The August Story in La Gi

Even after 80 years, the people of the southern coastal region of Binh Thuan province still cannot forget a historical event that marked the beginning of the revolutionary spirit of the August Revolution of 1945.

A view of La Gi. Photo: Ngoc Lan

The place name Doi Duong (currently located in La Gi ward, Lam Dong province) has become a part of the local revolutionary history and a miracle because it was a forest of casuarina trees... This casuarina forest stretched for 7 km to Tam Tan bay, which is now the most picturesque and beautiful stretch of coastline in the area, attracting many tourism and resort projects.

During the August Revolution of 1945, this place became a particularly significant historical landmark amidst the turbulent context. Upon hearing the news on August 24, 1945, that under the impetus of the Provisional Viet Minh, the areas surrounding Phan Thiet town had risen up and surrounded the Binh Thuan provincial headquarters, forcing Governor Huynh Du to quickly hand over power to the revolutionary forces, Ham Tan district (comprising Phong Dien and Phuoc Thang communes), with its core being the Frontline Youth Force (also known as the Phan Anh Frontline), a group of young, progressive individuals who recognized the situation, sent representatives to the province for guidance. There was considerable tension between the two opposing factions regarding the formation of a delegation to Phan Thiet to meet with the province, including the group led by District Chief Ho Dinh Lan, despite knowing the situation had changed. But in the end, it was decided that the Youth Delegation, which had no connections with government officials, led by Mr. Do Don Tho (General Delegation Leader), Mr. Do Don Tri, Mr. Le Kim Khoi, etc., would quickly set off on the only bus on the morning of August 26th. However, it wasn't until the morning of August 28th that they met with the provincial Viet Minh leadership, specifically the Chairman of the Provincial Provisional Revolutionary Committee, Nguyen Nhon, who issued a letter of authorization for Mr. Do Don Tho to represent the delegation in organizing the seizure of power in Ham Tan. On the way back, passing through Phong Dien via the 30th intersection, they received news that a raid was taking place in La Gi to capture French paratroopers at Doi Duong Tan Ly beach, near Tan Long fishing village.

Monument commemorating the capture of French paratroopers.

It was around 5 PM on August 28, 1945, when the villagers were astonished to see an airplane circling the sea before dropping 13 parachutes onto the beach. For the villagers, this was the first time they had seen such a strange phenomenon, but considering the ongoing war in the province, they knew it was a French plane with some ulterior motive. Those with more knowledge confirmed it was a French operation. Although they knew they had been shot down, some still attempted to infiltrate and parachute into this strategic area. They raised the alarm and quickly formed groups, armed with knives, machetes, and sticks, rushing towards the beach. The paratroopers quickly gathered their parachutes and took refuge deep within the dense casuarina forest. In an unprecedented and extraordinary event, young fishermen, abandoning their boats at the dock, joined their neighbors from La Gi market in wading across the Dinh River. They spontaneously mobilized rice and sticky rice to cook meals and make banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to supply the forces pursuing and tracking the remaining fleeing enemy. The battle only ended the following morning when the pursuing forces discovered and captured the last remaining Vietnamese traitor hiding in a villager's house at the end of the fishing hamlet. The entire paratrooper unit suffered a defeat, with one Frenchman wounded by our gunfire, three other Frenchmen captured alive, and two Vietnamese traitors apprehended. Seven guns, a radio, and various military equipment were seized and taken to the Provincial Health Department for safekeeping and reporting to the province via Morse code. At that moment, the Youth Union returned from the province to discuss organizing an uprising. The province then intensified its efforts and transported the captured enemy and war spoils to Phan Thiet.

In this new atmosphere, while consolidating key local forces, including many young people who had gained awareness through information about the mass movement in the province and some former members of the Tam Tan Communist Party branch, they quickly took control of the situation… At the same time, they received guidance from the provincial Viet Minh on the leadership personnel of the provisional revolutionary People's Committee of the district and organized the September 2nd Independence Day celebration at the La Gi football field, which took place in a vibrant atmosphere. A rather unique initiative was to conduct a referendum on the election method: the organizing committee introduced candidates for a certain position, and those who agreed ran to the corner of the field where they were nominated. The initial results were clear, based on the number of votes in each corner of the football field and the number of candidates. Thus, initially, the provisional district committee consisted only of: Chairman Phan Thanh Bá, Vice Chairman Đỗ Đơn Thơ, Secretary General Trần Công Hoành, and Military Commissioner Phạm Phú Đạm… But later, with the participation of the province, this composition was strengthened to meet the next task. After the rally, Hàm Tân District Chief Hồ Đình Lan, who had also returned from the province, promptly complied and handed over all books and seals to the revolutionary government.

Looking back, this dramatic "empty-handed" victory marked the beginning of the uprising to seize power in the locality, contributing to the success of the August Revolution in Binh Thuan.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/cau-chuyen-thang-tam-o-la-gi-388952.html