Between 1946 and 1954 , Tra fought against the French in the Vietnam People 's Army .
Between 1946 and 1954 , Tra became a general in 1961 , commanding communist forces in the southern half of South Vietnam .
Between 1946 and 1954 , Tra fought against the French in the Vietnam People 's Army and became a general in 1961 , commanding communist forces in the southern half of South Vietnam .