320th Division (Vietnam): Difference between revisions
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|nickname=Đồng Bằng |
|nickname=Đồng Bằng (Delta) |
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|battles= [[Battle of the Day River]]<br>[[Operation Bretagne]]<br>[[Operation Mouette]]<br>[[Operation Castor]] |
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{{Infobox command structure |
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| name = 320th Infantry Division |
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| date = |
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| parent = [[3rd Corps (Vietnam People's Army)]] |
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| ⚫ | | subordinate = [[48th Infantry Regiment (Vietnam)|48th Infantry Regiment (Thăng Long)]]<br/>[[52nd Infantry Regiment (Vietnam)|52nd Infantry Regiment (Tây Tiến later renamed Đông Biên)]]<br/>[[64th Infantry Regiment (Vietnam)|64th Infantry Regiment (Quyết Thắng)]]<br>[[834rd Artillery Battalion]] and an anti-air artillery battalion |
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The '''320th Division''' or '''Đồng Bằng Division''' (Vietnamese: ''Sư đoàn Đồng Bằng'', Delta Division) is a [[formation (military)|formation]] and one of the six original "Steel and Iron Divisions" of the [[Vietnam People's Army]]. It was established in January 1951.<ref name=Windrow>{{cite book|last=Windrow|first=Martin|title=The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam|publisher=Orion Publishing Group|year=2004|isbn=0-297-84671}}</ref>{{rp|149}} |
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==First Indochina War== |
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The 320th Division was the target of [[Operation Mouette]], launched on 15 October 1953, with the aim "to fix and destroy a major element of the Chu Luc before [[Võ Nguyên Giáp|Giáp]] could deploy it."<ref name="Windrow221">Windrow, p. 221.</ref> The route for the Viet-Minh between [[Thanh Hoa]] and the Delta contained a crossroads at Lai Cac which was targeted by the operation. Seven Mobile Groups (''Groupes Mobiles'') were deployed with river and amphibious units; tank units (largely the [[M24 Chaffee]]); [[half-track]]s and paratroopers at designated landing sites, after counter-intelligence mislead the Viet-Minh into defending the wrong locations.<ref name="Windrow221">Windrow, p. 221.</ref> GM 2 and GM 3 took Lai Cac and established a camp. The night of 18 October saw heavy counterattacks, which the French resisted. The [[13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade]] under Major Paul Pegot held out all night against one enemy battalion. This initial action was followed by two weeks of probing by GM 4 and paratrooper units. These columns fought major engagements in the surrounded countryside against the 320th, particularly on November 2. The French withdrew overnight on 6-7 November.<ref name="Windrow222">Windrow, p. 222.</ref> The French claimed over 1,000 enemy killed and 2,500 wounded, while 182 were captured, along with "500 infantry weapons, plus 100 bazookas and recoilless guns and 3,000 mines."<ref name="Windrow222">Windrow, p. 222.</ref> Windrow notes that this would amount to one third of the 320th Division. |
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Regiment 48 of the 320th was stationed at [[Điện Biên Phủ]] when the French launched [[Operation Castor]], however after some small skirmishes the Viet Minh abandoned the valley rather than engaging the French paratroops.<ref name="Windrow239">Windrow, p. 239.</ref> |
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In late December 1953 General Giáp ordered the 320th Division to infiltrate into the [[Red River Delta]] and assist Viet Ming local regiments to increase the pressure on the French in this region while he concentrated his forces for the [[Battle of Dien Bien Phu]].<ref name="Windrow280">Windrow, p. 280.</ref> |
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==Vietnam War== |
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During the [[Vietnam War]] it was a |
During the [[Vietnam War]] it was a division of the [[North Vietnamese Army]] that operated in the [[Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone|DMZ]] area of [[South Vietnam]]. The division battled U. S. Marines in and around [[Đông Hà]] and [[Leatherneck Square]]. One of the major battles the unit was involved in was the [[Battle of Dai Do]] northeast of Đông Hà. This battle was costly to both sides. |
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In 23 August 1965, General Staff ordered the division to split into 320A Division and 320B Division {{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}. Later in 1967, 320A (later renamed 320) moved to fight in the front in South Vietnam while 320B (later renamed 390) remained in Hanoi and became a training division {{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}. |
In 23 August 1965, General Staff ordered the division to split into 320A Division and 320B Division {{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}. Later in 1967, 320A (later renamed 320) moved to fight in the front in South Vietnam while 320B (later renamed 390) remained in Hanoi and became a training division {{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}. |
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==Present Day== |
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Today it is part of the [[3rd Corps (Vietnam People's Army)]]. |
Today it is part of the [[3rd Corps (Vietnam People's Army)]]. |
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Revision as of 14:29, 21 July 2014
| 320th Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1951-present |
| Allegiance |  Vietnam |
| Branch | Vietnam People's Army |
| Typ | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Nickname(s) | Đồng Bằng (Delta) |
| Engagements | Battle of the Day River Operation Bretagne Operation Mouette Operation Castor |
The 320th Division or Đồng Bằng Division (Vietnamese: Sư đoàn Đồng Bằng, Delta Division) is a formation and one of the six original "Steel and Iron Divisions" of the Vietnam People's Army. It was established in January 1951.[1]: 149
First Indochina War
The 320th Division was the target of Operation Mouette, launched on 15 October 1953, with the aim "to fix and destroy a major element of the Chu Luc before Giáp could deploy it."[2] The route for the Viet-Minh between Thanh Hoa and the Delta contained a crossroads at Lai Cac which was targeted by the operation. Seven Mobile Groups (Groupes Mobiles) were deployed with river and amphibious units; tank units (largely the M24 Chaffee); half-tracks and paratroopers at designated landing sites, after counter-intelligence mislead the Viet-Minh into defending the wrong locations.[2] GM 2 and GM 3 took Lai Cac and established a camp. The night of 18 October saw heavy counterattacks, which the French resisted. The 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade under Major Paul Pegot held out all night against one enemy battalion. This initial action was followed by two weeks of probing by GM 4 and paratrooper units. These columns fought major engagements in the surrounded countryside against the 320th, particularly on November 2. The French withdrew overnight on 6-7 November.[3] The French claimed over 1,000 enemy killed and 2,500 wounded, while 182 were captured, along with "500 infantry weapons, plus 100 bazookas and recoilless guns and 3,000 mines."[3] Windrow notes that this would amount to one third of the 320th Division.
Regiment 48 of the 320th was stationed at Điện Biên Phủ when the French launched Operation Castor, however after some small skirmishes the Viet Minh abandoned the valley rather than engaging the French paratroops.[4]
In late December 1953 General Giáp ordered the 320th Division to infiltrate into the Red River Delta and assist Viet Ming local regiments to increase the pressure on the French in this region while he concentrated his forces for the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.[5]
Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War it was a division of the North Vietnamese Army that operated in the DMZ area of South Vietnam. The division battled U. S. Marines in and around Đông Hà and Leatherneck Square. One of the major battles the unit was involved in was the Battle of Dai Do northeast of Đông Hà. This battle was costly to both sides.
In 23 August 1965, General Staff ordered the division to split into 320A Division and 320B Division [citation needed]. Later in 1967, 320A (later renamed 320) moved to fight in the front in South Vietnam while 320B (later renamed 390) remained in Hanoi and became a training division [citation needed].
Present Day
Today it is part of the 3rd Corps (Vietnam People's Army).