Battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan
Battle of Khai Phat - Na Ngan | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the World War II, French Indochina in World War II, First Indochina War | |||||||
![]() The Armed Propaganda Unit with Vo Nguyen Giap | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
![]() |
![]() | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() |
![]() | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown | 34 soldiers (Tran Hung Dao platoon) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
2 French officers killed 1 armoury guard wounded Remainder surrendered | None |
The Battle of Khai Phat-Na Ngan was the first battle ever fought by the Viet Minh. Taking place in December 1944, it involved a series of raids by the Armed Propaganda Unit (Tran Hung Dao platoon) on French outposts at Khai Phat and Na Ngan. Personally led by Vo Nguyen Giap, the force consisted of 31 men and 3 women armed with two revolvers, seventeen rifles, one light machine gun, and fourteen breech-loading flintlocks dating from the Russo-Japanese War.[1] The first raid was on Khai Phat outpost, in which the commander was killed and its armoury seized, making the colonial troops surrender without a fight.[2] The second took place the following day at Na Ngan where another officer was killed. These raids gave the Viet Minh its first victory, and defectors from the garrisons bolstered their ranks.[3][4]
Background[]
In 1940, Japan had invaded French Indochina and occupied it. During the period of occupation, the Viet Minh expanded their size, and in September 1944 the first Revolutionary Party Military Conference was held. During the conference, it was agreed that it was time to take the military struggle forward into a new phase. Subsequently, the formation of the Vietnam Liberation Army was proclaimed, with Giáp as its commander. Ho Chi Minh directed him to establish Armed Propaganda Brigades and the first one, consisting of thirty-one men and three women, was formed in December 1944 and named the Tran Hung Dao Platoon.[5]
Battle[]
In late December, two outposts in Cao Bang province were selected. Using a 12 year old named Hoang as a spy, the Viet Minh discovered that they were mainly guarded by colonial soldiers. At 5 pm on December 25, Viet Minh troops dressed in French uniforms entered Khai Phat and seized its armoury, wounding the guard and killing the French commander in the process,[6] making the unarmed garrison promptly surrender. This was repeated the following day at Na Ngan, with the commander also being killed and the garrison surrendering after a short fight.
Aftermath[]
The Viet Minh seized 40 rifles, 2 sidearms and 3000 piastres[7] during these raids. They also captured 37 prisoners (including a French NCO),[8] most of whom either defected or were released to go home. The minor victory gave the Viet Minh its first experience in combat and was the first of many battles against the French.
References[]
- ^ MacDonald, Peter (1993). Giap: The Victor in Vietnam. Fourth Estate. p. 32. ISBN 1-85702-107-X.
- ^ Greer, Bob (2011). Journey Among Heroes. ISBN 142699611X.
- ^ Trimmer, Earl (2019). Unbreakable Hearts: A True, Heart-wrenching Story About Victory...Forfeited!. p. 95.
- ^ Giáp, Võ Nguyên (1964). Từ Nhân dân Mà Ra. Hanoi: People’s Army Publishing House. pp. 164–170.
- ^ MacDonald 1993, p32
- ^ Greer, Bob (2011). Journey Among Heroes. ISBN 142699611X.
- ^ Direction Générale des Études et Recherches, Rapport 1 Juin 1945, Indochine nouveau fonds, c. 122, d. 1106, Centre des Archives D'Outre-Mer, Aix-en-Provence.
- ^ Sûreté, Rapport 10 Janvier 1945, Fonds conseiller politique 161, Centre des Archives D'Outre-Mer, Aix-en-Provence.
- 1944 in Vietnam
- 1944 in military history
- Viet Minh
- Võ Nguyên Giáp