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derivative filename/jpeg
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363-02196 to 363-02200.pdf
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Digital Object Identifier
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363-02196 to 363-02200
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Title
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Article on Chinese Communist advisors to guerrilla units
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Description
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Original title: "chicom." Keever's title: "Chinese Observers Said to Join Viet Cong." Article by Keever on reports of Chinese Communist advisors to Viet Cong guerrilla units
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AI Usage Disclosure
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Draft transcripts were automatically generated via Google Document AI and are currently under review. Please report significant errors to Archives & Special Collections at archives@unl.edu.
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Transcript
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- Page 1
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deepe
ohioon-l
Jn n. 18, 1965
BIGO-Vietnamese intelligence officials have been receiving
an increasing number of unconfirmed reports that Chinese Communist
"advisor"
are accompanying hard-core Viet Cong Communist guerrilla units.
Both Vietnamese and American military officials, who reguarly
regularly road intelligence information, emphasize that the
reports of Chinese Communist "advisors" have not (repont not) been
confirmed by 2 standard intelligence procedures such as mp
capturing a prisonor or photographing a Chinese Communist trooper.
They emphasise that no (repeat mo) American or
Vietnamese tan military mon in the field have been able to identify
one through binoculars. In the past, Amorionn advisors in the provinces
have reported gone
the highest echelong-
in the High Military Command headquuar headquartore-havo privately
voiced the "probability "probability" that the Chinese Communists have
sont non-participating observers or military specialists to aid the
Vict Cong gorril1on.
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deepe
chicom--2
jan. 18, 1965
this
One
The judgment of this high-ranking Vietnamese general at the
Saigon headquarters--shared by Vietnamese generals commanding operations
in the field--has been accepted by some military experts from
Western allies and has been relayed in diplomatic reports to their
home capitals.
The basis of the intelligence reports is generally from
Vietnamese villagers who have witnessed Viet Cong operations. One
Vietnamese general--one of four corps commanders--said he personally
interviewed Vietnamese villagers who told him
WEAR ng
of tall Asian troopers
soldiers accompanying the Viet Cong we were Chinese-like uniforms.
These reports, which have dribbled into Vietnamese intelligence
channels for months, peaked recently after the infamous battle of
Binh Gia in which Vietnamese government forces sustained more than 400
casualties in one of the worst defeats of the war.
Following that battle, the Vietnamese High Command received
reports from Vietnamese villagers, includo including at least one
Vietnamese Roman Catholic priest, that Viet Cong units included
at least two Asian soldiers per battaliom "with closely shaved head."
The villagers reportedly said that they spoke a different language they
could not understand,
shoved and pushed the Vietnamese villagers rather
than treating them diplomatically as the
unit.
other misinha members of th
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deepe
chicom--3
jan. 18, 1965
One Vietnamese general said that he talked with a Vietnamese
Marine Officer who had escaped injury in the battle of binn via, who said
Chinese being spoken
that he had personally heard mam on the radio
Bin
rsonally
during the battle. While some sources question that Chinese language would
be spoken during the battle since it would be difficult tox for the Viet Cong
who speak Vietnamese, to understand, the Vietnamese e general
said that it "is probably tre true" that there are Chinese Communists
troops,
serving with Viet Cong units.
This correspondent also talked with a low-ranking American
advisor who had participated in the battle of Binh Gia.
"There's absolutely no (repeat no) evidence to prove there are
the American captain explained.
Chicoms with the Viet Cong guerrillas,"
"But I know they are there. You can tell by the way they dig their
foxholes and their tactics.
they
During that battle they started their
Waving
attack with a bugle blast and they were carrying their regimental banner
and came wave after wave just like in Korea. When we were retreating
✰ their mortar shells followed in our footsteps down the trails. This is
just like Korea."
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deepe
chicom--4
Some Vietnamese intelligence sources,
acknowledging the lack
of proof of Chinese Communist involvement, point out that intelligence
reports from villagers about North Vietnamese-borm soldiers being present
im this southern republic pres preceded by months the actual
confirmation of the reports. The first North Vietnamese borm
soldier was captured by Vietnamese government troops in mid-July of la st
year, but intelligence reports of their presence had been received at.
least six months in advances of the confirma tion. Other Vietnamese
military sources point out that government troops have been capturing
an increasing number of Chinese Communist weapons in South Vietnam.
Some sources are non-committal or openly skeptical of these
intelligence reports.
DmphomartinXSEMIKOM Xxxkammaramm
American military officials at the Saigon command level, speaking
privately, say only that there is "no hard evidence" to prove that the
Chinese Communists are openly involved with Viet Cong units, but would
not remum speculate whether or not they are present.
Diplomatic sources who carefully watch Viet Cong military and
political trends are openly skeptical that Chinese Communist personnel
are involved.
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deepe
chicoms-5
one
"For years the Viet Cong have been trying to say they are
fighting for the Vietnamese people-without involvement from Peiping,"
reliable diplomatic source explained. "There's no new weapons or tactics:
now that would require Chinese Communists to come into the battle.
Vietnamese people traditionally hate the Chinese, who have long
tried to dominate them."
The
An America m civilian im close touch with developments im
the provinces brushed aside the whole matter.
"The Vietnamese (anti-Communist side) always exaggerate," he
said. "When they have a big defeat, they always double the size of the
Viet Cong attacking unit-and add Chicom advisors."
Another American advisor in the provinces shrugged
"The
without concern as he hopped into his jeep and replied:
presence of Chicoms here is not (repeat not) a matter that worries me
one way or another. It may be of immense concern to Dean Rusk. But to
me,
the Vietcong are fighting very well-with or without their Chicom
advisors."
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Date
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1965, Jan. 18
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Subject
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Mặt trận dân tộc giải phóng miền nam Việt Nam; Guerrilla warfare; China; Political consultants
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Location
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Saigon, South Vietnam
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Coordinates
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10.8231; 106.6297
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Size
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20 x 26 cm
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Container
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B4, F9
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Format
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dispatches
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Collection Number
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MS 363
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Collection Title
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Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
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Creator
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Keever, Beverly Deepe
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Collector
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Keever, Beverly Deepe
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Copyright Information
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These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
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Publisher
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Archives & Special Collections
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Language
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English
