Of bolo rush & bolomen

[KuKulzA28]

Just to liven up this topic once more (I like it very much), what was historically the most successful bolo-rush?

I am intrigued by these near-suicidal rushes being made by native people against colonial powers. Some of them were part of native war-doctrine. Others didn't usually engage in a wild rush unless circumstances necessitated it - the normal warfare was traditionally ambuscades, raids, counter-raids, and very few open engagements. How successful were they? Would it have been easier just to form small groups and ambush with traps and pits with bolo-men closing in afterwards? Or was it paramount to attack with masses of bolo-men? In some cases, maybe fewer bolos would've been better ratio-wise? Masses do inspire courage however...

And also, what's the level of martial training for these bolo-men? Were they simply familiar with their blades or were they familiar and particularly skilled?

I know, for examples, that gurkas didn't traditionally train with khukuris, but rather, the kora, tulwar, etc. were more important weapons. With the introduction of modern firearms, the utility and fighting capabilities of the khukuri shown greatly as bows and koras were replaced by assault rifles. I don't know if many Chinese Da-dao-men were well trained or simply given basic techniques, but they performed admirably... as did the Chileans with their corvos...

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

Just to liven up this topic once more (I like it very much), what was historically the most successful bolo-rush?

I am intrigued by these near-suicidal rushes being made by native people against colonial powers. Some of them were part of native war-doctrine. Others didn't usually engage in a wild rush unless circumstances necessitated it - the normal warfare was traditionally ambuscades, raids, counter-raids, and very few open engagements. How successful were they? Would it have been easier just to form small groups and ambush with traps and pits with bolo-men closing in afterwards? Or was it paramount to attack with masses of bolo-men? In some cases, maybe fewer bolos would've been better ratio-wise? Masses do inspire courage however...

Earlier we saw how the cover of vegetation and the cover of darkness yield successful bolo rushes.

The third "cover" and this time employed in urban warfare is the use of artifice and cunning.

And under this mode we see the most successful bolo rush ever. The incident was described as the United States Army's worst defeat since the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.

It was the Balangiga massacre of 1901 during the Philippine-American War. "Balangiga" is pronounced BAH-lung-hee-gah (not sure where the accent is, and I just presumed it's in the first syllable).

Here's the rest of the bits of info from Wikipedia:

• more than forty American soldiers were killed in a surprise guerrilla attack and Filipinos regard the attack as one of their bravest acts in the war
  
• the attack was made between 6:20 and 6:45 am of September 28, 1901
  
• the leader of the attack was the Balangiga police chief, Valeriano Abanador (standing sixth from right, with Company C, 9th US Infantry Regiment, taken in Balangiga)
  
• the attack commenced when Abanador, who had been supervising the prisoners' communal labor in the town plaza, grabbed the rifle of Private Adolph Gamlin, one of the American sentries and stunned him with a blow to the head
  
• this served as the signal for the rest of the communal laborers in the plaza to rush the other sentries and soldiers of Company C, who were mostly having breakfast in the mess area
  
• Abanador then gave a shout, signaling the other Filipino men to the attack and fired Gamlin's rifle at the mess tent, hitting one of the soldiers
  
• the pealing of the church bells and the sounds from conch shells being blown followed seconds later
  
• to mask the disappearance of the women from the dawn service in the church, 34 men from Barrio Lawaan cross-dressed as women worshipers
  
• these "women", carrying small coffins, were earlier challenged by Sergeant Scharer of the sentry post about the town plaza near the church
  
• opening one of the coffins with his bayonet, he saw the body of a dead child, whom he was told, was a victim of a cholera epidemic
  
• unbeknownst to the sentries, the other coffins hid the bolos and other weapons of the attackers
  
• some of the Company C troopers were attacked and hacked to death before they could grab their rifles; the few who survived the initial onslaught fought almost bare-handed, using kitchen utensils, steak knives, and chairs
  
• one private used a baseball bat to fend off the attackers before being overwhelmed
  
• of the 74 men in Company C, 36 were killed in action, including all its commissioned officers; Captain Thomas W. Connell [USMA graduate], First Lieutenant Edward A. Bumpus and Major Richard S. Griswold
  
• twenty-two were wounded in action and four were missing in action; eight later died of wounds received in combat; only four escaped unscathed
  
• the 500 attackers suffered 28 dead and 22 wounded
  
• Company C had to flee the garrison immediately for fear of being wiped out
  
• in the process, they left about 100 rifles and 25,000 rounds of ammunition (which is another devastating loss, as these much needed firearms and ammo prolonged the struggle in Samar, first by the soldiers of the Philippine republic, and later by the Pulajanes and other groups)

The other photo shows Abanador in his old age, while the Balangiga memorial marker says in English:

BALANGIGA MASSACRE: In this town, on the 28th of September 1901, Filipinos armed with bolos attacked Company "C", Ninth Infantry of U.S. They killed almost all the American soldiers. In revenge the Americans launched a six-month "kill-and-burn" [campaign]. The town became like a "howling wilderness." Because of their cruelty, Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith and Major Littleton W.T. Waller were tried by court martial and cashiered.

Years ago, there were a lot of conflicting accounts about this encounter as a whole.

Much studies have been made since then. By this time almost all of the points have been harmonized (and as reflected in the Wikipedia article on the subject).

[KuKulzA28]

Wow, that's a well-executed massacre... damn

Reminds me of the Wushe Rebellion, but that didn't end so well for the native fighters....

__________________________

Yes I figured... otherwise you'd have a lot of young men losing their lives as krag-fodder, instead of training them or using them as scouts, or reserves, or whatever...

Thanks for the link!

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

while the Balangiga memorial marker says in English:

BALANGIGA MASSACRE: In this town, on the 28th of September 1901, Filipinos armed with bolos attacked Company "C", Ninth Infantry of U.S. They killed almost all the American soldiers. In revenge the Americans launched a six-month "kill-and-burn" [campaign]. The town became like a "howling wilderness." Because of their cruelty, Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith and Major Littleton W.T. Waller were tried by court martial and cashiered.

.

The memorial marker needs to be corrected. The atrocities ordered by Smith and performed by Waller made national news in America. The trial of both was carefully watched. The end result is atrocious…Smith was found guilty and was to be court-martial…his punishment was to be decided by the review board…their punishment for Smith, simply to turn in his resignation paper and retire from the military(with his present rank). And in the case of Waller “the Butcher of Samar”, he was acquitted of his charge. Waller would later make the rank of Colonel a couple years after the his alleged crime(if the case meant anything, this promotion would have never happened). His overall service in the Marine Corp is defined as exemplary, honorable, well respected, and a model Marine...he would retire in 1920 as a full fledge Major General. I HIGHLY doubt this trial made any type of dent or impact on his military career. Both are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

One other interesting thing about Waller. He led the famous Marine expedition through Samar 1901. It is considered by far to be the most dangerous and toughest expedition track of that era…estimated at 250miles, all the while battling Pulahans, Insurgents, bolo attacks, sickness, lack of food, and the rugged dense jungle terrain. It is also after this expedition where Waller gave the orders to execute the 11 native guides. In the long run, the expedition elevated the Marine toughness lore to great proportions throughout all the military branches of the US. Even several years after, the Marines from this expedition were still recognized through out the Marine Corp...regardless of rank, when a Marine from Wallers expedition walked in to a room, his presence would be acknowledged by a shout, “Stand gentlemen, he served in SAMAR!”, and all Marines would rise and salute.

[KuKulzA28]

Heroic people on both sides of the conflicts, that's for sure...

Was Samar a major hotbed of resistance? If so, how was it compared to... say Luzon or the Moros?


This is slightly off topic, but...
The "Talibon" was widely used in Samar if I'm not mistaken... and the "Sansibar" in Leyte... Pulahans were said to have used Talibons. However the Pulahan-Derobio eskrima group (claims to have martial arts from the Pulahan fighters) has "sansibars" as their principle bolos. What does that mean? Means different bolos used by the Pulahan? Means different bolos developed by the Waray-waray people of both islands?

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

Heroic people on both sides of the conflicts, that's for sure...

Was Samar a major hotbed of resistance? If so, how was it compared to... say Luzon or the Moros?


This is slightly off topic, but...
The "Talibon" was widely used in Samar if I'm not mistaken... and the "Sansibar" in Leyte... Pulahans were said to have used Talibons. However the Pulahan-Derobio eskrima group (claims to have martial arts from the Pulahan fighters) has "sansibars" as their principle bolos. What does that mean? Means different bolos used by the Pulahan? Means different bolos developed by the Waray-waray people of both islands?

Definitely heroic people on both sides of the coin thats for sure...this is why I study accounts on both sides of the war. I have more favorite American war heroes of this era then any other time. I know many people here are collectors of Philippine artifacts, but taking in to account American artifacts of this era, it is just the same. Some people are floored by Barongs and Kris's selling for near $2k...a Krag rifle bayonet of this era just sold for $2,650...and thats the typical price. And a Philippine Krag Carbine from this era is seen as the ultimate prize of all Krags in the Krag world...they are almost nonexistent.

On the major hot regions. Between 1899 and 1913, all 3 regions had their time and place as being the major hotbed. First in Luzon, then in Visayas, and finally in Mindanao...all 3 over lapped one another but they all had their turn at being major hotbeds. From 1899-1903 Luzon was the major hot region...but Sakay and his group still roamed and threatened Luzon up until 1906. Then from 1902-1907, Visayas took over as the major hot region...the turning point came after the capture of Papa Ablen in 1907...the last major Pulahan to be killed was in 1911. And lastly, resistance in Mindanao went from 1904 to 1913...peaking from the disarmament act of 1911, which inevitably lead up to the Battle of Bagsak in 1913. By 1915, all major resistances in all 3 regions was extinguished. Looking at the annual war reports from 1915 on, there is almost nothing reported. It is difficult to say which is the worst out of all 3...but for me personally, I believe Samar-Leyte was the worst area...following in a very close second, Mindanao...with Luzon being last.

On the Talibon and Sansibar topic. I tend to believe both types of swords were used and found in either area, both regions are so close to one another they are typically grouped together when spoken of (Samar-Leyte)...this is because the groups living there share such cultural similarities. Kind of like saying San Jose and San Francisco...two different cities but so close you just call the entire region the Bay Area since everything going on there is essentially the same. The Waray people(who typically made up a huge majority of the Pulahan group) can be found in both regions...and the Pulahans traveled everywhere. But more then likely a larger majority of each sword were found in their respective region due to their origination in those areas. I wouldn't necessary restrict any sword to one region...the Philippines has 7100 islands, traveling by boat was typical. I know many may think, 100 years ago these groups were isolated, thats not true...mode of transportation by boat was infact easy and was an everyday occurrence.

[migueldiaz]

Here's an artist's interpretation of what happened on that fateful morning of Sept. 28, 1901, in Balangiga, Eastern Samar.

This plate came from the 10-volume Filipinas Heritage series published in the 1970s.

I'm not quite sure whether the depiction of the bolos is accurate.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

Definitely heroic people on both sides of the coin thats for sure...

Indeed!

Like on the American side, Prof. Borrinaga in his The Balangiga Conflict Revisited (2003) devotes one chapter to the heroism of Pvt. Adolph Gamlin, a survivor of the encounter.

On a related matter, Jean Wall (Gamlin's daughter) who has visited Balangiga several times described to Borrinaga the profile of the soldiers of Company C. She said that most of the soldiers were actually very young boys from the Midwest who had never been away from home before and did not have the benefit of good education.

[Of course the officers were well educated. Capt. Connell is a West Point graduate. Lt. Bumpus (second-in-command) studied in Harvard. And Maj. Griswold is a surgeon.]

In fact just a few days before the encounter, one soldier committed suicide apparently due to depression, while another deserted.

Just the same, when the surprise attack came, the soldiers fought valiantly, as exemplified by Gamlin's courage.

The survivors apparently also did not take things personally against the Filipinos. Three of the survivors were sergeants. One of them was Frank Betron. After his discharge from the army, he married a Filipina and settled in the Philippines.

Betron was also the only soldier cited by Abanador (the Balangiga police chief who led the attack, and who's also a tournament-caliber arnis master) as having truly learned arnis. Abanador apparently earlier tutored interested American soldiers arnis ...

[KuKulzA28]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

The survivors apparently also did not take things personally against the Filipinos. Three of the survivors were sergeants. One of them was Frank Betron. After his discharge from the army, he married a Filipina and settled in the Philippines.

Interesting how at the end of war, bloodshed, and oppressive times people can still look at each other and love. It's a very comforting thought.

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

Betron was also the only soldier cited by Abanador (the Balangiga police chief who led the attack, and who's also a tournament-caliber arnis master) as having truly learned arnis. Abanador apparently earlier tutored interested American soldiers arnis ...

Now that is an interesting thing to note. Any examples of other US soldiers learning Filipino/Moro fighting arts?

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

• the pealing of the church bells and the sounds from conch shells being blown followed seconds later
  
• to mask the disappearance of the women from the dawn service in the church, 34 men from Barrio Lawaan cross-dressed as women worshipers
  
• these "women", carrying small coffins, were earlier challenged by Sergeant Scharer of the sentry post about the town plaza near the church
  
• opening one of the coffins with his bayonet, he saw the body of a dead child, whom he was told, was a victim of a cholera epidemic
  
• unbeknownst to the sentries, the other coffins hid the bolos and other weapons of the attackers

From the same series, here's another color plate.

This painting interprets the contingent that disguised themselves as early morning women churchgoers.

Or perhaps they just want to crossdress, that's all

[migueldiaz]

Still from the same series, we find this painting by Remington, obviously inspired by the bolomen of those days.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

In some cases, maybe fewer bolos would've been better ratio-wise?

Yes indeed.

In fact there's a method to the madness

Gen. Miguel Malvar is popularly known as the last general to surrender during the Philippine-American War.

Malvar for instance ordered that bolomen should not exceed 30% of company strength, as he was more after quality than quantity of troops. That can be read from Brian Linn's book.

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

And also, what's the level of martial training for these bolo-men? Were they simply familiar with their blades or were they familiar and particularly skilled?

Looks like most of the Balangiga natives are familiar with martial arts.

We can glean that from the fact that aside from baseball, the US soldiers whiled their time away watching arnis demonstration.

Also, the leader of the attack [Abanador, Balangiga police chief] is known to be a tournament-caliber escrimador. And Abanador was a good chess player, too (his sparring partner in chess is the surgeon Major Griswold, one of those killed in the attack).

And one survivor [Private Gamlin] recounts coming face to face with a native armed with a bolo on one hand and a dagger in another hand.

According to UP Professor Rolando Borrinaga [the person who has done research on this encounter the most], Mariano Valdenor [Balangiga assistant police chief] fitted best this person's description.

Thus it looks espada y daga was another technique well known to the Balangiga natives.