The National Liberation Front Comments on the My Lai Massacre

The National Liberation Front Committee of Quang Ngai province began disseminating this shortly after the My Lai massacre. While the notice exaggerates some aspects of the massacre, the document suggests the potential of incidents like My Lai to be used by pro-Communist forces as propaganda.

Notice

CONCERNING THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY US IMPERIALISTS AND THEIR LACKEYS WHO KILLED MORE THAN 500 CIVILIANS OF TINH KHE, SON TINH

The morning of 16 March 1968 was a quiet morning, just like every other morning, with the people of Tinh Khe Village about to start another laborious day of production and struggle. Suddenly, artillery rounds began pouring in…. After the shelling, nine helicopters landed troops who besieged the two small subhamlets. The U S soldiers were like wild animals, charging violently into the hamlets, killing and destroying. They formed themselves into three groups: one group was in charge of killing civilians, one group burned huts and the third group destroyed vegetation and trees and killed animals. These American troops belonged to the 3d Brigade of the [Americal] Division which had just come to Viet Nam and suffered a defeat in the Spring. Wherever they went, civilians were killed, houses and vegetation were destroyed and cows, buffalo, chickens and ducks were also killed.

They even killed old people and children; pregnant women were raped and killed. This was by far the most barbaric killing in human history.

At Xom Lang Sub-Hamlet of Tu Cung Hamlet, they routed all the civilians out of their bunkers and herded them, at bayonet point, into a group near a ditch in front of Mr. Nhieu's gate (Mr. Nhieu was 46 years old). About 100 civilians who squatted in a single line were killed instantly by bursts of automatic rifle fire and M79 rounds. Bodies were sprawled about, blood was all over. Among those killed were 60-year-old men and newly born babies still in their mother's arms. Most of them were children from 1 to 14 years old. The wounded children who were screaming were shot to death. 
Some entire families were massacred. Inhabitants were killed inside bunkers, in the gardens of their homes or in the alleys of the hamlet….

[The notice goes on for another page, providing gruesome details and claiming many hundreds were killed in several hamlets.]

The Heavens will not tolerate this! The blue ocean waters will not wash away the hatred. These murders are even more savage than Hitler….

During the 15 days from 13 March to 28 March 68, Local Force and Quang Ngai guerrillas fought many battles, killing 298 enemy soldiers, including 20 Americans, and captured much equipment.

The massacre…has increased our hatred. We must attack continuously, rising up to make the enemy pay their debts!

National Liberation Front Committee of Quang Ngai Province