Rubber Workers in the First American Strategic Counteroffensive in the Dry Season (1965-1966)

The task was determined by the 4th Central Committee Conference to defeat the US in any situation [31;450].

At the rubber plantation, the Regional Working Committee directed the Eastern Regional Party Committee to hold a Conference in July 1965, defining a direction with 7 specific focal points:

- Destroy evil, break shackles, destroy strategic hamlets, liberate 2/3 of villages.

- Strengthening the building of political and armed strength, promoting political and armed struggle.

- Implement worker self-management regime.

Maybe you are interested!

- Mobilize human and material resources.

- Improve the leadership and organization of the Party.

- Staff training.

- Carry out propaganda campaigns, deeply mobilize the class, attach importance to mass mobilization work[31;453-454].

The battle situation at Thu Dau Mot rubber plantation was favorable to the revolution because the rubber plantation area was both the front line and the rear, a battlefield for attrition and destruction of American and puppet forces, and a place for troops to stay and march to attack Saigon and major towns. Although the number of workers was not large compared to the population of the whole region, they were the most radical revolutionary class force, capable of participating in liberating important American and puppet military posts.

“Building a strong political base, developing armed forces (including concentrated armed forces and secret guerrillas and secret self-defense forces), developing guerrilla warfare, building fighting villages, destroying American forces, destroying evil and breaking shackles, developing a three-pronged struggle, maintaining liberated areas, and moving forward to expand liberated areas. In the struggle, it is necessary to apply the strategy of winning over French capitalists to keep the people, both maintaining production and promoting production to fight hunger and fight against labor liberation” [31;455] is the regular task that workers of Thu Dau Mot rubber plantation undertake.

Carrying out the above tasks, by August 1966, the system of trade union and youth union organizations from top to bottom had been established and was operating strongly, including 74 village executive committees, 216 trade union groups with more than 2,000 union members, and 14 secret youth union branches with more than 100 youth union members[15;219].

Regarding party building, the Eastern plantations had 38 party cells with 343 party members (26 secret party cells, 12 surface party cells) [15;219].

Regarding the building of armed forces, by June 1966, the whole region had 43 village guerrilla teams, each team had from 1 team to 1 squad, 16 plantation guerrilla teams from 1 squad to 2 squads, 3 plantation armed teams from 1 platoon to 2 platoons. In addition, in Dau Tieng, there was also a female artillery team that both fought independently and coordinated effectively with other armed forces. By the end of 1967, the armed forces of the rubber plantation region had developed to 80 village and plantation guerrilla teams, each team had from 1 squad to 1 platoon, 6 concentrated armed teams, each team had from 2 platoons to 1 battalion, and 1 special forces team in Dau Tieng. In addition, regularly stopping in the Eastern rubber area are Division 9 (also known as Construction Site 9 Mien), Division 7, local troops (C64), (D168), (D368)[15;229]...

Because the US-puppet forces were strong, the organization and direction of the work in 1965 and 1966 were difficult and not unified from the top down. However, at each time and place, the Regional Public Works Committee assigned public works cadres to go directly to each area to grasp information and convey instructions. Coordinated with localities, studied the situation, and took the direction of the strong point (Dau Tieng) to plan the next steps of activities. Thanks to that, the revolution was able to build a people's war, strong enough to fight, hold and open liberated areas, creating conditions to launch attacks and uprisings everywhere in the plantation area.

3.3.3.2. Rubber workers in the first dry season strategic counter-offensive (1965-1966) of the US

In late 1965 and early 1966, the US counterattacked the revolutionary army by implementing the first dry season strategic counterattack plan, attacking the resistance bases in the Southeast region, destroying the main forces of the region, destroying warehouses, and gaining military initiative there.

The Eastern army and people, of which the Thu Dau Mot rubber workers were the largest, were ready to deal with this counterattack. The liberation army, with the 9th Division (9th Region Construction Site) had been famous for destroying the American troops in the battle of Van Tuong, Dat Cuoc (Tan Uyen, November 3, 1965). The actual capacity of the 9th Division was at a strong position, capable of fighting the Americans for a longer period of time. The Lai Khe and Dau Tieng areas were the focal points chosen by the Regional command as the place to fight and defeat the Americans.

Thu Dau Mot Provincial Party Committee and Dau Tieng Plantation Party Committee directed the mobilization of hundreds of rubber workers from the plantations to work as laborers, carry ammunition, weapons, and food, and support Division 9, which achieved the Bau Bang victory on November 22, 1965 [82;309].

Division 9, Dau Tieng rubber troops continued to attack the enemy in lots 32, 22, 34 in the early morning of November 27, 1965. American aircraft came to the rescue of the puppet troops, indiscriminately bombing the rubber lots. From village 4 to village 10, it was a fierce battle. The fierce fighting spirit of Division 9 created momentum for the workers to join in. On the contrary, the spirit of dedication and sacrifice of the workers encouraged the liberation army. By 8:00 a.m. of the same day, Division 9 had taken control of the battlefield, destroyed two battalions of the puppet 7th Battalion, and the puppet corpses were scattered in the rubber lots. Bau Bang, Dau Tieng became the sacred historical land of the Southeast region[82;311]

On May 2, 1966, the I Brigade (Red Big Brother Division) of the US launched Operation Houston in the Dau Tieng area. The US bombed and used chemicals to destroy rubber villages along Provincial Road 2, leveled workers' houses, and established military bases. Workers relocated to live near US bases[31;461].

Faced with this situation, the Party Committee of Dau Tieng plantation issued new instructions, maintaining a "comb-tooth" position with the US and puppets in the plantation, building fighting villages. The liberated villages of Dau Tieng plantation were the belt to block and surround the US and puppets.

“Viet Cong plantation” was the name that the US used to deal with the two rubber plantations of Brelinh and Coc Ruoi (Loc Ninh). There were 100 families of workers and ethnic minorities who were revolutionary bases. All armed forces operating in Loc Ninh were enthusiastically assisted by workers from the two plantations, from news reporting, liaison to food support and supplies.[139;11]

Thuan Loi plantation completely stopped rubber exploitation and production for 4 years (from 1965 to 1969) because this area was the center of fierce fighting. All rubber workers here were unemployed. Faced with this situation, the instructions from the superiors on rubber work were to direct workers to be self-sufficient in clearing forests, growing rice on the fields, growing vegetables, raising livestock and poultry, storing food to create a new source of income, keeping people to serve the army units that came to stand and operate, and at the same time encouraging workers to participate in the guerrilla war movement, building fighting villages...[86;108]

Workers from the departments of Quan Loi, Xa Co, Phuoc Hoa and people in strategic hamlets in the suburbs such as Bu Na, Duc Bon, Duc Hanh... and other places, on the road

16 and 13 continuously rose up to kill the villains, abandoned the strategic hamlets, and returned to their old villages to live. They mobilized each other to buy rice, salt, and medicine to send to the base or to work as laborers to serve Construction Site 9 on Route 13. Route 13 was always a hot spot. Workers coordinated with the army to threaten Route 13, destroying many American vehicles, and supporting local troops to loosen the grip of the US-puppet regime[31;463].

The Thu Dau Mot rubber plantation area was the focus of destruction in the first dry season strategic counterattack of the US-puppet. Although the people and rubber workers were herded into the barbed wire fences of strategic hamlets, the US-puppet army could not and did not have the strength to expand into the liberated areas. Although the local rubber workers were not as numerous as before, they were always at the forefront of logistics support work, actively developing fighting villages, maintaining the fighting spirit and political position of the liberated areas.

3.3.3.3. Rubber workers in the second dry season strategic counter-offensive (1967-1968) of the US.

Making every effort to supplement forces and means of war, attacking Duong Minh Chau base, destroying the main force, headquarters, and logistics of the revolutionary army, blocking the border, and supporting the "pacification pincers" around Saigon were the goals of the second dry season strategic counterattack of the US-puppet.

The Thu Dau Mot rubber plantation area, with many important traffic routes passing through, became the deployment area of troops and war equipment of the US puppets, the starting point of major operations, such as Attelboro, Cedar Fall, and Junction City into Duong Minh Chau base. Before launching the decisive major operation, the US and puppets had sent troops on a small scale to fiercely sweep the rubber plantation areas in Thu Dau Mot, Binh Long, and Phuoc Long.

No matter where they are, whether it is favorable or difficult, rubber workers are always ready to receive orders from superiors to directly participate or serve behind the scenes in campaigns. Hundreds of rubber workers from Phuoc Hoa, Bu Dop, Hon Quan, Xa Cat, Xa Trach… volunteered to go to work as laborers. Village and office guerrilla teams were scouts and guides for the main force.

In Phuoc Hoa, guerilla workers along Route 16 surrounded and attacked the military, creating a diversionary tactic to surround the 3rd US-puppet brigade in Phuoc Hoa and Phuoc Vinh base, helping the armed forces kill many US-puppet soldiers.[46;41]

355

The Central Bureau, the Public Works Committee, and the rubber party committees of each locality promptly directed the activities of destroying strategic hamlets, fighting against sweeps, conducting pacification operations, and coordinating the campaign to fight back against the second US strategic counter-offensive operations in the dry season.

In early September 1966, the US army fired artillery into village 6 (Dau Tieng), advancing into the rubber plantation. Unexpectedly, the US army encountered DH 10 mines, and the extremely strong counterattack of guerrillas and rubber soldiers. In each bunker, rubber workers in village 6 became the force supplying food, ammunition, and food for the guerrillas and soldiers. This force formed a long belt that prevented the US army from going deep into the village every week.[34;234-235]

On September 14, 1966, the US Attelboro operation began, opening the second dry season strategic counter-offensive.

The operation, codenamed Cedar Fall, had 23 US-puppet and mechanized battalions, taking place from October 8, 1966 to January 26, 1967, attacking the iron triangle (the war gave rise to an area that the US military named the "iron triangle", initially only 170 km2 wide , a triangle with the vertices being Ben Suc, Ben Cat and the junction between the Thi Tinh River and the Saigon River. The shape had the southwest edges being a section of the Saigon River and inter-provincial road 14, the edge being a section of the Thi Tinh River and national road 14, the northern edge being the road connecting Ben Suc - Ben Cat town. But then the area of land that the US wanted to transform gradually expanded. Later, the "iron triangle" covered the entire area of Cu Chi, Trang Bang, Ben Cat (Dau Tieng) [34;236-237]).

At Dau Tieng, the army and rubber guerrillas clung tightly to the American field posts, organizing a belt to destroy the Americans around Dau Tieng airport. The American troops that attacked were all intercepted at the edge of the strategic hamlet.[34; 236]

The commando team, the C64 concentrated armed company, and the worker guerrillas of villages 2, 4, 6, 21, and 22 persistently stuck with the workers and plantations to fight the Americans and puppets when the opportunity arose. They fought individually, fought in groups, fought with fortifications, mines, traps, and small arms fire... During the entire Xeda Phon operation, the people and soldiers of Ben Cat and Dau Tieng destroyed 1,000 American troops, 72 tanks and armored vehicles, and shot down 12 planes. [79;238]

The large-scale operation named Junction City took place in early 1967 and continued to use Dau Tieng plantation as a command headquarters, a gathering point for forces, and a logistics reserve. The US military force stationed two battalions of the 4th Division on Ben Cui Street and Ong Hung Stream, and one battalion of soldiers entrenched in the Dau Tieng town area.

356

“Hitting the enemy behind the back” was the method of fighting back against this operation. Rubber workers coordinated with the army and guerrillas to form a battle formation close to the American bases. The secret militiamen acted as liaisons and scouts to help the army destroy the Americans and puppets. Hundreds of rubber workers went straight to the American posts, delivering thousands of leaflets in English to the American soldiers, exposing the crimes of the Americans and puppets. At the same time, female workers carried out military agitation; called on soldiers to return to their families, wives and children; called for anti-war; and opposed the marching orders of the superior commanders.

“Brave American Destroyer” is the title that the Dau Tieng rubber workers’ struggle movement achieved. From the experience of fighting the Americans at the Dau Tieng plantation, in March 1967, the Eastern Rubber Union launched a movement to fight the Americans and won this noble title throughout the region.[191;59]

On Route 13, from October 27 to 29, 1967, the Regional Command launched the Loc Ninh - Route 13 campaign. Hundreds of Loc Ninh workers participated in teams transporting food and weapons. Rubber workers in Brelinh established a transport team that transported 500 artillery shells and a lot of food for the campaign. Workers in Bung hamlet, village 2, bought and stored tons of food, medicine, sugar and milk to support the campaign. Workers of Loc Ninh plantation rose up to destroy evil, break the shackles, and disintegrate the entire puppet regime, taking control of the plantation for 29 days. [78;189]

The armed struggle movement of Thu Dau Mot rubber workers from 1965 to 1967 made a big step forward, the guerrilla warfare in rubber plantations developed at a high level. Rubber workers not only built fighting villages, but also carried out “knife-gun-hand combat”, together with armed forces formed anti-American belts around bases and posts, actively fought against the US-puppet, and supported the general movement. Workers were rounded up and lived in isolation, but the revolutionary army still maintained the liberated areas.

3.3.3.4. Rubber workers participated in the 1968 offensive and uprising

After two strategic counterattacks by the US in the dry seasons of 1965-1966 and 1966-1967 failed to achieve victory in the Southeast, the US authorities were confused. Regarding the policy towards the Vietnam War, a part of the US authorities actually expressed doubts about the goal and possibility of victory in Vietnam. However, the majority of the "hawks" were still very stubborn and ambitious to continue participating in this war.

357

The Vietnamese revolutionary side, with the determination to liberate the nation above all, grasped the actual situation, foresaw the opportunities and capabilities of the revolutionary army.

The general uprising in war is the most special phenomenon in history. Therefore, the task of preparing, directing, and commanding all aspects according to the requirements, objectives, general attack, and general uprising is the greatest challenge and difficulty for the Military Commission and the Regional Command. Regarding political and ideological work, it is necessary to:

- Build a strong and resilient fighting spirit, promote a fierce, continuous and intensive offensive spirit, thoroughly implement the Party's strategic determination, and achieve the highest victory.

- Build a steadfast fighting stance, strengthen the viewpoint of violence, always hold the gun firmly in all situations, and achieve the revolutionary goal at all costs.

- Build a spirit of strict and serious discipline, a spirit of thoroughly obeying orders, and a high sense of concentration and unity.

- Building a spirit of perseverance, high perseverance, and a radical revolutionary spirit to fight the US and defeat the US in all situations[15;410].

Based on the reality of the battlefield, the Central Bureau and the Eastern Regional Party Committee issued instructions to divide 5 sub-regions, forming 5 spearheads to attack the Saigon puppet government; and assigned Regional Party Committee cadres to directly command the local attack. Workers from the Thu Dau Mot rubber plantations focused their efforts on preparing to launch the campaign and serving the campaign, volunteering to work as laborers, supplying supplies, transporting food, guns and ammunition to the front line. When ordered, thousands of clever workers stretched the puppet ranks, carried and moved trees to block the roads, created obstacles, and stopped the sweep of the US-puppet army.

At Dau Tieng plantation, the District Party Committee gathered 1,000 workers (600 in the town, 400 in the villages) to serve as permanent self-defense soldiers, this force rose up to seize power when the opportunity came. Built internal lines at important points to serve the great purpose. Built 71 military propaganda working groups with 213 core workers. In addition to the plantation's C64 armed force, an additional infantry support company was established. Arranged forces to ensure 81 workers specialized in long-term strategic cargo transportation, and 100 to 200 workers participating in short-term cargo transportation. Mobilized vehicles to pick up and drop off workers to transport logistics goods, supporting the war. The district armed forces had two companies, one support company, one female platoon, and one city commando.

358

permanent town. Each commune has a guerrilla squad or squad ready to wait for orders.[79; 254]

In Loc Ninh and Binh Long, workers performed many specialized tasks, such as teams participating in the food and ammunition transport team; teams tapping rubber to cover the clothes of those leaving to fight the resistance; teams sewing liberation flags, drawing posters to prepare for the uprising... All preparations were geared toward coordination to fight together with the 7th Division[78;212].

In Phuoc Long, on January 11, 1968, the D168 concentration battalion was established, with nearly 600 soldiers, most of whom were young men, young and healthy rubber workers, ethnic people from the plantations of Bu Na, Bu Nac, Ba Xa, Da Kia... After the establishment of D168, it immediately coordinated with rubber working groups to attack most of the strategic hamlets, supporting workers in Thuan Loi, Da Kia, Bu Dop, Bu Nho... to rise up to destroy evil and take control of the plantations. [14;189].

In the early morning of February 5, 1968, Loc Ninh district party committee mobilized 15,000 workers, farmers, and ethnic people carrying the Front flag and slogans to march to town to demonstrate revolutionary force and threaten the US-puppet regime; 5,000 people flooded into the market shouting slogans: "Down with the US-puppet regime", "power to the people".[85;162]

Early in the morning of the second day of Tet (February 1, 1968), Dau Tieng rubber workers combined with the revolutionary armed forces outside to attack the US-puppet forces in Dau Tieng town, controlling the situation within 4 hours. The US troops stationed at the posts around the town were entrenched, confused and afraid, not daring to react. In the factory area, workers rose up with the outside forces to punish the evil, US-puppet henchmen. The number of workers inside the town also took to the streets, serving the US-puppet attack forces well.[34;250]

The “long-haired army” from the rubber areas volunteered to take to the streets to join the three-pronged attack to destroy the US-puppet. Thousands of female workers supplied supplies, transported wounded soldiers, transported food, and dug trenches to help the troops stay and destroy the US-puppet on the spot. Workers served as laborers to the front line. Some laborers went close to Saigon, carrying wounded soldiers to the rear. Many laborers went all the way to the Cambodian border to supply the troops. Many women braved the rain of bombs and carried hundreds of artillery shells to support the troops to destroy the US-puppet. The contributions of female rubber workers to this war were enormous.

359

Comment