Trần Văn Trà facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel General
Trần Văn Trà
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Trần Văn Trà in 1974
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| Personal details | |
| Born | September 15, 1919 Sơn Tịnh, Quảng Ngãi, Annam (French protectorate) |
| Died | April 20, 1996 (aged 76) Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
| Awards | Resolution for Victory Order |
| Nickname | Tư Chi |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  North Vietnam |
| Branch/service |  People's Army of Vietnam |
| Years of service | 1938–1982 |
| Rank | Colonel General |
| Commands |  (PLAF) Commander of the Liberation ArmyDeputy Secretary of the Military Committee Deputy Regional Commander (June 8, 1968 to July 2, 1976) |
| Battles/wars | First Indochina War Vietnam War Tet Offensive Easter Offensive Ho Chi Minh Campaign |
Nguyễn Chấn, also known as Trần Văn Trà (born September 15, 1919 – died April 20, 1996), was a very important military leader in Vietnam. He reached the high rank of colonel-general in the People's Army of Vietnam. He led the B2 Front from 1963 to 1967. He was also a Deputy Commander of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam. Trần Văn Trà was a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam for many years.
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Trần Văn Trà was born in 1918 in Quảng Ngãi Province. His father worked as a bricklayer. In 1938, when he was about 20 years old, he joined the Indochinese Communist Party. During World War II, he spent time in a French prison.
Between 1946 and 1954, Trà fought against the French. This period was known as the First Indochina War. He was part of the Vietnam People's Army. By 1961, he had become a general. He was in charge of communist forces in the southern part of South Vietnam.
During the war with the French, the Viet Minh group even had some Japanese soldiers helping them. In 1946, some of these Japanese soldiers became teachers. They taught fighting skills at a military school in Quang Ngai Province. More than 400 Vietnamese trainees learned there. It is not known if Trà helped organize this school or attended it. He served as Commander of the 7th Military Region from 1949 to 1950. He was also Vice Commander of Cochinchina from 1951 to 1954.
Fighting in the Vietnam War
Trần Văn Trà played a key role in the Vietnam War. This war was fought against the Americans and South Vietnamese forces. He led a major attack on Saigon in 1968. This attack was part of the famous Tet Offensive. He also commanded the B2 Front during the Easter Offensive.
In 1974, military leaders from North Vietnam met in Hanoi. Trà suggested a bold plan. He wanted to attack Phước Long Province in South Vietnam. This attack would test how the South Vietnamese and Americans would react. The attack was successful. The U.S. did not send its military to respond. This encouraged the communist forces to plan even bigger operations.
In April 1975, Trà became a Deputy Commander. He worked under Senior General Văn Tiến Dũng. This was during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. This campaign was the final attack on Saigon. It led to the end of the South Vietnamese government. After the war, he served as Vice-Minister of Defence from 1978 to 1982.
Later Life and Reflections
In 1982, Trần Văn Trà wrote a book. It was called Vietnam: A History of the Bulwark B-2 Theatre, Volume Concluding the 30-Years War. In his book, he shared some surprising details. He wrote that the leaders in Hanoi had thought their own military was stronger than it was. He also said they had underestimated the U.S. and South Vietnam. This was before and during the Tet Offensive.
His book caused some disagreement among the leaders of the new Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It is said that only one of the five volumes of his book survived. After this, he faced some difficulties with the government. From 1989 to 1992, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association. He lived a quiet life until his death on April 20, 1996.
