History
Irregular forces were groups of local people who fought for South Vietnam. They were not part of the main national army but were organized to guard their own neighborhoods. These groups included the Civil Guard and the Self-Defense Corps. Their main job was to stop the enemy from sneaking into towns at night. They were often the first line of defense in the countryside. These fighters knew the land very well because they lived there. They could spot strangers or unusual activity in the villages much faster than regular troops. Sometimes they worked alongside American advisors to get better training and weapons. However, they faced many dangers because they were often the targets of local attacks. They lived and worked in small groups, making it hard for them to get help quickly if they were attacked by a large group. Even with these risks, they stayed in their homes to keep their families safe. Many of these units were involved in small fights during the Vietnam War. They helped bridge the gap between the national army and the people. When the war ended, many of these units stopped existing as the government changed. They are remembered as people who tried to protect their local communities during a very long and difficult time of conflict.
