Accession Number:

ADA266602

Title:

General Vo Nguyen Giap: Operational Genius or Lucky Amateur

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI DEPT OF OPERATIONS

Personal Author(s):

• Alsup, Charles W.

Report Date:

1993-05-17

Pagination or Media Count:

54.0

Abstract:

Understanding operational art is a critical skill for contemporary military officers. General Vo Nguyen Giap is an excellent example of operational art at the low end of the conflict spectrum. General Giap led an ill-equipped insurgent army against two western armies over the course of 30 years, and won. His success was not luck. It was patient application of basic military principles in a unique environment. In teaching himself operational art, Giap made profound contributions to the military profession. He applied Mao Tse Tungs insurgent warfare theories in a pragmatic, successful manner, conceived a unique Peoples War concept which captures the essence of the Clausewitzian trinity---Military, Government, People---and precipitated an era of innovative operational thinking, especially as it applies to insurgent warfare. His campaigns during the first Indochina war provide worthwhile examples, good and bad, of operational art in protracted war

Descriptors:

• *LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT
• POLITICAL REVOLUTION
• INSURGENCY
• VIETNAM

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE