Understanding the Strategic Movements of the Vietcong during the Vietnam War

For years, the image of the Vietcong as individuals who would unreasonably avoid facing Korean soldiers has perpetuated in popular discourse. However, the complex dynamics of the Vietnam War reveal a more nuanced reality. Through this article, we explore the reasons behind the Vietcong's strategic decisions and the intricate relationship between the Vietcong guerrilla units and the Korean forces during the war.

Limited Accounts and Misconceptions

As a war veteran, it is essential to dispel prevalent but misguided myths regarding the Vietcong's behavior during the Vietnam War. One such myth is the idea that Vietcong generals would order their troops to run away from facing Korean soldiers. Such accounts, often fueled by speculation and exaggerated stories, do not accurately reflect the on-ground realities.

From my experience, there was no direct report or evidence that Vietcong generals ordered their troops to avoid combat with Korean soldiers. My understanding of these events is based on fragmented recollections of specific incidents. For instance, there was one occasion where two South Korean soldiers went missing in a village. The battalion commander then took decisive action by surrounding the village, destroying several houses and giving a deadline for the soldiers' return. On another occasion, a Vietcong unit was spotted near a South Korean outpost, yet the South Koreans did not engage out of perceived lack of threat. These incidents indicate that actions on both sides were more nuanced than a blanket generalization.

South Korean Defense Strategies

The South Korean forces, known for their strong defensive measures, maintained substantial defenses around their bases, including outposts on surrounding peaks. An instance where I gained access to their operations center highlighted their defensive strategies. When a Vietcong unit was spotted close to one of their outposts, the South Koreans chose not to engage, as they deemed the unit not to be a significant threat. This decision was based on intelligence and situational awareness, rather than a mandate to avoid combat.

Another notable event involves the South Korean force at the An Khe Pass, which was partially overrun during the Easter Offensive in 1972. The South Koreans, feeling a sense of lost face, committed additional forces with substantial US air support to regain control. This example illustrates how the South Koreans were willing to take stand to regain their honor, in stark contrast to the myth of their cowardice.

Victory Through Retaliations

Contrary to the myth, the Vietcong guerrilla units did not avoid combat. On the contrary, they were more effective in extracting higher casualties from the Korean forces. According to statistics, during the Vietnam War (1954-1975), the US experienced a death ratio of 1.397, resulting in 47,555 civilian and military deaths out of 3,403,101 actively deployed forces. In contrast, the South Korean marines suffered a death ratio of 1.593, with 5,099 deaths out of 320,120 deployed personnel from 1964 to 1973.

The Vietcong pursued and retaliated against the Koreans, driven by the desire to avenge civilian atrocities committed by the South Korean forces. One such atrocity is documented by the U.S. Army general William Westmoreland, who reported 'atrocities' conducted by South Korean forces in Vietnam. These widespread reports influenced the decision to sideline the South Korean forces, as evidenced by the transition during the 1972 and 1973 periods.

Conclusion

The strategic decisions made by the Vietcong and their interactions with the South Korean forces were complex and varied. The myth of Vietcong generals ordering their troops to avoid facing Korean soldiers is unfounded. The South Korean soldiers, while effective and brave, faced a formidable and retaliatory Vietcong force. The South Korean forces were not merely pullouts from combat zones; they displayed resilience and determination, as seen in the recapture of the An Khe Pass. Understanding these dynamics is essential for a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the Vietnam War.