Army of the Republic of Vietnam 1955-75

Evolved from the colonial units created by the French, this book discusses the original reorganization of these forces into the first national army. Complete with a detailed history of the command structure and orders of battle, the author also sheds light on the little known divisional histories of the army through rare, original source material. Moreover, the author examines in detail the evolution of such key units as armored forces, ranger commands as well as combat unit organization. This together with a detailed analysis of the experiences of the typical rank and file soldier as well as officer corps provides a concise and detailed history of an army that is too often neglected or quickly judged.

Contents

Introduction

Historical Background

Command Structure

Divisional Histories

Armored Forces

Ranger Command

Non-divisional Units

Combat Unit Organization

ARVN Weapons and Equipment

The ARVN Soldier

The Advisors

Conclusion