Vietnam: US / South Vietnamese 'black propaganda' flyer distributed clandestinely in North Vietnam - 'gươm thiêng diết cộng' or 'Sacred Sword to Remove Communists'

The innocuously named Studies and Observations Group (SOG) was a secret American military unit of elite troops best known for covert operations behind enemy lines such as surveillance, hit-and-run, search and rescue, sabotage, snatching prisoners, and setting booby traps. Its Psychological Operations Group was responsible for 'black' propaganda. The aim was to irritate Hanoi, persuade the authorities that security on the home front was being undermined, and divert resounces into searching out and countering the perceived threats.

One of its projects was to 'set up' dissident groups in North Vietnam claiming to be truly patriotic but spreading dissent and rumours about the conduct of the war and, especially, the Country’s Chinese ally. One such group was the anti-Communist 'Sacred Sword of the Patriots League' (SSPL). These groups did not exist but by spreading paperwork to and from non-existent agents and officials, supported by phoney radio transmissions, enemy counter-intelligence might be persuaded that they did.

'Patriotic League' leaflets were planted by SOG personnel on North Vietnamese roads and trails where they would be found and handed in. They were also air-dropped, usually at night, by unmarked planes. They read as if written by North Vietnamese patriots whose aim was not to overthrow but to influence the Party and the Government, and to achieve true independence for Vietnam and not another period of colonial rule by the Chinese. In addition they claimed to echo the concerns of ordinary people.

Two examples are the food shortages created as agricultural produce was diverted to buy arms for the war, and inadequate financial support for students.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

INDOCHINA WARS