Soviet troops in Vietnam - What was their task?
History Our civilization is full of bloody wars and tragedies. People still do not know how to live in the world on one small planet, lost in the cold space. War is increasingly becoming an instrument of enrichment for some due to the grief and misfortunes of others. In the twentieth century, the assertion that peace rules the world was once again confirmed.
In early September, in the year of the final capitulation of fascism, the creation of the second nation-state in Asia, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, was proclaimed. The power in the country was in the hands of the communist leader Ho Chi Minh, which radically changed the geopolitical situation in the region. However, the Europeans did not intend to leave their colonies, and soon a new bloody war broke out. British troops led by General Gracie created favorable conditions for the return of French colonists instead of the promised assistance for the expulsion of the Japanese aggressors. The Allies openly violated the provisions of the Atlantic Charter, which stated that all countries fighting against fascism would receive long-awaited freedom. Soon, French troops landed on the territory of Vietnam in order to restore their former influence in the region. However, Vietnam at this moment experienced an incredible rise in the national spirit, and the French met with fierce resistance.
At the initiative of the Soviet Union at the end of April 1954, a document was signed in Geneva recognizing the independence of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as the restoration of peace in the region. As a result, two parts of the country were formed, separated by a conditional border: North Vietnam, headed by Ho Chi Minh and South, headed by Ngo Din Ziem. If Ho Chi Minh was a leader with real authority among the local population, supported by the countries of the socialist camp, then Zem turned out to be an ordinary puppet of the West. Soon, Ziem lost even the appearance of popularity among the people, and guerrilla war broke out on the territory of South Vietnam. The democratic elections outlined by the Geneva Act were completely disadvantageous to Europeans, as it became clear that the victory of Ho Chi Minh was predetermined. It should be noted that the Communists from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam played an important role in the deployment of the partisan movement. Soon the United States intervened in the conflict, but the lightning conquest of the country did not take place.
T-34-85 from the 203rd tank regiment on the outskirts of Charlie fortified point. Seated open on armor tank infantry is extremely vulnerable to shelling of all kinds weapons, but the North Vietnamese did not have enough armored personnel carriers. As a tank assault fighters act North Vietnamese special forces Dak Kong. Special Forces were often used as assault groups, the personnel of these formations were distinguished by excellent combat training and high morale. Special Forces, by the standards of the Army of the DRV, was well armed and equipped. For example, here on the head of each soldier wearing a Soviet-style helmet. (http://otvaga2004.narod.ru)
The southern part of Vietnam was almost completely covered with impassable jungle, in which the partisans successfully hid. The hostilities, customary and effective in Europe, were not applicable here, the Communist North provided considerable support to the rebels. After the "Tonkin incident", the US Air Force bombed North Vietnam. Black phantoms were sent to Hanoi and, exerting a psychological impact on the population, destroyed mainly military targets. The air defense system in the underdeveloped country was almost completely absent, and the Americans quickly felt their impunity.
Help from the USSR followed immediately. To be more precise, the Soviet support of the young people's state was carried out a year before the famous meeting in 1965, however, large-scale deliveries of military equipment were started after the official decision and settlement of transportation issues through China. In addition to weapons, Soviet military and civilian specialists, as well as correspondents, went to Vietnam. In the famous movie “Rambo”, American directors illuminate the fierce battles between the “hero” and the notorious thugs from the “Russian special forces”. This work concentrates all the fear of Soviet soldiers who, according to US politicians, fought with their glorious half-million army. So, if we consider that the number of soldiers from the USSR who arrived in Hanoi was only a little over six thousand officers and about four thousand privates, it becomes clear how exaggerated such stories are.
In fact, in the territory of North Vietnam there were only officers and privates who were called upon to train local military in the management of Soviet equipment and weapons. Contrary to the expectations of Americans, who predicted the appearance of the first results of such training only after a year, the Vietnamese entered into opposition within two months. Perhaps such an unexpected and unpleasant circumstance for the American command gave rise to suspicions that the Soviet pilots were on the side of the enemy, and not local warriors at all. Legends of the Bolsheviks with machine guns, hiding in the impenetrable jungle and attacking the peaceful Americans in Vietnam, and today are popular in the States. If you believe these stories, we can conclude that only ten or eleven thousand Soviet soldiers were able to defeat the half-million American army, and this is really incredible. The role of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese with this approach is not at all clear.
The offensive of the 3 corps of the DRV army began on 2 on April 1972. The corps operated in the province of Tai Nin near the border with Cambodia in the Saigon area. With a combined strike of tanks and infantry 4 on April, the northerners drove the southerners out of the city of Locke Ninh. In the picture - T-54 tanks from the 21-th separate tank battalion move past the destroyed South Vietnamese tank M41-3 (the tank belonged to the 5-th armored cavalry regiment of the 3rd armored brigade). Both T-54 and M41 are masked by tree branches. (http://otvaga2004.narod.ru)
However, it cannot be denied that the Americans had reason not to trust the assurances of the USSR about the exclusively advisory mission of military specialists. The fact is that the majority of the population of North Vietnam was illiterate. The overwhelming part of the famine, the people were exhausted, so even the minimum amount of stamina and strength from ordinary fighters was not. Young men could withstand only ten minutes of battle with the enemy. Talk about the skill in the field of piloting on modern machines was not necessary. Despite all of the above factors, during the first year of the confrontation with North Vietnam, a significant part of the American military aircraft was destroyed. MiGs won in maneuverability from the legendary phantoms, so they successfully avoided pursuit after the attack. The anti-aircraft systems, thanks to which most of the American bombers were shot down, were difficult to eliminate, as they were located under the cover of dense tropical forests. In addition, intelligence has successfully worked, reporting on fighter departures in advance.
The first months of the work of the Soviet rocket scientists were extremely tense. Completely different climatic conditions, unfamiliar diseases, annoying insects were not the most important problem in the performance of the task. The training of Vietnamese comrades who do not understand Russian at all, was conducted through a demonstration, with the involvement of translators, which were often lacking. Nevertheless, the Soviet specialists did not participate directly in the battles, as there were very few of them, and they were too great a value. According to the testimony of the direct participants, they did not even have their own weapons.
The American command strictly forbade the shelling of Soviet ships and transport, since such actions could provoke the beginning of the Third World War, however, it was the Soviet military-economic machine that was opposed to the Americans. Two thousand tanks, seven hundred light and maneuverable aircraft, seven thousand mortars and guns, more than a hundred helicopters and much more were supplied to the USSR as gratuitous friendly assistance to Vietnam. Almost the entire air defense system of the country, later evaluated by the enemy as impassable for any type of fighter, was built at the expense of the USSR by Soviet specialists. The armament of a belligerent state took place in the most difficult conditions of constant bombardment and open looting from China. Over ten thousand Vietnamese were sent to the Union for military training and training in the use of Soviet modern technology. According to various estimates, the support of friendly Vietnam cost the USSR budget from one and a half to two million dollars daily.
There is an opinion that the Soviets sent obsolete weapons to help the warring. The refutation can be an interview with the chairman of the Ministry of Defense of veterans in Vietnam Nicholas Kolesnik, the direct participant and eyewitness to the events studied. According to him, modern MiG-21 vehicles were put into service, as well as the Dvina anti-aircraft installations, the shells of which, according to Americans, turned out to be the deadliest on the ground at that time. Mark Kolesnik and highly qualified military specialists, and the incredible persistence of the Vietnamese in learning and striving to master the science of management as quickly as possible.
Despite the fact that the US authorities were well aware of the provision of military assistance to North Vietnam, all specialists, including the military, were obliged to wear only civilian clothes, their documents were kept at the embassy, and they found out about the final destination of their business trip at the last moment. Requirements of secrecy remained until the withdrawal of the Soviet contingent from the country, and the exact numbers and names of participants are not known until today.
After the signing of the peace accords in Paris on January 27 in Paris, Hanoi strengthened its forces in the so-called “liberated regions”. Massive deliveries of weapons and military equipment from the Soviet Union and China allowed Hanoi to reorganize the armed forces, including armored forces. From the USSR, then for the first time Vietnam received wheeled armored personnel carriers BTR-1973PB. The picture shows a platoon of BTR-60PB, Lock Ninh airbase near the border with Cambodia, a solemn ceremony, 60 (http://otvaga1973.narod.ru)
Relations between the USSR and Vietnam were built on the terms of "unequal friendship." The Union was interested in spreading its influence in the region, and therefore provided such generous and disinterested help. Vietnam, on the other hand, collaborated with the Soviets solely for reasons of profit, successfully speculating on the position of the country fighting for independence and freedom. Sometimes they did not ask for help, but demanded it. In addition, direct participants often describe cases of provocations by the Vietnamese authorities.
International relations with this tropical country are being built today by Russia as the direct successor of the Union. The political situation is different, but the local population still has a sense of gratitude towards the Russian soldiers, and the heroes of that secret war are also proud of their participation in it.
At the final stage of "Ho Chi Minh" operation, the DRV army for the first time used the newest and best in the world ZSU-23-4- "Shilka". At that time, the only battery of these self-propelled guns from the 237 anti-aircraft artillery regiment could take part in the fighting (http://www.nhat-nam.ru)
Three armored personnel carriers BTR-40А, armed with anti-aircraft guns, on patrols on the highway near the coastal city of Nha Trang, early April 1975. The BTR-40 armored personnel carriers in the anti-aircraft variant were often used in reconnaissance units of tank regiments (http://www.nhat-nam.ru )
According to the US intelligence community, North Vietnam received ISU-122, ISU-152 and SU-100 self-propelled artillery mounts from the USSR in addition to replacing the SU-76 self-propelled guns. On the combat use of the above self-propelled guns in Indochina nothing is known. In the reports of the units of the army of South Vietnam, they were not noted even once. Here is an extremely rare snapshot of the self-propelled gun SU-100 of the army of the DRV, but the board number with the letter “F” is very confusing, the style of the image of the letter and numbers is no less strange for the North Vietnamese army. Pay attention to the support rollers of different types (http://otvaga2004.narod.ru)
In early September, in the year of the final capitulation of fascism, the creation of the second nation-state in Asia, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, was proclaimed. The power in the country was in the hands of the communist leader Ho Chi Minh, which radically changed the geopolitical situation in the region. However, the Europeans did not intend to leave their colonies, and soon a new bloody war broke out. British troops led by General Gracie created favorable conditions for the return of French colonists instead of the promised assistance for the expulsion of the Japanese aggressors. The Allies openly violated the provisions of the Atlantic Charter, which stated that all countries fighting against fascism would receive long-awaited freedom. Soon, French troops landed on the territory of Vietnam in order to restore their former influence in the region. However, Vietnam at this moment experienced an incredible rise in the national spirit, and the French met with fierce resistance.
At the initiative of the Soviet Union at the end of April 1954, a document was signed in Geneva recognizing the independence of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as the restoration of peace in the region. As a result, two parts of the country were formed, separated by a conditional border: North Vietnam, headed by Ho Chi Minh and South, headed by Ngo Din Ziem. If Ho Chi Minh was a leader with real authority among the local population, supported by the countries of the socialist camp, then Zem turned out to be an ordinary puppet of the West. Soon, Ziem lost even the appearance of popularity among the people, and guerrilla war broke out on the territory of South Vietnam. The democratic elections outlined by the Geneva Act were completely disadvantageous to Europeans, as it became clear that the victory of Ho Chi Minh was predetermined. It should be noted that the Communists from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam played an important role in the deployment of the partisan movement. Soon the United States intervened in the conflict, but the lightning conquest of the country did not take place.
The southern part of Vietnam was almost completely covered with impassable jungle, in which the partisans successfully hid. The hostilities, customary and effective in Europe, were not applicable here, the Communist North provided considerable support to the rebels. After the "Tonkin incident", the US Air Force bombed North Vietnam. Black phantoms were sent to Hanoi and, exerting a psychological impact on the population, destroyed mainly military targets. The air defense system in the underdeveloped country was almost completely absent, and the Americans quickly felt their impunity.
Help from the USSR followed immediately. To be more precise, the Soviet support of the young people's state was carried out a year before the famous meeting in 1965, however, large-scale deliveries of military equipment were started after the official decision and settlement of transportation issues through China. In addition to weapons, Soviet military and civilian specialists, as well as correspondents, went to Vietnam. In the famous movie “Rambo”, American directors illuminate the fierce battles between the “hero” and the notorious thugs from the “Russian special forces”. This work concentrates all the fear of Soviet soldiers who, according to US politicians, fought with their glorious half-million army. So, if we consider that the number of soldiers from the USSR who arrived in Hanoi was only a little over six thousand officers and about four thousand privates, it becomes clear how exaggerated such stories are.
In fact, in the territory of North Vietnam there were only officers and privates who were called upon to train local military in the management of Soviet equipment and weapons. Contrary to the expectations of Americans, who predicted the appearance of the first results of such training only after a year, the Vietnamese entered into opposition within two months. Perhaps such an unexpected and unpleasant circumstance for the American command gave rise to suspicions that the Soviet pilots were on the side of the enemy, and not local warriors at all. Legends of the Bolsheviks with machine guns, hiding in the impenetrable jungle and attacking the peaceful Americans in Vietnam, and today are popular in the States. If you believe these stories, we can conclude that only ten or eleven thousand Soviet soldiers were able to defeat the half-million American army, and this is really incredible. The role of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese with this approach is not at all clear.
However, it cannot be denied that the Americans had reason not to trust the assurances of the USSR about the exclusively advisory mission of military specialists. The fact is that the majority of the population of North Vietnam was illiterate. The overwhelming part of the famine, the people were exhausted, so even the minimum amount of stamina and strength from ordinary fighters was not. Young men could withstand only ten minutes of battle with the enemy. Talk about the skill in the field of piloting on modern machines was not necessary. Despite all of the above factors, during the first year of the confrontation with North Vietnam, a significant part of the American military aircraft was destroyed. MiGs won in maneuverability from the legendary phantoms, so they successfully avoided pursuit after the attack. The anti-aircraft systems, thanks to which most of the American bombers were shot down, were difficult to eliminate, as they were located under the cover of dense tropical forests. In addition, intelligence has successfully worked, reporting on fighter departures in advance.
The first months of the work of the Soviet rocket scientists were extremely tense. Completely different climatic conditions, unfamiliar diseases, annoying insects were not the most important problem in the performance of the task. The training of Vietnamese comrades who do not understand Russian at all, was conducted through a demonstration, with the involvement of translators, which were often lacking. Nevertheless, the Soviet specialists did not participate directly in the battles, as there were very few of them, and they were too great a value. According to the testimony of the direct participants, they did not even have their own weapons.
North Vietnamese PT-76, shot down in a battle near the special forces camp Benhet. March 1969 of the year
The American command strictly forbade the shelling of Soviet ships and transport, since such actions could provoke the beginning of the Third World War, however, it was the Soviet military-economic machine that was opposed to the Americans. Two thousand tanks, seven hundred light and maneuverable aircraft, seven thousand mortars and guns, more than a hundred helicopters and much more were supplied to the USSR as gratuitous friendly assistance to Vietnam. Almost the entire air defense system of the country, later evaluated by the enemy as impassable for any type of fighter, was built at the expense of the USSR by Soviet specialists. The armament of a belligerent state took place in the most difficult conditions of constant bombardment and open looting from China. Over ten thousand Vietnamese were sent to the Union for military training and training in the use of Soviet modern technology. According to various estimates, the support of friendly Vietnam cost the USSR budget from one and a half to two million dollars daily.
There is an opinion that the Soviets sent obsolete weapons to help the warring. The refutation can be an interview with the chairman of the Ministry of Defense of veterans in Vietnam Nicholas Kolesnik, the direct participant and eyewitness to the events studied. According to him, modern MiG-21 vehicles were put into service, as well as the Dvina anti-aircraft installations, the shells of which, according to Americans, turned out to be the deadliest on the ground at that time. Mark Kolesnik and highly qualified military specialists, and the incredible persistence of the Vietnamese in learning and striving to master the science of management as quickly as possible.
Despite the fact that the US authorities were well aware of the provision of military assistance to North Vietnam, all specialists, including the military, were obliged to wear only civilian clothes, their documents were kept at the embassy, and they found out about the final destination of their business trip at the last moment. Requirements of secrecy remained until the withdrawal of the Soviet contingent from the country, and the exact numbers and names of participants are not known until today.
Relations between the USSR and Vietnam were built on the terms of "unequal friendship." The Union was interested in spreading its influence in the region, and therefore provided such generous and disinterested help. Vietnam, on the other hand, collaborated with the Soviets solely for reasons of profit, successfully speculating on the position of the country fighting for independence and freedom. Sometimes they did not ask for help, but demanded it. In addition, direct participants often describe cases of provocations by the Vietnamese authorities.
International relations with this tropical country are being built today by Russia as the direct successor of the Union. The political situation is different, but the local population still has a sense of gratitude towards the Russian soldiers, and the heroes of that secret war are also proud of their participation in it.
Documentary investigation. Russian secrets of the Vietnam War
About 6360 Soviet officers worked in Vietnam by military advisers - they allegedly only helped to repel the air raids of Americans with the support of air defense missile systems. 13 people were officially recognized as dead. Every day this nine-year war cost the USSR 2 million dollars.
The Americans knew very well where the Soviet camps are located, so while there were no active hostilities, they were tolerant of the Russians. Occasionally, leaflets with the time of the bombing and the suggestion to the Russians to leave the danger zone were dropped from the airplanes flying by. The feeling of complete impunity ended with the Americans with the shock of July 25 of 1964. It was the 1 th battle of Soviet anti-aircraft gunners with American aircraft. On this day, three aircraft were destroyed by three missiles near Hanoi. The Americans experienced such horror that they did not fly for two weeks. The Vietnamese shamelessly speculated on assistance from the USSR and even put the Soviet ships under attack.
About 6360 Soviet officers worked in Vietnam by military advisers - they allegedly only helped to repel the air raids of Americans with the support of air defense missile systems. 13 people were officially recognized as dead. Every day this nine-year war cost the USSR 2 million dollars.
The Americans knew very well where the Soviet camps are located, so while there were no active hostilities, they were tolerant of the Russians. Occasionally, leaflets with the time of the bombing and the suggestion to the Russians to leave the danger zone were dropped from the airplanes flying by. The feeling of complete impunity ended with the Americans with the shock of July 25 of 1964. It was the 1 th battle of Soviet anti-aircraft gunners with American aircraft. On this day, three aircraft were destroyed by three missiles near Hanoi. The Americans experienced such horror that they did not fly for two weeks. The Vietnamese shamelessly speculated on assistance from the USSR and even put the Soviet ships under attack.
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