Intact heroic memories

The victory of the first battle in August 1964 became a milestone in the history of the resistance war against foreign invaders of the army and people of Quang Ninh. The heroic and tragic memories of 60 years ago are still intact in the minds of the soldiers who were directly present on the front line in the past.

Veteran Dao Ngoc Sao (far left) talks about the first victory.

Veteran Dao Ngoc Sao (Ward 6, Thanh Son Ward, Uong Bi City) confided to us that the best years of his life were when he directly participated in the fight for his homeland, country and people. This year, he has turned 85, but he still remembers the memories from 60 years ago when he fought side by side with his comrades, contributing to the first victory of the army and people of Quang Ninh against the invading American imperialists.

In 1964, the US created the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident" as an excuse to attack and sabotage the North, aiming to prevent us from providing human and material support to the front line in the South. That was when Quang Ninh province had been established for less than a year. The army and people of the Mining Region upheld the tradition of "Discipline and Unity", indomitable revolutionary will, immediately started to confront the air force of the invading US, closely coordinated with our navy to protect the safety of factories, enterprises, mines and avoid casualties for the people.

At that time, Corporal Dao Ngoc Sao was the Captain of Battery 2, Platoon 5, 14.5mm anti-aircraft machine gun, Company 141, Battalion 217. The unit's artillery position was located at Goc Khe hilltop, Ha Tu. At about 2:30 p.m. on August 5, 1964, hundreds of American planes divided into many groups flew in to drop bombs and fire rockets at our naval ships anchored in the Bai Chay ferry area. Facing the enemy equipped with modern weapons, all naval forces, anti-aircraft artillery, militia, self-defense forces... were not shaken, resolutely fighting back with the will to die for the Fatherland.

Veteran Dao Ngoc Sao shares photos of himself and his teammates when he met and took souvenir photos with General Vo Nguyen Giap.

With a high fighting spirit, Mr. Sao and his teammates did not miss the opportunity when the American A4D (Skyhawk) aircraft flew into range. The flag of the platoon commander was raised, the entire battlefield opened fire, shooting red bullets straight into the aircraft, causing it to burst into flames and crash to the ground more than 1km away from the battlefield. The American pilot, Lieutenant An-ve-ret, was forced to parachute to escape, then was discovered by the people, who coordinated to capture him alive in the waters of Ha Tu ward today.

Immediately after the battle, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong visited the 217th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, praising and encouraging the troops. Young gunner Dao Ngoc Sao was moved at that time, remembering the Prime Minister's instructions: "I convey the compliments of the Party Central Committee and Uncle Ho to all officers and soldiers of the air defense, navy, police, militia, self-defense force and all the people of Heroic Hon Gai. Our victory is very great but it is only the first battle. They can still come with even larger forces. The important thing is to learn from experience to draw combat lessons to make the victory even greater...".

Putting aside the memories of a time of bombs and bullets and returning to normal life, former war veterans like Mr. Dao Ngoc Sao still uphold the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, taking the lead in implementing the Party's policies and guidelines and the State's laws and policies, actively participating in local social activities, enriching themselves legitimately with their own hands and minds, contributing to building their homeland Quang Ninh to become increasingly rich, civilized and modern.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/ven-nguyen-ky-uc-hao-hung-3311235.html