During the historic days of April, the memory of the Ho Chi Minh campaign that completely liberated the South and reunified the country remained intact in the minds of every soldier who directly participated in this historic battle. Those memories are always the most vivid and authentic evidence of a heroic historical period, so that today's and future generations will forever remember and be grateful.
The war has ended, 49 years after the complete liberation of the South, veteran Ta Van Duoc, in Khanh Thuong commune, Yen Mo district, still has intact memories of those heroic days. For him, those are unforgettable memories throughout his military career. Enlisting in the army in 1971, he participated in many battles and witnessed two glorious victories of our army and people in the Central Highlands campaign and the Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate the South and unify the country.
On March 10, 1975, he and his comrades in Company 18, Regiment 149, Division 316 were assigned the task of ensuring communications for the battle to capture Hoa Binh airport, Mai Hac warehouse area, and liberate Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak province). Although the time was short, the terrain was difficult, the enemy concentrated many forces and strong firepower, but with the spirit of "Determination to fight, determination to win" and ready to fight and sacrifice to maintain the information flow, he and his comrades defied danger, marched secretly, used safety ropes, and transmitted important information to the regimental commander.
On the night of April 26, 1975, his unit continued to receive orders to march into the Trang Bang base, Tay Ninh province. During those days, the enemy continuously bombed, blocked the road, and cut communication lines. Many comrades and teammates heroically sacrificed themselves, the first one fell, the next one continued to rush forward to carry out the mission. The sacrifice of his comrades further strengthened the brothers in the unit to overcome hardships and challenges.
On April 28, 1975, Trang Bang was liberated and his unit continued to take on the task of blocking this stronghold. Through a period of fierce and steadfast fighting, the will and determination of veteran Ta Van Duoc were tempered. Returning to his hometown, he and his family actively worked, produced, and participated in movements launched by the locality. He was awarded many medals and certificates of merit of various kinds...
Mr. Duoc said emotionally: The war has ended, but many generations of fathers and comrades have fallen, sacrificed their blood and bones for the nation. I fought for the Fatherland, witnessed the day the South was completely liberated and returned to my homeland and family. I hope that future generations will forever preserve the national spirit, remember the heroic history of the country, remember the merits of the fathers and ancestors to contribute their intelligence and strength to build the Fatherland.
As for veteran Tong Duc Than, in Bac Son ward, Tam Diep city, the years of boiling fire and bullets dedicating his youth to the independence and freedom of the nation are always unforgettable memories. Talking about the days in the southern battlefield, the voice of the former soldier was full of emotion. He said: "Exactly 50 years ago, when the resistance war against the US to save the country of our people led by the Party and Uncle Ho was entering its final, very fierce stage, all the southern battlefields were in dire need of support in both human and material resources, as a young man, I enthusiastically volunteered to join the army".
In April 1974, he was assigned to Battalion 813, Regiment 1, Military Region 3 and participated in training in Thach Binh commune, Nho Quan district. After 3 months of training in using 3 common weapons, Battalion 813 received the mission to fight in the South.
On August 18, 1974, Battalion 813 marched on foot from Thach Binh to Ga Ghenh, boarded a train, and passed through bus stations to Vinh Chap and Vinh Linh. Here, he and his comrades disguised themselves, wearing black Ao Ba Ba to cross the 17th parallel. When they reached station 2, Hoi village, Quang Nam province, the soldiers of Battalion 813 were added to the combat units of Military Region 5. He and his comrades followed the command to participate in the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, completely liberating the South, starting on March 4, 1975 with the Central Highlands campaign, whose strategic breakthrough was the capture of Buon Ma Thuot town.
After 20 days and nights of fighting, on March 24, 1975, the Central Highlands campaign achieved complete victory. The victory at Buon Ma Thuot stunned the enemy and was a "push" for the liberation troops to quickly advance towards Saigon.
On April 26, 1975, when receiving orders to launch the Ho Chi Minh campaign, he and his comrades coordinated with units of the 1st Corps from the North to attack straight to Saigon. By 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, Saigon-Gia Dinh was completely liberated, the Ho Chi Minh campaign was a complete victory, ending 21 years of resistance war against the US to save the country of our people. "Although we were not the first soldiers to enter the Independence Palace, we were overwhelmed with happiness.
The joy of the day the country was liberated spread, not only our soldiers were happy but also the people were excited and enthusiastic. On both sides of the road, people stood tightly, waving flags and holding flowers to welcome the troops entering. In that moment of happiness, we felt sad because many of our comrades had died, not being able to witness the liberation of the South, the unification of the country, the country reunited" - Veteran Tong Duc Than shared.
After leaving the army and returning to his hometown, veteran Tong Duc Than always promoted the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", lived exemplary, united, actively participated in local work and always completed assigned tasks well. With his contributions in both wartime and peacetime, veteran Tong Duc Than was awarded many Orders, Medals and Certificates of Merit from all levels and sectors.
49 years have passed since the victory in the spring of 1975, but the heroic memories of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the past are always valuable historical lessons for today's and tomorrow's young generations to follow the tradition, strive to study, protect and build the Fatherland, and build an increasingly rich and civilized homeland.
Article and photos: Hong Giang
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