Bac Giang: Thematic talk on "The Journey to Independence Palace"

Speaker Nguyen Khac Nguyet introduced the book about the heroic martyr Ngo Van Nho.

The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; teachers and students from Bac Giang city.

The writer and Colonel Nguyen Khac Nguyet, born in 1954 in Chi Linh city ( Hai Duong province ), was formerly a tank driver in Company 4, 203rd Tank Brigade, 2nd Corps (now 12th Corps). This was the company of tanks 390, 843, etc., that captured and planted the first flag on the Independence Palace on the afternoon of April 30, 1975.

Writer Nguyen Khac Nguyet has published more than a dozen books about the nation's resistance war. The topic of the talk is also the title of a book he wrote in 2015, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country - "Tank Soldier's Memoirs - The Journey to Independence Palace". This is a memoir by a veteran, a witness and the main character of that historical journey.

The children listened attentively as the speaker spoke about the journey to the Independence Palace.

The book, over 300 pages long, is divided into several sections, each a vivid snapshot of the tank forces' journey from their inception to the moment they entered the Independence Palace in 1975. More than just a battlefield memoir, the work is a collection of emotionally charged stories, portraying the courage, camaraderie, and indomitable spirit of the tank soldiers.

Delegates and students listened attentively as the veteran recounted the journey to the final victory of the tank soldiers. In 1972, young soldier Nguyen Khac Nguyet drove tank 380 from the assembly point in Vinh Phuc province through various battlefields until the day of complete victory. His Company 4 also included Vu Dang Toan, the Company's Political Commissar and tank commander; Nguyen Van Tap (from Gia Loc), who drove tank 390 to ram through the gates of the Independence Palace; and Bui Quang Than, who planted the flag on the Independence Palace. In 40 days, from March 19th to April 30th, the heroic Company 4 moved more than 1,000 km, participating in the liberation of three major cities: Da Nang, Hue, and Saigon.

Colonel and writer Nguyen Khac Nguyet interacts with youth union members and students.

At noon on April 30, 1975, the tank unit of Company 4 advanced into the Independence Palace. Tank 380, commanded by Mr. Nguyen Khac Nguyet, entered a few minutes after Tank 390, commanded by Mr. Toan and Mr. Tap, while Tank 843, commanded by Mr. Bui Quang Than, although it entered earlier, got stuck at the side gate. The image of the tank crashing through the gate of the Independence Palace and the flag of the Liberation Army flying atop the Saigon government's headquarters will forever remain a glorious symbol of the historic April 30th victory, the complete liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country.

According to Colonel Nguyen Khac Nguyet, "The Journey to Independence Palace" is not the specific journey of a single unit, but rather the journey of an entire nation from the beginning of the war to the day of complete victory, filled with blood, sweat, glory, heroism, and loss. Through the talk, listeners, especially students, gained a deeper understanding of the courageous struggle of their ancestors to achieve the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

Text and photos: Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/bac-giang-noi-chuyen-chuyen-de-hanh-trinh-den-dinh-doc-lap--postid416395.bbg