All Burma Students Democratic Front (Three Pagoda Pass)

My friends Ba Tha (resettled in Canada, Ko Myo (running a restaurant in Columbia, SC) and Ko Htee (independent contractor with Roto Rooter plumbing in Baltimore, MD). This picture was taken at ABSDF 102 camp at Three Pagoda Pass.

I walked about 3-4 weeks to get to Three Padoda Pass after I left home on 09/19/1988. This area is controlled by ethnic Mon freedom fighters (Mon National Liberation Army). They allowed us to set up two camps in their area (ABSDF 101 and ABSDF102).

In February, 1990 the area was overrun by Burmese army. We moved to a new place, Krain Kan. ABSDF 102 camp moved 4 different camps when I was there (from 1988 to 1992). They moved 2 more times after I left.

The following is a collection of photos which tell the journey of ABSDF 102. Some of them are stories of our fallen friends.

This is taken during 8.8.88 uprising in Rangoon. . Estimated 6000 people were killed. However, there is no official record. People simply disappeared.

This is the beginning of my journey as a rebel. I was a student activist. I was shot at on September 19, 1988 near the US embassy in downtown Rangoon. I left my home the following day and have not been back since then. I took a bus, then a train and about 4 weeks walk through jungle to the Thai-Burma border. There I joined All Burma Students Front (Burmese Students Army).

ABSDF 102 (Three Pagoda Pass)

ABSDF 102 members in training. (Circa 1989)

ABSDF 102 camp at Three Pagoda Pass

The photo was taken on 8.8.89 at the anniversary of 8.8.88 at Three Pagoda Village. (I was the second person from left.)

I believe it was taken at Mon Headquarter at a ceremony. I was in the middle eating. Kyaw Soe Lay (front) was killed in action 2 years later.

ABSDF 102 MaeNerPlaw (1992)

ABSDF soldiers from my camp (ABSDF 102). This was taken at Naw Ta battle front, MaNerPlaw battle. 3 division of Burmese soldiers attack an approximately 10 miles long battle line. They used many heavy weapons including 105 mm Howitzer, 75 mm recoiless rifles, 120 mm heavy motors, 82 mm and 81 mm motors. They successfully repulsed the attack. The following year, MaNerPlaw was taken without a heavy fight by help of a break away Karen group (Democratic Buddhist Karen Army). I was already in the US at that time.

These pictures tell the story of the world's only volunteer student army (ABSDF) soldiers life in the front line.




These pictures of troops from ABSDF 102 camp were taken at MaNerPlaw, Karen rebel's headquarter, before they left for Naw Ta front line. Burmese military launched three major offenses to occupy the area. Three Burmese infantry divisions did participate in the frontal attack and three another divisions supported the attack ( total number about 50, 000 soldiers). They used 105 mm howitzers, 120 mm/81 mm/82 mm large motors, and 57/75 mm recoiless rifles. Combined rebel forces including student fighters repulsed the attack. Finally, a Karen splinter group (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) defected to the Burmese regime. The defensive line controlled by DKBA was taken by Burmese army without a fight. MaNerPlaw fell without a severe fight after that.

Mae Nar Plaw battle (102 troops)

Ko Moe Thee Zun (chairman ABSDF) inspecting ABSDF 102 troops at Mae Nar Plaw headquarter (1992) before troops heading to Naw Ta frontline. Ba Saw Tun (middle -long hair) was the 102 commander at that time. He later stepped on a landmind in that front and was partially amputated. He later resetted in Germany. Ko Paing (far right) also resettled in Columbia, SC.

ABSDF 102 Mae Ner Plaw (1992)

(left to right) Win Naing (resettled in Australia), Aung Ko Ko (resettled in Canada. He jumped off the Niagara fall), Win Htay Oo (resettled in Charlottesville, VA)
ABSDF102 troops before heading to Naw Ta front line. This is taken in 1992 at MaeNarPlaw headquarter. Ko Nyo (front row-far right) resettles in the US. He is now running a Thai restaurant ( www.gx04.com ) in Columbia, SC. Super (front row, second from right wearing an olive uniform) drowned in Thaungyin river. Aung Ko Ko (front row) with a yellow towel resettled in Canada. He jumped off the Niagara fall.

Aung Soe

Aung Soe was from Tavoy area. He was also killed in action.

Super

Super (far left) drowned in Thaungyin river in 2002.

ABSDF 102 camp at HtepSake (Circa 1996)

ABSDF 102 troops (circa 1996) taken at HtepSake camp (near southern Thailand). Aung Soe (back row with beret cap) was killed in action around 1998.

Ko Ko Oo (Ye)

Ko Ko Oo was a second year university student when 8.8.88 uprising happened. He was killed in Yinye village battle on January 23, 1991 in Ye township. He was my platton commander and I was the platton medic. Three students (Ko Ko Oo, Than Bo and Kyaw Soe Lay) were killed in action. 6 of us including me were wounded. The fight lasted for about 1-2 hours. There were about 14 of us against 1 company of soldiers. We were outgunned and outnumbered. We fought bravely. The top left picture is their graves.

ABSDF 102 camp at Three Pagoda Pass (Circa 1989)

102 troops in formation. At that time, we have 1-2 guns for about 200 student fighters.

Kya Thit Mg Paing

Kya Thit Mg Paing. He was one of the ex-soldiers who joined ABSDF. He was killed in action along with Ko Toe and Khin Soe at Arutaung village battle in Ye township in 1990.

Ko Toe

Mon Aung

Mon Aung, his family (left) and Ba Saw Tun (right-wearing a hat). Mon Aung was a Burmese soldiers captured by Ba Saw Tun during a fight in Ye Phyu township. This picture was taken Ba Kalaw refugee camp. He later resettled in the US.

Shwe Ba and Tin Htun

Saya Shwe Ba (Top picture) holding a M79 grenade launcher during Three Pagoda Pass battle.
Tin Htun (bottom picture) was a squad commander when he was killed. Both of them were killed in the battle of Ye town ( March 22, 1990). They were close to each other. Saya Shwe Ba handpicked Tin Htun when he was chosen to lead student fighters for that battle. 5 ABSDF students and 38 Mon National Liberation Army fighters were killed. All of them were cornered at the township sports stadium and captured alive. Town people later told this story. All of them were stripped to their underwear and beaten savagely in front of town people since most of the people are sympathetic to the cause. Later, they all were forced to dig their own graves and killed. We heard they were either beaten to death or bayonetted.

The day this photo is posted to this blog is the 19th anniversary of their death.

Ko Toe

Ko Toe, a graduate from Rangoon University, was killed in action in 1990. He was the vice chairman of our camp when he was killed. This photo was taken in 1989. I fought along side with him during 1989 campaigns. He was killed in battle at Arutaung village in Ye township in 1990. Maung Paing (Platoon comander) and Khin Soe was also killed in that fight. They were outnumbered and outgunned.

Ba Saw Tun, Zaw Min Htin (committed suicide), U Tun Kyaw at Zalar refugee camp.

Ba Saw Tun

This is Ba Saw Tun. It was taken in Mae Sot after his leg injury. He stepped on a landmine in MaeNarPlaw battle.

Thet Oo, Win Naing and Min Zaw in training at 102 camp in Three Pagoda

I remember cleaning this field. The grass is very tall and thick.

ABSDF troops