The Republic Of Vietnam And During the next three years, the South Vietnamese would gain operational control over their riverine naval units, and replace French personnel in the Vietnamese Navy Headquarters with their own officers and men. The operation of the small river force would play crucial roles in the action to put down dissident military forces, thus helping pave the way for the establishment of the Republic of Vietnam. First jointly with the French, and then alone, United States training, advisory, and maintenance assistance would help the Vietnamese in this period to build their navy and establish a Sea Force and a Marine Force to complement the River Force. The Sea Force would "show the flag" in visits to nearby countries and conduct limited coastal patrol and landings on strategically located islands. But, this would be a period of low-level activity in the conflict between the Communists and South Vietnam, as North Vietnam consolidated its control and prepared for a period of increased violence in its continuing efforts to gain control of the South. The foremost problem facing Diem's government in 1955 was that of overcoming the opposition of the three Sects. Both political and military actions would be required. The strongholds of these semi-autonomous states were in the area formerly known as Cochin China, peopled in earlier times by Malays and Khmers and later by Vietnamese who had migrated south from Annam. Waterways were the key to control of the regions where the Sects were located and riverine operations would be required. Each of the Sects had military forces, with arms, munitions, and equipment supplied to them by the French to aid in the war against the Viet Minh. Although this aid had been formally withdrawn, the Sects continued to receive French funds and advice. The Cao Dai religious Sect was centered at Tay Ninh, northwest of Saigon next to the "Parrot's Beak" section of the Cambodian border. Its armed followers totalled 15,000 to 20,000 men. Further south were the Phat Giao Hoa Hao, believers in a Vietnamese development of Therevada Buddhism with a history of religious, political, and military organization and activity. Mainly occupying a belt across the Mekong Delta (centered at Can Tho on the Bassac River, one of the two main branches of the Mekong system), the Hoa Hao maintained 10,000 to 15,000 men under arms. The third so-called Sect was the Binh Xuyen which, through its army of 2,500 soldiers, its control of the police apparatus, and the support of 5,000 to 8,000 other followers, dominated prostitution, narcotics, and gambling in Saigon-Cholon.1 Before the State of Vietnam could cope with the threat posed by these dissident forces, the government would have to gain control of its own armed forces. A breakthrough was realized in January 1955, when the United States reaffirmed its backing of Diem, when American military aid was placed under the control of the State of Vietnam, and when General Ély announced that the French would withdraw as soon as there was a secure government. The Franco-American military mission achieved official status and a new name in February as General O'Daniel was given the additional assignment as Chief of the Training Relations and Instruction Mission to the Armed Forces of Vietnam.2 On 11 February, France announced transfer of command of the Vietnamese Armed Forces to Diem.' The full transfer would not be completed until several months later, but Diem could now conduct his own military actions to promote internal security. Civil War Shortly thereafter, Diem initiated actions against the Binh Xuyen by shutting down vice concessions in Saigon and Cholon. Then, on 4 March, 'U.S.-V.N. Relations, bk 2, pt. IVA.5, tab 2, pp. 5-8, 18; Ann C. Crawford, Customs and Culture of Vietnam (Rutland, Vt.: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1966), pp. 70–73, 80–83. Navy Section, MAAG Vietnam, "Naval Forces of Vietnam," p. 6; Navy Section, TRIM, Monthly Report, No. 1 of 21 Mar. 1955; U.S.-V.N. Relations, bk 1, pt. IVA.3, pp. 25-26. Initially the Franco-American mission was designated Advisory Training and Organization Mission (ATOM), later briefly changed to Military Support Mission (MSM); see NA Saigon, report, 5-8-55 of 22 Feb. 1955, JN 60A-2142, box 62, FRC. U.S-V.N. Relations, bk 2, pt. IVA.4, pp. X, Y, Z. with an announcement by the Cao Dai pope of the formation of a United Front of Nationalist Forces, the Cao Dai, Hoa Hao, and Binh Xuyen began a civil war. Four days later rebel forces staged uprisings in towns northwest of Saigon and on the Camau Peninsula at the southern tip of Vietnam. Diem, ordering that the rebel bands be destroyed, sent forty infantry battalions into action. On 21 March, the United Front released a declaration opposing Diem. Attached to the declaration was a thinly veiled ultimatum requesting that Diem form a government of national union within five days. Diem refused.* National Army troops took over the Central Police Headquarters in Saigon a week later. Diem announced his intention to replace the Binh Xuyen police commissioner and to occupy the Sureté headquarters in central Saigon, but the French dissuaded him. On the night of 29-30 March 1955, the Binh Xuyen attacked the National Army headquarters and the central police compound. They fired into the palace grounds. As Diem prepared to retaliate, General Ély— concerned over the security of European nationals in Saigon, possibly influenced by the anti-Diem feelings of many French officials, and supported by Ambassador Collins-pressured Diem into calling off a major assault. While French and Binh Xuyen troops took up fortified positions in Saigon, some sectors were declared off limits to the National Army. The French, still controlling supplies for the Vietnamese Army, withheld ammunition and fuel." Tensions mounted daily in Saigon. Both Ely and Collins reached the conclusion that Diem should be replaced. Then, on 26 April, Diem dismissed the Binh Xuyen police chief and ordered members of the police force to report to his successor by 28 April. When the Binh Xuyen moved against the government that morning, Diem promptly ordered his troops to attack. Bao Dai directed that Diem proceed to Paris and turn command of the Army over to French-sponsored General Vy. Diem again refused. By 10 May 1955, Diem had established effective control over Saigon. To further strengthen his position, the cabinet was reformed by adding many of his own followers. On the 15th, Diem dissolved the Imperial Guard of Ibid., p. AA, pt. IVA.5, tab 2, p. 18; Lancaster, Emancipation of French Indochina, PP. 334-85. U.S.-V.N. Relations, bk 2, pt. IVA.4, pp. AA-BB; Lancaster, Emancipation of French Indochina, pp. 385-86; Buttinger, Vietnam: A Political History, pp. 401-04. the Emperor and merged it with the Army. Bao Dai was deposed as Emperor six days later." That same month the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense approved a development plan for an eventual 3,000-man Vietnamese Navy and Marine Corps as proposed by the Chief of TRIM. Americans in the mission on 31 May totalled 155. However, there were only two U.S. Navy and one Marine officers." Several months later when the total force level for the Vietnamese armed services was raised to 150,000, their Navy and Marine Corps were authorized 4,000 men. Operations in the Delta In May 1955, when the French transferred command of the four Vietnamese dinassauts to the senior officer of the new navy, Lieutenant Commander Le Quang My, the State of Vietnam was ready for limited riverine operations. Then, on 5 June, little more than a month after the victory in Saigon, Diem launched an offensive against the Hoa Hao in the Mekong Delta. Under My's command, the Vietnamese River Force patrolled the waterways and transported Army troops and supplies in areas where travel by boat was the major, and often only, means of travel. 8 On the first day of the operation, the Vietnamese Navy landed two Army regiments on the Cai Von River near Can Tho. General O'Daniel had forbidden American Army or Navy observers to participate. However, reports reached the Naval Attache that, although communication problems delayed maneuvering and beaching, the Vietnamese Navy displayed "enthusiasm and pride in conducting their own show," carried out their mission, and "made a fine impression." The first day's operation resulted in the capture of the insurgent headquarters of Tran Van Soai, one of the Hoa Hao leaders, and the surrender of two of his battalions. Two nights later, Dinassauts 22, 23, and 25 (commanded by My from flagship LSSL No Than) landed 2,000 Army troops near Tra On, on the Bassac River U.S.-V.N. Relations, bk 2, pt. IVA.4, p. BB, pt. IVA.5, tab 2, p. 18; NA Saigon, reports, 55-55 of 18 July 1955 and 66-55 of 30 Aug. 1955, JN-60A-2142, box 62, FRC; Lancaster, Emancipation of French Indochina, p. 390. 'Navy Section, TRIM. Monthly Report, No. 4 of 1 June 1955; MAAG Indochina, "Personnel Roster as of 31 May 1955;" Navy Section, MAAG Vietnam, "Naval Forces of Vietnam," pp. 6–9. "NA Saigon, reports, 12–S-55 of 8 July 1955 and 49–55 of 23 June 1955, JN 60A-2142, box 62, FRC. |