The Tale of the Writers of the Epic of Heroic Mines

Despite being at an "old age", the memories of the days of taking over the Mining Zone are still intact in the mind of veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung (born in 1933), with 76 years of Party membership, former soldier of Regiment 244 taking over the Mining Zone, former Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station.

In 1953, he was a soldier of the Quang Yen Provincial Team. After the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, the Geneva Agreement was signed, the North was completely liberated. According to the Geneva Agreement, the French colonial mines had to withdraw within 300 days at the latest. At that time, his unit was stationed in Chi Linh (Hai Duong). Mr. Thung recalled that his superiors ordered him to stop firing at exactly 7:00 a.m., and each side's army had to retreat at least 5km. Mr. Thung's unit received orders to move to Son Dong ( Bac Giang ) to study professional skills, then was ordered to prepare to return to Hon Gai (now Quang Ninh province).

Mr. Thung and his teammates had to march through Dinh Lap ( Lang Son ) to Tien Yen. Arriving at Tien Yen, Mr. Thung and his teammates were ordered to take over and protect Van Hoa port and prepare to take over Hon Gai.

Right at his home in Ha Long City (Quang Ninh), veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung excitedly told his story when he and his teammates returned to take over the Mining Area.

Here, Mr. Thung's unit was transferred to the Hong Quang Military Region to prepare for the establishment of Regiment 244 to take over Hon Gai. Regiment 244 was one of five regiments (along with 600, 254, 53, 94) of the 350th Infantry Division, newly established by the Ministry of National Defense. These were units gathered from battlefields and localities in the Northern inter-zones to take over and protect the newly liberated areas, including large cities, industrial zones, etc.

On the night of April 19 and early morning of April 20, 1955, Mr. Thung and his comrades marched across Mong Duong to the center of Cam Pha town. The unit entered and took over Cua Ong, Coc Sau, Deo Nai, and then moved to Quang Hanh. On the night of April 21, the mobile unit advanced close to the Ha Rang area (now Quang Hanh ward, Cam Pha city).

Mr. Thung said: “That night, from the top of the mountain, we looked at Cam Pha town and saw the lights on in one corner. No one in the unit could sleep because they were both happy and worried. We were happy that from tomorrow this place would be liberated. We were worried that before that, the enemy had established the reactionary Thanh Phan corridor and promoted propaganda with the slogan “Viet Minh in the forest has long hair, black teeth, and eats people”, so when they take over, if we are not careful, the situation will be unpredictable.”

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thung in 1953 when he just joined the Quang Yen Provincial Military Command.

Veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung added: These days, the lackeys are trying to sabotage machinery, forcing people to migrate to the South and organizing propaganda to defame Viet Minh cadres. However, the people are still not shaken, absolutely supporting the army to take over.

After taking over Quang Hanh power station, Mr. Thung's unit continued to march through Ha Tu towards the center of Hon Gai town.

The story of 70 years ago, like a slow-motion film, is imprinted in the memory of veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung, never fading. He said: "When we marched to Hon Gai, there was not a single person in front of us, and we did not see any people on the way in. Our unit was stationed at Coc 5. The company formed an honor guard to send off the French troops to the "open-mouthed" ship at the ferry terminal. Wherever we went, there was almost no one in front of us, but behind us, people rushed out with red flags with yellow stars, shouting in support of the Viet Minh. When the "open-mouthed" ship left, the ships and boats on the wharf immediately hung red flags with yellow stars, creating a joyful and happy atmosphere. Flags and flowers lit up the vast sea and water. For the first time, we heard the loudspeakers, and listened to songs filled with the heroic spirit of the nation. Everyone was very happy. Voices mixed with laughter and singing were lively. Life felt extremely happy".

Veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung and his wife Nguyen Thi Kiem (born in 1941) told the story of the early days of taking over the Mining Area to reporters of the Vietnam Law Newspaper.

At that time, Regiment 244 was a unit that had gathered from the battlefields in the North. Mr. Thung and his comrades returned to take over and protect the newly liberated area. Regiment 238 continued to take over Cam Pha, the Military Management Committee and other army forces from all directions came to take over Hon Gai.

The mine was taken over by our army and people, and the people were able to take control of their lives and their homeland. Joy was overwhelming, giving the people of the Mining Region strength to overcome the difficult years after liberation, start restoring production, and create a miracle by quickly restoring the main road system and coal production.

Although working in conditions of lacking equipment and materials, being completely self-sufficient, and having difficult logistics that could not meet the needs, the spirit of the workers, who were in the position of being the masters of their own lives, was extremely enthusiastic. The miners worked “five times, ten times” to build the coal region, contributing with the whole North to support the Southern battlefield to fight the Americans.

In 1960, Regiment 244 completed its mission and was disbanded. Mr. Thung transferred to work at the Propaganda Department of the Hong Quang Regional Party Committee, then became Head of the Propaganda Department of the Dong Trieu District Party Committee, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Radio and Television Station from 1989. He retired in 1994. In any position, he was not afraid of difficulties, determined to devote all his talents and efforts to serving the Party Committee, government and people of Quang Ninh province.

The early days of taking over the Mining Area (provided by Quang Ninh Museum)

During these historic April days, Mr. Thung and his comrades felt honored and happy to be able to join in the glorious milestones of the nation's history, of the Mining Region. 70 years after the liberation, the Mining Region today has changed a lot, the memories of those years of liberation remind each person today to uphold the tradition, to continue writing heroic songs on the northeastern borderland of the Fatherland.

Hoan Duong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/chuyen-ke-cua-nhung-nguoi-viet-ban-trang-ca-cho-vung-mo-anh-hung-post546171.html