Present at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Chu, Dong Nam commune, Dong Son district (Thanh Hoa province), could not hide his emotions when meeting his old comrades.
Mr. Nguyen Van Chu, former Captain of the 105mm Artillery Battery, Company 14, Battalion 82, Division 351 - the unit that directly initiated the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, recalled: His unit was assigned the extremely important task of attacking and destroying the Him Lam stronghold, which the unit had prepared for more than a month in advance. 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, so artillery preparation was very important. Our artillery had secretly occupied the battlefield. Artillery companies were ready in bunkers scattered on the high points running from East to West. The artillery was deployed on the hillsides, carefully 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 superiors ordered a surprise attack to neutralize the enemy and completely destroy the Him Lam stronghold. With the determination to win the first battle, not lose, the entire battery was ready to wait for the time 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 taken control of the Him Lam Resistance Center, creating a favorable opportunity for our troops to attack and destroy the remaining strongholds, ending the first attack wave,” Mr. Chu recalled.
Meanwhile, veteran Dang Mai Thanh (An Thuong commune, Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province) said: The pain and loss are like a triumphant song that resounded somewhere yesterday.
He recalled that he volunteered to join the army in 1952 when he was just 20 years old, with the desire to fight the enemy and protect his homeland. His unit was stationed in Dien Bien province today, conducting training and preparing plans to fight the French in the Northwest region. When the French parachuted into Dien Bien Phu to prepare to build a stronghold, we were the first soldiers to fight on this battlefield.
“After that, because the enemy was too strong, the difference in forces was too great, our unit was withdrawn, then marched to fight the French on the battlefield in Laos. At that time, Uncle Ho and the Command decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, the unit was ordered to fight the enemy on neighboring battlefields, preventing outside reinforcements from entering the stronghold. We fought enthusiastically and wanted to make achievements,” Mr. Thanh recalled.
Veteran Dang Mai Thanh shared more: Although in combat, each battle has its own value, but when hearing that the battle at Dien Bien Phu was fierce, his unit repeatedly asked his superiors for support. But the commander said that the unit had an equally important mission. Our army had tightly 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.
From then on, his unit stuck to the battlefield, not letting a single bullet or bowl of rice escape from France from Laos to support the Dien Bien Phu stronghold.
“No matter which battlefield I fought in, 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 and show gratitude to Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign held in Thanh Hoa province, I am once again honored, proud, and remember my old comrades,” Mr. Thanh said emotionally.
At the age of 89, veteran Tran Huy Mai said he was born and raised in Tran Hung Dao commune, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province.
He said: At the age of 18 - while working as an elementary school teacher in his hometown, but in response to the call "Putting the Fatherland first, the body is insignificant, in times of national war, young people should go to the front line", he volunteered to join the army following the sacred call of the Fatherland.
Mr. Mai was assigned to the 165th Regiment, 312th Division - the unit that fought the first battle at the Him Lam base; then coordinated with the 88th Regiment, 308th Division to capture Doc Lap Hill and Ban Keo.
Every time he talks about the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign, he feels like he is reliving a glorious and heroic time. Today, he and his comrades are very honored and proud to attend the meeting and gratitude program for Dien Bien soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
“Although we are old and our health has declined, we are still very excited and enthusiastic to participate in the program. This is an opportunity for my teammates and I to recall the memories of a time of “rain of bombs and bullets” when we did not spare our blood and bones, dedicating our youth to the independence and freedom of the nation. Thank you to the Party and the State for always caring for those who have contributed to the revolution; thank you to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Thanh Hoa province for organizing this meaningful program,” Mr. Mai confided.
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