this magnitude. Other reasons for poor planning were the absence of an overall strategy and the bureaucratic structure that was established to implement the hamlets.

To Robert Thompson, the Vietnamese did not understand the need to ensure that all the components of the Strategic Hamlet Program came together in a coordinated manner. They "seemed unable to understand" that nothing would be accomplished "unless the other necessary measures were taken to achieve the three objectives of protection, of uniting and involving the people, and of development with the ultimate aim of isolating the guerilla units from the population."1 Thompson also cited examples of the construction of hamlets which indicated a lack of coordination. In these instances the hamlets and their defences were constructed, but "no men. from the hamlet have been trained or armed to defend it."2 According to Thompson, defences and training as well as an alarm and communications system needed to be provided simultaneously. In other examples, milita volunteers received training but the weapons they had been promised "came late or were too few or never arrived at all."3

Inadequate Resources. At the start of the Strategic Hamlet Program. South Vietnam lacked the necessary financial and material resources to implement and support the strategic hamlets. Financial assistance was eventually provided by many countries, such as West Germany and Austral la. but the majority of assistance was provided by