417:
force, MACV and the JGS. In practice, this meant that the allies dealt directly with MACV, since the FWMF countries ruled out any subordination of their forces to those of Saigon. The
Australians, New Zealanders, Thais and to a degree the Filipinos placed their troops under Westmoreland's operational control and that of his subordinate American tactical commanders. These arrangements, however, were less militarily absolute and straightforward than their formal terms might have suggested. Each country kept close watch over its contingent and negotiated with MACV the exact extent of its forces’ participation in combat. Concerned about the domestic political effects of heavy casualties, for example, the Australian and New Zealand governments were reluctant to engage their soldiers in risky offensive operations and also wanted to keep them out of internationally sensitive areas such as the
454:, Westmoreland and Cao Văn Viên, a new military working arrangement was signed providing for MACV logistical and intelligence support for the South Korean force, but Chae, on grounds of national sovereignty and prestige, refused to sign any document formally placing his troops under Westmoreland’s operational control. On the question of command, the document simply declared that the South Korean units would “execute necessary operational missions in support of the National Pacification Program” under their own commander. Privately, Chae and other South Korean officials assured Westmoreland that their forces would act as though they were under his orders and those of the
447:, rejected any semblance of formal American operational control. Viewing their presence in South Vietnam as a bargaining lever in their relations with the U.S. and as an occasion to assert themselves as an Asian anti-Communist power in their own right, the South Koreans from the outset insisted that their expeditionary force be treated as independent of, and coequal with, the U.S. and South Vietnamese armies. Since the U.S. desired to have South Korean soldiers in South Vietnam much more than the South Koreans needed to be there, the South Korean government was able to obtain generally what it wanted in terms of command relationships.
148:
480:
109:
506:
61:
583:
Larsen considered them "on balance... about one half as effective in combat as our best US units.”. The
Australians and New Zealanders, though few in numbers, were competent professional soldiers experienced in antiguerrilla operations. Philippine and Thai troops, much less effective, nevertheless enhanced security in the areas where they were stationed. However, the FWMF, and most notably the South Koreans, required disproportionate amounts of U.S. logistical and combat support and of MACV command and staff attention.
37:
519:
85:
408:), which it shared with representatives of the troop-contributing countries. Codifying earlier ad hoc arrangements, the Free World Military Assistance Office outlined command relationships between MACV, the FWMF and the South Vietnamese. Each force was under the command of a general officer of its own nationality who maintained his headquarters in Saigon. The national commander, cooperating with representatives of MACV and the South Vietnamese
73:
532:
216:
97:
493:
121:
465:, as long as nothing was put in writing and the orders were couched as requests. Westmoreland accepted this gentlemen’s agreement as "probably more durable and certainly more politically palatable than a formal arrangement that would create unnecessary controversy... be politically awkward to the Koreans, and in the final analysis not be binding."
881:
746:
677:
361:
From June to
October 1964, Free World activities had been handled by a small staff section within the MACV J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate. As the scope of the Free World contributions, military and technical, grew, the need for a separate staff section just for Free World affairs became apparent.
582:
The FWMF made a significant, if limited, contribution to the war effort. The South
Koreans, for example, protected a large, heavily populated area containing several major ports and allied bases, freeing American and South Vietnamese troops for other tasks but, because of their defensivemindedness,
416:
for major contingents, such as the South
Koreans), formed a policy council that implemented the terms of the military agreements between the U.S., South Vietnam and the contributing country. The council’s most important task was the establishment of an exact command relationship between the allied
566:
On 20 August 1970, the
Australian government announced that an infantry battalion would not be replaced when it rotated out of South Vietnam in November 1970. On 18 August 1971, Australia and New Zealand decided to withdraw their troops from South Vietnam with the announcement that 1st Australian
299:
328. The State
Department was to explore with the South Korean, Australian and New Zealand governments the possibility of rapidly deploying combat elements of their armed forces in conjunction with additional U.S. deployments. Both Australia and South Korea had already on 3 April 1965 indicated
281:
was not discussed at the meeting. Aside from tentative probes of the attitudes of the governments of
Australia and New Zealand, no effort was being made to secure combat troops for South Vietnam, but rather economic assistance, military advisers, civil affairs personnel and humanitarian aid was
372:
in
December 1964 had established the International Military Assistance Office under the staff supervision of the MACV assistant chief of staff, J-5. In May 1965 after the decision to seek Free World combat forces had been taken further plans were made to effect smooth-functioning command
289:(MACV) and the U.S. Operations Mission prepared a list of the kind of aid desired. When a country agreed to provide some assistance the U.S. government then informed the South Vietnamese government, which in turn made a formal request for aid from the country.
562:
was withdrawn in July 1971 and the headquarters, Royal Thai Forces, Vietnam was reduced to 204 men. In
February 1972, the other half of the division was withdrawn. Then in April 1972, the headquarters was withdrawn.
376:
In October 1965, the International Military Assistance Office was renamed the Free World Military Assistance Office, this agency acquired its own building in downtown Saigon known as the Free World Building
599:
The FWMF consisted of countries that assisted South Vietnam and the United States during the Vietnam War. As a result, South Vietnam and the United States are not usually included as being part of the FWMF.
567:
Task Force would cease operations in October, commencing a phased withdrawal. The last infantry battalion departed on 9 December 1971, while various support units stayed until 12 March 1972.
958:
440:
east of Saigon. There, in a province well away from Cambodia that large enemy main-force units rarely entered, the task force could protect an important highway and fight VC guerrillas.
238:(SEATO) issued a communique declaring the defeat of the VC essential to Southeast Asia's security and underscoring the necessity for SEATO nations to fulfill their treaty obligations.
523:
346:
contingent becoming a subordinate element of that group. In March a military working arrangement was signed between MACV and the Royal Thai Military Assistance Group, Vietnam.
285:
The usual procedure was to have the American embassies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America discuss the subject of aid for South Vietnam with the host countries.
953:
292:
In January 1965, as the U.S. became more actively engaged in the war, the search for more flags was intensified and the U.S. began to seek combat units.
309:
510:
559:
902:. The Official History of Australia's Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948–1975. Vol. Nine. Allen & Unwin. pp. 640–1.
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328:
286:
836:
872:
235:
907:
737:
703:
668:
332:
262:
764:
932:
552:
and withdrawal of U.S. forces starting in mid-1969 the countries contributing to the FWMF also looked to reduce their forces.
536:
484:
422:
224:
349:
On 28 July 1966, the first elements of the Philippine Civic Action Group arrived in South Vietnam and were soon deployed to
459:
555:
The Philippines Civic Action Group began to leave South Vietnam on 1 December 1969 and all had left by 15 February 1970.
147:
497:
321:
296:
199:
473:
At peak strength, the FWMF amounted to more than 68,000 men and included 31 maneuver battalions. These comprised:
437:
433:
429:
249:
was to be asked to support the U.S. and intensify its own counterinsurgency efforts in Thailand. Prime Minister
444:
808:
432:
and other Australian officials, as well as with the South Vietnamese, Westmoreland early in 1966 assigned the
366:
350:
36:
455:
317:
443:
The South Koreans, whose troops eventually took over defense of most of the populated coastal region of
425:
570:
The last FWMF forces, from South Korea, were withdrawn on 23 March 1973 with the implementation of the
963:
369:
343:
618:
202:(PAVN). Together with the U.S. and South Vietnamese, the FWMF were often referred to as the Allies.
571:
409:
219:
U.S., South Vietnamese and Free World Military Forces leaders at the October 1966 SEATO Conference
413:
342:
On 17 February 1966, the Royal Thai Military Assistance Group, Vietnam, was activated, with the
864:
The United States Army in Vietnam MACV: The Joint Command in the Years of Withdrawal, 1968-1973
928:
903:
868:
733:
699:
664:
462:
313:
227:
840:
295:
On 6 April 1965, the decision to seek Free World combat troops was confirmed and embodied in
658:
258:
450:
On 6 September 1965, after lengthy conferences between the South Korean commander, General
862:
727:
451:
17:
772:
549:
254:
215:
947:
885:
750:
681:
250:
179:
175:
78:
66:
191:
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for additional help as well as consideration of sending small combat units. The
270:
242:
195:
171:
136:
114:
102:
277:
were to be asked for a commitment of approximately 1,800 men. Assistance from
231:
395:
382:
518:
363:
266:
183:
90:
245:
on 1 December 1964, it was resolved that aid be sought from "key allies".
900:
Fighting to the Finish: The Australian Army and the Vietnam War 1968–1975
492:
418:
336:
246:
234:" to support South Vietnam. Also in April the Ministerial Council of the
126:
308:
In June 1965, the first FWMF troops arrived in South Vietnam with the
214:
187:
170:) was the group of allied nations who sent troops to fight in the
146:
884:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
749:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
680:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
619:
https://history.army.mil/html/books/090/90-5-1/CMH_Pub_90-5-1.pdf
696:
Exploring Saigon-Cholon – Vanishing Heritage of Ho Cho Minh City
867:. Center of Military History United States Army. p. 353.
729:
MACV: the Joint Command in the Years of Escalation, 1962-1967
151:
Free World Military Forces headquarters in Saigon, 1971
300:
informally their willingness to send combat troops.
132:
54:
46:
29:
732:. United States Army Center of Military History.
660:Vietnam Studies – Allied Participation in Vietnam
959:Military units and formations of the Vietnam War
809:"The Philippines: Allies During The Vietnam War"
322:161st Field Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery
421:border region. After lengthy negotiations with
513:– 2,064 (non-combat, medical assistant only).
412:(JGS) (in practice Generals Westmoreland and
8:
316:under the operational control of the U.S.
257:was to be briefed and his support sought.
35:
652:
650:
648:
646:
721:
719:
717:
715:
663:. U.S. Army center of Military History.
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310:1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
611:
592:
560:Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division
320:. They would be joined in July by the
26:
831:
829:
174:under the FWMF banner, assisting the
156:Free World Military Assistance Forces
30:Free World Military Assistance Forces
7:
898:Ekins, Ashley; McNeill, Ian (2012).
698:. Thế Giới Publishers. p. 433.
327:In September 1965, the South Korean
287:Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
839:. Army History Unit. Archived from
430:Royal Australian Army General Staff
297:National Security Action Memorandum
954:Multinational units and formations
236:Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
25:
434:Australian–New Zealand task force
927:. Stackpole Books. p. 272.
879:
744:
675:
530:
517:
504:
491:
478:
119:
107:
95:
83:
71:
59:
765:"The secret tragedy of Vietnam"
436:its own area of operations in
1:
544:Vietnamization and withdrawal
469:Peak strength of FWMF forces
763:Ku, Su-Jeong (1999-09-02).
548:With the implementation of
980:
164:Free World Military Forces
18:Free World Military Forces
793:Hobbes, Nicholas (2004).
34:
923:Stanton, Shelby (2003).
657:Larsen, Stanley (1975).
200:People's Army of Vietnam
925:Vietnam order of battle
861:Cosmas, Graham (2006).
837:"Vietnam War 1962–1972"
797:. McArthur and Company.
726:Cosmas, Graham (2006).
225:United States President
456:I Field Force, Vietnam
318:173rd Airborne Brigade
220:
152:
263:U.S. State Department
218:
150:
694:Doling, Tim (2019).
370:William Westmoreland
357:Command arrangements
351:Tây Ninh Combat Base
344:Royal Thai Air Force
241:In a meeting at the
843:on 5 September 2006
795:Essential Militaria
572:Paris Peace Accords
410:Joint General Staff
392: /
304:Initial deployments
438:Phước Tuy Province
423:Lieutenant General
396:10.772°N 106.674°E
333:2nd Marine Brigade
223:On 23 April 1964,
221:
153:
463:Stanley R. Larsen
314:Bien Hoa Air Base
228:Lyndon B. Johnson
142:
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16:(Redirected from
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771:. Archived from
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362:As a first step
329:Capital Division
259:William P. Bundy
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452:Chae Myung-shin
428:, chief of the
401:10.772; 106.674
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373:relationships.
359:
335:were landed at
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11:
5:
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874:978-0160771187
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815:. 12 June 2006
813:historynet.com
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550:Vietnamization
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255:United Kingdom
212:
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162:also known as
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32:
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919:
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911:
909:9781865088242
905:
901:
894:
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886:public domain
876:
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865:
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854:
842:
838:
832:
830:
826:
814:
810:
804:
801:
796:
789:
786:
775:on 2007-05-26
774:
770:
769:The Hankyoreh
766:
759:
756:
752:
751:public domain
741:
739:9780160723674
735:
731:
730:
722:
720:
718:
716:
712:
707:
705:9786047761388
701:
697:
690:
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683:
682:public domain
672:
670:9781782893714
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460:Major general
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251:Harold Wilson
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180:South Vietnam
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176:United States
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144:Military unit
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79:South Vietnam
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67:United States
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19:
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918:
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893:
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845:. Retrieved
841:the original
817:. Retrieved
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777:. Retrieved
773:the original
768:
758:
728:
695:
689:
659:
614:
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581:
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558:Half of the
557:
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414:Cao Văn Viên
375:
360:
348:
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312:deployed to
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240:
230:called for "
222:
192:Soviet Union
182:against the
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155:
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964:Vietnam War
934:0-811700712
537:New Zealand
511:Philippines
485:South Korea
458:commander,
426:John Wilton
399: /
387:106°40′26″E
279:South Korea
275:Philippines
271:New Zealand
265:was to ask
243:White House
196:North Korea
172:Vietnam War
137:Vietnam War
133:Engagements
115:South Korea
103:New Zealand
948:Categories
847:2006-09-20
819:2008-07-04
779:2007-03-27
607:References
578:Assessment
384:10°46′19″N
232:more flags
211:Background
524:Australia
487:– ~50,000
419:Cambodian
364:COMUSMACV
267:Australia
184:Viet Cong
91:Australia
50:1965–1973
500:– 11,568
498:Thailand
445:II Corps
337:Qui Nhon
282:sought.
247:Thailand
127:Thailand
526:– 7,626
367:General
261:of the
253:of the
206:History
55:Country
931:
906:
871:
736:
702:
667:
186:(VC),
124:
112:
100:
88:
76:
64:
47:Active
587:Notes
539:– 552
188:China
160:FWMAF
41:FWMAF
929:ISBN
904:ISBN
869:ISBN
734:ISBN
700:ISBN
665:ISBN
331:and
269:and
198:and
178:and
168:FWMF
166:or
950::
828:^
811:.
767:.
714:^
625:^
574:.
353:.
339:.
324:.
194:,
190:,
937:.
912:.
888:.
877:.
850:.
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753:.
742:.
708:.
684:.
673:.
377:(
158:(
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
