ABSTRACT
The usual justifications for moving people were to deny manpower and resources to the enemy, to regroup villagers into more defensible locations, and to open up free-fire zones. On the one hand, the officials approved the evacuation of villages, and on the other, they cited government policy as authority for denying the evacuees the status of refugees and access to government benefits. The performance of government forces and officials during the operation raised doubts in the minds of advisers about whether the regime by itself could cope with a resurgent Viet Cong movement. Members of the House of Representatives praised General Barnes for discontinuing the body count, restricting the use of firepower, deemphasizing large-unit actions in favor of night patrols and ambushes, and working closely with the territorial defense forces and local government. The emphasis on district-level operations made the district senior adviser the focal point for liaison between the battalion staff and government officials.
