|
In
the middle of 60-ies, United States sent the untrained recruits to battle in
Vietnamese jungle. Their methods of suppression repeatedly took the form of
folly. One of the victims became village Songmi.
America
entered the war with Vietnam at the climax of ideological fight
between two systems - capitalism and communism. Thousands of young Americans
were sent towards the death into the dense jungle, which swarm by snakes. They
shed their blood in the places with the unuttered names at the hands of people
with the unspoken names. But, as asserted their commanders, the valiant soldiers
of the army of USA carried out its duty, worthy of the memory of great ancestors
- noble soldiers of Patton, Makartura and Eisenhower. They did not arrange the
pit- traps, set by the pointed bamboo stakes, they did not torture prisoner of
war, forcing them under the tortures to confess its «military crimes», fate of
many Americans, who fell into captivity. But all assertions about the noble
mission of American troops in Vietnam were buried on 16 March 1968, in the tiny
hamlet of Songmi, located on the East coast of South China Sea.
During
this day, company of «Charlie» from the composition of 11th
infantry brigade broke into the defenseless village in the coastal plain and
coolly destroyed about its five hundred inhabitants - men, women and children.
In the cold estrangement, which was alternating with the assaults of blind fury,
the chastisers in the form of American army made bloody violence on the peaceful
population of Vietnamese village. This fatal orgy on cruelty can be compared
with the barbarous actions of SS in USSR and Poland during the World War II. Old
persons were thrown into the ditches and stabbed by bayonets, pregnant women
were being ripped stomachs, and those, who attempted to be selected from this
hell, and they flung back to the heaps of dead bodies...
Collective
folly, which prevailed company of «Charlie», so remained riddle.
Especially as for this crime was punished only Lieutenant William Kelly, if
three days of stay in the prison can be considered punishment. The President of
USA freed him after examination of the matter. Many times this bloodshed was
discussed with the attraction of its direct participants, representatives of
rear staffs and American community. It is more than any other episode of that
war, tragedy of Songmi became symbol of folly, after baring circumstances, with
which usual, completely respectable young people under the psychological
press of war are converted into the bloodthirsty barbarians. In the fields all
around Songmi severally trampled the traditional American ideals of good and
validity.
To
the earth, populated in essence by rural inhabitants, merciless war with its
contemporary technology of destruction arrived. Americans attacked
them with napalm, phosphoric bombs, defoliants and other monstrous weapons of
destruction. And Vietnamese were puzzled: what caused such an anger of strangers
on themselves?
But
Songmi, yes even all other villages of Vietnam were considered by American
military command as the partisan bases of the soldiers - Vietcuangovs, who with
the aid of the peasants not without the success resisted most powerful power of
the world. The disappointment, caused by the difficulties of
conducting the combat actions against invisible and elusive army of Ho Shi Mine,
overgrew in American military leaders into the hardly explained cruelty. They
began to use the tactics of «burn out ground». When the company of «Charlie»
entered in Songmi, seventy percent of villages in the province of Kuangngay as a
result of this policy were effaced from face of the earth, but indeed mercy
never and was required attribute of war.
This
is what then one of the American infantrymen spoke in regard to this: «We
called their roly-poly, narrow-eyed, by imperfections, devised by them other
contemptuous nicknames. Vietcongovs for us were not people. We never related to
them as to Judos. They were for us something abstract, creatures,
which wanted to kill us, and we simply killed them first. This concerned all,
from the youngsters to the old men. This is what Vietnam did with us».
Personal
estimate of the killed enemies
Another
soldier, marine Philip Kaputo, said that although the orders to destroy civilian
population and were not written black on white, being commander-in-chief of
American troops in Vietnam, William Uestmorlend persistently and
constantly required his soldiers to kill as much as possible. Kaputo recalls: «Strategy
of the exsanguinations of enemy, conducted by General Uestmorlend, strongly
influenced our actions. Victories and defeats were determined by the simple
arithmetical calculation of the losses of enemy, individual success or failure
of soldiers - by personal calculation of the killed enemies. Authorities
required from commanders as much as possible corpses and the blood, and those in
turn pressed to the soldiers. Therefore it is not surprising that the
contemptuous, devil-may-care relation to the human life and tendency toward the
murder were created in some of us».
The
company of «Charlie» entered in Songmi precisely with this mood. Initially
hundred fifty most usual American fellows from those for whom, fate prepared
bloody examination completed this subdivision. During August 1967, during the
combat training in one of the American training centers, soldier warned that at
any moment, they can be moved into Vietnam. People like Lieutenant William
Kelly, who until the call into the army did not have the specific profession,
with pleasure looked forward this event.
In
itself on the native land, the company of «Charlie» gained the reputation of
outstanding subdivision. It excellently acted during the studies under the
conditions, approximating jungle, and the military craftsmanship of personnel
was evaluated completely highly.
Some
fears caused perhaps that discipline status and personal qualities of individual
soldiers. One of them, Michael Bernhardt, passed preparation as
landing force member, and he proved to be in the infantry company. He very
complimentarily did not answer about his comrades on the weapon: «Some soldiers
in the company behaved strangely, manifested unjustified cruelty. This, of
course, there were not the acknowledged scum, they would always recognize them
fit for military service. But could not be assumed that someone of them will
begin brutally to kill or to torture people».
Fateful
selection
The
company of «Charlie» arrived to us, as called this country
Americans, in the second week of December of 1967. To subdivision
they isolated combat area in the province of Kuangngay with an innumerable
quantity of small hamlets, whose population considerably thinned from the
artillery fire and frequent air raids. To peasants, it was ordered under the
threat of death not release Vetcongovs into its houses. However, they could not
prevent the soldiers of Ho Shi Mine to use villages as the partisan bases, since
" their own" also threatened them to death. Thus, rural inhabitants
proved to be in this war in the jungle between two fires.
On
26 January, 1968, the company of «Charlie» was included in striking force in
the composition of approximately five hundred people for conducting the
operation of mopping-up in the blindest places of Kuangngay, in the so-called «Indian
country», where, according to the data of reconnaissance, too freely bossed
Vetcongovtsy. The purpose of operation was the liquidation of the
enemy battalion, which already several years successfully acted in this locality,
in spite of the concentrated application of explosive and defoliants. This time
it was decided to manage without weapon of mass-destruction, after granting the
freedom of actions to ground forces. On the order of command was formed tactical
group in composition of the companies «alpha», «bravo» and «Charlie».
The
atmosphere of despondency was established to the middle of February among
American soldiers, defeatist moods were strengthened. However they operationally
moved into the regions, where partisans were located, those someone warned, and
they managed to disappear. But the untried in combat recruits, who arrived from
America, shook from the fear in the impervious jungle. And the first losses
already during February began. One soldier blew up himself on the
booby trap. Radio operator, Rhone Ueber overtook sniper bullet. Ueber was killed
because of the error of the commander of the first platoon, Kelly, who decided
to manage without reconnaissance and withdraw his subdivision on the open
country. This inadvertence was the first, but, unfortunately, not last
manifestation of Lieutenant Kelly’s incompetence, who generally proved to be
worthless commander.
Even
on «citizen», from the day-to-day expecting inevitable agenda about the call
into the army, Kelly decided to enter the service voluntarily. He was roly-poly
- size below 160 cm. Under wartime, the army was forced to be satisfied by such
warriors. When Kelly put on military form, in USA already openly were manifested
the pacifist moods: attempting to avoid call, young people concealed
in Canada, the marches of peace with the ceremony of burning of American flag
and draftable evidence were arranged. Soldiers, who arrived to the leave of
absence from the front, did not meet the expected honors. In this situation,
army did not shun by cannon fodder of any type for continuing the war, which was
monthly bypassing taxpayers into billions of dollars.
This
is why William Kelly, cancelled cook and washer of car, who was unsuccessful
clerk of insurance company and inspector on the railroad, at the age of
twenty-two years became the officer of the army of USA. In the infinite raids on
the dense jungle and the rice fields the company of «Charlie» continued to
suffer losses. Americans seized partisans, but by this time lecture about the
rotation with prisoner of war in accordance with Geneva Convention, which they
once read, was at once forgotten. War traumatized soldier showers, its outside
correctives into the customary moral principles. The brutal slaughters of those
suspected of the sympathy to enemy became common routine. In the book of Michael
Bilgon and Kevin Sima «Four hours in Songmi», Fred Uidmer, who was baptized «by
mister killer», so recall about how any similarity of human relation to the
people in the company of «Charlie» was «lost»: «The most terrible began, in
my view, when we ceased to take prisoners. It is the time of firing – and all,
no romp, no bother. Then, it is already late, suggested to cut ears of the Viet
and cripple them.
How
the enemies were discriminated
«One
of Vietcong with tied hands was fastened to the pillar. In the trouser of the
prisoner were stuffed burning cigarettes and observed wild dance, when
cigarettes burnt his ass. It was done so that to unleash his tongue, and at the
same time to revenge for their anger. I don’t understand, how they dealt
further such prisoners. The more it continued, the less they trusted. We
believed no one, because it was not understandable, who is who. We did not know,
who is the enemy among them.
One
day while starting killing prisoners, we already exhausted from controlling
ourselves. I would say, that it became the usual phenomenon. I also mocked on
the prisoners and behaved like others. We cut the beards of the old men, that
action was a great mockery: beard is considered to be the sign of wisdom by
Vietnamese. We mocked of the prisoner of Vietcongovts, attempting to force them
to speak. I tortured no one to the death. But in my eyes, as seems, may be
happened”. It was forceful bitter confession.
In
that dirty game, which America conducted in Vietnam, distinctions were
finished between army of Ho Shi Mine, guerrillas and peaceful inhabitants. In
the inflamed imagination exhausted by constant fear and hatred, soldier
of company «Charlie», all Vietnamese are without exception, became enemies.
And consequently they deserved death. Fighting losses have reduced number of
soldiers in the company of
«Charlie» up to hundred five person. On March 15 to soldiers was
declared, that operation of combing next day is necessary. Kelly was
informed, that in village Songmi, there is a staff of imperceptible 48th
battalion of Vietkongovts, for which company «Charlie» hunted from the
time of their arrival to Vietnam. To soldiers also were told, that to the moment
of their arrival at 7.30 mornings in village, all civilians will be
evacuated. Only Vietkongovs will remain, with who is necessary to
encounter as with soldiers of the opponent.
Any
records about instructing before this operation were not kept. But its
participants confirm, that the sense of the order was unequivocally reduced to
destruction of all constructions, cattle and pets and capture several
prisoners for interrogation. Hell was prepared for the rest. Sergeant
Kennet Hodzhes recollects: «At last came the time for us to quit, paying
for accounts. Time of revenge, when we could revenge for the lost
comrades has come. To us have precisely explained, that must not become
prisoners. Someone asked, whether it concerns to women and children. The order concerned
absolutely about all in the village. They hostilely concerned to Americans.
It became clear, that in this village nobody deserved mercy».
Next
day soldiers with stocks phosphoric flamers grenades, additional bags of
ammunition, with mortars and small arms have plunged on helicopters with green
camouflage coloring and have gone on appointment to death. We reached
motley green - brown Vietnamese landscape on which shadows ominously crept, thrown
by rotary-wing machines. Together with soldiers of company «Charlie» onboard
one of helicopters in a zone of operation have taken off reporter and the
photographer of information department of the American army, who
subsequently have presented documentary confirmations of the events, which took
place in Songmi.
Destruction
of village
In
that morning, when from the sky on the village of Songmi, armada of fighting
helicopters suddenly appeared on it, it lived usual measured life.
In sights of large-caliber machine guns was possible to observe, how
children play, floundering in dust, women boil water on fires, men are working
in rice fields. At 7.30 on a village fire demolition and flamers shells with
white phosphorus was opened. The population has rushed to underground shelter.
In
some minutes firing preparation has abated, and in Songmi, soldiers of company
«Charlie» have directed, preparing weapon and grenades to fight. They went to
rice fields developed lines, conducting continuous fire. On court will be found
out, that almost all women were oblique by automatic turns still
before company of soldier has come to village. Here soldiers absolutely have
flown into rage. Phosphoric grenades have departed to straw huts, and their
inhabitants were mown with fire from automatic rifles.
The
private soldier, Allen Bojs, who subsequently at judicial hearings concerning
this massacre has taken advantage of the right of refusal of evidence, pinned
up the old man with the strike of a bayonet in breast, then has shot him at the
neck. Then he has shot down one more person and has dumped him in the well,
having thrown a trace to grenade. Anybody from inhabitants was not armed.
Soldiers of the company of «Charlie» moved from hut to hut,
sufficing the scared women and children for hair, crying out «Vietcong?
Vietcong?», and then coolly killed them. Fugitives on the spot adjusted in a
back. Groups from twenty-five up to forty persons, hiding in roadside
drains, were shot from the automatic weapon.
Captain
Ernest Medina, representative of staff of the brigade, observing in
this day behind course of operation, has communicated on a portable radio set with lieutenant
Kelly and asked about the reasons of delay of promotion of his
company. Kelly answered, that they have come across group of about sixty civil
persons. «Engage in them», - ordered Medina. Not specifying the instruction,
Kelly has constructed Vietnamese and from distance in ten steps by means of
two subordinates has shot them from a machine-gun. Then executioners have
started to drag the killed women, closing the bodies some more alive children, and dragged
them. The fugitives, trying to be covered in a saving strip of trees, have got
grenades and machine-gun fire.
About
fifty inhabitants of Songmi have hidden in a hole in the distant end
of the village. In a fetid swill floundered old men women and babies. Kelly
ordered to soldiers to open fire. The lead hailstones have fallen upon this
shouting and coiling clew of human bodies. Water in a hole was painted in
scarlet color.
Not less severely treated the animals. Cows and pigs tormented with
bayonets, heads of hens were chopped off. The wild roar of unfortunate animals remained in ears
of some the soldier, on their own memoirs, even is longer, than shouts of people
brutally destroyed by them.
Bacchanalia
of death
The
mad machine of death continued to rage, and milling of lives of adults, and
children. Already mentioned that Fred Widmer by nickname «Mr.
Murderer» has finished off the boy. «When I have shot down him, I felt
nausea. And then I have understood: My God, what have I done?» - he
admitted later. However all that was happening around, was not less
awful. Soldiers forced and mutilated women, decapitated corpses,
and removed scalps.
Closer
to afternoon, executioners stopped shooting and made a break for dinner. But
tragedy of Songmi proceeded. Prisoners, driven for interrogation in
ravine, finished with shots in the mouth. Till evening was
destroyed about hundred innocent citizen - This "groups of
death" finished wounded, who with their groans broke silence
of jungle. The flame of burning huts brightly shined the night sky.
The
dawn uncovered horrifying traces of madness of the
previous day. Peasants, who have returned from work in the remote
fields, have seen dead village. While sobbing, they buried victims in the common
tombs - mothers near to fathers, brothers near to sisters... Any of
victims has not made even a single shot on soldiers - strangers.
One
American, casually having got under artillery fire of the «own» soldiers, was
lost only. The tragedy in Songmi was a victory of dark forces in
this war. In cold light of new day, soldiers of army of USA
started to understand, that they hopelessly have forever lost the status of
defenders of freedom in Vietnam. Hearings about bloody slaughter were
distributed among the soldier with speed of epidemic. Soon that has taken
place, all America has learned. Has learned - and has shuddered with horror.
Frank Baker, commander of the tactical group, which were committing excesses in
Songmi, from whom, under the statement of many participants of massive
punishment, proceeded the order to kill civilians, and it could not be justified
- in three months when scandal has reached the peak point, he was destroyed
in the helicopter. The wide public for the first time has learned
about massacre under his management, when one of soldiers -
eyewitnesses has directed letters on nightmare in Songmi to
known political and statesmen in Washington.
Who
gave orders?
Data
of the incident in Songmi, have started to come all over again to
military, then to government officials. Photographer Ronald Heberli,
participating in operation, handed over to them, set of terrifying
pictures. He declared, that he considered it the order to kill women
and children proceeding from the supreme heads: "Army units do
not wipe out civilians in the massive order as it
happened that day. I for the first time saw such things. Later I
heard, that commander of division praised tactical group for this operation, but
as I understand, to him was not reported, that those shot dead were defenseless
women and children".
The
representative of State Department Staidly Razor all over again with mistrust
has apprehended the message on the massive massacre made by American military
men in Songmi. The administration of White house believed, that inhabitants of a
village have casually got under cross fire in fierce fight between American
and Vietcong armies. However when Razor received from the employees’
confirmation on massacre in Songmi, he could not hide
truth more. For interrogation of the soldier-disbanded company «Charlie» to
Vietnam were sent investigators. With some share of sincerity, former
soldiers of this company testified about participation in bloody
events.
On
5th July, lieutenant William Kelly was withdrawn in USA where he
received formal notice that he is late on suspicion in commitment of
massacre. As appeared further, he was made a whipping boy and was forced to
answer for all participants of slaughter.
To
several more officers, accusations of violation of military debt were shown;
some of the soldiers were accused of murder in course of
investigation. Eventually only five have appeared at court of
military tribune, but only Kelli was condemned. Even having got on dock,
lieutenant did not express the slightest repentance. Gallant
fighter vastly argued on the duty to kill communists and about
what, that he was good soldier. Probably, this persistent unwillingness to
confess actions of the war crime also has made Kelly as
symbolical representative on dock of all those, who were
"distinguished" in Songmi.
While
some Americans pasted on bumpers of cars of the posters with the demand
"Release Kelli!", and participants of anti-war
demonstrations accused high-ranking army heads for the tragedy, but
lieutenant William Kelly was proved guilty of murder twenty two person
and on March 29, 1971 was sentenced to life hard labor. But he has not
passed even three days as by special order of president Nikson, the prisoner was
released from custody and was allowed to send an appeal. He was not put any more
after bars, and has carried out three
years under domestic arrest in spacious apartment on
military base in fort - Banning, state Georgia, in conditions of full
comfort, enjoying contemplation of tropical aquarian fishes and loyalty of
favorite dog.
November
9, 1974 former lieutenant Kelly was set free. For many Americans, he
remained a victim of war. On the distressful ground of Vietnam, peace for a long
time was established. Names of fifty three thousand lost Americans were
inscribed on the polished granite of memorial in Washington. But for Kelly
and others, who were with him on that day, this war will never be
finished.
Terrible
damnation
Varnado
Simpson - one of those, who were near to Kelly on that rainy day.
By the age of forty-four, he three
times attempted on suicide. In front of Varnado, from a
stray bullet his son was lost. He considers, that it is the Divine penalty
for the massacre made in Songmi. Varnado daily swallows uncountable
number of tablets. «Yes, I killed. I have cut
off ears, removed scalps and cut throats. Yes, I did it. It seems,
twenty five times.
I
am tormented with nightmares. Before eyes constantly stand the
killed children. Everywhere I go, faces of the people killed are in
front of me. How you can forgive me if I cannot do it by myself... I allow
nobody to come close to me and I love nobody. My love has died in Songmi».
Kelli now is growing bald businessman with paunchy. The former lieutenant works
in jeweler’s shop of the father-in-law in Columbus of state Ohio. He does not
swallow tablets and does not require services of the psychiatrist.
Songmi
forever remained in his memory, but he never starts to talk about it. Some
years back, Kelly has written the curriculum vitae, in which he has tried
to justify madness, which he and his soldiers have experience. «We came in
Songmi not to kill innocent people. We came there to kill
ideology, whose carriers were these - I do not know, how to name them,
- pawns, gunners, pieces of flesh. I was there to destroy communism. I
concerned to communism approximately the same as
southerner concerns to the Negro. It is awful». May be it is too late
for Kelly already learn a lesson from that, what has taken place in Songmi,
but for mankind, it is not too late to do so.
|
