Vương Thừa Vũ

Vương Thừa Vũ (born Nguyễn Văn Đồi) (1910-1980) was a lieutenant-general in the People's Army of Vietnam active during World War II, the First Indochina War, and the Vietnam War. He commanded Viet Minh forces in their early engagements at Hanoi in 1946, directing the city's two month-long defence against French forces. By 1949, during the Viet Minh's transition from guerrilla to regular warfare, he had risen to command the PAVN's first modern infantry division, the 308th, which he led into battle at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

Owing to his unique experience fighting in the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was well-versed in Chinese language and military doctrine. Hence, he became part of a small nucleus of Chinese-trained officers (Vũ, Nguyễn Sơn, and Lê Thiết Hùng) relied upon by General Giáp and other leaders early in the First Indochina war for their expertise, while due to his connections, he was active in liaising with the People's Republic of China for support.

Early career His military service had an unusual beginning. He served in Chiang Kai-shek's army, where he fought against the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931. This was followed by a stint at the Whampoa Military Academy, where he was one of few Vietnamese students there. Its notable alumni included Nguyễn Sơn, who later became a general in both the PLA and PAVN.

After the August Revolution that year, he took up service with the Viet Minh as the commander of their security forces in Hanoi. He was dispatched to Sơn Tây for training sometime afterwards, but was abruptly recalled to Hanoi in October the following year when the DRV's relationship with France reached breaking point.

First Indochina War

Hanoi, 1946

As relations between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and France continued deteriorating in 1946, conflict grew increasingly likely, culminating in the Hai Phong incident. Anticipating further attacks by French forces, who had a 6,000-strong presence in Hanoi, the Viet Minh leadership appointed Vũ and approved his plan to defend the city.

Soldiers were posted at government buildings, industrial plants, and major thoroughfares of strategic significance. Arms and supplies were stashed in the city, and wall openings secretly made between houses to allow rapid, maze-like movement from street to street. Furniture was strewn across city streets as makeshift barricades in open view of French forces, and at night on December 19, 1946, some 2,000-10,000 Viet Minh engaged in their first instances of urban warfare, the heaviest fighting occurring in Hanoi's Old Quarter. The Viet Minh's failure to sabotage the Paul Doumer Bridge nor the military airbase at Gia Lam allowed the French to immediately rush in troops, supplies, and arms into Hanoi, achieving firepower superiority. From then on, the French slowly recaptured Hanoi from its poorly-armed defenders in a battle marred by civilian massacres and torture committed by both factions, and the Old Quarter was levelled to rubble by airstrikes and artillery.

By February, after heavy losses of several hundred dead, Vũ withdrew his Capital Regiment, now reduced to 1,000 fighters, having delayed the French advance longer than expected. His defence allowed the DRV government to evacuate in an orderly manner, taking with them machinery, medical equipment, printing presses, and even the Voice of Vietnam transmitters into the countryside. then fended off Operation Lorraine, ambushing retreating convoys to inflict high French losses. The local residents celebrated the soldiers' return, with a parade being held at Hang Dao street on the 10th while Vũ was photographed receiving flowers from students attending a local girls' school. He oversaw the DRV's flag-raising ceremony at the Flag Tower of Hanoi after his men had liberated the city, and established the Hanoi Military Commission at the Hanoi Opera House that same day.

Vietnam War After the First Indochina War, Vũ commanded Military Region 3 until being appointed PAVN Deputy Chief of the General Staff in 1964, a post he held until death in 1980. He also commanded the same Military Region 4 he had served in during the late-1940s from 1964 to 1971, and simultaneously directed the PAVN Military Academy, becoming a lieutenant general in 1974. while his tenure in Region 4 witnessed major battles during the Tet Offensive in Quang Tri, Khe Sanh, and Hue.

Out of his six children, three sons served in the war. One later retired as an army colonel, while two others - one born while he was exiled in China, the other an air force pilot - died in action. For his service, he received a host of medals, including the Ho Chi Minh Order, Exploit Order, and various victory medals.