The lasting memories of veterans

and the Spring Uprising in 1975, completely liberating the South and unifying the country, has been 50 years. That glorious victory is still intact in the memories of the soldiers who fought and won in the past.

Mr. Bui Duy Thinh (Ha Long City) reviewed the relics of the time when the Coal Corps soldiers fought on the Southern battlefield.

In July 1967, while working as a coal miner in Ha Tu, young man Bui Duy Thinh volunteered to join the army and was assigned to Company 1, Battalion 385 (Coal Corps). After 4 months of marching, Mr. Thinh's unit directly fought the enemy on the Central Highlands front. Veteran Bui Duy Thinh said: On February 5, 1968, before the battle of Lang Vay (Kon Tum), I was admitted to the Party. We identified ourselves as Party members, determined to fight the enemy even if we had to sacrifice ourselves. Lang Vay was a US-puppet commando training camp located in the Khe Sanh stronghold and next to Route 9. Surrounded by high points manned by American soldiers with strong firepower. The battle was coordinated with our tanks, and the battle of Lang Vay ended quickly, with all the enemies being destroyed, some of them fleeing.

After Lang Vay was liberated, Mr. Thinh's unit continued to attack the high points and then attacked to liberate Ta Con airport. In the battle at high point 452, Mr. Thinh used the B41 gun of his fallen comrade to shoot at the enemy's resistance post, killing all 6-7 Americans. After this first battle, Mr. Bui Duy Thinh was awarded the title of Brave American Destroyer. In addition to the above typical battles, Mr. Thinh and his comrades continued to participate in a series of battles such as: Road 9 Khe Sanh, Tri Thien, Road 14 Phuoc Long...

In particular, veteran Bui Duy Thinh cannot forget the historic days of April 50 years ago. Mr. Thinh recalled: After the enemy withdrew from the Central Highlands, our army was full of enthusiasm to attack, while the enemy disintegrated piece by piece. At that time, I was part of the 28th Regiment, under the Ministry of National Defense, participating in the Ho Chi Minh campaign. After our unit passed through the enemy's defense areas and advanced straight to liberate Saigon. My unit followed the attack to the puppet General Staff; at noon on April 30, 1975, I was one of 50 people of the Coal Corps who witnessed the historic moment at 11:30 a.m. at the Independence Palace.

Mr. Bui Duy Thinh was a soldier of the Coal Corps present in Saigon at noon on April 30, 1975. Photo: Archive

As for veteran Tran Quoc Manh (70 years old, Hoanh Bo ward, Ha Long city), he was a soldier of the 66th Regiment, 304th Division, 2nd Corps in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. He said: We were the force tasked with penetrating deep and moving straight into Saigon to capture the Independence Palace. Before the shooting, the unit was given new uniforms, shirts, hats, and full weapons and ammunition.

At exactly 5:00 p.m. on April 26, all types of long-range artillery simultaneously poured fire on enemy resistance bases in Saigon. His unit was ordered to capture the intersection of Road 15, Saigon - Bien Hoa Highway. At 8:30 a.m. on April 29, his unit advanced to Saigon Bridge. Here, the commando unit and the 203rd Tank Brigade were fighting the enemy. On the opposite side of Saigon Bridge, the enemy arranged bunkers, tanks, and canoes on the Saigon River to fight fiercely. We and the enemy fought for each position. Mr. Manh's unit arranged a battle formation right behind. On the morning of April 30, when more tanks were added, his unit approached the tanks, advanced to the bridge, and destroyed each enemy resistance nest. The enemy tanks were set on fire by our fire, leaving billowing smoke.

After crossing the bridge, the unit and tanks were led by the special forces soldiers straight to the Independence Palace. Saigon people rushed to both sides of the street, holding red flags with yellow stars and waving to the liberation army. At 11:30 on April 30, the revolutionary flag flew on the roof of the Independence Palace. The resistance war against the US to save the country ended, with complete victory. "I will never forget that moment at noon on April 30. Everyone burst into joy of victory. At that time, I wondered if my parents in the North had heard the news yet..." - Veteran Tran Quoc Manh recalled with emotion.

Veteran Tran Quoc Manh (Hoanh Bo ward, Ha Long city) recounted stories about his direct participation in the campaign to liberate Saigon 50 years ago to students of Le Loi Secondary School (Ha Long city).

Veteran Bui Duy Thinh and Veteran Tran Quoc Manh were two of thousands of officers and soldiers of the armed forces and our people at that time with the iron determination to fight, to win, to liberate the South and unify the country. According to the statistics of the provincial Association of Veterans, in the 21 years of the resistance war against the US to save the country, in Quang Ninh province, there were over 23,000 officers, soldiers, armed forces and youth volunteers directly participating in the war. Of which, the whole province had over 8,000 martyrs, the children of the Mining Region, who heroically sacrificed themselves on all battlefields; over 4,000 wounded soldiers, 1,000 sick soldiers; 5,000 victims of Agent Orange. Quang Ninh province had 68 brave soldiers who defeated the US; 8 armed forces heroes, that was the honor and pride of the people of the Mining Region.

Returning to normal life after the victory, the soldiers and youth volunteers of the past continued to promote the traditional qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, stepped up the emulation movement of exemplary war veterans; actively carried out emulation movements and campaigns of the Central and local levels, oriented the emulation movement to learn from Uncle Ho through specific actions, wholeheartedly contributing to the comprehensive development of Quang Ninh province.

Many war veterans and former youth volunteers against the US have enthusiastically participated in infrastructure construction, donated land, labor, trees and property to build new rural areas; participated in developing the coal mining industry, agricultural production and many other industries in Quang Ninh. With the spirit of diligence, creativity and solidarity, they always burn with revolutionary enthusiasm at all times and in all places, contributing to the strong development of the province.

Loyal

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nhung-ky-uc-con-mai-cua-ccb-3354496.html