Legendary battles of Uncle Ho's Special Forces

Naval Special Forces Group 126 liberated Sinh Ton Island in the Truong Sa archipelago on April 28, 1975. (Photo: VNA)

50 years after the country's reunification, the mark of the Special Forces is still imprinted in the golden pages of history.

From the battle of Ba Kien bridge watchtower in 1948 - where the foundation for commando tactics was laid, to the daring raids at Bien Hoa airport, Nha Be fuel depot, Dong Du (Cu Chi), Bu Bong, Kien Duc, Dau Tieng... and the lightning-fast attacks in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975, commando forces were always the leading force, fighting dangerously and accurately, creating resounding victories.

In times of peace, the "silent heroes" of the past still diligently train, improve their combat strength, and are ready to protect sovereignty and carry out the task of defending the country early and from afar.

A series of 3 articles with the theme "Uncle Ho's Special Forces - 50 years of paving the way and defending the country" by VNA reporters will depict the journey from legendary battles to a modern special forces force with bravery, intelligence and a spirit of steel.

Lesson 1: Legendary Battles

In 2025, in the joyful atmosphere of the whole country towards the 50th anniversary of National Reunification, the feats of Uncle Ho's Special Forces are recalled again.

But few people know that the foundation for commando tactics was laid in a small battle in Tan Uyen, Binh Duong 77 years ago - the battle of Ba Kien bridge watchtower on March 19, 1948.

The premise of the sudden, daring play…

In the historic month of April, under the scorching sun of the Southeast, we followed Mr. Hoang Van Hien - former Captain of Battalion 368 of Binh Long province, to visit the March 19 Victory Memorial in Tan Uyen (Binh Duong). At the age of 71, his figure is still strong, his voice is deep and warm, his eyes are far away as if he is contemplating old memories.

Stopping in front of the historical site, he slowly reached out towards the newly reconstructed Ba Kien Bridge watchtower, his voice firm: "Ba Kien Bridge watchtower is not only a place name, but also the birthplace of a legendary military tactic - commando fighting."

A native of Thanh Phuoc, Tan Uyen (Binh Duong), Mr. Hien fought on the liberation front of Binh Long (Binh Phuoc) and worked with the 429th Special Forces Brigade in many fierce battles in the Southeast region. For him, the battle at Ba Kien Bridge was a turning point for a military tactic of surprise and daring.

In the historic month of April, under the scorching sun in the Southeast, we followed 71-year-old Hoang Van Hien - former Captain of Battalion 368 of Binh Long province, to visit the March 19 Victory Memorial in Tan Uyen (Binh Duong). (Photo: Duong Chi Tuong/VNA)

In 1948, the French colonialists built the Cau Ba Kien watchtower in Tan Uyen - a solid stronghold 12m high, with 40cm thick brick walls, machine guns mounted in four corners, and guards patrolling day and night. However, the army and people of Tan Uyen were steadfast and refused to submit.

On the night of March 18 and early morning of March 19, 1948, three guerrillas, Tran Cong An, Ho Van Lung and Nguyen Van Nguyen, were assigned to attack the watchtower. Their luggage consisted of only a rifle, a bamboo ladder and 10 grenades (9 homemade). Taking advantage of the moment when the enemy changed guards, they followed the Dong Nai River bank, quietly approaching the target. With courage and skillful tactics, they climbed to the upper floor and threw grenades inside.

The explosion tore through the night; 10 French soldiers were killed, the ammunition depot exploded, the watchtower was engulfed in smoke and fire; the enemy's solid defense system was broken. Before the reinforcements could react, the guerrillas had safely retreated, carrying eight guns and 20 grenades.

For the first time, a group of soldiers with primitive weapons destroyed a fortified French stronghold by surprise, secrecy and daring. This victory laid the foundation for the birth of the Special Forces.

Origin of special forces

Dr. Nguyen Van Thuy (Binh Duong Historical Science Association) commented: "The victory at Cau Ba Kien watchtower was not only a successful battle, but also laid the foundation for the art of special forces warfare."

The victory at Ba Kien Bridge is considered the cradle of special forces tactics, opening up a flexible and dangerous fighting style. Exactly 19 years later, on March 19, 1967, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree to establish the Special Forces. Since then, March 19 has become the traditional day of the Vietnamese special forces.

From practical experience, commandos became the spearhead of the two resistance wars. They achieved many resounding victories: Attacking Nha Be fuel depot (1963), Bien Hoa airport (1964), Independence Palace (1968), Dong Du (1969)... Especially, in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975, commandos were an important spearhead, contributing to the liberation of Saigon and the unification of the country.

Time has passed, the old battlefield has changed. The watchtower of Ba Kien bridge is now in Du Khanh hamlet, Thanh Phuoc ward, Tan Uyen city, Binh Duong province.

In 2009, the People's Committee of Binh Duong province recognized this place as a provincial historical relic. The March 19 Victory Memorial was erected on a 1,800m2 campus, becoming a red address for traditional education. On the stele, President Ho Chi Minh's compliments were solemnly engraved: "Extremely elite; Greatly brave; Bold and resourceful; Dangerous attack, great victory."

Tan Uyen people are proud: "Ba Kien Bridge is not only a relic, but also represents the indomitable spirit of the people, and is the origin of heroic special forces soldiers."

Today, amidst the peace of a young city striving to develop, the victory of the past still echoes, not only as a glorious page in history but also deeply imprinted in the hearts of many generations as an immortal symbol of Uncle Ho's Special Forces.

The era of Uncle Ho's Special Forces

Under the scorching sun of the Southeast region, we visited the 429th Special Forces Brigade, stationed in Phu Giao District, Binh Duong. Welcoming us, Colonel Hoang Van So - Political Commissar of the Brigade shook our hands firmly, his voice firm: "Special Forces soldiers were born from hardship, grew up in war, trained through each battle. Steel spirit, skillful techniques, strong will - that is what makes up the 429th Special Forces."

“From the early difficult days to the glorious victories, the Special Forces have always fought under the leadership of the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the protection of the people. That has forged an elite force, operating secretly and unexpectedly, contributing significantly to the victories of the nation,” Colonel So shared.

According to him, the special forces fighting method is the inheritance of the quintessence of Vietnamese military art, from Trieu Quang Phuc's "daytime hiding, nighttime attacking" tactic, the rapid fighting style of the Tay Son insurgents, to the Yet Kieu army specializing in river raids. However, it was only during the resistance war against French colonialism that this method of fighting was formed into an independent military branch.

Cau Ba Kien Watchtower is not only a landmark, but also the birthplace of a legendary military tactic - commando fighting. (Photo: Duong Chi Tuong/VNA)

From the battle of Ba Kien bridge in 1948, where guerrillas quietly infiltrated and threw grenades to destroy the French stronghold, the commando fighting style was officially born. Those small but daring battles laid the foundation for a unique military tactic.

Since then, the Special Forces have been increasingly organized, becoming the main shock force. They fight according to the principle of “secret, surprise, deep penetration, and dangerous attacks,” taking advantage of the element of surprise to win with a compact force but with maximum efficiency.

Today, the Ministry of Defense continues to build a special forces force in the direction of elite-compact-high quality. This is an elite special force, with carefully selected soldiers, modern equipment and rigorous training.

Special forces stand out with flexible combat methods, lightning raids on important targets in combat formations, campaign deployment areas and enemy rear areas.

Not only were they excellent soldiers in the resistance war, today's Special Forces continue to play a core role in protecting the Fatherland, ready to carry out the task of defending the country early and from afar.

“The spirit of special forces is not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of hardship, determined to complete all missions,” Colonel So affirmed.

Half a century after reunification, the value of special forces tactics - strategic, fast, and precise - can be clearly seen, contributing significantly to the great victory of the Spring of 1975. That spirit still burns brightly, forging a modern special forces force today, ready to firmly protect the country./.

Lesson 2: Spearhead attack

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhung-tran-danh-huyen-thoai-cua-bo-doi-dac-cong-cu-ho-post1024239.vnp