Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ victory monument: A meaningful address for revolutionary education

One special thing of North Tan Uyen district is that most historical - cultural relics in this area are associated with the revolutionary struggle of this heroic land. Among these, Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ victory monument (hamlet 1, Tan Binh town) is a meaningful address for revolutionary education

A historical battle

After the failure of "Trap" campaign, in early February 1966, in order to gain the initiative on the battlefield, the US launched Rolling Stone operation to strike Dau Tieng - Tan Binh (north of Saigon) to widen Road No.07, divided War Zone D, pacified the area of Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ (two large rubber plantations of the province), relieved our pressure in north Saigon. This operation had two purposes: to find and destroy main force's headquarter of National Front for Vietnam Southern Liberation in War Zone D and to pacify, expand the occupied area of Bong Trang - Red House.

Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ victory monument is a meaningful revolutionary historical educational address.

On our side, due to large attacks of the enemy, the 9th Division was dispersed into many parts, coordinated with guerrillas in this area to continuously intercept and destroy the US forces. People's war and guerrilla war were brought into full play. Everywhere American troops went, they encountered minefields, spike traps, and ambush forces, hence the speed of their attack was very slow. After nearly 20 days of attack (from February 1 to 20th 1966), the US was not able to close the encirclement, thus the "Rolling Stone" operation was considered bankrupt. The aim to "search and destroy" became impossible, the US army was forced to shrink and concentrate its forces to carry out the pacification in Bong Trang - Red House, Tan Binh, Binh My areas - important gateways leading to War Zone D.

Facing that situation, Regional Command approved the deployment of an urgent battle plan, and did not give the US army time to reinforce the 173rd Brigade in Phuoc Vinh to attack War Zone D. First of all, the US must be lured out according to the plan. Besides, we moved our troops closer to the US direction... Realizing that this was a favorable opportunity to destroy the enemy, the commando troops of War Zone D and infantry of 9th Division formed 3 prongs and ambushed the US army.

The fierce battle lasted from 10.00 pm of February 23th to 5.00 am of February 24th 1966, and American soldiers suffered heavy losses. The rest gathered into two groups to fight fiercely as being supported by artillery. At the end, our troops quickly withdrew, gathered at planned locations (by Bong Trang stream) and destroyed all US soldiers still clustering here. As a result, in the raid on the night of February 24th 1966, our troops defeated enemy battalion heavily, burned 48 M113-armored vehicles, 24 tanks... then heavily damaged an American battalion at Ba Nghia slope on Road No.16. Our troops attacked the 3rd Brigade headquarters at Bong Trang - Red House, changing the situation on battlefield, putting American soldiers in a passive position. In particular, the 9th Division's victory at Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ contributed directly to defeating the "Rolling Stone" operation by counter-attack the enemy on the direction considered as important by Westmoreland in the north of Saigon.

Historical value of the monument

The battle of Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ is considered one of the battles using excellent ambush maneuvering art, achieving high combat performance, leaving many lessons learned in the organization and use of forces to attack enemy groups in a flexible, creative, and highly effective manner. This is an example of offensive thought and counter-attacking action in attacking and sweeping the enemy, and is an advancement in our army's ability of concentrated attack. This victory also greatly contributed to the victory of many subsequent battles throughout Binh Duong province, contributing to the national victory in the fighting against the US.

Nguyen Thi Vui, an official of Culture and Information Office of North Tan Uyen district, said that in April 2019, Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ victory monument was inaugurated. This relic was recognized as a provincial historical - cultural relic by Provincial People's Committee. This is a cultural-artistic work expressing the ideology and spirit of the previous generation, a place to preserve the revolutionary traditional cultural values of army and people of Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ in the war to defend our country. This is also a place to mark glorious victories of Binh Duong's army and people, and at the same time to remember and pay tribute to heroes and martyrs who fell for national independence.

Some names associated with Bong Trang - Red House's victory in the past, such as: Tan Binh, Binh My (North Tan Uyen), Chanh Phu Hoa (Ben Cat Town), everyone can realize the changing appearance of these areas. The past battlefield ploughed up by bombs and bullets has been replaced by rubber plantations and green gardens, many modern factories and companies. People's lives here are also improved day by day. Bông Trang – Nhà Đỏ historic relic is one of the most meaningful "red addresses" of the province, contributing to the education on patriotic tradition, national pride, revolutionary struggle for younger generations.

Reported by Hong Thuan - Translated by Ngoc Huynh