The Failure of the Communist Simultaneous Upheaval

                                                                                                            Written by: Major Viet Anh

After graduating from the 14th Class of the Da Lat's National Military Academy, my friends and I were transferred to the Marine Group. After reporting to the Commander, I was appointed to the 1st Marine Battalion which had been performing operations at Mo Cay, Ben Tre.

In early 1960, the Communists incited a Simultaneous Upheaval to destroy the South Vietnamese infrastructure. They gave birth to a monstrous organization: “The National Front for the Liberation of the South” - a name that masked their aggressive intentions.

The Marine Group was composed of the 1st and 2nd Marine Battalions.

They were given the task of nipping the Simultaneous Upheaval in the bud. The tactical area of responsibility was to be Kien Hoa, in the Ben Tre Province. There, the Communist activity had been particularly intense. I was appointed the position of 2nd platoon leader of the 3rd Company. I was to search and destroy the enemy at Huong My Hamlet, in the district of Mo Cay. On the very first day, I held a meeting with the village chief, the government officials, and the troops of my platoon to gain insight into the situation. In addition to carrying out operations, I did my best to make contact with the people to draw them to our side. I did not want them to be exposed solely to the propaganda activities of the Communists. I told my men to behave with the utmost courtesy to the civilians, and encouraged them to establish a good relationship with the people.

It was imperative that the people were cajoled into not protecting the enemy, and into supporting the ARVN. That was the only way to annihilate the undercover Communists in the region. After a month, Huong My Hamlet was cleared of the enemy, and peace returned to the area. My platoon was then ordered to return to the Company to perform operations in the Binh Khanh Area, in Mo Cay.

The terrain in Binh Khanh was covered with thick vegetation, making it difficult to traverse. To enter the area, we had to cross a number of rivers as it was surrounded by the Cai Quao Canal, and the branches of the Vam Co River. Besides from the scattered settlements, the area was covered with coconut forests and sugar cane fields. The routes were small and narrow, and multiple “monkey bridges” linked sections of the the trails. The terrain was ideal for guerilla warfare. The coconut trees served as excellent observation posts for the enemy. Our incursions into the area were always immediately noticed.

One day, the 3rd Company Commander organized an operation. A group of twenty Marines, led by himself, were to undertake an ambush. I was to lead the remainder of the Company into Binh Khanh to search and destroy the enemy. I divided the Company into two: Alpha Command Group was to be led by Master Sergeant Pham Khac Dat, whilst Bravo Command Group was to be led by myself.

A kilometer from the line of departure, the Alpha Command Group was ambushed by the enemy. Both sides fought the hand to hand combat viciously. On receiving word of the ambush, I led the Bravo Command Group and attacked the east flank of the enemy. On my arrival, an enemy squad had already been killed. Five or so Marines were wounded, and the Company Commander was attempting to medevac them. I ran in pursuit of the enemy. We advanced in a phalanx to the coconut forest.

The fighting that ensued was fierce. Bullets sprayed everywhere. Finally, the enemy leapt from their foxholes that were camouflaged with palm leaves, and ran for their lives. We trained our guns, and killed them like rabbits, and the tiny streams in the forest ran red.

On our side, Platoon leader, Master Sergeant Pham Khac Dat was killed in action, and six Marines were wounded.

An enemy platoon was killed and a few wounded. One machine gun, six personal firearms, two small mortars, and a few scimitars were seized.

That was my initiation. Later, the Marine Group was reinforced by a Naval-Riverine Force that took over the task of Search and Destroy. Not long after, the Simultaneous Upheaval was completely crushed, and the civilians were able to return to their normal lifestyles.

                             Mọi tin tức, bài vở muốn post trên wesite xin email  bixitrum@yahoo.com