Commemorating the martyrs and people who sacrificed their lives in the first victory at Gianh River

NDO - To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first victory of the Vietnam People's Navy (August 2 and 5, 1964 - August 2 and 5, 2024), on the morning of July 31, at the Gianh River Monument, the Navy and Quang Binh province held a memorial service for heroes, martyrs and people who sacrificed their lives on the Gianh River.

Memorial ceremony for martyrs and people who sacrificed their lives in the first victory at Gianh River Monument. (Photo: CH)

Attending the ceremony were Rear Admiral Pham Van Hung, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy; representative of the Navy Region 3 command; Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province Tran Thang. 60 years ago, on August 2 and 5, 1964, in the first combat operation, the Vietnam People's Navy drove away the American destroyer Maddox. After the Maddox was driven out of our country's waters, on the night of August 4, 1964, the US imperialists staged the "Gulf of Tonkin incident" to launch a "retaliatory" campaign called "Piercing Arrow". On August 5, 1964, the US used dozens of modern fighter and attack aircraft, divided into 3 waves, to suddenly attack at the same time our country's economic targets, bases, warehouses, and ship shelters along the coast from Gianh port (Quang Binh); Cua Hoi, Vinh, Ben Thuy (Nghe An); Lach Truong (Thanh Hoa) to Hon Gai, Bai Chay (Quang Ninh) in order to destroy our Navy, opening a large-scale sabotage war plan against the North. In Quang Binh area, at 12:30 on August 5, 1964, the enemy used 8 F8U aircraft flying from the sea to Ngang Pass, divided into 2 groups to bomb the Navy bases at Gianh River mouth, Mui Roon, shot at the Navy survey ship 527 on duty at Roon mouth and bombarded Gianh port. Our Navy ships promptly mobilized to fight, coordinated with air defense forces, and bravely fought back the attacks of enemy aircraft. After 25 minutes of fighting, our troops burned 1 aircraft and damaged another.

Representatives of the Navy and Quang Binh province offered incense at the Gianh River Monument. (Photo: CH)

At 4:18 p.m. the same day, the enemy continued to use 11 F8U aircraft to bomb Gianh port for the second time. In the first salvo, our troops shot down 1 enemy aircraft. At Hon La, officers and soldiers of the T175 ship bravely fought back 6 enemy aircraft. Although the ship was hit by bullets and caught fire, some officers and soldiers were sacrificed, the captain was seriously injured, but the officers and soldiers on the ship still steadfastly held their positions, fought, rescued, and maneuvered the ship to shore in time. At the end of the battle, the Vietnam People's Navy, together with the Air Defense - Air Force and local people, shot down 8 American aircraft, damaged many others, and captured the first American pilot in the northern waters of our country. Particularly at Gianh River port, the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy, in coordination with the Quang Binh militia and air defense troops, fought bravely and tenaciously, repelling the American aircraft, shooting down three and damaging one. August 2 and 5, 1964 became important and proud milestones for the army and people of the North and in the history of our people's resistance war against the US to save the country. This was the "First Victory" of the Vietnam People's Navy; at the same time, it was also the first victory of the army and people of the North in fighting the destructive war, protecting the socialist North of Vietnam.

Gianh Port relic today. (Photo: HG)

At the ceremony, delegates laid wreaths and offered incense to express their deep gratitude to the heroes, martyrs and people who heroically sacrificed for the cause of national liberation, national reunification, construction and protection of the Fatherland. After the memorial service, delegates offered incense at the Gianh River Monument; the Gianh Ferry Martyrs Monument and released flowers and paper cranes on the historic Gianh River.

Nhandan.vn

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tuong-niem-cac-liet-si-va-nhan-dan-hy-sinh-trong-chien-thang-tran-dau-tai-song-gianh-post821953.html