Having gone through the war, the memories of a time of war and war for the soldiers - as an author said, seemed to have been like the wind sweeping away dry leaves, to live in a peaceful, ordinary life. However, tears of reunion flowed because of the heroic songs that echoed on the day of meeting. They, the Nguyen Phong soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh era, had "remained white-haired soldiers", but each person was still a living piece of Dien Bien Phu, so heroic yet so ordinary. Thanh Hoa Newspaper briefly recorded the thoughts on the day of meeting, respectfully sending them to our readers.
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♦ "When I heard the news of victory, I also heard that comrade Le Chi Tho had heroically sacrificed himself... After the Dien Bien Phu victory, I learned that comrade Tho was from the same hometown as me..."
Mr. Nguyen Ba Viet (90 years old), in Dong Hai Ward (Thanh Hoa City), was formerly in charge of information and communications of Company 388, Battalion 89.
At the age of 18 (1953), following the call of the Party and Uncle Ho, I and more than 10 young men from Dong Hai commune (Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province at that time) volunteered to join the army and go to the battlefield to fight the enemy.
After the recruitment, we started marching from Thanh Hoa to Dien Bien Phu, at that time no one knew what our mission was. From Thanh Hoa we marched through the forest and mountains to Hoa Binh, over Cun slope, down to Bo market, across Rut stream to Moc Chau (Son La). Then we crossed Pha Din pass down to Tuan Giao to Dien Bien Phu.
The marching route was full of hardships as they crossed forests, streams, passes, old forest leech fields, and places that no one had ever set foot on before. They had to destroy mountains and clear roads to have a marching route. The route was difficult, but the whole team only marched at night to ensure secrecy. They marched at night and rested during the day. Every night they marched until 1-2 am. At mealtimes they only had rice with dried fish, some meals were just ground mung beans cooked into thin porridge, many meals they had nothing but some wild vegetables for soup.
After arriving at Co Noi Junction, we encountered troops from other provinces and cities marching to Dien Bien Phu. The night march also became more crowded and joyful... Although there were many difficulties and hardships, it did not diminish the will of the young men determined to win on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield.
After arriving at Dien Bien Phu, I was assigned to Company 388, Battalion 89, Regiment 36, Division 308, in charge of information and communications for Company 388; then became the communications officer for Battalion 89. When preparing to start the Dien Bien Phu campaign, on March 13, 1954, after receiving orders from comrade Le Chi Tho (Deputy Battalion Commander of Battalion 89) to launch the opening attack of the campaign, an attack on the Him Lam stronghold cluster, I immediately informed the 3 companies of my battalion, and immediately marched to attack the Him Lam stronghold cluster. After a night of fighting 3 times, by early morning our army had annihilated all the enemy troops on Him Lam hill. That same morning, when I heard the news of victory, I also heard that comrade Le Chi Tho had heroically sacrificed himself along with many other comrades in Battalion 89. Comrade Tho's sacrifice made me feel heartbroken and confused because I had a brother, a close comrade who had shared the hardships with me for so long. It was not until after the Dien Bien Phu victory that I learned that comrade Tho was from the same hometown as me.
After the sacrifice of comrade Tho and many other comrades in Battalion 89, the entire battalion did not lose its fighting spirit but became more enthusiastic and determined to win the war against the enemy, determined to liberate Dien Bien Phu as soon as possible.
After the victory at Dien Bien Phu, Battalion 89 continued to march to Bac Giang, opening the battle of Cau Lo. However, while fighting, the entire battalion received orders to stop fighting because we and France were negotiating the Geneva Agreement. After that, Battalion 89, Regiment 36, Division 308 marched to take over the capital Hanoi.
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♦ Proud to participate in all 3 phases of the campaign
Mr. Hoang Tien Luc, Hoang Son commune (Hoang Hoa); former soldier of Company 506, Regiment 174.
As a soldier who participated in all three phases of the campaign, I still remember clearly the days of wading through the rain of bombs and bullets to fight against the invading enemy.
In March 1954, units were assigned to build roads to serve the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Company 506, Regiment 174 was assigned to build roads in the East of the stronghold. The area around Dien Bien Phu was bombed by the enemy with napalm, all the trees were burned, only a little green was left, so building roads was extremely difficult and dangerous. At night, we dug trenches, during the day we covered them with dry trees, the work went on for nearly a month without the enemy knowing.
The preparations for the campaign were completed. On March 13, 1954, the units were ordered to open fire on Him Lam hill, smashing the “steel door”, opening the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Entering the second phase of the campaign, our army concentrated its troops and firepower to destroy the strongholds east of the central area of Dien Bien Phu. The enemy fell into a state of passivity and high morale loss.
On May 1, 1954, we launched the third attack. After discovering that the enemy had a bunker on Hill A1, my unit and another engineering unit were assigned to dig a bunker next to the enemy bunker. After 15 days and nights of sweat and tears, we completed the underground tunnel, then the soldiers placed a 960kg explosive block next to the enemy bunker. At exactly 20:30 on May 6, 1954, the explosive block was ordered to be detonated. Our troops from all directions successively captured the remaining targets, broke the enemy's counterattacks, and created a springboard for soldiers to attack the De Castries bunker. On May 7, 1954, our troops raised the victory flag high, advanced straight to the enemy command post, and General De Castries and the entire staff of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold surrendered.
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♦ " Pour fire on the enemy"
Mr. Nguyen Van Chu, Dong Nam Commune (Dong Son), former Captain of the 105mm Artillery Battery, Company 14, Battalion 82, Division 351
To open the Dien Bien Phu campaign, my unit, Company 14, Battalion 82, Division 351, had prepared for more than a month. At that time, I was the Commander of the 105mm artillery battery assigned the extremely important task of attacking and destroying the Him Lam stronghold. If Dien Bien Phu was an “impregnable fortress”, the Him Lam Resistance Center was the “steel door” built by the French with an extremely solid and sturdy defense system. To approach the Dien Bien Phu stronghold, it was necessary to pass through this “steel door”.
This was the first time our artillery had been deployed to battle, so preparations for the artillery were taken very seriously. Our artillery had secretly taken up positions. The artillery companies were ready in bunkers scattered across the high points running from East to West. The artillery was placed on the hillsides, well camouflaged.
To create a surprise, our troops were ordered to dig underground tunnels day and night near Him Lam hill. When the tunnel was completed, the 105mm artillery battery received the order to fight on March 13, 1954. The order from above required a surprise attack to neutralize the enemy and completely destroy the Him Lam stronghold. With the determination to fight the first battle and not lose, our entire battery was ready to wait for the moment to open fire, opening the campaign.
At exactly 5:05 p.m. on March 13, 1954, the order to open fire was given. Together with other units, the 105mm artillery battery fired 22 rounds of artillery to attack the Him Lam stronghold, pouring fire down on the enemy. Being attacked unexpectedly, the French were confused and frightened. Taking advantage of the moment when the enemy was stunned and had not yet reacted, our infantry units continued to attack. After just over 5 hours of fighting, our troops had completely controlled the Him Lam Resistance Center, creating a favorable opportunity for our troops to attack and destroy the remaining strongholds, ending the first attack.
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♦ "Not a single bullet or bowl of rice from France was allowed to escape from Laos to support Dien Bien Phu"...
Mr. Dang Mai Thanh, An Thuong commune, Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province.
I volunteered to join the army in 1952 when I was just 20 years old, with the desire to fight the French to protect my homeland. Our unit was stationed in Dien Bien province today, conducting training and preparing plans to fight the French in the Northwest region.
When the French paratroopers landed at Dien Bien Phu to prepare to build a stronghold, we were the first soldiers to fight on this battlefield. Later, because the enemy was too strong and the difference in forces was too great, our unit was withdrawn and marched to fight the French in weaker areas on the battlefield in Laos.
When Uncle Ho and our Command decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, we were ordered to fight the enemy in neighboring battlefields, preventing outside reinforcements from entering the stronghold. We fought enthusiastically and wanted to make achievements.
Although in combat, each battle has its own value, but when we heard that the battle at Dien Bien Phu was fierce, my unit repeatedly asked our superiors for support. But the commander said that the unit had an equally important mission. Our army had surrounded the French army at Dien Bien Phu, if we abandoned our position, the enemy would receive reinforcements, and our comrades would have even more difficulty. We stuck to our positions and fought, not letting a single bullet or bowl of rice from France from Laos to support Dien Bien Phu escape.
The Geneva Accords were signed, I stayed home for a few years, then asked to re-enlist and go to the South to fight. No matter which battlefield I fought on, for me, Dien Bien Phu will always be an unforgettable memory. Dien Bien Phu is like a part of my flesh and blood.
Being able to attend the meeting to pay tribute to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign held in Thanh Hoa province, I was once again honored, proud, and remembered my comrades.
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♦ Set out to answer the sacred call of the Fatherland
Mr. Tran Huy Mai (89 years old), Tran Hung Dao commune, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province; former soldier of Regiment 165, Division 312.
70 years have passed, but the memories of the historic Dien Bien Phu victory that "resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world" and the fierce, heroic battles are still deeply imprinted in my memory.
At the age of 18, I was working as an elementary school teacher in my hometown. However, from the call "Putting the Fatherland first, your body is insignificant, when the country is at war, young people should go to the front line", I volunteered to pack my backpack and join the army, following the sacred call of the Fatherland.
I was in the 165th Regiment, 312th Division - the unit that fought the first battle at Him Lam base; then coordinated with the 88th Regiment, 308th Division to capture Doc Lap Hill and Ban Keo. Every time I think about the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign, I feel like I am reliving a glorious and heroic time. Today, I am honored and proud to attend the meeting and gratitude program for Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in Thanh Hoa province.
Despite our advanced age and declining health, we were still very excited and enthusiastic to participate in the program. This was an opportunity for us to reminisce with our comrades about the memories of a time of “rain of bombs and storms of bullets”. We would like to thank the Party and State for always caring for those who have contributed to the revolution; and we would like to thank the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Thanh Hoa Province for organizing this meaningful program.
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♦ Infantry Division - "footsteps crushed rocks" cut Muong Thanh airport in half
Mr. Nguyen Viet Bien, Liem Hai commune, Truc Ninh district, Nam Dinh province; former soldier of Regiment 165, Division 312.
In 1949, when I was only 18 years old, I heard that there was a military unit recruiting soldiers to join the resistance war against France, so I went to apply to join.
After a period of training, I was assigned to the 165th Regiment, 312th Division and participated in the Cao-Bac-Lang campaign. Next, my division participated in the attack on the Na San stronghold, capturing Na San airport. After Na San, the division shifted troops to focus on the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign. In this campaign, our infantrymen initially participated in the attack on Doc Lap hill, Ban Keo hill, Him Lam hill, and finally focused on the battle on A1 hill.
In this last battle, our Division was the main unit assigned to coordinate the digging of trenches, destroy the runway, and cut the enemy's Muong Thanh airport in half at the Dien Bien Phu stronghold. Before we carried out the mission, we had received the order "must destroy the runway, must cut it, dig a trench across". Digging trenches was very difficult because we had to camouflage to overcome the enemy's careful guard. The sign to determine the direction when digging trenches at both ends of the trench was a small flag or a piece of red cloth. Just like that, we carried out the mission of communication and reconnaissance while coordinating the digging of trenches, cutting Muong Thanh airport in half. On April 22, our army controlled Muong Thanh airport until the liberation of Dien Bien Phu on May 7, 1954.
Although the war has long since ended, every time I remember the days of arduous fighting and sacrifice on the Dien Bien battlefield, I am always very proud to be a Dien Bien soldier and happy to be one of the sons of Nam Dinh who contributed to the historic Dien Bien Phu victory.
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♦ Serving as a paramedic is extremely difficult but still determined to make a "world-shaking victory".
Mr. Vu Duy Tan, Hoang Hoa Tham commune, An Thi district (Hung Yen); former Company 925, Regiment 174, Division 316.
I was born in 1936, in February 1952, when I was not yet 18 years old, I joined the army and participated in ambulance service on the Northwest battlefields, the Fall-Winter campaign of 1952-1953, Fall-Winter of 1953-1954, liberating Lai Chau and participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign from the opening shot until the end.
Company 925 of Division 316, Regiment 174, twice Heroic that year, every battle was fierce and unforgettable, but the battle of Hill A1 was the most fierce and memorable. This was the opening battle and one of the important battles in phase 2, phase 3 of the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Because, the goal of our army in this battle was to eliminate the center of resistance on Hill A1 in the eastern stronghold of Dien Bien Phu. Therefore, this was also the most fierce and fierce battle in the entire Dien Bien Phu campaign with the highest number of casualties.
Before the battle began, we had arranged more than 600 hospital beds at all positions. During the first campaign, thanks to our proactive response to the enemy, our army was able to reduce the number of casualties and was able to quickly provide first aid and treatment to seriously wounded soldiers, who were then discharged from the hospital and returned to their combat units.
However, during the second attack, when the fighting became increasingly fierce, the number of wounded increased significantly and at times the situation became uncontrollable.
The medical staff had to work continuously in extremely difficult and arduous conditions, lacking machinery, equipment, medical instruments, and medicines. There were times when there were so many wounded soldiers that they ran out of bandages, cotton, and painkillers. In addition to caring for and providing emergency care to wounded soldiers, the medical staff also undertook many other tasks. The duty of the medics was not only to change bandages or dispense medicine, but to do everything. From personal hygiene for wounded soldiers to washing clothes, feeding them... At that time, we worked with all the enthusiasm and eagerness of youth.
Having completed my mission of fighting and defending the Fatherland, I returned to my locality to contribute my efforts to the task of building and developing my homeland. Although the war has long since ended, the memories of the bloody period 7 decades ago are still vivid historical lessons to educate children and grandchildren, as well as the younger generation about patriotism and the indomitable spirit of the nation. With those concerns, I always want to pass on the "flame" of patriotism, saving lives and saving people to future generations. Accordingly, in the presence of local leaders, people, friends, comrades, and relatives, I presented the Military Command and the Veterans Association of Hoang Hoa Tham commune with war artifacts and relics, including my medical box that served in the Dien Bien Phu battlefield.
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♦ The heroic memories are still intact in the mind
Mr. Nguyen Van Chien (88 years old), Minh Duc commune, Tu Ky district, Hai Duong province; former soldier of Regiment 42.
I joined the army in January 1952, when I was only 16 years old. Less than a year after being stationed at Regiment 42, Hung Yen province - one of the first main regiments of the Vietnam People's Army, I volunteered to advance to the "fire pan" of Dien Bien.
At the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, I participated in the entire Dien Bien Phu campaign and witnessed the fierceness and bloodshed of my comrades and teammates to achieve the great victory. My unit was assigned to fight the enemy parachuting in and fighting the reinforcements from Laos. The spirit of young soldiers like us at that time was "If we need to open a bloody path, we will open a bloody path, if we need to sacrifice, we will be ready to sacrifice". After the fierce and fierce battles, my teammates and I also lived in the moment of overwhelming joy at the enemy's surrender.
Today, attending the program to meet and pay tribute to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign in Thanh Hoa province, many memories of the days of fighting in the "fire pan" of Dien Bien came flooding back to my mind. I was really moved when participating in the program, when I was able to recall with my teammates the heroic spirit of our army and people going into battle, determined not to retreat.
I believe and hope that today's young generation will always be proud, remember and promote the glorious traditions of the nation, determined and make efforts to study and practice to build the homeland and country to become increasingly rich and civilized.
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♦ "I remember most the days fighting the enemy on hill A1..."
Mr. Nguyen Canh Hung (born 1935), Hong Long commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province; former soldier of Regiment 174.
During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, I participated in many battles, but I remember most the days fighting the enemy on Hill A1.
From a youth volunteer who opened the way to serve the campaign, I voluntarily wrote an application to become a Dien Bien soldier of the Vietnam People's Army. After that, my unit, Regiment 174, participated in many battles in the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
The battle on Hill A1 was the most fierce of all the battles I have ever participated in, but it was also the place that clearly demonstrated the indomitable spirit, courage, and iron will of our troops determined to defeat the French invaders. The Dien Bien Phu campaign lasted 56 days and nights, with the battle on Hill A1 alone, we fought the enemy for 39 days and nights. A1 was cleared just a few hours later, and General De Castries had to surrender.
In this glorious campaign, the battle on Hill A1, we were ordered to advance, replacing our wounded comrades, or those who had fallen in the trenches. Many times, my comrades and I fought hand-to-hand with the enemy on the hill, fighting for every inch of land, every meter of trench... The French army had strong firepower, our army had primitive weapons,... but in the end, the brave and indomitable spirit won. I think that was the decisive victory for the entire Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
During that battle, there were times when I hugged my fallen comrades and cried. But that pain encouraged me and the soldiers to be determined to win, maintain independence for our country and force the French to bow their heads before their fallen comrades.
Time flies. It has been 70 years, but for me, A1 is still an unforgettable memory. I always remember and am grateful to my comrades who fell for peace and independence to flourish.
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♦ “Participating in the “Tran Dinh” campaign, everyone was so happy they couldn't imagine”
Mr. Duong Van Man (90 years old), currently living in Yen Cat town (Nhu Xuan); former soldier of Battalion 188, Regiment 176, Division 316.
I was born in Ha Nam, in 1944, my family moved to Thanh Hoa, in 1953 I joined the army in Hop Thang commune (Nong Cong (old), now Trieu Son district, at that time I was only 19 years old. The first days of contact in the military environment (Regiment 44, training in Dien Chau district, Nghe An province) were still confusing, but with the most basic approaching activities in the first 3 months of enlistment, I mastered the training content. After 3 months, I knew how to shoot and was assigned to Battalion 188, Regiment 176, Division 316 marching to Son La to fight bandits. In November 1953, the enemy parachuted into Dien Bien Phu, the unit was ordered to go to Dien Bien Phu - at that time called the "Tran Dinh" campaign, everyone was so happy it was unimaginable.
French General Navarre believed that the Dien Bien Phu stronghold was impregnable. They believed that the Viet Minh could not defeat it. But “a thick orange peel has sharp nails”, the French did not evaluate the ability and potential of our people under the talented leadership of our Party and Uncle Ho, especially did not evaluate the strategy and tactics of General Vo Nguyen Giap.
At first, we had prepared and arranged the attack force to implement the motto "Fight fast, win fast" , the units only needed to wait for the command to open fire, but General Giap ordered to stop and start pulling out the artillery. The entire army continued to study Uncle Ho's letter, and each officer and soldier wrote a letter of determination to implement the motto "fight firmly, win firmly". The entire army thoroughly implemented the construction of battlefields and protected warehouses by digging tunnels and trenches, occupying them as they dug, not allowing the enemy to fill them up. There were tunnels and trenches all over the battlefield, and wherever we went, we saw soldiers underground surrounding each stronghold, making the enemy increasingly fearful, confused, and losing their fighting spirit. One attack attacked to liberate Lai Chau, the other attacked Upper Laos, isolating Dien Bien Phu.
At around 3pm on March 13, we began to attack Him Lam, the gateway to Dien Bien Phu. There was a battalion of the Foreign Legion, the best soldiers stationed there, but the enemy was defeated in just one night. The next day, Na Keo garrison was forced back. Immediately after that, our troops continuously attacked each garrison according to the "peel-off" tactic of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Before the garrison could be attacked, our troops surrounded it, and teams were formed to shoot at "live targets" - when the enemy came out to get their parachutes, we shot at the loopholes, mainly to make the enemy extremely tense. On May 6, 1954, our troops launched a general attack. At exactly 8pm that night, explosives exploded on Hill A1 as a signal to attack the remaining bases. By the afternoon of May 7, the enemy had to surrender. During this general attack, I belonged to Division 316, Regiment 176, in charge of a medium machine gunner. When I attacked the middle of the garrison, I was wounded. On the morning of May 7, I was in the emergency room. I was luckier than some of my brothers.
During the 56 days and nights of fighting between us and the enemy, the more we fought, the more we won, the more the enemy fought, the more we lost, just as Uncle Ho said: "Winning Dien Bien Phu changed the whole of Indochina" - We further strengthened our trust in the leadership of the Party, of Uncle Ho, and of General Vo Nguyen Giap.
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