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PAVN Unit Designations (Part I) |
| Although many exceptions exist, PAVN generally employs a simple numeric code to identify its combat formations. |
| |
| Unit Number |
Identification |
| 1-12 |
All infantry divisions formed in South Vietnam from 1965-1975 |
| xx |
Infantry Regiments |
| 1xx |
Brigades or Infantry Regiments |
| 14x |
Marine Brigades |
| 17x |
Navy Brigades |
| 2xx |
Brigades |
| 20x |
Armor Brigades |
| 24x |
Air Defense Regiments or Air Defense Brigades |
25x |
Air Defense Regiments or Air Defense Brigades |
26x |
Air Defense Regiments or Air Defense Brigades |
| 3xx |
Divisions; all PAVN divisions were numbered in the 3xx series until the mid-1960s. |
| 5xx |
Transportation or Engineer Divisions |
| 6xx |
Engineer or Economic Construction Divisions |
| 7xx |
Air Force, Air Defense, or Economic Construction Divisions |
| 8xx |
Training Units |
| 9xx |
Infantry Divisions |
| |
| Source: Bill Ridenouer courtesy of Conboy, K. et al. The NVA and Viet Cong, 1991 |
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PAVN Unit Designations (Part II) |
|
PAVN further complicates identification of its combat formations by employing an alphabetic code based on the spelling of numbers 1-9 in the Vietnamese language. |
| |
| Numeral |
Vietnamese Spelling |
Code Letter |
| 1 |
Moi |
M |
| 1 |
Hai |
H |
| 3 |
Ba |
B |
| 4 |
Bon |
B |
| 5 |
Nam |
N |
| 6 |
Sau |
S |
| 7 |
Bay |
B |
| 8 |
Tam |
T |
| 9 |
Chin |
C |
| |
| Under this system, the first digit in a unit designation is replaced by its corresponding code letter derived from the number's Vietnamese spelling. For example, the 308 Division may be referred to as the B08 Division. Unfortunately, positive identification may be difficult because the numbers 3, 4, and 7 all use the code letter B. |
| |
| Source: Bill Ridenouer courtesy of Conboy, K. et al. The NVA and Viet Cong, 1991 |
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