,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #g 
,CAU<T 9 A ,CROSSFIRE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,NGO ,VAN ,XUYET 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,K5 ,KNABB 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,HEL5E ,FLEURY 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] #g3 ,CAU<T 9 A ,CROSSFIRE 

  

,! ,JAPANESE >MY SURR5D]$ ON ,AUGU/ #a#e1 #a#i#d#e4 ,! VICTORI\S ,ALLIES PUT ! DEFEAT$ =CES 9 *>GE ( MA9TA9+ ORD] 9 ,9DO*9A UNTIL ! ,ALLI$ OCCUPATION >MY >RIV$4 ,NEV]!LESS ! TROOPS ( ! ,VIETM9H 5T]$ ,HANOI ON ,AUGU/ #a#h4 

,SAIGON WAS REPORT$ TO BE 9 TURMOIL4 ,UNABLE TO /AY AWAY1 ,I QUIT MY JOB 9 ,CAN ,?O & SET \T = ,SAIGON ) ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H4 ,WE REA*$ A *ECKPO9T \TSIDE ! CITY AT ,TAN ,AN & !RE1 /&+ RI<T 9 FRONT ( ME1 WAS ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO1 ! ,/AL9I/ LEAD] ,I HAD KN[N 9 PRISON4 ,HE1 TOO1 WAS NATURALLY ON HIS WAY TO ,SAIGON4 ,HE CLAPP$ ME ON ! %\LD]3 0,LI/51 DON'T DO ANY?+ /UPID6 ,?9K BE=E Y\ ACT60 ,HIS PROTECTIVE ATTITUDE WAS LIKE ?AT ( AN OLD] BRO!R T[>D A WAYW>D BOY4 ,HE KNEW V]Y WELL ?AT ,I BELONG$ TO ! UND]GR\ND ,TROTSKYI/ GR\P4 

,I W5T TO ,TAN ,LO1 ! HAMLET #ae KILOMET]S NOR? ( ,SAIGON :]E MY MO!R WAS LIV+4 ,H] H\SE SOON BECAME ! MA9 CONTACT PO9T = ! ,LEAGUE4 ,MANY ( ITS MEMB]S %[$ UP !RE -- ,LU ,SANH ,HANH1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,NAM1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H -- AS WELL AS NEW COMRADES SU* AS ,LIU ,KHANH ,?9H1 :O WORK$ = ! ,*9ESE AT ,*OLON1 & ,LE ,NGOC1 :O WAS ON ! ACTION COMMITTEE SET UP BY F\R HUNDR$ WORK]S 9 ! /REETC> WORK%OP AT ,GO ,VAP4 ,UND] ! ,JAPANESE OCCUPATION ?IS COMBATIVE COMMITTEE HAD MANAG$ TO W9 A PAY RAISE & RECOGNITION ( !IR ELECT$ DELEGATES4 ,\R ,LEAGUE HAD A V]Y ACTIVE NUCLEUS !RE4 

,ONE DAY ! POET & PR9T] ,TRAN ,D9H ,M9H >RIV$ FROM ,HANOI ) NEWS FROM ! ,NOR? ?AT BO? EXCIT$ & AL>M$ US4 ,HE TOLD US ?AT 9 #aidd & #aide HE HAD BE5 PUTT+ \T A 0SAMIZDAT0 NEWSPAP]1 ,CO ,DO 7,R$ ,FLAG71 & ?AT ! WRIT] ,NGUY5 ,TE ,MY HAD PUBLI%$ A 0,MANIFE/O0 CRITICIZ+ ! ,/AL9I/ ,VIETM9H = ITS CONTACTS ) ! IMP]IALI/ ,ALLIES1 D5\NC+ IT = S[+ ! ILLUSION ?AT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO OBTA9 0NATIONAL LIB]ATION0 BY MAK+ A DEAL ) ! IMP]IALI/ ,FR5* & ! ,ALLIES4 ,9 ! ,DAN ,PHUONG >EA 7,HA ,DONG71 ,LUONG ,DUC ,?IEP & HIS FRI5DS HAD CIRCULAT$ A NEWS-%EET CALL$ ,*I5 ,DAU 7,COMBAT71 :I* URG$ WORK]S & PEASANTS TO RISE UP AGA9/ ALL IMP]IALI/S )\T EXCEPTION1 ,ALLI$ AS WELL AS ,JAPANESE4 ,! /UD5TS ,NGUY5 ,TON ,HOAN1 ,PHAN ,?ANH ,HOA & ,TUAN HAD GONE TO TALK TO ! M9]S AB\T ! PROBLEMS ( ! /RUGGLE1 /RIV+ TO C\NT] ! J+OI/IC PROPAG&A ( ! ,VIETM9H & TO CRITICIZE ! /RATEGY BAS$ SOLELY ON A DEM& = NATIONAL 9DEP5D5CE4 ,BECAUSE 9 ! F9AL ANALYSIS1 :AT SORT ( 0LIB]ATION0 W\LD IT BE IF ! WORK]S & PEASANTS W]E /ILL SLAV+ AWAY 9 ! M9ES OR ON ! PLANTATIONS = PRIVATE PR(ITE]S8 

,A BUR/ ( WILD HOPE FILL$ US :5 WE LE>N$ ?AT ! #c1 M9]S ( ! ,HONGAI-,CAMPHA ,COAL ,M9ES HAD TAK5 !IR FATE 9TO !IR [N H&S & ELECT$ WORK]S C\NCILS TO MANAGE ! COAL PRODUCTION !MSELVES4 ,! M9]S W]E N[ 9 CONTROL ( ! PUBLIC S]VICES 9 ! >EA1 ! RAILWAYS & ! TELEGRAPH SY/EM4 ,!Y W]E APPLY+ ! PR9CIPLE ( EQUAL PAY = ALL TYPES ( WORK1 :E!R MANUAL OR 9TELLECTUAL4 ,!Y HAD EV5 BEGUN A LIT]ACY CAMPAIGN1 SETT+ UP C\RSES 9 :I* ?OSE :O W]E LIT]ATE TAU<T !IR FELL[ WORK]S H[ TO READ4 ,9 ?IS WORK+-CLASS 0,COMMUNE10 LIFE WAS ORGANIZ$ ) NO BOSSES & NO COPS4 

,BUT WE W]E ALREADY AFRAID ?IS C\LD NOT LA/4 ,EV]Y?+ ?AT ,TRAN ,D9H ,M9H REPORT$ %[$ US ?AT NOT ONLY WAS SOCIAL REVOLUTION NOT ON ! AG5DA = ! ,/AL9I/ ,VIETM9H1 :O W]E N[ 9 P[] 9 ! ,NOR?1 BUT ALSO ?AT !Y W]E PREP>$ TO REPRESS IT AT ANY CO/ 9 ORD] TO RETA9 TOTAL POLITICAL P[]4 ,!Y HAD NOT EV5 WAIT$ TO BE =MALLY 9/ALL$ 9 ! GOV]NM5T BE=E />T+ TO PHYSICALLY ELIM9ATE ?OSE !Y CALL$ 0,TROTSKYI/ TRAITORS TO ! ,FA!RL&40 ,TRAN ,D9H ,M9H TOLD US AB\T A Y\NG & V]Y ACTIVE ,TROTSKYI/1 ,NGUY5 ,HUU ,DUNG1 :O HAD BE5 PURSU$ 9 A SAMPAN ?R\< ! FLOOD$ RICEFIELDS & ASSASS9AT$ BY A Y\NG ,VIETM9H MEMB]2 & AB\T ! DEA? UND] TORTURE ( HIS FRI5D ,TRAN ,TI5 ,*9H1 A TEA*] & AN ,OPPOSITIONI/1 9 A ,VIETM9H JAIL AT ,BAC ,KAN4 ,:AT1 !N1 W\LD BE ! FATE ( ! M9]S' ,COMMUNE AT ,HONGAI-,CAMPHA8 ,TORN BETWE5 HOPE & FE>1 = A LONG TIME WE HAD NO WAY ( F9D+ \T :AT WAS HAPP5+4 ,BUT ?ANKS TO ?OSE M9]S1 WE HAD A BETT] UND]/&+ ( :AT WE W]E FI<T+ =4 

,9 ! ,S\? ! P>TIES & POLITICAL GR\PS ?AT HAD DEVELOP$ DUR+ ! ,JAPANESE OCCUPATION HAD =M$ A WORK+ ALLIANCE TO CONFRONT ! IMM95T RETURN ( ! ,FR5*4 ,! ,NATIONAL ,P>TY = ! ,9DEP5D5CE ( ,VIETNAM & ! O!R NATIONALI/ GR\P+S 7! ,CAO ,DAI & ,HOA ,HAO SECTS1 ! ,J,A,G1 ! ,/ATE ,EMPLOYES ,F$]ATION1 ! ,9TELLECTUALS' ,GR\P1 & ! ,BUDDHI/ ,AN*ORITES ,GR\P7 ALL CAME TOGE!R 9 A ,NATIONAL ,UNIT$ ,FRONT & CALL$ = A DEMON/RATION ON ,AUGU/ #b#a1 #a#i#d#e1 UND] ! SLOGANS3 0,D[N ) ,FR5* IMP]IALISM60 & 0,9DEP5D5CE = ,VIETNAM60 

,WE TOOK P>T 9 ! DEMON/RATION UND] \R [N BANN]S3 0,>M ! PEOPLE6 ,=M PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES6 ,L& TO ! PEASANTS6 ,WORK]S' CONTROL ( ! FACTORIES60 ,:AT A JOY IT WAS TO BE ONCE AGA9 ) MY OLD COMRADES1 M>*+ %\LD] TO %\LD] 9 PASSIONATE & FRAT]NAL SOLID>ITY1 IMM]S$ 9 ! CR[DS ( COOLIES1 WORK]S & PEASANTS :O HAD JO9$ US6 ,BUT ,I FELT A KNOT 9 MY HE>T AT ! ABS5CE1 SUDD5LY CRUELLY EVID5T1 ( ?OSE :O HAD DI$ 9 ! TORM5T ( ! PA/ FEW YE>S3 ,TR9H ,VAN ,LAU1 ,VO ,VAN ,DON1 ,VAN ,VAN ,KY 444 

,?AT SAME EV5+ C>S DROVE ?R\< ! /REETS ( ,SAIGON BL>+ \T FROM L\DSPEAK]S3 0,EV]YONE BEH9D ! ,VIETM9H60 ,WE READ 9 !IR LEAFLET3 0,! ,VIETM9H HAS COLLABORAT$ CLOSELY ) ! ,ALLIES 9 ! FI<T AGA9/ ! ,FR5* & ! ,JAPANESE4 ,WE WILL ?US BE 9 A GOOD POSITION TO NEGOTIATE .<= 9DEP5D5CE.>40 ,BLU/] & BOA/S FROM ! ,/AL9I/ ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU1 WORM+ HIS WAY 9TO P[]4 

,S5S+ ! WAY ! W9D WAS BL[+1 ,DR4 ,PHAM ,NGOC ,?A*1 ! LEAD] ( ! ,J,A,G1 LEFT ! ,NATIONAL ,UNIT$ ,FRONT TO JO9 ! ,/AL9I/ P>TY1 PUTT+ AT ITS S]VICE ! =MIDABLE 9/RUM5T ( CONTROL & P[] ?AT ! ,J,A,G HAD BECOME4 ,! NEXT DAY ! ,J,A,G'S BANN]S W]E PROCLAIM+3 0,ALL P[] TO ! ,VIETM9H60 

,! ,/ATE ,EMPLOYES ,F$]ATION =M$ A BLOC ) ! ,J,A,G4 ,! ,CAO ,DAI & ,HOA ,HAO SECTS ALSO ALIGN$ !MSELVES ) ! ,VIETM9H4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS SET = ! ,/AL9I/S TO TAKE P[]4 

,! EV5+ AFT] ! M>*1 ,I MET ,K9H ,AN ,DO1 MY WORKMATE AT ,V9H ,LONG4 

0,WE'RE READY TO TAKE P[]10 HE CONFID$ TO ME4 0,! PROCLAMATION'S ALREADY PR9T$40 

,SO HE WAS 9 ON ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU'S C\P PLANS4 ,WALK+ ?R\< ! BIG CITY P>K1 ,I CAME ACROSS ,J,A,G GR\PS C>RY+ %>P5$ BAMBOO POLES1 DRILL+ 9 MILIT>Y =MATION4 

,ON ! EV5+ ( ,AUGU/ #b#d1 #a#i#d#e1 A MASSIVE SQU>E COLUMN DRAP$ ) A R$ MUSL9 BANN] APPE>$ 9 FRONT ( ! ,CITY ,HALL4 ,9 HUGE LETT]S1 IT PROCLAIM$3 0,NAM ,BO.<#e#c.> ,PROVISIONAL ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE3 ,PRESID5T & ,M9I/] ( ,MILIT>Y ,AFFAIRS1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU2 ,=EIGN ,M9I/]1 ,PHAM ,NGOC ,?A*2 ,M9I/] ( ! ,9T]IOR1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO2 ,M9I/] ( ,/ATE ,SECURITY1 ,DUONG ,BA* ,MAI40 ,?US WAS ANN\NC$ ! SELF-APPO9T$ DE FACTO GOV]NM5T ( \R NEW MA/]S4 ,IT W\LD BE A PURELY ,/AL9I/ REGIME1 ?\< = APPE>ANCE'S SAKE !Y HAD 9CLUD$ A FEW TOK5 NON-,P>TY FIGURES4 ,!Y ANN\NC$ ?AT ! FOLL[+ DAY1 ,AUGU/ #b#e1 !RE W\LD BE A DEMON/RATION ?AT W\LD FUNCTION AS A PLEBISCITE4 ,WE DECID$ TO ATT5D IT & MAKE \R DISS5T+ VOICE HE>D4 

,9 ! DAWN H\RS ( ,AUGU/ #b#e1 ! :OLE NATIVE POPULATION ( ,SAIGON BEGAN TO >RIVE = ! DEMON/RATION4 ,PEOPLE FROM ! /RAW HUTS \TSIDE ! CITY1 ! L[] CLASSES FROM ! 9N] SUBURBS ( ,GIA ,D9H1 ,GO ,VAP1 ,?I ,N<E & ,KHANH ,HOI1 ALL CONV]G$ ON ! CITY C5T]1 :I* WAS ALREADY CR[D$ ) PEASANTS FROM REBELLI\S >EAS SU* AS ,BA ,DIEM1 ,HOC ,MON1 ,DUC ,HOA & ,*O ,DEM4 ,!Y P\R$ ONTO ,B\LEV>D ,NORODOM1 :]E AN IMPRESSIVE PLAT=M HAD BE5 >TFULLY ]ECT$ BEH9D ! CA!DRAL4 ,NO ONE HAD EV] SE5 SU* AN 5ORM\S CR[D4 ,!RE WAS A SURGE ( HOPES & AN 9TOXICAT+ FEEL+ ( UNANIMITY4 ,EV]YONE WANT$ TO EXP]I5CE ! 5D ( ! COLONIAL REGIME1 & TO DO SO !Y W]E PREP>$ TO ?R[ !MSELVES 9TO COMBAT = A FUTURE ?AT WAS /ILL UNC]TA94 

,! ,LEAGUE1 ) ITS RADICAL SLOGANS1 0,L& TO ! PEASANTS6 ,FACTORIES TO ! WORK]S60 >\S$ ! 5?USIASM ( ?IS EXPLOIT$ POPULATION1 :O HAD COME ) ! HOPE TO BE DONE ) ALL MA/]S1 :E!R :ITE OR YELL[4 ,TO ! ,/AL9I/S :O %\T$ 0,ALL P[] TO ! ,VIETM9H60 WE REPLI$3 0,ALL P[] TO ! PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES60 ,& WE SANG ! 0,9T]NATIONALE0 9 RESPONSE TO ! ,J,A,GS1 :O W]E S++ 0,ON ! ,M>*10 A SONG AB\T 0! ET]NAL H]OISM ( ! ,VIETNAMESE40 ,9 FACT1 ! ,/AL9I/S W5T SO F> AS TO DECL>E3 0,! ,COMMUNI/S1 AS ! MILITANT VANGU>D ( \R PEOPLE1 >E PREP>$ TO PUT ! 9T]E/S ( ! ,FA!RL& BE=E CLASS 9T]E/S40 

,AT ! PRESS CONF]5CE HELD ! NEXT DAY BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU 9 ! ,CITY ,HALL1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A*1 A MEMB] ( ! ,LA ,LUTTE GR\P1 POS$ ! QUE/ION3 0,:O ELECT$ ?IS ',NAM ,BO ,PROVISIONAL ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE'80 

,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU1 BESIDE HIMSELF ) RAGE1 REPLI$1 0,WE HAVE PROVISIONALLY TAK5 OV] ! GOV]NM5T AT ?IS /AGE2 LAT] WE WILL TRANSF] IT TO Y\40 

,!N1 F+]+ HIS REVOLV]1 0,AS = MY POLITICAL REPLY 444 ,I WILL GIVE ?AT TO Y\ ELSE:]E40 

,& SO HE DID3 TWO MON?S LAT]1 9 ,OCTOB] #a#i#d#e1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* WAS %OT DEAD BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU'S ?UGS4 

,! ,ALLI$ ,COMMISSION WAS DUE TO >RIVE 9 ,SAIGON AT ANY MOM5T 9 ORD] TO DIS>M ! ,JAPANESE TROOPS & S5D !M HOME4 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU ASK$ ! PEOPLE TO 0COOP]ATE ) ! GOV]NM5T 9 WELCOM+ ! ,ALLI$ ,COMMISSION ) SOLEMNITY4 ,EV]Y BUILD+1 PUBLIC OR PRIVATE1 %\LD DISPLAY ! NATIONAL FLAG ( ,VIETNAM1 SURR\ND$ BY ! FLAGS ( ! ,BRITI%1 ! ,AM]ICANS1 ! ,RUSSIANS & ! ,*9ESE40 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #b1 #a#i#d#e1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU ORGANIZ$ AN >M$ DEMON/RATION & H>ANGU$ ! CR[D FROM HIS PODIUM4 ,NOT CONT5T ) CELEBRAT+ 9DEP5D5CE1 HE ALREADY D5\NC$ 0A C]TA9 NUMB] ( PEOPLE :O >E TRAITORS TO ! ,FA!RL&4444 ,WE MU/ PUNI% ! GANGS :O >E /IRR+ UP TR\BLE 9 ! ,DEMOCRATIC ,REPUBLIC ( ,VIETNAM1 !REBY GIV+ \R 5EMIES ! OPPORTUNITY TO 9VADE US40 ,!SE ?REATS W]E OBVI\SLY AIM$ AT US1 AS WELL AS BE+ A W>N+ TO O!R POT5TIAL REBELS4 ,WE UND]/OOD ?AT ! ELIM9ATION ( REVOLUTION>Y OPPON5TS1 ALREADY WELL ADVANC$ 9 ! ,NOR?1 WAS N[ ALSO ?REAT5$ 9 ! ,S\?4 

,NEV]!LESS1 WE W]E A/ONI%$ TO SEE ?AT ! >M$ PROCESSION 9CLUD$ A GR\P ( M5 :O W]E NAK$ TO ! WAI/ & COV]$ 9 TATTOOS1 C>RY+ !IR [N BANN] ) ! BIZ>RE APPELLATION3 ,ASSASS9ATION ,ASSAULT ,COMMITTEE4 ,!Y W]E ,B9H ,XUY5 RIV] PIRATES1 HIR$ BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU & ,DUONG ,BA* ,MAI AS POLICEM5 & BODYGU>DS4 ,!Y TOOK !IR NAME FROM A POOR1 ALMO/ UN9HABIT$ >EA S\? ( ,*OLON ?AT WAS REPUT$ TO BE A NE/ ( \TLAWS4 ,WE SOON LE>N$ ?AT ! MA9 PORTION ( !IR B&1 :I* WAS BAS$ NE> ! ,Y-%AP$ BRIDGE OV] ! RIV] BETWE5 ,SAIGON & ,*OLON1 WAS 9 CONTROL ( ! ,*9ESE ,>ROYO1 ! BYPASS CANAL1 ! S\!RN P>T ( ,SAIGON & ALMO/ ALL ( ! DEVELOP$ PORTION ( ,*OLON4 ,9 ADDITION TO !SE PIRATES1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU'S 0,PEOPLE'S ,>MY0 WAS COMPOS$ MO/LY ( BRIGADES ( RIOT POLICE1 MILITIAM5 & G5D>MES1 ! ,FR5* REPRESSIVE =CE :I* HAD BE5 MA9TA9$ BY ! ,JAPANESE & :I* N[ SWIT*$ OV] TO ! S]VICE ( ! NEW POT5TATES4 

,! ,J,A,GS P>AD$ >\ND ) BANN]S DISPLAY+ ! ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU GOV]NM5T'S PET SLOGAN 9 ,5GLI%1 ,RUSSIAN & ,*9ESE3 ,WELCOME TO \R ALLIES6 ,! ,CAO ,DAI SECT M>*$ BEH9D !IR [N LEAD]S1 AS DID ! P[]FUL NATIONALI/ >MY KN[N AS ! 0,?IRD ,DIVISION0.<#e#d.> & ! ,HOA ,HAO1 >M$ ADH]5TS ( ! ,MAD ,MONK1 :O HAD A MESSIANIC BELIEF 9 ! IMM95T RETURN ( ! ,BUDDHA ,K+4 ,EV]Y:]E Y\ C\LD SEE BANN]S 9 ,FR5* OR 9 ,ANNAMITE3 ,D,[,N ,) ,F,R,5,* ,I,M,P,],I,A,L,I,S,M6 ,B,E,T,T,] ,D,E,A,? ,?,A,N ,S,L,A,V,],Y6 ,T,O,T,A,L ,9,D,E,P,5,D,5,C,E ,= ,V,I,E,T,N,A,M6 

,AT AB\T F\R O'CLOCK1 AS ! PROCESSION WAS PASS+ ! CA!DRAL1 %OTS RANG \T4 0,! ,FR5* >E FIR+ AT US60 ! CR[D %\T$1 & />T$ RUNN+ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 PANIC-/RICK54 

,GR\PS ( >M$ M5 RU%$ T[>D ! ,H\SE ( ,MISSIONS4 ,A K9DLY *APLA9 NAM$ ,TRICOIRE1 :OM ,I HAD KN[N 9 PRISON1 WAS /ABB$ & FELL ON ! C\RTY>D4 ,!RE W]E MORE SCATT]$ %OTS COM+ FROM V>I\S DIRECTIONS1 9CLUD+ ,B\LEV>D ,BON>D & ! ,C5TRAL ,M>KETPLACE4 ,AT NI<TFALL A TORR5TIAL RA9 BR\<T CALM4 ,A RUMOR SPREAD ?AT FIVE ,FR5* PEOPLE HAD BE5 KILL$4 

,! NEXT DAY1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU DECRE$ ?AT NO WEAPONS W]E TO BE C>RI$ 9 ! /REETS1 EXCEPT ( C\RSE BY HIS [N COPS & SUPPORT]S4 ,=TUNATELY1 NO ONE PAID ANY ATT5TION TO ?IS ORD]4 

,WE PUT \T A LEAFLET 9 ! NAME ( ! ,LEAGUE ( ,9T]NATIONALI/ ,COMMUNI/S & DI/RIBUT$ IT 9 ! ,C5TRAL ,M>KETPLACE1 CALL+ ON ! POPULATION TO >M !MSELVES1 TO ORGANIZE !MSELVES 9 PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES & TO SET UP PEOPLE'S MILITIAS4 ,IT %\LD BE NOT$ H]E ?AT 9 A BOOK PUBLI%$ 9 ,SAIGON 9 #aiid CALL$ ,HI/OIRE DE LA ,RESI/ANCE1 ,SAIGON-,*OLON-,GIAD9H #a#i#d#e-#a#i#g#e1 ! S]VILE AU?ORS SL&]\SLY ATTRIBUT$ TO ! ,LEAGUE ! RACI/ SLOGAN3 0,EXT]M9ATE ! :ITES60 ,WRET*$ HIR$ P5PU%]S6 

,EV]YONE WAS LOOK+ = WAYS TO GET WEAPONS4 ,9 ,SAIGON1 L>GE NUMB]S ( PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES 7REM9ISC5T ( ! #aicf ACTION COMMITTEES7 >OSE SPONTANE\SLY AS ORGANIZATIONS ( LOCAL ADM9I/RATION4 ,9 ,AUGU/ ! WORK]S 9 ! ,PHU ,NHUAN DI/RICT HAD ALREADY ELECT$ SU* A COMMITTEE1 :I* HAD PROCLAIM$ ITSELF 0! ONLY LEGAL P[] 9 ! DI/RICT40 ,! ,BAN ,CO DI/RICT FOLL[$ SUIT ! NEXT DAY4 ,EMBRYONIC PEOPLE'S C\NCILS W]E SPR++ UP EV]Y:]E3 ! DYNAMISM APPE>$ IRRESI/IBLE4 ,! ,LEAGUE TOOK P>T 9 ! COORD9ATION ( ?IS MOVEM5T4 ,WE OP5$ PREMISES AT #i ,RUE ,DUCLOS 9 ! ,TAN ,D9H DI/RICT :]E ! ELECT$ DELEGATES C\LD MEET1 PROTECT$ BY >M$ WORK]S4 ,!SE DELEGATES ISSU$ A DECL>ATION 9 :I* !Y AFFIRM$ !IR 9DEP5D5CE FROM ! POLITICAL P>TIES & RESOLUTELY CONDEMN$ ANY ATTEMPT TO RE/RICT ! AUTONOMY ( ! DECISIONS TAK5 BY WORK]S & PEASANTS4 

,I CONT9U$ LIV+ CL&E/9ELY1 SP5D+ MY TIME GO+ TO & FROM ! VILLAGE 9 ORD] TO HIDE WEAPONS !RE ?AT WE HAD MANAG$ TO PICK UP1 MO/LY ON ! BLACK M>KET4 

,ONE DAY1 ,I RAN 9TO ,K9H ,AN ,DO 9 ! CITY4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT 9 ! PROV9CES ( ,MY ,?O1 ,TRA ,V9H1 ,SADEC1 ,LONG ,XUY5 & ,*AU ,DOC ! PEASANTS HAD SPONTANE\SLY TAK5 POSSESSION ( ! L&4 0,! L& TO ?OSE :O WORK IT0 HAD BE5 A ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY SLOGAN 9 #a#i#c2 N[ SOME ,/AL9I/ MILITANTS V]Y NE>LY GOT !MSELVES LYN*$ = TRY+ TO RE/RA9 ?OSE :O W]E C>RY+ IT \T4 ,A COMMUNIQUE APPE>$ 9 ! PRESS FROM ! ,COMMISS> ( ! ,9T]IOR -- :O WAS NONE O!R ?AN MY OLD ACQUA9TANCE ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO4 ,IT DECL>$3 0,?OSE :O >E 5C\RAG+ ! PEASANTS TO TAKE OV] L&$ PROP]TY WILL BE PUNI%$ )\T M]CY4 ,! COMMUNI/ REVOLUTION1 :I* WILL RESOLVE ! AGR>IAN PROBLEM1 HAS NOT YET TAK5 PLACE4 ,\R GOV]NM5T IS A DEMOCRATIC & B\RGEOIS GOV]NM5T1 EV5 ?\< ! ,COMMUNI/S >E 9 P[]40 ,N[ ?AT MY OLD PRISONMATE ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO HAD BECOME ! MA/] ( ! 0CRU%+ MA*9E10 HE HAD ! P[] ( LIFE & DEA? OV] US ALL4 ,:5 WE HAD MET AT ,TAN ,AN1 HIS ADVICE TO TAKE C>E HAD BE5 T+$ ) G5U9E CONC]N4 ,N[ IT S\ND$ LIKE A S]I\S W>N+4 

,! ,ALLI$ ,COMMISSION >RIV$ ON ,SEPTEMB] #f1 #a#i#d#e1 UND] ! COMM& ( ,BRITI% ,G5]AL ,GRACEY4 ,DESPITE HIS C]EMONI\S RECEPTION BY ! ,VIETM9H1 ,GRACEY IMM$IATELY EJECT$ ! LATT]'S DE FACTO GOV]NM5T FROM ! ,CO*9*9A ,GOV]NOR'S ,PALACE & 9/ALL$ HIMSELF !RE4 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU & HIS TEAM HAD TO MOVE TO ! ,CITY ,HALL4 ,UND] AN ORD] FROM ,GRACEY1 ! ,JAPANESE COMM&] ,T]AU*I ORD]$ ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU TO DISSOLVE ALL >M$ GR\PS & TO TOTALLY PROHIBIT ANY POSSESSION ( >MS4 

,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU SOON F\ND HIS SCAPEGOAT4 ,HE LA%$ \T AGA9/ \R ,LEAGUE3 0,AN IRRESPONSIBLE GR\P HAS CALL$ ON ! POPULATION TO DEMON/RATE AT ! ,SAIGON M>KETPLACE ) ! DEM& ( '>M+ ! PEOPLE1' !REBY GIV+ =EIGN]S A PRETEXT TO ATTACK \R SOV]EIGNTY4 ,?IS IS AN ABUSE ( ! DEMOCRATIC LIB]TIES ?AT WE1 ! ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE1 HAVE PROMULGAT$40 

,A HATE CAMPAIGN WAS UNLEA%$ AGA9/ US4 ,! ,/AL9I/S1 9 !IR PAP] ,DAN ,*UNG1 CALL$ ! ,TROTSKYI/S ,VIET GIAN 7TRAITORS TO ! ,FA!RL&74 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #g1 ! ,LA ,LUTTE GR\P PUT UP PO/]S ANN\NC+ ?AT ,TA ,?U ,?AU HAD BE5 >RE/$ 9 ,QUANG ,NGAI 9 FRONT ( HIS GR\P'S MEET+ PLACE4 ,:5 HE WAS *ALL5G$ AB\T ?IS1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU ISSU$ A T]SE PRESS /ATEM5T ?AT SAID1 0,! ,NAM ,BO ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE HAS ! RI<T TO JUDGE ,TA ,?U ,?AU40 

,9 FACT1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU CONT9U$ TO HAVE V>I\S GR\PS ( >M$ M5 AT HIS DISPOSAL1 :I* CON/ITUT$ A SORT ( ,/AL9I/ SECRET POLICE1 & HE ALSO CONTROLL$ ! POLICE /ATIONS & ! PRISON1 :I* W]E RUN BY HIS CRONY ,DUONG ,BA* ,MAI4 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #a#d1 #a#i#d#e1 ,DUONG ,BA* ,MAI S5T HIS COPS TO SURR\ND ! MEET+ HALL ( ! ,TAN ,D9H PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES1 9 :I* ! ,LEAGUE HAD BE5 V]Y ACTIVE1 9 ORD] TO >RE/ SOME ?IRTY DELEGATES1 9CLUD+ \R COMRADES ,LU ,SANH ,HANH & ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,*UY51 & TO SEIZE WEAPONS4 ,! PRISON]S W]E LOCK$ UP 9 ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON -- A PLACE ?AT WAS ALL TOO FAMILI> TO NE>LY ALL ( !M FROM ! DAYS ( ! ,FR5*4 

,!SE TUMULTU\S EV5TS CAME TO A HEAD ) ! >RIVAL ( A BATTALION ( ,GURKHAS.<#e#e.> COMM&$ BY ,5GLI% (FIC]S1 *>G$ ) DIS>M+ ! ,JAPANESE SOLDI]S & MA9TA9+ ORD] 9 ! S\!RN HALF ( ,VIETNAM4 

,ON ,SEPTEMB] #a#g1 ! DE FACTO ,VIETM9H GOV]NM5T CALL$ A G5]AL /RIKE4 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #b1 ,GRACEY BANN$ ! 5TIRE ,ANNAMITE PRESS & ORD]$ ALL ,VIETM9H PROCLAMATIONS TO BE TORN D[N FROM ! CITY'S WALLS4 ,! ,VIETM9H !N URG$ ! POPULATION TO DISP]SE 9TO ! C\NTRYSIDE & TO 0REMA9 CALM1 AS ! DE FACTO GOV]NM5T HOPES TO OBTA9 NEGOTIATIONS40 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #b#a1 ,GRACEY DECL>$ M>TIAL LAW4 ,! FOLL[+ DAY1 ! ,BRITI% TOOK CONTROL ( ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON & DELIV]$ TO ! ,FR5* ,SU]TE \R ,LEAGUE COMRADES :O HAD BE5 >RE/$ BY ! ,/AL9I/S4 

,GRACEY ALSO FRE$ & RE>M$ ! ,FR5* SOLDI]S HELD BY ! ,JAPANESE AS PRISON]S ( W>1 :O !N UNLEA%$ A REIGN ( T]ROR 9 ! CITY AGA9/ ! ,ANNAMITES4 ,AT AB\T #d3 A4M4 ON ,SUNDAY1 ,SEPTEMB] #b#c1 !SE ,FR5* SOLDI]S /ORM$ ! ,CITY ,HALL1 :I* ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU & HIS M5 HAD ALREADY AB&ON$1 & %OT ! ,ANNAMITE S5TRIES4 ,!Y TI<TLY B\ND TOGE!R AB\T FIFTY O!R ,ANNAMITES & RETA9$ !M AS PRISON]S4 

,FILL$ ) T]ROR & RAGE1 ! PEOPLE ( ! CITY QUICKLY BUILT B>RICADES ) *OPP$-D[N TREES1 OV]TURN$ VEHICLES & PIL$-UP FURNITURE 9 ORD] TO B> ! PASSAGE ( PATROLS & TROOPS4 ,IT WAS A DESP]ATE RESI/ANCE4 ,Y\ C\LD HE> ! RATTLE ( MA*9E-GUN FIRE UNTIL SIX ! NEXT MORN+4 ,EV5TUALLY ! CITY C5T] FELL TO ! ,FR5*1 SUPPORT$ BY ! ,GURKHAS4 ,FR5* SOLDI]S & SAILORS W5T FROM DOOR TO DOOR 9 ! CITY C5T] & ON ! WAT]FRONT1 %OOT+ \T ! H\SES' LOCKS & TAK+ ! 9HABITANTS AWAY1 9C>C]AT+ !M 9 POLICE /ATIONS & ANY O!R AVAILABLE PUBLIC BUILD+S4 ,AT ! ,C5TRAL ,PO/ ,(FICE MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ M51 WOM5 & Y\NG PEOPLE UND] GU>D W]E MADE TO SQUAT ON ! GR\ND ) !IR >MS %ACKL$ TI<TLY ABOVE !IR HEADS4 

,BUT ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CITY & ! SUBURBS1 :]E MO/ ( ! POOR LIV$1 BELONG$ TO ! 9SURG5TS4 ,SAIGON WAS SURR\ND$4 ,9 ! S\?1 ! ,B9H ,XUY5 PIRATES CONTROLL$ ! ,*9ESE ,>ROYO ALL ! WAY TO ,*OLON2 9 ! NOR?WE/1 ! ,CAO ,DAI CONTROLL$ ! ,TAY ,N9H ROAD & ! ,TAN ,SON ,NHUT AIRPORT4 ,! ,VIETM9H MILITIAS OP]AT$ 9 ! DI/RICT IMM$IATELY TO ! NOR? ( ! CITY & ON ! BANKS ( ! ,>ROYO DE L',AVALAN*E AS F> AS ! ,GIA ,D9H ROAD4 

,SIMULTANE\SLY UND] FIRE FROM TWO SIDES -- ! ,ANGLO-,FR5* & ! ,/AL9I/S -- ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H & ,I HID \T AT ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,NAM'S H\SE 9 ,CAU ,KHO1 ON ! $GE ( T[N4 ,E>LY ONE MORN+ WE W]E AWAK5$ BY ! D9 ( ! ,J,A,GS ASSEMBL+ NE>BY4 ,S9CE ,NAM KNEW ALL ! 9SURG5TS FROM HIS /REET1 WE W]E ABLE TO LEAVE )\T ANY PROBLEM4 ,WE LE>N$ ?AT 9 ! ,DA ,KAO NEI<BORHOOD ON ,SEPTEMB] #b#c1 ! SAME DAY ! ,FR5* HAD ATTACK$ ! CITY1 ! ,/AL9I/S HAD ASSASS9AT$ ,LE ,VAN ,VUNG1 ! SECRET>Y ( ! ,SAIGON-,*OLON DI/RICT COMMITTEE ( ,LA ,LUTTE1 :ILE 9 ,CAN ,GIUOC !Y HAD KILL$ ,NGUY5 ,?I ,LOI1 A LABOR UNIONI/ TEA*] FROM ! SAME GR\P4 ,S9CE ALL \R FI<T+ UNITS 9 ! 9N] CITY HAD BE5 SMA%$ BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU'S SECRET POLICE1 ,L9H & ,I DECID$ TO LEAVE ! CITY 9 ORD] TO REGR\P4 ,NAM F\ND US A MAN :O RAN A BOAT ON ! ,*9ESE ,>ROYO4 ,WE DA%$ ON BO>D UND] A HAIL ( BULLETS4 

,LATE ?AT AFT]NOON1 A GR\P ( ,B9H ,XUY5 9SURG5TS CAME UP ! ,*9ESE ,>ROYO T[>D ,B\LEV>D DE LA ,SOMME TO JO9 ) ANO!R GR\P ?AT WAS ADVANC+ 9TO ,SAIGON ALONG ,RUE DE ,V]DUN & HEAD+ = ! ,C5TRAL ,M>KETPLACE4 ,FROM !RE & FROM ,B\LEV>D ,BON>D !Y HAD ! CITY C5T]1 ,RUE ,CAT9AT & ! ,CONT95TAL ,HOTEL )9 !IR RANGE4 

,WE FLATT5$ \RSELVES ON ! BOTTOM ( ! SMALL BOAT4 ,! BOATMAN MOOR$ AS F> FROM ! BANKS AS POSSIBLE1 RI<T 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! RIV]4 ,WE HAD TO WAIT = ! RIS+ TIDE 9 ORD] TO LEAVE4 ,HALF-SUBM]G$ CORPSES W]E FLOAT+ ON ! WAT]4 ,I WITNESS$ A HORRIBLE MANHUNT ON ! RIV] BANK4 ,%[]S ( :I/L+ BULLETS L&$ LIKE /ORM-DRIV5 RA9 >\ND ! BOAT4 ,NI<T FELL4 ,ON ! LEFT BANK FLAMES LEAP$ 9TO ! SKY3 ! C5TRAL P[] /ATION AT ,*O ,QUAN WAS ABLAZE1 PLUNG+ ! :OLE T[N 9TO D>KNESS4 ,9SURG5TS ALSO DYNAMIT$ ! WAT]WORKS4 

,! NEXT DAY WE REA*$ ! ,K9H ,TE ,CANAL1 :I* CONNECTS ) ! ,SAIGON ,RIV] & :I* WAS /ILL NOT UND] ! CONTROL ( ! COLONIAL 5EMY4 ,WE W]E /OPP$ BY SOME ,B9H ,XUY5 :O W]E PATROLL+ ! CANAL1 BUT ,L9H %[$ !M AN OLD SAFE-CONDUCT PASS & MANAG$ TO CONV9CE !M TO LET US GO4 

,JU/ AS WE EM]G$ FROM ! CANAL ONTO ! RIV]1 A CONVOY ( B>GES PASS$ US1 GO+ UP/REAM T[>D ,SAIGON4 ,! ,JAPANESE SOLDI]S GU>D+ !M SAW \R BOAT DRIFT+ T[>D !M 9 APP>5T DI/RESS & ?REW US A ROPE4 ,!Y T[$ US \T 9TO ! MIDDLE ( ! RIV] & ?AT WAS H[ WE MANAG$ TO PASS ?R\< ! PORT ,CU/OMS4 ,WE LEFT ! CONVOY AS NI<T FELL1 TY+ UP AT ! ,B9H ,LOI BRIDGE4 ,SAIGON BURN$ R$ 9 ! DI/ANCE4 ,\R BOATMAN DROPP$ US (F NE> ,?U ,DUC1 G5]\SLY (F]+ US A POT ( /EW$ BEANS AT ! EXP5SE ( ! ,*9ESE CLI5T HE WAS SUPPOS$ TO BE DELIV]+ !M TO4 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H & ,I REA*$ MY MO!R'S H\SE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T4 

,9 ! HAMLET WE ORGANIZ$ A SELF-DEF5SE GR\P4 ,L9H TAU<T ! Y\NG PEOPLE H[ TO USE A REVOLV]4 ,AL?\< !Y ALL BELONG$ TO ! ,J,A,G1 !Y W]E QUITE FRI5DLY TO US4 ,H[EV]1 MY PRES5CE UPSET !IR LEAD]1 A RETIR$ ELEM5T>Y S*OOL TEA*]3 HE WAS AFRAID IT W\LD GIVE HIM A BAD NAME ) ! ,/AL9I/S :O W]E 9 P[] 9 ,?U ,DUC4 

,CLOSE TO ! HAMLET1 !RE /OOD A BUILD+ AT ! 5TRANCE TO A RUBB] PLANTATION4 ,IT HAD BE5 AB&ON$ BY ITS ,FR5* [N] & 9 IT WE F\ND A MASSIVE LIBR>Y ?AT HAD BE5 TRA%$1 ) BOOKS SCATT]$ ALL OV] ! FLOOR4 ,I WAS DELI<T$ TO F9D A COPY ( ,GEORGES ,C\LET'S ,SOCIETES SECRETES 5 T]RE D',ANNAM .<,SECRET ,SOCIETIES 9 ! ,C\NTRY ( ,ANNAM.>1 A COLLECTION ( DICTION>IES ( NATIVE LANGUAGES1 & SOME OLD SEPIA PHOTOGRAPHS %[+ DEAD 9SURG5TS :O HAD BE5 %OT AT ! ,*I ,HOA =T AFT] ! FAIL$ ATTACK ON ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON 9 ,FEBRU>Y #a#i#a#f4 ,\R Y\NG COMRADES HUNG !SE PHOTOS ON ! WALLS ( !IR MEET+ PLACE1 A HUT !Y HAD ]ECT$ ON \R L&4 

,\R FRI5D ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,NAM HAD ALSO MANAG$ TO GET \T ( ! 5CIRCL$ CITY4 ,HE DESCRIB$ LIFE !RE )\T WAT] OR ELECTRICITY1 PLUNG$ 9TO A SC5E ( SLAU<T] & FAM9E4 ,! 9SURG5TS HAD ATTACK$ ! POLICE /ATION ( ! PORT & SET FIRE TO ! ,RUBB] ,MANUFACTUR+ ,COMPANY1 ! W>EH\SES1 ! ,C5TRAL ,M>KETPLACE & ! ,FR5*-[N$ RICE W>EH\SES4 

,ONE MEMORABLE EV5+ ,LE ,NGOC >RIV$ ) AMAZ+ NEWS4 ,TOGE!R ) HIS COMRADES1 ! WORK]S AT ! ,GO ,VAP /REETC> WORK%OPS HAD DECID$ TO JO9 ! 9SURRECTION :ILE REMA9+ TOTALLY AUTONOM\S4 ,9 ! 9T]NATIONALI/ SPIRIT ( ! ,LEAGUE1 !Y HAD TAK5 TO HE>T ! APPEAL TO >M ! PEOPLE3 ,!Y HAD BROK5 ) ! ,VIETM9H LABOR UNION ORGANIZATION1 ! ,G5]AL ,CONF$]ATION ( ,LABOR 7R5AM$ 0,WORK]S = ,NATIONAL ,SALVATION0 BY ! ,VIETM9H71 & =M$ A 0,WORK]S' ,MILITIA10 A NAME 9SPIR$ BY ! ,SPANI% ,CIVIL ,W>4 ,!RE W]E AB\T SIXTY WORK]S 9 ?IS MILITIA1 ORGANIZ$ 9TO GR\PS ( ELEV51 EA* UND] ! RESPONSIBILITY ( A COMRADE *OS5 BY ! GR\P4 ,!Y HAD ELECT$ ,TRAN ,D9H ,M9H AS MILIT>Y LEAD]4 ,AS ! ,FR5*1 BACK$ BY ! ,GURKHAS1 ATTEMPT$ UNSUCCESSFULLY TO BREAK \T ( !IR 5CIRCLEM5T 9 ,SAIGON1 ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA TOOK UP POSITION AT ,CAU ,MOI 7,BA ,*IEU-,GIA ,D9H71 ! C5T] ( ! FRONT L9E ( ! EA/]N FRONT1 :I* EXT5D$ TO ! RI<T ALONG ! ,HANG ,SANH ROAD AS F> AS ! ,?I ,N<E BRIDGE & TO ! LEFT AS F> AS ! ,B9H ,LOI BRIDGE4 

,ON ,OCTOB] #c1 #a#i#d#e1 AN ORD] REA*$ ! FRONT FROM ! ,VIETM9H ,EXECUTIVE ,COMMITTEE1 :I* WAS DISCUSS+ A CEASEFIRE ) ,G5]AL ,GRACEY4 ,IT CALL$ ON ALL 9SURG5TS TO FI<T ONLY ! ,FR5* & TO ALL[ ! ,BRITI% & ,JAPANESE TO PASS FREELY ?R\< ! L9ES4 ,?IS WAS AN APPALL+ & DEADLY FOLLY3 ,DETA*M5TS ( ,GURKHAS & ,JAPANESE1 :O W]E BE+ US$ AS AUXILI>Y TROOPS BY ,GRACEY1 IMM$IATELY PASS$ ?R\< ! ZONES CONTROLL$ BY ! 9SURG5TS )\T HAV+ A %OT FIR$ AT !M1 & TOOK POSSESSION ( ! MO/ /RATEGIC POSITIONS4 ,?IS 5ABL$ ! ,FR5* TO BREAK ?R\< ! RESI/ANCE AT ,BA ,*IEU1 ,B9H ,HOA & ! ,B9H ,LOI BRIDGE & ON ! ,HANG ,SANH ROAD T[>D ,?I ,N<E4 ,AT ! ,?I ,N<E BRIDGE >\ND TWO HUNDR$ ,TROTSKYI/ FI<T]S FROM ,LA ,LUTTE W]E MASSACR$4 

,AFT] SEV]AL DAYS ( FI]CE 5C\NT]S ) ,FR5* TANKS1 ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA FI<T]S RETREAT$ TO ,BAU ,TRAM4 ,!RE1 FI<T] PLANES DOVE-BOMB$ ! HAMLET & /RAF$ IT ) MA*9E-GUN FIRE4 ,TWELVE COMRADES W]E M[$ D[N1 9CLUD+ ,*I ,QUY 7! ,MILITIA'S NURSE71 ,?I51 ,DONG1 ,TRAN ,QUOC ,KIEU1 ,LE ,VAN ,HUONG & ,HO ,VAN ,DUC4 ,! SURVIVORS RETREAT$ FUR!R TO ! WE/1 :]E ! 0,?IRD ,DIVISION0 HAD CAMP$4 ,9 ORD] TO AVOID BE+ AT ! M]CY ( ! ,VIETM9H1 ! ,MILITIA JO9$ UP ) ?IS LATT] 0>MY0 ( P>TISANS4 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?ANH MET HIS DEA? ALONGSIDE !M 9 GU]RILLA FI<T+ NE> ! ,CAMBODIAN FRONTI] DUR+ A ,FR5* C\NT](F5SIVE ON ,LOC ,GIANG4 

,LE ,NGOC LEFT US TO REJO9 ! ,MILITIA1 C>RY+ ) HIM A /ATEM5T ( \R POLITICAL AIMS4 

,AS = ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H & ME1 AT ! AL>M+ NEWS ?AT ! ,VIETM9H HAD >RE/$ \R COMRADE ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,VANG 9 ,BI5 ,HOA1 :]E HE HAD SET UP A PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE1 WE DECID$ TO SET \T ON A SE>* = HIM4 ,:5 WE REA*$ ,BI5 ,HOA1 ,L9H HAD A P>LEY ) ! ,VIETM9H :ILE ,I WAIT$ = HIM1 HIDD5 ON ! RIV] BANK4 ,H\RS PASS$ 9 9CREAS+ DESPAIR4 ,HE CAME BACK EMPTY-H&$4 ,! JAIL]S CLAIM$ TO KN[ NO?+ AB\T \R FRI5D4 ,WE LAT] LE>N$ ?AT !Y HAD EXECUT$ HIM4 

,BACK AT ! HAMLET1 MY C\S9 W>N$ US ?AT ! ,VIETM9H'S LOCAL POLICE SPIES HAD BE5 SNOOP+ >\ND 9QUIR+ AB\T US4 ,IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON4 ,! NEXT MORN+ AT DAWN WE LEFT \R GUNS ) MY ,BRO!RS ,T5 & ,TWELVE & MY NEPHEWS ,BO & ,XUNG1 = ! USE ( ! HAMLET'S SELF-DEF5SE GR\P1 & SAID A DISCREET GOODBYE TO MY MO!R4 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,NAM W5T BACK TO ,SAIGON1 :ILE ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H & ,I *OSE TO JO9 ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA4 ,ON ! WAY1 ,L9H1 :O WAS SPORT+ A BLUE ,VIETM9H CAP ?AT HE'D F\ND SOME:]E1 RECEIV$ SEV]AL UNDES]V$ GREET+S4 ,WE F\ND ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA 9 ,LOC ,GIANG3 :AT A JOY\S RELIEF TO JO9 ) \R COMRADES 9 ?AT ATMOSPH]E ( COMBATIVE SOLID>ITY6 

,\R LIFE 9 ! ,MILITIA BECAME MORE ORGANIZ$4 ,WE GOT ON WELL ) ! LOCAL PEASANTS1 EXPLA9+ TO !M ?AT WE W]E FI<T+ NOT ONLY TO 0DRIVE \T ! ,FR5*0 BUT ALSO TO GET RID ( ! 9DIG5\S L&LORDS1 TO 5D ! =C$ LABOR 9 ! RICEFIELDS1 & TO LIB]ATE ! COOLIES4 

,ONE DAY1 H[EV]1 PLANES FLEW OV] ,LOC ,GIANG1 A SIGN ?AT AN ATTACK WAS IMM95T4 ,:5 ! ,?IRD ,DIVISION BROKE CAMP1 ! ,MILITIA DECID$ TO DO LIKEWISE4 ,WE REQUISITION$ LOCAL PEOPLE ) !IR OX-C>TS TO HELP US MOVE \T4 

,DUR+ ?IS EXODUS1 WE SAW A GUY ) A RIFLE /&+ AT ! ROADSIDE NEXT TO A HUGE PILE ( BIKES4 ,ANYONE :O RODE PA/ ON A BICYCLE HAD TO LEAVE IT ) HIM -- AN EXAMPLE ( ! P[] D]IV+ FROM M]E POSSESSION ( A GUN4 ,SOME ,?IRD ,DIVISION M5 DIS>M$ HIM & HE FL$4 

,AFT] CROSS+ VA/1 M\RNFUL /RET*ES ( M>%L& ON FOOT OR 9 OX-C>TS1 WE CONT9U$ \R ODYSSEY BY SMALL BOATS ON A CANAL1 :I* W5T ?R\< A DESOLATE IMM5SITY ( ALUM-P]MEAT$ SWAMPS4 ,?IS WAS ! ,PLA9 ( ,RE$S1 :]E ! FIR/ 9SURG5TS HAD SET UP !IR BASE :5 ! ,FR5* >RIV$ 9 ! N9ETE5? C5TURY4 ,EV5 TODAY TANKS /ILL F9D IT IMP5ETRABLE4 ,BUT !RE >E AIRPLANES4444 

,WE MADE \R WAY ACROSS ! ,PLA9 ( ,RE$S VIA WAT]WAYS -- HUNDR$S ( M5 ) !IR FAMILIES1 WOM5 & *ILDR5 9 A /REAM ( SAMPANS & LITTLE BOATS4 ,EV5TUALLY WE MADE A /OPOV] ) SOME FI%]M5 & PEASANTS4 ,!Y NATURALLY W]E NOT V]Y WELCOM+ -- !RE W]E TOO MANY ( US & !IR LIVES W]E ALREADY SO DIFFICULT4 ,WE HAD H>DLY F9I%$ DIGG+ \RSELVES 9TO TR5*ES :5 A ,FR5* RECONNAISSANCE PLANE APPE>$ 9 ! SKY4 ,A FEW H\RS LAT]1 =MATIONS ( ,FR5* FI<T] PLANES DROPP$ BOMBS & /RAF$ ! HAMLET ) MA*9E-GUN FIRE4 ,! POOR PEOPLE :O HAD SUFF]$ \R PRES5CE WEPT AT !IR BURN$-\T ?AT*$ H\SES1 DAMAG$ FI% TANKS & DE/ROY$ G>D5S4 ,WE HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE ON4 ,WE 5D$ UP FUR!R AWAY 9 ! VIC9ITY ( WE/]N ,VAI ,CO4 

,WE NE$$ A RADIO RECEIV] = ! ,MILITIA3 ,I SET \T ) A COMPANION TO TRY TO UNE>? ONE4 ,SOME ,VIETM9H GU>DS HID+ 9 A /RAW HUT ON ! RIV]BANK >RE/$ US4 ,!Y SE>*$ US1 CONFISCAT$ MY REVOLV] & MY COPY ( ,LES ,SOCIETES SECRETES 5 T]RE D',ANNAM1 & TI$ US TOGE!R ON A B5* = ! NI<T4 ,9 ! MORN+1 !Y TOOK US FUR!R 9L& TO !IR LEAD]4 ,I CLAIM$ ?AT WE BELONG$ TO ! ,?IRD ,DIVISION1 :ILE ( C\RSE OMITT+ ANY M5TION ( ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA4 

0,>E Y\ ! ONES :O'VE BE5 ?REAT5+ TO BL[ ! BRA9S \T ( ! PEOPLE ON ! RIV]8 ,:]E DID Y\ GET ?AT BOOK8 ,:AT'S Y\R RELIGION80 

0,BUDDHISM10 ,I LI$4 

,WE W]E %OV$ 9TO A SMALL BOAT & TAK5 ALONG ! LEFT BANK ( ! RIV] TILL WE REA*$ A ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRIT TEMPLE ?AT HAD BE5 TURN$ 9TO A PRISON4 ,!RE W]E ALREADY >\ND ?IRTY DETA9EES1 9CLUD+ TWO WOM5 -- A FI%WIFE & A GIRL :OM ! JAIL]S CALL$ 0CRAZY0 -- & F\R ,JAPANESE SOLDI]S4 ,NONE ( ! PRISON]S SEEM$ TO HAVE ANY IDEA :Y !Y W]E !RE4 

,A NUMB+1 TORPID S5SE ( P[]LESSNESS OV]CAME ME AT ! SI<T ( ! SUPPOS$LY 0CRAZY WOMAN0 B\ND BY >MS & LEGS TO A PO/ 9 ! MUDDY Y>D 9 ! P\R+ RA91 & /RUGGL+ FURI\SLY4 0,TRONG WANTS TO KILL ME60 %E WAS YELL+4 0,HE WANTS TO KILL ME6 ,?AT DAMN TEA*]1 SELL] ( ,*9ESE M$IC9ES 444 :AT DID ,I DO TO TURN HIM AGA9/ ME LIKE ?IS8 ,:AT HAVE ,I DONE80 

,I SOON DISCOV]$ ?AT ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG1 ! LEAD] ( ! GANG1 HAD BE5 PUT 9 *>GE ( ?IS REGION BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU4 

,G5]AL ,LECL]C'S TANKS W]E MAK+ A DA% = ,MY ,?O4 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG REALIZ$ ?AT !Y W\LD HAVE TO PASS ?R\< ,TAN ,AN1 SO HE HAD MOV$ FUR!R 9TO ! 9T]IOR4 ,9 ORD] TO CONTROL EV]Y?+ ?AT W5T UP & D[N ! RIV]1 HE HAD HIR$ =M] 9DIG5\S POLICE AG5TS FROM ! ,FR5* ,SU]TE4 ,AFT] ! DE/RUCTION ( ! ,FR5* COLONIAL REGIME BY ! ,JAPANESE1 !SE COPS HAD MANAG$ TO ESCAPE HAV+ !IR ?ROATS CUT DUR+ ! ,SAIGON UPRIS+ & HAD HIDD5 \T 9 ! C\NTRYSIDE4 ,SOME ( !M W]E N[ (F]+ !IR S]VICES TO ! ,VIETM9H *IEFS4 

,! EXODUS FROM ,TAN ,AN HAD LEFT IT COMPLETELY DES]T$4 ,:OLE FAMILIES HAD CRAMM$ !MSELVES 9TO JUNKS & SET (F UP/REAM4 ,ANY ,CA?OLICS AMONG !SE FUGITIVES1 OR ANY :O W]E ?\<T TO BE ,CA?OLIC1 W]E >RE/$ BY ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG'S H5*M51 !IR NEW MA/] HAV+ DECID$ ?AT ALL ,CA?OLICS MU/ BE ON ! SIDE ( ! ,FR5*4 ,TO SEAL HIS AU?ORITY1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG NE$$ PRISON]S -- VICTIMS OV] :OM HE HELD ! P[] ( LIFE & DEA?4 

,WE HE>D RIFLE %OTS & ?\<T IT WAS A ,FR5* ATTACK4 ,IT TURN$ \T TO BE ! EXECUTION ( ?REE ,CA?OLICS BY ! ,VIETM9H4 ,FROM N[ ON1 ,I ?\<T1 ,I MU/ BE READY = ANY?+4 ,BY SOME MIRACLE ,I /ILL HAD A BIT ( PAP] & A P5CIL /UB4 ,I SCRIBBL$ D[N SOME 9=MATION AB\T MY PA/ /RUGGLE AGA9/ ! COLONIAL REGIME & H[ ,I HAD CONT9U$ ! FI<T 9 ! ,GO ,VAP /REETC> ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA4 ,I KEPT ?IS PIECE ( PAP] C>EFULLY1 AS A TRACE1 9 CASE MY LIFE WAS TO 5D !RE4 

,A NI<T ( HORROR4444 ,?R\< ! WOOD5 P>TITION WE HE>D %\TS3 0,ADMIT ?AT Y\ 9=M$ = ! ,FR5*6 ,SAY IT60 ,! %\TS W]E FOLL[$ BY ! DULL ?UD ( A HEEL BE+ DRIV5 9TO SOMEONE'S BACK1 !N A KNEE GO+ 9TO SOMEONE'S *E/1 !N ! S\ND ( FI/S SMA%+ A FACE4 ,WE HE>D A MAN H[L+ 9 PA91 M+L$ ) ! FRI<T5$ CRIES ( A *ILD & ! RACK+ SOBS ( A WOMAN4 ,?IS W5T ON ALL NI<T4 ,! ONLY WORDS !Y C\LD WR5* \T ( !IR VICTIM W]E3 0,?IS IS 9JU/ICE6 ,OH1 HEAV5 & E>?60 

,! TORTUR] WAS ALSO \R JAIL]4 ,I M5TALLY CALL$ HIM ,BUFFALO-,HEAD1 & HIS MATE ,HAWK-,BEAK1 AFT] ! DEMONS 9 ! ,BUDDHI/ HELL4 ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,BUFFALO-,HEAD 9T]ROGAT$ TWO ( ! ACCUS]S -- EX-COPS FROM ! ,FR5* ,SU]TE :O HAD BE5 HIR$ BY ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG = HIS POLICE1 & :O 9 ORD] TO DEMON/RATE !IR ZEAL TO !IR NEW MA/] HAD UNCOV]$ A 0NE/ ( SPIES0 ON ! RIV]6 ,IT TURN$ \T ?AT !IR 0EVID5CE0 WAS SOME BITS ( R$1 :ITE & BLUE /R+ -- ! COLORS ( ! ,FR5* FLAG -- ?AT HAD BE5 0DISCOV]$0 UND] A HEAP ( POTATOES PIL$ ON ! FLIMSY BOAT ?AT C>RI$ ?IS POOR PEASANT FAMILY & !IR CROPS4 ,FRE% PREY = ! TORTUR]4 

,TWO DAYS LAT]1 WE WITNESS$ ! EXECUTION ( ONE ( ! COPS :O HAD 9/IGAT$ ?IS F>CE4 ,! ,VIETM9H ASSEMBL$ ALL ! PRISON]S & A CR[D FROM ! VILLAGE4 ,AT DUSK ! CONDEMN$ MAN1 BL9DFOLD$ & ) HIS H&S TI$ BEH9D HIS BACK1 WAS BR\<T \T 9TO ! OP5 BY ! EXECUTION]1 A HEFTY MAN /RIPP$ TO ! WAI/ ) A REVOLV] 9 HIS H&4 ,A HU% FELL ON ! SPECTATORS1 & ,HAWK-,BEAK PRON\NC$ ! DEA? S5T5CE4 ,SOME ( ! CR[D APPLAUD$ FEEBLY4 ,TURN+ TO ! PEASANTS :O HAD BE5 TORTUR$ ! PREVI\S NI<T1 ,HAWK-,BEAK MADE A GREAT %[ ( (F]+ !M A #a-PIA/] NOTE AS COMP5SATION4 ,I LOOK$ AWAY4 ,! S\ND ( A %OT4 ,! KNEEL+ VICTIM COLLAPS$1 TWIT*+ ON ! GR\ND4 ,HIS HEAD WAS SPLIT OP51 & R$ BLOOD WAS SOAK+ 9TO ! TRAMPL$ GRASS4 

,?REE DAYS LAT] IT WAS ! TURN ( ! O!R COP1 AT ! SAME PLACE & ) ! SAME AUDI5CE4 ,A CLO? WAS TI$ R\ND HIS EYES & ! WRET* WAS =C$ TO HIS KNEES4 ,BUFFALO-,HEAD KNELT D[N TOO1 FAC+ HIM1 AB\T ?REE MET]S AWAY1 & PO9T$ HIS GUN AT ! VICTIM'S *E/4 ,CLICK6 ,! MAN FL9*$ BUT ! GUN DIDN'T GO (F4 ,SOMEONE TOOK (F HIS BLUE JACKET3 HE WAS WE>+ A DIRTY :ITE VE/ UND]NEA?4 ,AT ! ?IRD %OT HE FELL OV]4 ,AS HE LAY DY+1 ,HAWK-,BEAK LEAN$ OV] HIM & %OT HIM 9 ! HEAD4 ,! BODY WAS /ILL WRI?+ WEAKLY4 ,HAWK-,BEAK FIR$ AGA94 ,! VICTIM'S FAMILY WRAPP$ ! BODY 9 A PIECE ( MATT+ & BURI$ HIM ALONGSIDE ! O!R ONE :O HAD BE5 %OT1 NEXT TO ! RIV]4 

,SOME TIME LAT]1 !RE WAS AN EF=T TO PRIMP UP ! PLACE ( EXECUTIONS AS AN ELEGANT PUBLIC SQU>E4 ,A GIANT ALT> TO ! ,FA!RL& WAS ]ECT$ ON ! SPOT1 & S]V$ AS A PLAT=M = ! C]EMONIAL VISIT ( ! PROV9CIAL ,VIETM9H BOSS1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG4 ,HE >RIV$ 9 A SOLEMN PROCESSION1 SURR\ND$ BY FAWN+ ACOLYTES1 & CRUDELY MIMICK$ ! =M] ,FR5* ,ADM9I/RATORS :5 !Y US$ TO DO ! R\NDS ( ! VILLAGES4 ,WE C\LD HE> HIM BAWL+ \T HIS F]V5T BUT /ILT$ S]MON AB\T H[ ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,MO!R ,C\NTRY W]E WEEP+ = H] 9 H] ILLNESS4 ,AFT] ! C]EMONY1 :5 HE PASS$ NE> US1 MY COMPANION D>$ TO DEM& \R FRE$OM4 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG %\T$ 9TO HIS FACE3 0,Y\ %\LD CONSID] Y\RSELVES LUCKY Y\'RE /ILL ALIVE60 

,!N ONE DAY ! JAIL]S CAME = MY FRI5D & ME4 ,WE TRI$ TO REMA9 CALM1 BUT WE W]E EXTREMELY WORRI$4 ,WE SP5T TWO DAYS & A NI<T 9 A SMALL BOAT GO+ BACK UP ! ,VAI ,CO ,RIV]4 ,!N WE W]E IMPRISON$ 9 A LITTLE ?AT*$ *UR* ON ! BANK ( ! ,MANGO ,RIV]4 

,I WAS AMAZ$ & V]Y MOV$ TO F9D !RE MY FRI5D ,?U1 :O WAS A SURVEYOR AT ,MY ,?O4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT ! ,VIETM9H HAD IMPRISON$ HIM BECAUSE HE HAD HELP$ ! PEASANTS TO DIVIDE UP ! L& & RICEFIELDS ?AT !Y HAD EXPROPRIAT$ FROM ! L&LORDS4 ,9 SO DO+1 ! PEASANTS HAD CONTRAV5$ ! ,/AL9I/ P>TY'S ORD] AGA9/ 9T]F]+ ) PROP]TY RI<TS4 ,) ,?U W]E O!R ,LA ,LUTTE SUPPORT]S4 ,>\ND =TY PEOPLE W]E HELD 9 ?IS PRISON-*UR*1 9CLUD+ SOME =M] (FICIALS ( ! COLONIAL REGIME4 

,ONE PLEASANT OLD FELL[ SAID TO ME1 0,Y\ W]E A PRISON] ( ! ,FR5*1 & N[ UND] ! ,VIETM9H Y\ >E /ILL 9 PRISON4 ,H[ CAN ?AT BE80 ,I RECOGNIZ$ HIM4 ,HE HAD BE5 ! SECRET>Y ( ! ,FR5* ,ADM9I/RATOR AT ,TRA ,V9H1 ! GUY :O HAD REGI/]$ ME :5 ,I WAS S5T5C$ TO RE/RICT$ RESID5CE !RE F\R YE>S BE=E4 

,WE HAD NO CONTACT AT ALL ) ! ONLY FEMALE PRISON]1 :O WAS HELD 9 SEP>ATE QU>T]S4 ,%E WAS !RE1 APP>5TLY1 BECAUSE ( H] CONNECTIONS ) ! ,FR5*4 ,SOME NI<TS ! GU>D1 :O HAD HIMSELF DONE TIME AT ,P\LO ,CONDORE1 TOOK ! UN=TUNATE WOMAN TO A HIDD5 CORN] BEH9D ! *UR* = 09T]ROGATION40 

,!RE W]E NO CLOCKS4 ,WE C\LD TELL ! TIME ONLY BY ! APPE>ANCE ( ! MORN+ />4 ,EV]Y MORN+ AT DAYLI<T ! GU>D RAN UP ! ,VIETM9H FLAG 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! Y>D4 ,SOME Y\NG PEOPLE SANG 0,ON ! ,M>*0 7,L5 ,DANG71 ! J+OI/IC ,VIETM9H AN!M1 :ILE ,I & MY ,LA ,LUTTE FRI5DS SANG ! 0,9T]NATIONALE40 ,!N WE HUNG >\ND 9 ! Y>D UNTIL \R FOOD RATION >RIV$ AT MIDDAY4 ,AFT] ?AT1 MORE TIME 9 ! OP5 AIR1 UNTIL BE+ CONF9$ AGA9 AT NI<TFALL4 ,PACK$ 9 R[S LIKE S>D9ES1 WE SLEPT ON MATS LAID \T ON ! H>D-E>? FLOOR4 ,DUR+ ! DAY1 :5EV] WE HE>D ! RUMBLE ( APPROA*+ AIRCRAFT1 EV]YONE RAN = %ELT] 9TO ! *UR*4 

,?U & SOME ( HIS COMPANIONS KEPT !MSELVES FIT ) NEI KONG1 A K9D ( M>TIAL >T1 ) ! IDEA ?AT WE MI<T HAVE A *ANCE TO OV]P[] ! GU>DS & ESCAPE4 ,MY BODY1 5FEEBL$ BY TUB]CULOSIS1 DID NOT ALL[ ME TO P>TICIPATE 9 !SE EX]CISES1 BUT DID NOT PREV5T ME FROM KEEP+ AN EYE \T = OPPORTUNITIES4 

,FROM TIME TO TIME \R GU>DS LET US WA% \RSELVES 9 ! ,MANGO ,RIV]4 ,ONE SP>KL+ SUNNY DAY ,I JUMP$ 9TO ! CLE> CURR5T & WAS DOG-PADDL+ TO KEEP MYSELF AFLOAT4 ,A /R+ ( BOATS PACK$ ) >M$ M5 APPE>$4 ,!N SUDD5LY ! %\T3 0,ANH ,DUC60 7MY NAME 9 ! ,MILITIA74 0,GOOD HEAV5S60 ,SOMEONE RAIS$ HIS >M1 & A SMALL BOAT BROKE AWAY FROM ! CONVOY & CAME ALONGSIDE ME4 ,JOY6 ,I WAS SURR\ND$ BY MY FRI5DS 9 ! ,WORK]S' ,MILITIA1 :O W]E MOV+ WE/ ) ! ,?IRD ,DIVISION4 ,I QUICKLY TOLD !M :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO ME1 & ?AT O!R ,LA ,LUTTE FRI5DS W]E AMONG ! PRISON]S4 

0,WE'LL COME BACK = Y\10 !Y PROMIS$1 AS !Y PULL$ AWAY4 

,! NEXT DAY MY COMPANION & ,I W]E RELEAS$1 FOLL[+ ! 5]GETIC PRESSURE APPLI$ TO ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TRONG BY ! ,?IRD ,DIVISION COMM&]S4 ,IT WAS SIMPLY A MATT] ( ! RELATIVE /R5G? ( =CES4 

,MY ,MILITIA FRI5DS 9=M$ ME ( ! DEA?S ( ,LE ,NGOC1 ,LE ,KY & ! Y\NG ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,HUONG4 ,!Y HAD SPLIT (F TO GO & RECON/ITUTE A BASE 9 ,SAIGON4 ,ON ! WAY TO ! CITY !Y HAD BE5 R\ND$ UP & IMPRISON$ BY A ,FR5* PATROL1 & :5 ! LATT] RELEAS$ !M1 ! LOCAL ,VIETM9H HAD EXECUT$ ALL ?REE AS ,VIET GIAN 7TRAITORS TO ! ,FA!RL&74 

,!N WE F\ND \T ?AT \R JAIL]S HAD TRANSF]R$ ALL \R =M] FELL[-PRISON]S FROM ! *UR* ONTO A L>GE JUNK ?AT !Y HAD TURN$ 9TO A FLOAT+ JAIL4 ,! ,?IRD ,DIVISION BO>D$ ! BOAT & LIB]AT$ ! IMPRISON$ HUMAN C>GO4 ,AS A RESULT1 ALL ! ,VIETM9H'S PRISON]S1 9CLUD+ ! ,LA ,LUTTE SUPPORT]S1 JO9$ ! ,?IRD ,DIVISION4 

,WE W]E /ILL 9 ! ,PLA9 ( ,RE$S1 ON ! FRONT BETWE5 ,MY ,?O & ,SADEC1 :]E ,LECL]C'S >MOR$ COLUMNS W]E BREAK+ ?R\<4 

,EXHAU/$ BY TUB]CULOSIS1 ,I FELT ?AT ,I WAS A DEAD WEI<T ON ! ,MILITIA4 ,SEE+ MY DEBILITAT$ /ATE1 A COMRADE1 ,N<I1 SUGGE/$ ?AT ,I RETURN TO ,SAIGON ) HIM4 ,WE TRAVEL$ ! SAME ROAD BACK ACROSS ! ,PLA9 ( ,RE$S4 ,CROSS+ ! VA/ M>%ES ON FOOT & 9 A SAMPAN1 WE MANAG$ TO AVOID ! ,VIETM9H *ECKPO9TS & TO CONCEAL \RSELVES AT ! APPROA* ( ,FR5* PATROLS4 ,ALL ALONG ! R\TE ! FRAMES ( BURN$ HUTS & ! RAVAG$ SKELETONS ( FRUIT TREES GAVE SIL5T WITNESS TO ! DI/RESS ( !SE DES]T$ VILLAGES4 ,H]E & !RE W]E FRE% M\NDS ( E>? M>K+ GRAVES1 SOME M>K$ ) ! NAMES ( ! SLAU<T]$ P]SONS4 ,9 ONE HAMLET WE SAW ! REMA9S ( A FLIMSY B>RICADE MADE ( S&BAGS & BUNDLES ( LATEX LEAVES4 ,WE W]E RECEIV$ ) T\*+ SYMPA?Y BY ! FEW SURVIV+ VILLAG]S1 :O TOLD US AB\T ! ,FR5* PATROL ?AT HAD FIR$ ON !M 9DISCRIM9ATELY FROM !IR SPE$+ TRUCK4 ,! SOLDI]S ( ! COLONIAL RECONQUE/ W]E EV]Y:]E4 

,WE TRAVEL$ MO/LY BY NI<T1 SU/A9+ \RSELVES BY *EW+ SUG> CANE4 ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! RIV] WE RAN 9TO A GR\P ( >M$ M5 :O DETA9$ US4 ,9 ! MORN+ A BIG /RAPP+ FELL[ APPE>$ -- SOMEONE NOT 5TIRELY UNKN[N TO ME4 0,:]E >E Y\ COM+ FROM80 HE ASK$ ME4 ,IT WAS ,M9H1 KN[N AS ,! ,SWIMM]1 A VET]AN MILITANT ( ,TA ,?U ,?AU'S GR\P4.<#e#f.> ,HIS B& ( 9DEP5D5T GU]RILLAS CONTROLL$ ?IS ME&]+ /REAM ( WAT]4 ,M9H TOLD ME ?AT 9 ,OCTOB] #a#i#d#e1 DUR+ ! ,FR5* (F5SIVE AT ,?U ,DAU ,MOT1 ! ,VIETM9H HAD MASSACR$ ?IRTY PRISON]S 9 ! ,B5 ,SUC JUNGLE1 9CLUD+ MEMB]S ( ! ,LA ,LUTTE GR\P4 ,BE=E HE WAS EXECUT$1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* HAD 5TRU/$ HIS WAT*1 HIS GLASSES & A NOTEBOOK TO A Y\NG ,/AL9I/ GU>D1 :O HAPP5$ TO BE ONE ( HIS =M] /UD5TS1 TO BE TRANSMITT$ TO HIS BRO!R4.<#e#g.> ,AMONG ?OSE %OT W]E ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,SO & ,PHAN ,VAN ,*ANH1 ) :OM ! ,/AL9I/S HAD COLLABORAT$ 9 PRODUC+ ,LA ,LUTTE FROM #aicd TO #a#i#c#g1 AS WELL AS ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TI51 :O HAD REC5TLY COME BACK FROM A H>D LABOR S5T5CE AT ,P\LO ,CONDORE2 ALSO ,NGON1 A WORK] FROM ! ,>S5AL2 & A WOMAN DOCTOR1 ,NGUY5 ,NGOC ,SUONG1 :O HAD APP>5TLY CAUTION$ ! EXECUTION] TO TAKE C>EFUL AIM AT H] HE>T4 ,DEVA/AT$ BY ?IS NEWS1 WE CONT9U$ ON \R WAY4 

,AT LA/1 ONE EV5+ AT TWILI<T WE >RIV$ AT ! H\SE ( A C\S9 ( ,N<I'S4 ,N<I TOOK COV] ELSE:]E & >RANG$ = ME TO /AY ) ?IS C\S91 :O TOOK ME \T EV]Y DAY 9 HIS FI%+ BOAT4 ,IT WAS ! IDEAL PLACE TO HIDE4 ,I LAY FLAT 9 ! BOAT UND] ! RO(+ :ILE MY HO/ CA/ HIS NET4 ,! BOAT DRIFT$ ) ! TIDE1 KEEP+ NE> ! /EEP BANKS4 ,?IS ALL[$ US TO DISAPPE>1 :5 NECESS>Y1 9TO ! LITTLE CREEKS ?AT RAN 9TO ! RIV]4 ,AT TIMES1 :5 WE HE>D ! S\ND ( DETONATIONS1 WE W5T A%ORE TO HIDE BEH9D ! BAMBOO H$GES4 ,MY COMPANION CON/ANTLY PLI$ ME ) CIG>ETTES TO HELP ME TOL]ATE ! F\L ODOR ( ! 9NUM]ABLE CORPSES FLOAT+ ON ! CURR5T & $G+ ALONG ! RIV]BANKS -- SOME ) NO FACES1 SOME TI$ UP4 ,:O W]E !Y8 ,:]E HAD !Y COME FROM8 ,:O HAD KILL$ !M8 

,ONE DAY1 AB\T NOON1 ,N<I %[$ UP ) ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,L9H6 ,:AT A DELI<TFUL SI<T6 ,HE BR\<T NEWS FROM ,SAIGON 444 & CIG>ETTES4 ,ALL ?REE ( US SET (F = ! CITY1 :I* WAS /ILL AT W>4 ,WE PASS$ ?R\< A VILLAGE JU/ AFT] ! ,FR5* HAD BE5 !RE4 ,!Y HAD L9$ UP ALL ! VILLAG]S 9 SQUATT+ POSITIONS ON ! $GE ( A CANAL1 !N MA*9E-GUNN$ !M ALL4 

,AFT] TWO DAYS1 WE REA*$ ,SAIGON4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #h1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #g -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #g -- ,UPDAT$4 

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