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1. The challenges of the early stage of the War of Resistance against France in Vietnam
In 1946, with the outbreak of the Vietnam War of Resistance against France, the Vietnamese people widely participated in this struggle against French colonial rule. In this struggle, Vo Nguyen Giap, as Vietnam's Minister of National Defense, shouldered the heavy responsibility of organizing and directing the country's self-defense. At this time, China was deeply embroiled in the war of liberation, and although it was sympathetic to Vietnam's struggle for independence, it was difficult to provide any form of military assistance.
In the absence of sufficient foreign aid, Wu Yuanjia and his military team faced great challenges. The Vietnamese army, consisting mainly of local militias and some regular troops, was poorly equipped and lacked the heavy weapons and ample ammunition needed for modern warfare. Faced with the modern equipment and rich combat experience of the French army, the Vietnamese army often fought in unequal conditions.
In the early days of the war, the Vietnamese army adopted guerrilla tactics, taking advantage of the familiar terrain and the support of the masses to harass and ambush the French army. However, as the war dragged on, the Vietnamese army suffered heavy losses in materials and manpower. Wu Yuanjia personally inspected the front line, adjusted tactics and deployment, and tried to maximize combat effectiveness with limited resources. Despite this, in the face of the French counteroffensive and clearance, the Vietnamese army's ability to resist gradually weakened.
By 1950, after several years of fierce fighting, the Vietnamese army was exhausted. Many fighters were killed or wounded in battle, and the combat effectiveness of the troops was much less than before. Under these circumstances, Vu Yuanjia made the decision to retreat to the Sino-Vietnamese border to rest. The move was intended to avoid total annihilation and to buy time for regrouping.
During the retreat, the Vietnamese army had to make their way through complex mountains and jungles to evade the pursuit of the French. They suffered from food and water shortages on the way, and disease and casualties further exacerbated the army's plight. After withdrawing to the border, Wu Yuanjia organized his troops to recuperate and reorganize as necessary, while sending intelligence officers back to other parts of the country to gather support and supplies.
2. Ho Chi Minh's visit to China and the beginning of China's aid
On a winter day in January 1950, Ho Chi Minh embarked on an arduous journey to China. His goal was to seek the support of the newly formed People's Republic of China in dealing with the unfavorable situation in Vietnam's war of resistance against France. Ho Chi Minh's 17-day journey, which saw him traverse rugged mountain roads and dense jungles, trekking and spending most of his time barefoot, showed his unwavering commitment to his mission and deep concern for his country.
After Ho Chi Minh arrived in China, his arrival immediately attracted great attention from the Chinese government. As an important figure in the Asian communist movement, Ho Chi Minh shares the same ideals and goals with the Chinese leadership. He met with Mao Zedong and other senior officials to discuss in detail the current military and political situation in Vietnam, as well as the specific forms of assistance that China might provide.
During these talks, Ho Chi Minh highlighted the urgency of Vietnam's resistance to French colonial rule and the importance of Chinese assistance. Considering Vietnam's strategic location and the impact of the anti-French struggle on the anti-colonial wave throughout the region, the Chinese leadership decided to send military advisers and support supplies to help Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh personally selected General Tran Geng as the commander to go to Vietnam, marking the official launch of Sino-Vietnamese military cooperation.
General Tran Geng arrived in Vietnam with a select advisory group and a large amount of military supplies, and their arrival brought new hope and strength to the Vietnamese army. Tran Geng had in-depth strategic and tactical discussions with Vo Nguyen Gia and his military team, and jointly developed a new battle plan aimed at taking advantage of Vietnam's terrain and increased forces to effectively strike at the French army.
In September 1950, the military cooperation between Vietnam and China achieved initial results. With the direct assistance of Tran Geng, the Vietnamese army launched an important border campaign against the French. The battle was fought in the jungles and mountains of northern Vietnam, and the Vietnamese army used its precise knowledge of the terrain to employ ambush and guerrilla tactics that effectively weakened the French army's combat effectiveness.
During the campaign, the Vietnamese army demonstrated a high will to fight and improved tactical execution. With the help of Chinese advisers, they were able to better coordinate the movements of their troops, effectively using weapons and ammunition supplied by China. In the end, the Vietnamese army won a remarkable victory in this battle, successfully repelling the French attack, which not only defended the territorial integrity of Vietnam, but also greatly boosted the morale and self-confidence of the army.
3. Wu Yuanjia's military career and title
In the 1950 border campaign, despite the fact that the victory was actually achieved under the guidance of General Tran Geng, the Vietnamese media and propaganda agencies gave all the credit to Vo Nguyen Giap. This propaganda not only strengthened Vo Nguyen Giap's prestige among the people, but also cemented his place in Vietnamese history. In Vietnam, Vo Nguyen Gia was widely known as the "founder of the Vietnamese army" and was known as the "Red Napoleon" for his tactical prowess and achievements on the battlefield.
During this period, Wu Yuanjia's fame and influence expanded rapidly. News reports and government announcements across Vietnam frequently mention his heroic deeds, and schools and public lectures also use his tactical wisdom as a model for educating young people. Soldiers in the Vietnamese army looked to Vo Nguyen Gia as a role model, and his image often appeared in army propaganda posters and recruitment advertisements.
In recognition of his contributions, Vu was often invited to speak at various public events and celebrations, and played major roles in important military and government meetings. His military experience and mentorship are seen as an important asset in guiding the modernization process of the Vietnamese army. On these occasions, Wu Yuanjia recounted tactics in detail, emphasizing the importance of discipline and training, and how to effectively use terrain and popular support for guerrilla warfare.
At national events and festivals, Wu Yuanjia's image and quotations are often used to stir up nationalist sentiment and unite people. His name alongside Ho Chi Minh became two iconic figures in Vietnam's struggle for independence and freedom. In addition, his military career and achievements have become a common theme in literary works, and many songs, films, and plays have been modeled on his heroic deeds, further expanding his influence.
However, at the same time, Wu Yuanjia also faced great pressure and responsibility. As his status grew, so did the expectations of him, and both the people and the government expected him to continue to win in future military operations. In the planning and execution of each campaign, Wu Yuanjia had to take into account not only military success, but also political and propaganda needs.
Fourth, the key battles of the War of Resistance Against the United States commanded by Wu Yuanjia
During the Vietnam War of Resistance Against the United States, Vo Nguyen Gia continued to serve as a senior commander in the Vietnamese army. By 1968, he was leading a large-scale military operation, known as the Tet Offensive. The offensive was planned to be launched during the Tet in Vietnam, taking advantage of the possibility that the U.S. military would let its guard down and launch a full-scale attack. Wu Yuanjia hoped that through this offensive, he would quickly break through the defense line of the American army and change the situation of the war.
The Tet Offensive encompassed simultaneous attacks on several major cities and military points in South Vietnam, including the capital city of Saigon. Wu Yuanjia mobilized a large number of troops and resources to plan and execute this campaign with all his might. In the early days of the offensive, the Vietnamese army made breakthroughs in a number of locations, causing certain losses and confusion to the American army. However, thanks to the strong firepower and quick reaction of the American troops, the Vietnamese army's offensive was soon met with a heavy counterattack.
The U.S. military used its air superiority and fire support to launch a fierce bombing and blockade of the Vietnamese army. Wu Yuanjia's forces were struggling at several key points and were unable to sustain the momentum of their offensive. As the fighting continued, the losses of the Vietnamese army increased dramatically, and the Tet Offensive ultimately failed to achieve its strategic objectives, instead inflicting heavy casualties on the Vietnamese army.
After the failure of the offensive, Wu Yuanjia and his command team reflected and summarized the results, preparing to adjust their tactics to cope with the increasingly severe battlefield environment. However, this defeat had a serious impact on the morale of the Vietnamese army, and at the same time called into question Vo Nguyen Giap's strategic decision-making.
By 1972, the Vietnamese army under the command of Vo Nguyen Gia had launched another large-scale offensive, this time known as the Easter Offensive. Similar to the Tet Offensive, the Easter Offensive was also an attempt to break through the U.S. defense lines in a short period of time by concentrating forces. Wu Yuanjia once again mobilized a large number of troops, hoping to reverse the unfavorable situation on the battlefield through this offensive.
However, the Easter Offensive was likewise faced with a solid defense and a quick response from the American army. The Vietnamese army suffered another setback during the attack and was unable to break through the main line of defense of the American army. Due to the failure of two successive large-scale offensives, the resources and personnel of the Vietnamese army were greatly depleted, which seriously affected its subsequent combat capability. These successive defeats posed a direct threat to Wu Yuanjia's position.
5. The Sino-Vietnamese conflict and Wu Yuanjia's later years
In 1979, tensions on the Sino-Vietnamese border escalated into a full-scale conflict, and China responded to Vietnam's provocations by sending large forces into Vietnam. At this time, Vietnam, despite its victory in the previous War of Resistance Against the United States, had a major miscalculation in assessing its own strength and judging China's determination. The Vietnamese army's lack of preparedness, combined with its own overconfidence, made them overstretched in the face of China's massive regular army offensive.
Against this background, 69-year-old Vo Nguyen Gia was forced to go out again to serve as the supreme commander of the Vietnamese army. His return to battle meant that the Vietnamese military had to rely on experienced but aged generals to command the battle. This time, he faced a former ally, the Chinese army.
China's military operations were swift and powerful, with the massive use of tanks and artillery, which formed a powerful suppression of firepower. The Vietnamese army still tried to rely on the guerrilla tactics that were so successful in the Vietnam War. However, in the face of China's large regular army, this approach of relying on terrain and assault tactics became ineffective. The rapid advance and continuous firepower projection of the Chinese army soon exposed the weaknesses of Vietnam's defense system.
At a critical moment in the war, on March 4, 1979, the Chinese People's Liberation Army conquered Lang Son, an important city in Vietnam. This event was not only a turning point in the military, but also marked the end of Vu Nguyen Giap's military career in Vietnam. As the war unfavorably developed, Wu Yuanjia was charged with dereliction of duty, which was a direct consequence of his poor command.
To a certain extent, this verdict reveals the problems of Vietnam's military leadership, that is, the over-centralization of senior leadership and its reliance on past experience. Although Vu Yuanjia had a brilliant performance in the Vietnam War of Resistance against France and the United States, the war in 1979 was clearly beyond his ability. The defeat in this war and the change in his personal fortunes became a kind of irony for Vietnam's reputation as the "Red Napoleon".
References: [1] Canglang. Red Napoleon"Wu Yuanjia[J].Decision,2013(11):68-69