Ba Cut (1923–1956) was a military commander of the Hòa H?o religious sect, which operated from the Mekong Delta and controlled various parts of southern Vietnam during the 1940s and early 1950s. Ba C?t and his forces fought the Vietnamese National Army, the Vi?t Minh, and the Cao ?ài religious movement from 1943 until his capture in 1956. Known for his idiosyncrasies, he was regarded as an erratic and cruel leader who fought with little ideological purpose. His sobriquet came from the self-amputation of a finger as part of a vow during his teenage years to defeat the French colonial forces; he later swore not to cut his hair until the communist Vi?t Minh were defeated. Ba C?t frequently made alliances with various Vietnamese factions and the French. He invariably accepted the material support offered in return for his cooperation, and then broke the agreement—nevertheless, the French made deals with him on five occasions. In mid-1955, the tide turned against the various sects, as Prime Minister Ngô ?ình Di?m of the State of Vietnam and his VNA began to consolidate their grip on the south. Ba C?t and his allies were driven into the jungle, and their position was threatened by government offensives. After almost a year of fighting, Ba C?t was captured. He was sentenced to death and publicly beheaded in C?n Th?.
