Ngo Dinh Diem explains why he rejects national elections (July 1955) The Viet Cong (Vietnamese: Việt cộng, listen ), or National Liberation Front (NLF), was a political organization and army in South Vietnam and Cambodia that fought the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War (1959–1975). During this time the war was fought on the border. ... By nightfall the Viet Cong were back in My Lai, helping the survivors bury the dead. Soldiers to dislike the Vietnam and to have motivation to win the war. China was a primary source of weaponry and equipment to the Viet Cong. Présentation de l’éditeur. US news report on the signing of the Paris peace agreement (January 1973) During the war in Vietnam, thousands of people in the Vietnamese province of Cu Chi lived in an elaborate network of underground tunnels. It did change the method of warfare, moving away from Westmoreland’s tactics of “search and destroy” towards a late 20th-century version of counterinsurgency. Viet Minh call to arms against the Japanese (March 1945) Program of the National Liberation Front or Viet Cong (1962) It is a contraction of Việt Nam Cộng-sản (Vietnamese communist), or alternatively Việt gian cộng sản ("Communist Traitor to Vietnam"). Primary Menu Skip to content. The earliest citation for "Vietcong" in English is from 1957. In contrast to this, the Americans used tactics such as 'Search and Destroy' which heavily increased support for the Vietcong due to the ridiculous amount of damage and unnecessary casualties of the peasants. If you would like to contribute or suggest a document for inclusion here, please contact Alpha History. www.youtube.com. (Source 19) The American military accordingly carried out several bombing campaigns that attempted to vanquish the insurgency in the South by eroding the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the foundation and primary transportation medium for guerrilla warfare and the Viet Cong. Viet Cong vēĕt´ kông , officially Viet Nam Cong San [Vietnamese Communists], People's Liberation Armed Forces in South Vietnam. Primary Sources Online - Vietnam War Virtual Vietnam Archive. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. of Texas at Arlington) United States Military Academy Library Digital Collections. Seymour Hersh breaks the story of the My Lai killings (1969) (Univ. Kennedy pledges support for Diem and South Vietnam (December 1961) For the next thousand years Vietnam struggled to gain its independence from its much larger neighbour. The suicide note of Hanoi governor Hoang Dieu (1882) It is a contraction of Việt Nam Cộng-sản, (Vietnamese communist), or alternatively Việt gian cộng sản ("Communist Traitor to Vietnam"). A Viet Cong member reflects on the movement’s approach to war (1985) A broadcast by Viet Cong propagandist ‘Hanoi Hannah’ (April 1970) An American general reflects on US and North Vietnamese tactics (1984) HANOI, VIETNAM—Forty years ago, on April 30, 1975, Nguyen Dang Phat experienced the happiest day of his life. Vietnam War memory quiz – events 1946-1964, Vietnam War memory quiz – events 1965-1975, Vietnam War memory quiz – terms and concepts (I), Vietnam War memory quiz – terms and concepts (II), Edict of Emperor Minh Mang against Christians in Vietnam (1833), The suicide note of Hanoi governor Hoang Dieu (1882), Augustine Heard, an American traveller, reports on Indochina (1886), Anonymous poem about French oppression in Vietnam (1900), Conscription of Vietnamese peasants for service in World War I (1916), Ho Chi Minh seeks Vietnamese independence in Paris (1919), Ho Chi Minh on the founding of the Inodchinese Communist Party (1930), A report into French atrocities in Vietnam (1933), Ho Chi Minh recalls his conversion to Leninism (1967), Ho Chi Minh calls for Vietnamese unity against the French (February 1930), Viet Minh call to arms against the Japanese (March 1945), Ho Chi Minh’s declaration of independence for Vietnam (September 1945), Final declaration of the Geneva Conference on Indochina (July 1954), Pham Van Dong (North Vietnam) on Geneva and Vietnamese independence (July 1954), The White House’s response to the Geneva declaration (July 1954), Eisenhower’s letter of support to Ngo Dinh Diem (October 1954), An American press report on the Binh Xuyen (April 1955), Ngo Dinh Diem explains why he rejects national elections (July 1955), Le Duan: ‘The path of revolution in the South’ (1956), Ngo Dinh Diem addresses a joint session of the US Congress (1957), US security briefings on Ngo Dinh Diem and his regime (1958-1960), Ngo Dinh Diem decrees the death sentence for a wide range of crimes (May 1959), The Caravelle Manifesto criticises Diem and his regime (April 1960), Eisenhower praises the progress in South Vietnam (October 1960), John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech (January 1961), John F. Kennedy addresses the UN on Laos and Vietnam (September 1961), Rusk and McNamara urge US involvement in Vietnam (November 1961), General Taylor’s recommendations for US action in Vietnam (November 1961), Kennedy pledges support for Diem and South Vietnam (December 1961), Kennedy responds to a question on Vietnam (February 1962), Program of the National Liberation Front or Viet Cong (1962), A US intelligence report on the Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam (July 1963), ‘Cable 243’ discusses the removal of Ngo Dinh Diem (August 1963), McNamara and Taylor’s report on South Vietnam (October 1963), NSC memorandum on US policy in South Vietnam, The US Congress’ Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 1964), US Senate debate on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 1964), McGeorge Bundy memo on attacking North Vietnam (February 1965), President Johnson justifies American involvement in Vietnam (April 1965), Robert McNamara proposes increases in US troops in Vietnam (July 1965), A CIA report on Viet Cong weaknesses and vulnerabilities (July 1965), A US intelligence report on Soviet aid to North Vietnam (November 1965), US Military Assistance Command memo on winning the Vietnam War (September 1965), Le Duan reminds communist agents in the South of tactics (November 1965), General Vo Nguyen Giap on why the US will lose in Vietnam (1966), Lyndon Johnson on the political aims of the Vietnam War (June 1966), A Viet Cong guerrilla tells of the Tet offensive (1968), An Australian press report on the Tet offensive (February 1968), An American reporter discusses South Vietnamese military weaknesses (1973), An American general reflects on US and North Vietnamese tactics (1984), A Viet Cong member reflects on the movement’s approach to war (1985), Robert McNamara reflects on America’s failures in Vietnam (1995), A journalist reports on the ‘fragging’ of American officers and NCOs (January 1972), Ron Ridenhour letter to the US Congress exposing My Lai (March 1969), Quotations about the massacre at My Lai hamlet (1968), Seymour Hersh breaks the story of the My Lai killings (1969), PFC Paul Meadlo recalls his role in the killings at My Lai (November 1969), Cross examination of Lieutenant William Calley (1970), Cross examination of Captain Ernest Medina (1970), Muhammad Ali explains his refusal to fight in Vietnam (March 1967), Martin Luther King’s ‘Beyond Vietnam’ speech (April 1967), An American draft-dodger explains his actions (1967), Robert F. Kennedy’s Kansas State University speech (March 1968), John Kerry anti-war testimony to the US Senate (April 1971), ‘Hanoi Jane’ Fonda’s broadcast from North Vietnam (August 1972), Noam Chomsky on the meaning of Vietnam (1975), Richard Nixon announces his policy of Vietnamisation (November 1969), A broadcast by Viet Cong propagandist ‘Hanoi Hannah’ (April 1970), Richard Nixon announces the deployment of US troops in Cambodia (April 1970), North Vietnamese peace proposal (June 1971), US news report on the signing of the Paris peace agreement (January 1973), Excerpts from the Paris Peace Accords (January 1973), The War Powers Act curtails the president’s authority to wage war (November 1973), A US intelligence briefing on the military situation in Vietnam (August 1974), South Vietnam’s president Nguyen Van Thieu resigns (April 1975), The inauguration speech of Duong Van Minh (April 1975), US news report on the imminent fall of Saigon (April 1975), President Gerald Ford on America’s post-Vietnam recovery (April 1975). Lonely Planet, 3 Mar. Communist forces began digging a network of tunnels under the jungle terrain of South Vietnam in the late 1940s, during their war of independence from French colonial authority. The Tactics of Home Defense - Primary Source Edition: Callwell, Charles Edward: Amazon.sg: Books The Battle of Binh Giawhere the victorious VC held the battlefield for 4 days rather than simply melt away as in earlier times is a vivid example of their confidence and effectiveness. This collection of Vietnam War documents has been selected and compiled by Alpha History authors. Excerpts from the Paris Peace Accords (January 1973) Anonymous poem about French oppression in Vietnam (1900) Guerrilla Tactics In December 1965, Ho Chi Minh and the North Vietnamese leadership ordered a change in a way the war in the South was to be fought. This was a smart way of trying to win the war, but caused a lot of dislike and distrust to our Government. A US intelligence report on Soviet aid to North Vietnam (November 1965), US Military Assistance Command memo on winning the Vietnam War (September 1965) Notes . As the United States increasingly escalated its military presence in Vietnam in support of a non-Communist regime in South Vietnam beginning in the early 1960s, North Vietnamese an… General Sources All Hands 1922-2011. This video was shown to all of the troops in America before heading out to war in Vietnam. President Gerald Ford on America’s post-Vietnam recovery (April 1975). During the early years of the Vietnam War, insurgency and guerrilla warfare was the Viet Cong’s main tactics. This link opens in a new window; Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection. Guerrilla fighters used these weapons to bring down American helicopters and disable other US military equipment. Source : La Découverte. The jungle canopy also allowed North Vietnam to continually supply the Viet Cong with reinforcements and supplies along routes -- particularly the Ho Chi Minh Trail -- that could not be detected by U.S. air power. This Vietnam War website is created and maintained by Alpha History. This willingness to allow documentation of the war extended to the military's own photographers—who captured thousands of Viet Cong guerrillas in small boats patrol the Saigon River in South Vietnam Created / Published 1966. John Kerry anti-war testimony to the US Senate (April 1971) Total VC/NVA fighting strength is controversially estimated by the American Military Assistance Command- Vietnam (MACV) at around 180,000 men in 1964. Eisenhower’s letter of support to Ngo Dinh Diem (October 1954) A CIA report on Viet Cong weaknesses and vulnerabilities (July 1965) This was achieved in 938 AD. Ho Chi Minh seeks Vietnamese independence in Paris (1919) Web. The Viet Cong were South Vietnamese supporters of the communist National Liberation Front in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War (known in Vietnam as the American War). Ho Chi Minh on the founding of the Inodchinese Communist Party (1930) Subject listings of primary sources available online: free web collections as well as UCSD subscription-based resources. Oriana Fallaci : La vie, la guerre et puis rien [réédition] 03/04/2020 guerillera. In particular, heavy machine guns were valued for defense against American helicopters. (2) Not to insist on buying or borrowing what the people are not willing to sell or lend. US Department of Defence pamphlet: Know Your Enemy: the Viet Cong (March 1966) This tactic was widely used by the North Vietnamese Communists, also called the Vietcong. Subject Headings - Guerrillas--Vietnamese--Vietnam (Republic)--1960-1970 - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Headings Photographic prints--1960-1970. The term Việt cộng appeared in Saigon newspapers beginning in 1956. In order for the troops to have a more suitable weapon for the war in Vietnam, Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense, ordered M16 as a replacement of M14 in 1964.At first, M16 receiv… A US intelligence briefing on the military situation in Vietnam (August 1974) The Caravelle Manifesto criticises Diem and his regime (April 1960) Primary Sources (1) Vietminh directives (1948) (1) Not to do what is likely to damage the land and crops or spoil the houses and belongings of the people. Despite having no aircraft, tanks or artillery of their own, the Vietcong managed to hold out against the Americans until the USA left Vietnam in the 1970s. A research guide to primary and secondary sources for military history. With the exception of primary sources, all content on this website is © Alpha History 2018. Note the curated subject guides on many topics for help digging into the wealth of … Edict of Emperor Minh Mang against Christians in Vietnam (1833) The Vietnam War is arguably one of the most controversial events in American history. US Senate debate on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 1964) The rain forests, mountains and swampland of Vietnam provided the Viet Cong with an unlimited amount of well-concealed staging areas impenetrable by U.S. ground forces. The US Congress’ Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 1964) The White House’s response to the Geneva declaration (July 1954) GCSE Vietnam War Perfect for Edexcel, AQA, OCR, iGSCE Full lesson on the effectiveness of Guerilla Tactics by the Vietcong Looking at the impact and how successful were Vietcong tactics during the Vietnam War. This video was shown to all of the troops in America before heading out to war in Vietnam. Robert F. Kennedy’s Kansas State University speech (March 1968) "What Were North Vietnamese Tactics? Vietcong military tactics. An American draft-dodger explains his actions (1967) All lesson activities and resources included. Largely due to its use by leaders like Mao Zedong in China and Ho Chi Minh in North Vietnam, guerrilla warfare is generally thought of in the West only as a tactic of communism. Many Americans felt that our interference was meddling with a civil war. This powerful platform greatly enhances the research experience for students and researchers by broadening their discovery of primary source documents through the use of multiple search options and research tools. An American press report on the Binh Xuyen (April 1955) 6RAR soldiers push through dense scrub in search of retreating Viet Cong after battle at Long Tan(AWM). En Español The war in Vietnam has been described as the first "living room war"—meaning combat was seen on TV screens and newspapers on a daily basis. Augustine Heard, an American traveller, reports on Indochina (1886) The long period of Chinese rule had left its mark on Vietnam. Web. Expanding the Narrative . "Viet Cong Booby Traps During The Vietnam War." Richard Nixon announces the deployment of US troops in Cambodia (April 1970) US security briefings on Ngo Dinh Diem and his regime (1958-1960) DocsTeach. Other areas of the site contain secondary-source content, so be careful to distinguish between the two. Combined Arms Research Library. Imperial War Museum: Posters of … It had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory it controlled. They took rice from villagers at gunpoint, carried out incredible numbers of targeted assassinations against people who supported the South Vietnamese government, and perpetrated the Hue Massacre during the Tet Offensive , in which anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 civilians and prisoners of war were summarily … New documents and extracts will be added regularly. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution . Martin Luther King’s ‘Beyond Vietnam’ speech (April 1967) - United Press International photo from an official communist source. 2012. Look at the links in the left-hand menu under the heading "Collections" for primary sources, including proclamations, letters and diaries, maps, and more. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Additionally, the guerilla nature of the Viet Cong troops and the non-uniformity of many North Vietnamese forces makes it difficult to speak of their equipment in comparison to the United States. of Texas at Arlington) EAS1533935 (NS). 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