The "Silent Heritage" beside Ham Rong Bridge

Standing majestically beside the Ma River, Ham Rong Bridge is not only a vital transportation artery but also a proud symbol of a time of intense fighting. Here, the army and people of Thanh Hoa achieved the Ham Rong victory, shooting down 117 American aircraft and firmly defending this strategic bridge. Today, alongside the bridge, the soldiers and militiamen of that era are still present as "living legacies," preserving and passing on the memories and spirit of an unforgettable time.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Teo - a former militia member at the Ham Rong battlefield.

One April morning, we met Mr. Le Xuan Giang, a soldier who had spent almost a decade defending the Ham Rong Bridge. In his small house, not far from the historic bridge, there weren't many mementos, but the soldier's memories seemed to remain intact. Holding a book about the Ham Rong Bridge, he slowly turned the pages, as if touching the past – the place where his youth and that of countless comrades were lost amidst bombs and bullets.

In September 1965, he enlisted in the army, assigned to Company 4, Regiment 228, stationed on Hill C4 with the task of protecting Ham Rong Bridge. At that time, the battles of April 3rd and 4th, 1965, had passed, but their echoes still lingered. He heard stories and was inspired by the spirit of that battle.

His first assignment was in the radar squad – the “eyes” of the battlefield. He didn't directly pull the trigger, but every detected signal, every accurate shot, contributed decisively to the outcome of the battle. Recalling that time, Mr. Giang paused for a moment, then recounted an unforgettable milestone – the night of July 14, 1966. At that time, the American enemy unexpectedly used A6A aircraft to attack the Ham Rong bridge. In the darkness, with stealth aircraft and limited visibility, the radar squad persevered in detecting targets, providing timely information for the anti-aircraft artillery to shoot down the planes. The very next morning, the radar position became the target of retaliation. Bombs and bullets rained down relentlessly. In that battle, Deputy Platoon Leader Do Huu Toai was the first member of Company 4 to be killed.

Recalling that moment, Mr. Giang fell silent, then recounted: “I went directly to provide first aid to Toai. He was seriously injured. In one of his rare moments of lucidity, he grasped my hand and asked me to inform his family if anything happened that he had been admitted to the Party. The image of Toai and his fighting spirit have stayed with me throughout the following years, becoming the motivation for me to overcome all difficulties.”

In late September 1966, the enemy launched unprecedented airstrikes on the battlefield. “In three days, there were 27 consecutive battles. Our army and people established up to 30 anti-aircraft gun emplacements on both banks of the river, coordinating to shoot down many enemy aircraft,” Mr. Giang recalled.

There's one detail that has troubled him for years. When a soldier in his unit had the opportunity to meet President Ho Chi Minh, the President instructed him: "When Ham Rong shoots down the 100th plane, I will come to visit." That promise became the goal and the driving force for the soldiers and people there. But when the President passed away, that promise remained unfulfilled. "Everyone considered it a 'debt' to the President," Mr. Giang said.

By the end of 1971, the soldiers and people of Ham Rong had shot down the 100th American plane in the skies over Ham Rong. But for soldiers like Mr. Giang, what remains is not the numbers, but the memories of their comrades, of the days spent living on the fragile boundary between life and death.

Leaving Mr. Giang's house, we went to meet Mrs. Nguyen Thi Teo, a former militia member at the Ham Rong battlefield. Mrs. Teo's small house is still located in the heart of the ancient Dong Son village – the rear base of the former Ham Rong battlefield. Now over 80 years old, her eyes light up when she talks about the war. It wasn't just about the fierce battles, but also about the time when an entire village rose up, living and fighting together. At that time, she was the squad leader of a medical team of 15 women stationed at Moong Cave, responsible for communication, alerting, and providing first aid to the wounded. Mrs. Teo said: “There were days when American planes attacked continuously, up to 12 times. Many soldiers were wounded; there weren't enough stretchers, so we had to take turns carrying the wounded. Amidst the heavy bombardment, we bandaged their wounds while simultaneously encouraging them.”

Besides providing first aid, Mrs. Teo and many other villagers also carried rice and water to the battlefield to supply the soldiers amidst the life-or-death struggle. These silent contributions, along with the close bond between the army and the people, created a special strength that contributed to the victory at Ham Rong. For her, it's not just a memory, but an inseparable part of her life.

Today, with the bombs and bullets long gone, Ham Rong Bridge has returned to its peaceful appearance. But behind that peace lie memories that never fade. The soldiers and militiamen of yesteryear – they are not only witnesses, but also a living continuation of history.

If the bridge is a testament to a time of war, then they are the "living heritage" that embodies the core values ​​of the nation: patriotism, unwavering will, and a sense of responsibility to the homeland.

Text and photos: Thùy Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/di-san-tham-lang-nbsp-ben-cau-ham-rong-284277.htm