Provincial Party Secretary Vu Thang (left cover). Photo: Document

Mr. Vu Thang (1926-2003) was born into a poor family in Quang Xuyen village, Phu Xuan commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue city). In 1945, when he turned 19, he joined the local Youth Union for National Salvation, then joined the Tran Cao Van Liberation Army, and was present at the battles of Dat Do fort (1947), Thanh Lam Bo (1948), Thanh Huong (1951). During his revolutionary activities, he held positions such as platoon and company cadre, then political commissar, Party Secretary of Battalion 319, Political Commissar of Regiment 101, Political Commissar of Division 325, Party Committee member of Military Region IV, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command. In February 1974, he took on the task of Secretary of the Thua Thien Provincial Party Committee (the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee at that time included comrades Hoang Lanh, Le Sau, Nguyen Chi, Nguyen Trung Chinh).

In late 1973 and early 1974, the Tri Thien - Hue battlefield had new and breakthrough changes. The whole province stepped up military activities, armed attacks towards the border areas and the plains. The political struggle movement in the city took place vigorously, the revolutionary forces achieved positive steps, establishing corridors from the mountains to the border areas down to the plains to transport food, ammunition, and medicine, building routes 71, 72, 73, 74, creating a complete motorized transportation network. This was a great success in the leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee; creating conditions for cadres and soldiers to stay and operate secretly at the bases to organize forces, enlighten the masses to rise up and fight when the opportunity arose.

As Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Vu Thang and his comrades in the Standing Committee faced the difficulties of the Tri Thien - Hue battlefield at that time such as: The enemy forces here were very strong, including the 1st Division, the 147th Brigade, 2 commando regiments, 1 armored cavalry brigade, 3 armored regiments, 8 artillery battalions, 21 security companies, 319 militia regiments, more than 7,000 police and the Republic of Vietnam government apparatus from the province to the village and commune, so the Tri Thien - Hue battle required high determination and great efforts from the entire Party, the entire army and the entire people.

On March 3, 1975, the Standing Committee of the Regional Party Committee summoned comrade Vu Thang at Khe Vang (Huong Thuy) to hear a report on the implementation of the campaign. After hearing comrade Vu Thang's report, comrade Le Tu Dong, Secretary of the Regional Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Military Region Commander, announced the decision of the Standing Committee of the Regional Party Committee to assign comrade Vu Thang, member of the Regional Party Committee, member of the Military Region Party Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee to directly command and direct the forces of the province and the forces of the higher levels to support the southern front. Also participating in commanding the southern front were comrades: Le Sau, member of the Provincial Party Committee; Duong Quang Dau, member of the Provincial Party Committee, Commander of the Hue City Team; Dang Minh Huong, Secretary of the Phu Loc District Party Committee; Le Hung Vinh, Secretary of the Huong Thuy District Party Committee; Le Viet Phong, Acting Secretary of the Phu Vang District Party Committee.

As the person directly commanding the southern wing - a very important strategic attack direction, especially the National Highway IA connecting Hue with the Da Nang military base, if the southern area was controlled, the enemy would be strategically divided, the enemy forces in Thua Thien Hue would be surrounded and isolated. Realizing the importance of the southern wing, comrade Vu Thang returned to the plains and stationed himself in Thuy Phuong - a commune on the outskirts of Hue city in Huong Thuy district, located right next to the National Highway. Although the enemy was under strict control, this position was favorable for grasping the situation and directly commanding.

Under the leadership and direction of comrade Vu Thang, cadres, soldiers, and armed teams of Phu Loc district marched secretly, and the base brothers transported weapons and food south of Hoi Rui bridge, crossed Ram mountain to Tu Hien gate. On March 7, 1975, the district command and armed teams gathered in Vinh Giang, Vinh Hai, ready to welcome the main force of the province and local troops to gather on March 8, 1975. In Phu Vang and Huong Thuy districts, the armed forces secretly passed through the enemy's defensive bases to gather at Phu Ho, Vinh Thai, Thuy Thanh, and Thuy Phuong, waiting for the order to open fire.

Bringing a secret force from the mountains to the plains was a great success, a foundation and a nucleus for the uprising force later on. All work for the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising in the south was completed and ready for orders. The fact that the provincial leaders returned to the base with the teams and working groups to directly direct and command the campaign brought about very high efficiency, especially in political and ideological work. The presence of the leaders at the working groups not only provided close and timely direction but also ensured support when facing difficulties.

Returning to his homeland in the liberation army, meeting his old mother after 30 years of separation, comrade Vu Thang was filled with emotion mixed with tears. In his revolutionary life, the years of participating in leading the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975 in Thua Thien Hue will always live forever, shining brightly in his memory and soul...

Le Thi Mai An

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/bi-thu-tinh-uy-vu-thang-trong-xuan-1975-151978.html