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Originally Posted by GirlySports
True the war was lost within a month but it was mostly because of poor leadership. The generals did not allow the South Vietnamese to fight, but instead regrouped its forces to stall for time (perhaps to get money from the US or get them back into the war). They took the wrong roads and defends the wrong areas, refugees fleeing for their lives blocked certain roads and both civilians and officers were attacked.
If you're a history buff read about the Battle of Ban Me Thuot and see one of the greatest military blunders in history by the South Vietnamese government and generals. |
The leadership of South Vietnam both politically and military, was a consequence of their narrow support within the country though, the Catholic minority kept power within their families never trusting (with good reason) anyone outside of a small group of ruling clans.
The whole country was badly run from the mid fifties onwards as it was in our interest to maintain presidents who were wholly dependant on the US rather than from popular support, this had the effect of making leadership in the ARVN military a political position predominantly, and for much of the war Generals were in control of South Vietnam, of course none of this made for either good tactical control in the field and also meant their was little trust between Saigon and its commanders in the field.