Battles of Phai Khắt and Nà Ngần
Open-knowledge reference entry
The Battle of Phai Khat - Na Ngan was the first battle ever fought by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). Taking place in December 1944, it involved a series of raids by the Viet Minh Armed Propaganda Unit (Tran Hung Dao platoon) on French outposts at Phai Khat 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 rifles dating from the Russo-Japanese War. The first raid was on Phai Khat outpost, in which the commander was killed and its armoury seized, making the colonial troops surrender without a fight. 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.
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.
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