local conflict continued to escalate in early 1960s.
Viet Cong Escalates Conflict
-
supplied by NV → Viet Cong stepped up to guerrilla war against South Vietnamese movement
-
used Ho Chi Minh trail → send reinforcements + supplies to guerrilla fighters
- 40,000 NV army troops between 1961-1963
fighters → attacked:
- SV govt forces, officials, buildings
- Viet Cong chose to avoid well defended SV positions in urban areas
- focused on making countryside unsafe for govt forces.
- a attacked US Air Force supply bases.
SV’s Response: Strategic Hamlet Programme
- SV responded with policy called Strategy Hamlet Programme
- peasants relocated (sometimes forcefully) → to fortified villages away from control + influence of Viet Cong
- Strategic hamlets → also support Diem’s vision of transforming countryside
- removing civilians → allow superior firepower of US Air Force + SV army → destroy Viet Cong without civilians being caught in crossfire.