The Viet Cong: Guerilla Fighters of the Vietnam War
The Viet Cong (VC) were South Vietnamese supporters of the communist National Liberation Front (NLF) during the Vietnam War, also known in Vietnam as the “American War.” Aligned with North Vietnam and the troops of Ho Chi Minh, the Viet Cong aimed to overthrow the South Vietnamese government and unify the country under communist rule.
The name “Viet Cong” originates from the term “cong san Viet Nam” or “Vietnamese communist.” Although widely used, it carried derogatory connotations, with “Vietnamese commie” being a closer translation. The Viet Cong were predominantly guerrilla fighters from South Vietnam but often worked in conjunction with the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), the regular military force of North Vietnam.
Origins and Goals
The Viet Cong emerged after the French colonial defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, which led to Vietnam’s division along the 17th Parallel. Their rise was driven by discontent with the South Vietnamese government, perceived as corrupt and backed by foreign powers. The Viet Cong sought national independence and socio-economic reform after decades of colonial and wartime exploitation.
However, their alignment with the communist bloc introduced external influences from China and the Soviet Union, mirroring the geopolitical struggle between capitalism and communism during the Cold War.
Tactics and Strategy
Initially a decentralized guerrilla force, the Viet Cong rapidly professionalized over the conflict. They used unconventional warfare, including:
- Ambushes and hit-and-run tactics against better-equipped U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.
- Tunnel networks, notably in regions like Cu Chi, to evade detection and launch surprise attacks.
- Infiltration and sabotage, including the use of spies to gather intelligence.
- The Ho Chi Minh Trail, a critical supply route running through Laos and Cambodia, provided logistics for troops and equipment from the North.
Despite their resourcefulness, Viet Cong actions were often ruthless. They enforced loyalty through intimidation, forcibly conscripted villagers, and assassinated South Vietnamese officials. The Hue Massacre during the 1968 Tet Offensive remains a grim reminder, with thousands of civilians and prisoners executed.
Australian Engagement with the Viet Cong
Australian troops, deployed as part of the allied effort in Vietnam, encountered the Viet Cong in several key battles, including:
- The Battle of Long Tan (1966):
One of the most iconic Australian engagements, a small force of Delta Company, 6RAR, held off a larger Viet Cong regiment in a rubber plantation. Despite being outnumbered, the Australians inflicted significant casualties and showcased exceptional discipline under fire. - Operation Bribie (1967):
Aimed at flushing out Viet Cong forces in Phuoc Tuy province, this operation highlighted the challenges of engaging a well-entrenched guerrilla force in dense terrain. - The Battle of Coral-Balmoral (1968):
Australian forces defended their firebases against repeated Viet Cong and North Vietnamese assaults, demonstrating the growing integration of guerrilla and conventional warfare by communist forces.
These battles underscored the adaptability of the Viet Cong, who used knowledge of local terrain and surprise to challenge superior firepower.
The Decline of the Viet Cong
The Tet Offensive (1968) marked a turning point. Although the Viet Cong achieved tactical surprises, their losses were immense. American and allied forces, including Australians, repelled most attacks, and the Viet Cong struggled to recover operationally. Over time, their role diminished, with the PAVN assuming the primary combat role.
By April 1975, with the fall of Saigon, the Viet Cong ceased to exist as a distinct entity. The reunification of Vietnam under communist rule in 1976 marked the formal disbandment of the organization.
Legacy
The Viet Cong’s actions remain divisive. For some, they symbolize resistance against foreign intervention and the pursuit of national unification. For others, their tactics, including assassinations and massacres, reflect the darker side of their struggle.
For Australians, their encounters with the Viet Cong in Vietnam form an enduring part of military history, emphasizing courage, strategy, and the complexity of guerrilla warfare.
While interesting and useful, the article “Viet Cong: Fighters of the Vietnam War”, understates – in my belief, the strength and sophistication of the “southern communist” organisation and their forces during the War. Headed by Hanoi’s Central Office for South Vietnam (COSVN), the “Viet Cong” military structure covering Phuoc Tuy Province (under the communists’ Military Region 7 and Ba Long/Ba Bien Province) included: 5 VC Division, 274 and 275 Main Force Regiments; D65 and D67 Engineer Battalions; D445 and D440 Local Force Battalions; District companies: C41 (Chau Duc), C25 (Long Dat) , C23 (Xuyen Moc); and village guerrilla units. Logistic support – including food, equipment, medical support, arms and ammunition was provided by their 84th Rear Services Group. The VC main force elements in Phuoc Tuy were first armed with AK-47’s for the Battle of Choi Dong in north-central Phuoc Tuy in September 1965 – brought from the North by sea – in “trawlers”, and off-loaded on the coast north of Phuoc Hai village. Other significant weaponry included RPD light machine-guns, 12.7 mm HMGs, 60 and 82 mm mortars, 57 and 75 mm RCLs, 107 mm and 122 mm rockets, RPG2 and RPG7 rocket-propelled grenades – and M16 land mines “lifted” from the 1 ATF “Dat Do-to-the sea” minefield (“up to 3,000 mines” were reportedly lifted by the VC – but “the actual number remains unknown”).
The communists’ clandestine political arm was the “Viet Cong Infrastructure” (VCI) that operated as a “shadow” government in the South – ie directed by the communist People’s Revolutionary Party (the southern arm of Hanoi’s Lao Dong Party). Within Phuoc Tuy Province, VCI cadre reportedly numbered from 300 to 1,000. The Official Australian History notes that “the VCI cadres were the driving force of the communist insurgency and their activities were essential for the success of the revolutionary movement.”
This article omits the most important aspect of the war in Vietnam and degrades the efforts and sacrifice of all the Allied Forces in support of the independence of the South Vietnamese People. It deserves a post script.
The Viet Cong and their North Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian supporters were defeated in 1973 and participated in Peace Talks in Paris. As a result, the war was concluded, South Vietnam retained independence, and the waring nations from both sides of the conflict withdrew their forces.
As part of those negotiations, the USA garanteed to replenish each and every article of war South Vietnam was required to expend to ensure the longevity of the peace.
Unfortunately, in 1975, the US COngress recinded that garantee, the North grasped the oportunity and launched another invasion of the South. It was this second invasion by the North that achieved the subjugation of South Vietnam by the communists.
The Fall of South Vietnam – April 1975
From the early January 1973 to March 1975, I served as the Vietnam desk officer in the Joint Intelligence Organisation in Canberra (including an official visit to South Vietnam in July-August 1974 for several weeks) – and offer the following points.
The Australian Official History (2012) pp.665-669 notes that: “From the middle of 1973, the communists … began to intensify offensive operations to regain the initiative in the south . … By 1974 the balance of military forces was shifting in favour of the communists. The NVA infiltrated over 100,000 reinforcements and support personnel into South Vietnam. Communist forces in the South numbered approximately 310,000 main force soldiers organised into ten divisions, 24 regiments and 102 battalions of infantry … in addition, there were 70,000 local force soldiers in provincial battalions and district companies, and 120,000 in village guerrilla units. … NVA armoured strength expanded from approximately 100 T-54 medium and T-34 light tanks at the time of the ceasefire ((January 1973)) to over 650 main battle tanks and 50 armoured personnel carriers. … In contrast to the burgeoning North Vietnamese forces, the combat capability of the South Vietnamese forces was shrinking – despite their numerical superiority with over one million men in uniform. The sudden reductions in American military aid resulted in severe shortages of ammunition, fuel and equipment – and the ARVN units quickly exhausted their reserve supplies. … Over 31,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in 1974 – with a record total of 240,000 desertions in 1974.” … On 12 March 1975, Ban Me Thuot in the Central Highlands fell to the communists and President Thieu issued orders that effectively sealed the fate of South Vietnam. For an excellent account of the fall of South Vietnam, I would strongly recommend George J. Veith’s 2022 book : Black April – The Fall of South Vietnam 1973-1975. Last year, I completed a 75-page note: “The Fall of Phuoc Tuy and Vung Tau – April 1975” – with maps and photographs, and offered complimentary copies to interested FRONTLINE veterans – ie via email. If interested, contact me at: [email protected] .