job done.The Viet Nam Cong San ability to seduce the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese home front was a vital stepping stone to the Communist victory. As a result of the intimate contact that NLF forces had with villagers throughout the conflict, an almost unbreakable bond was formed. Unlike the affiliate who attempted to indoctrinate and relocate villagers through the use of strategic hamlet programs, as well as the NVA who were renowned for the use of shock tactics, the VC successfully offered condense and protection in a passive manner. Consequently the VCs relationship with villagers was extremely valuable for it often resulted in the donation of intelligence, concealment and in most cases converted soldiers. The importance of this relationship is highlighted in the quote By 1967 US personnel couldnt breathe without the NLF actively knowing.9In comparison, the United States public was overriding with division over the Vietnamese conflict. This division in America exposed the US politicians inability to even win the hearts and minds of its own people let alone a competing nation. An extract of Source 3, War is not simply a conflict in the midst of armies more and more it is a struggle between competing social systems10 highlights the United States need for civil unity. However the anti-war movements, highlighted by the Kent State University killings as well as the ongoing debate between the doves and the hawks, d id not permit the stable and devout home front that was required to achieve victory.The final, and in a sense the most crucial, factor highlighting the importance of the Viet Cong was their strict observance to a program of logical and decisive aims. Unlike the Americans, who it seemed only aimed to prolong the life of a corrupt and inefficient political system11 the NLF, of which the VC are a member, had a clear program of ambitions. Source 4 is a reliable document which illustrates such goals, the first and foremost being to override the camouflaged colonial regime of the American imperialists and the dictatorial power of Ngo Dinh Diem.12 Consequently the Viet Congs progressive strategies were extremely important for they not only placed the path the conflict would take, but also when and by what means they should engage in combat. In comparison to the VCs established goals, an American author, William Broyles Jr, stated that in that respect was no single goal in Vietnam there were 2.8 million goals, one for every American who served there the end one being to get out of Vietnam13In hindsight, the dynamic role that the Viet Cong played throughout the Vietnamese conflict was vital to the Communist victory. Whilst the Viet Cong did match the large scale fighting of the NVA, its effective use of guerrilla warfare substantially crippled both the moral and fighting capabilities of the US and ARVN. Their selfless dedication to a state of total war and their capacity to win the hearts and minds of the people essentially laid the foundations upon which Communist forces were able to launch a successful final campaign. Finally, their unwavering devotion to the Communist cause arguably provided the defining blow to the foreign imperialists occupation of South Vietnam.________________1 The Vietnam Experience FIGHTING FOR TIME2 VIETNAM THE VALOUR AND THE SORROW3 http//www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/4 ATLAS OF CONFLICTS THE VIETNAM contend5 ATLAS OF CONFLICTS THE VIETN AM WAR6 CONFLICT IN INDOCHINA 1954-19797 Contested Spaces CONFLICT IN INDOCHINA8 VIETNAM THE VALOUR AND THE SORROW9 VIETNAM THE VALOUR AND THE SORROW10 THE AGE OF WAR The United States Confronts the gentleman11 VIETNAM THE VALOUR AND THE SORROW12 Contested Spaces CONFLICT IN INDOCHINA13 ATLAS OF CONFLICTS THE VIETNAM WAR