God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best. (Voltaire)
Correct!
In 1979, China sent in a force of over 150,000 troops to invade Vietnam because of Vietnam's toppling of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia (incidentally, the Khmer Rouge were responsible for the genocide of over 2 Million of their own people; and incidentally, the CCP of China had backed and supported the Khmer Rouge-led by Pol Pot).
Because of the strategic situation Vietnam was in in that war, Vietnam had over 150,000 regular soldiers of its army in Cambodia fighting the Khmer Rouge and propelling them to the border of Thailand. China invaded Vietnam in an attempt to force the Vietnamese out of Cambodia. Vietnam knew of this, and so, kept in reserve the 300,000 of its regular troops in the defense of Hanoi , and had activated Vietnamese paramilitary units and militia to defend the provinces of Northern Vietnam against the oncoming Chinese Army.
Crack units of the Chinese PLA were reduced to tatters, and within less than a year, over 30,000 Chinese soldiers were killed by Vietnamese militia. The losses were so high for China that China had to save face and retreat out of Vietnam and declared a "unilateral" victory stating that China had "taught" a lesson to Vietnam and the was was over.
It is quite hilarious to think that the mighty PLA was incapable of taking Vietnam and even taking Hanoi. China sent in human wave tactics to Vietnam , and sending in its best soldiers, but were halted by mere militia.
The proverbial saying holds true, its not quantity that matters, but quality. In this case, China sent in quality and quantity, but still failed in its strategic and tactical goal. China invaded Vietnam in an attempt to force Vietnam out of Cambodia and to protect the Khmer Rouge Regime. Not only did China fail to prevent the topling of the Khmer Rouge, but Vietnam still maintains a strong influence in present day Cambodia as well as in neighbouring Communist Laos. In addition, China lost over 30,000 crack units of the PLA to mere militia. In 1 year, the PLA lost 3 divisions of men. Of course, to the detriment of Chinese strategic interest in the Mekong Region.
An example of a failed forward policy.
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