Intelligence Soldier - The Creator of Silent Achievements

Mr. Tran Le tells about the heroic years of Team 7

In the heart of the enemy - silent footsteps

During the years of resistance against the US, Tay Ninh province was both the front line and the rear of the Southern revolution. Ba Den Mountain, Tan Bien, Tan Chau, Chau Thanh areas,... were not only bases of the main force but also places of refuge, training and connection to the strategic intelligence network. From here, hundreds of intelligence officers were sent to Saigon city, to Cambodia or to stay in key areas, carrying the mission of gathering information, transferring information, paving the way for resounding victories later. Among them, it is necessary to mention the 7th Reconnaissance Team (Regional Military Intelligence Department) who steadfastly stayed, fought bravely, and provided much important information to contribute to the safety of the Southern Central Office base and the Regional Command Headquarters.

Mr. Vu Tran Tac (also known as Tran Le, from Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province), currently residing in Binh Minh ward, was the Political Commissar of the Reconnaissance Team from the very first day of its establishment. In his memory, there were 4,806 days and nights living and fighting with his comrades on the slopes of Ba Den mountain, arduous but no less heroic. Mr. Le said that right from the beginning of the war of aggression against Vietnam, the US army built a "magic eye" base on the top of the mountain. This was an observation post, covering a large area, pointing coordinates for artillery and air force to bombard and suppress our activities. Eliminating this base, "covering the eyes and ears" of the enemy would expand our area of control, expand the strategic corridor in the North and Northwest of Saigon, creating favorable conditions for subsequent military activities. On February 20, 1962, the Reconnaissance Team was established with 14 members, codenamed A14, with Mr. Tran Le as Political Commissar. Phung Mountain (part of the Ba Den Mountain range) was the base site. Each person created a cave for themselves to live in and store food.

“We were assigned the task of setting up an observation post to monitor all enemy activities attacking the base of the region, fighting to block the enemy's advance; organizing a People's Military Intelligence network to grasp the enemy's situation in Tay Ninh town and surrounding areas; preparing ammunition, food, provisions, and medicine for long-term fighting and work; when the enemy attacks or is surrounded, we can fight back and hold out for at least 1-2 months,” said Mr. Tran Le.

The reconnaissance team went to the Yen Ngua area in Phung mountain (in the Ba Den mountain area) to build a base. Each person created a cave for themselves to live in, stock up on food and provisions. The reconnaissance team also received help from local people with food, information, etc. In January 1964, the reconnaissance team was reinforced with 2 more platoons, renamed C14, and in March 1969, C14 was reinforced with another platoon, renamed Lien Doi 7. At that time, Lien Doi 7 was very active, the enemy's military activities such as moving infantry, tanks, military vehicles, and heavy artillery were all detected and destroyed by the soldiers. At the same time, there was much important information for our forces. Therefore, the enemy was determined to destroy this base at all costs, organizing many battles on the Ba Den mountain complex.

During 13 years of heroic resistance, officers and soldiers of the 7th Regiment fought more than 30 battles; killed and wounded 1,941 enemies; shot down 8 helicopters, destroyed 56 military vehicles, and captured many weapons, ammunition, and military supplies.

Nameless feat

Intelligence operations are a battle of wits between life and death. Some fall without anyone knowing their names, while others survive but miss their comrades for the rest of their lives.

Lieutenant General Trieu Xuan Hoa - former Commander of Military Region 7, together with former Secretary of Tay Ninh Provincial Party Committee Le Thi Ban and delegates who were former military intelligence officers and soldiers attended the meeting of Team 7 and Reconnaissance Battalion 47 in Tan Ninh ward, October 24, 2025

In mid-October, we had the opportunity to meet Lieutenant General - Hero of the People's Armed Forces Trieu Xuan Hoa, former Commander of Military Region 7, former Deputy Head of the Central Highlands Steering Committee. He still remembers clearly the days of activities in Tay Ninh. He and his comrades provided a lot of important information and participated in the Spring General Offensive in 1975. Lieutenant General Trieu Xuan Hoa slowly told: From mid-1974, the 47th Reconnaissance Battalion was assigned the task of attacking and destroying the Saigon army's communication base at the top of Ba Den Mountain. The 47th Reconnaissance Battalion organized 4 prongs to advance to the top of the mountain in 4 directions. He was assigned to be a liaison soldier for the superior's envoy to participate in commanding the battle. The battle took place extremely fiercely.

The Liberation Flag fluttered on top of Ba Den Mountain on January 7, 1975 (Photo courtesy of Tay Ninh Newspaper's battlefield reporter)

After 31 days and nights of heroic fighting under the rain of bombs and bullets, at 1 a.m. on January 6, 1975, the US-puppet communications base on Ba Den Mountain was leveled. During that fierce battle, 181 comrades passed away forever for the greater cause, so that the nation could advance to the great victory on the historic April 30th. On February 28, 1975, the 47th Reconnaissance Battalion handed over the Ba Den Mountain base to the Tay Ninh 14th Battalion to take on another mission. The Lieutenant General said: “At that time, the General Offensive and Uprising in the whole South entered the decisive phase. The 47th Reconnaissance Battalion was ordered to reinforce the units of the 232nd Group. I was assigned to the deep reconnaissance unit of the 47th Battalion. The unit's mission was to quickly move to the Binh Chanh area, grasp the enemy's activities along Highway 4, from Binh Chanh to Ben Luc. Every day, the teams went out, set up an observation post about 500m from Highway 4 to monitor the enemy's movement from Saigon to the West and vice versa, and sent a telegram to the Command Headquarters every 3 hours.”

On April 26, 1975, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign began. His unit did not participate in the Southwest Army entering Saigon's inner city, but was assigned to set up an observation post at an unnamed canal near Binh Dien Bridge, with the task of monitoring the enemy's movements and the movements of Saigon army units on Highway 4.

When peace was restored, he was present on every battlefield to protect the southwestern border, carrying out international missions. The image of a military intelligence officer in the Swallow and Dove team infiltrating deep into the enemy's rear to connect with the progressive and rebel forces to build the current Royal Cambodian Army is like an attractive intelligence film. "Without the People, there would be no us. We are also very proud to have been in that ranks - those who fought without guns, but every report, every signal sent contributed to changing the fate of the country" - Mr. Hoa said.

From the darkness of the mountains and forests to the light of peace, the journey of the intelligence soldiers of the past is still a symbol of absolute loyalty, intellectual strength and bravery of the Vietnamese people. They deserve to be called "the creators of silent feats" - those who have, are and will forever protect the Fatherland with their hearts and steadfast faith./.

Vu Nguyet

Source: https://baolongan.vn/chien-si-tinh-bao-nguoi-kien-tao-nhung-chien-cong-tham-lang-a205553.html