Siege of Jonestown (Jones Fights Back)

The Jonestown Siege was a conflict that took place from the 18th of November, 1978 and ended on the 9th of December, 1978, between the 193rd Infantry Brigade of the United States, and conscripts of the Jonestown cult.

It was launched when it was reported US Congressman Leo Ryan was killed by Jonestown Militia as he was boarding a plane back to the United States. Days pass as it soon comes to attention that he has been killed. CIA officials were communicating with locals and discovered the cause of Ryan's death, this came back to US President Jimmy Carter, where he then talked with the government of Guyana, where they granted Carter permission to send in the 193rd Infantry.

The Infantry traveled to where they were directed was the location of Jonestown. Helicopters traveling over Jonestown were reportedly shot at from below. It was reported that many guerilla attacks were happening as American IFVs traveled through the jungles. There were many reports of even child conscripts being sent to shoot at soldiers. There was also a report of a convoy being raided, with supplies being taken, and the involved squad being executed.

Battle of Jonestown
As American Troops came to the Minimum Safe Distance, camps were established, Jonestown was roughly a mile away. As days progressed the soldiers would often come across defecting cultists, giving intelligence on the structure of the camp, and the man commanding them, Jim Jones.

When December 1st came, combat came to an intense start, as Jonestown was in the visible distance, many soldiers were shot at from nearby militia. Combat, came to a hasty end, as many militiamen were heavily ill equipped for the conflict, the town was occupied, but Jones was nowhere to be found. Helicopters where sent to patrol the jungles of North-Western Guyana. There was a reported sighting of trucks driving south east of the camp, these were soon confirmed to be trucks Jim Jones was commandeering to escape. Jones was soon captured and arrested.

Trial and Punishment of Jim Jones
Jim Jones was taken to trial as he was returned home after a reported suicide attempt where he reportedly punched a soldier in hopes the soldier would shoot him. It was determined that Jones would be sentenced to death via firing squad, this was a controversial decision made by the Indiana Court, as was the last reported time a firing squad was made in the state.

Home Reaction
Many were shocked to hear of the actions that had occurred in the Jonestown conflict, many claiming this was another example of putting the lives of American soldiers in unnecessary risk, as this was just 3 years after the Vietnam War had ended.

International Reaction
Citizens of Guyana were not pleased with US Military presence, many of them worrying the US would try to control the entire nation. Many advocates for socialism believed this was another act of oppressing the development of socialism in nations by the US.