Unsuccessful Operation Phoenix

The operation Phoenix (Phung Hoang) is one of the most misunderstood controversial programs undertaken by the US government. Phoenix was in charge of destroying the Viet Cong - a south Vietnam political organization that fought against the US. The US soldiers weren´t afraid to use torture or assassination to destroy their enemy. Let´s look at how this problem began and carried on, and what ended this mission.

This operation started even before the Vietnamese war (1963). The leader of the operation was William Colby and with the help of an anti-communist Vietnamese Tran Ngoc Chau. Colby and US military soldiers were sent to Vietnam with a clear plan - rid of Viet Cong. The plan was to use the population which they believed they are anti-communist and with the help of America, they will rid of their socialism-inclined fellow citizens. But no-one from the CIA didn´t know that most of the citizens of Vietnam are anti-Americanists. 

Soon after the arrival, Americans gave about half a million weapons and guns to Vietnamese citizens in thought the Vietnamese will have an overview of who is on the same side as the Viet Cong and who is not. The problems came soon when the Vietnamese started to abuse the guns and Americans had to také matters into their own hands. Specials teams of killers had on their hand's the blood of over 40 000 murdered Vietnamese. The sign of the brutality of Americans signs an Ace of Spades card left in the mouth of the dead Vietnamese bodies, torturing of prisoners or throwing men out of the helicopters to kill them. But now I´m running away from the subject. 

There were other problems Americans had to deal with. They had to learn who "belongs to them", who cooperates with the Viet Cong, and who doesn´t - who is innocent. But unfortunately, the government intelligence systém was useless for them - the information was bribed by the Vietnamese government so Americans neither the Vietnamese population had no idea what is true and what is not. So Americans with the help of an English-speaking anticommunist Tran Chau went to villages and were asking the citizens about their position in the village if they are happy or what would they like to change. By these questions, they could easily provoke the local officials who Tran Chau could discipline or eliminate.

Unfortunately, the operation wasn´t successful, it caused more damage than good. The consequences were not only signed on the psychics of the Vietnamese citizens, their land, or government, but some harm has also fallen on the American CIA units where for example Ralph McGehee and fellow members of the units have quitted job. Of course, we can´t forget to mention that immediately after the operation Phoenix has started the Vietnamese war - a shock for both sides.

Karolína Walterová