In the majestic Quan Hoa mountains and forests, Co Phuong cave in Sai village, Phu Le commune is a tragic but heroic relic, reminding generations of today and tomorrow of the indomitable spirit of our ancestors to protect the country.
People come to offer incense at Co Phuong cave.
Co Phuong Cave (also known as Co Phuong) is located in the rocky mountains of Po Ha range. The cave is built of large rocks stacked on top of each other, with an area of about 20 square meters, the highest dome is about 4 meters, the deeper you go inside, the narrower the cave becomes. In the past, there was a star fruit tree in front of the cave, so the locals called it Co Phuong (in Thai, this name means star fruit tree cave).
According to relevant documents, during the years of resistance against French colonialism, Sai village, Phu Le commune was located on the route for transporting military supplies and weapons for our army to serve the Upper Laos campaign and the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Hang Co Phuong was not only a military supply station but also a shelter for soldiers, youth volunteers and frontline laborers. Because this place was close to both the road and river routes to the Northwest and Upper Laos. During the Upper Laos campaign, Thanh Hoa province became a direct and important rear base, ensuring more than 70% of the food needs for the army to eat well and win. During this campaign, our province mobilized 113,973 long-term laborers and 148,499 short-term laborers, 2,000 bicycles, 180 horses, 8 cars, 1,300 boats,...
Because they discovered the important location for gathering military supplies to support our battlefields, the French continuously used sewing machines to raid and bomb. With the spirit of "All for the campaign", "All for the army to eat well and win", the youth volunteer force and frontline laborers of Thanh Hoa province with rudimentary hoes and shovels were always on duty day and night on this route, maintaining smooth traffic to the battlefield.
The victory of the Upper Laos Campaign of the Lao-Vietnamese coalition opened a new phase for the Lao revolution and created strategic advantages for us to advance and win the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Campaign and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. At the end of the campaign, Thanh Hoa was awarded the flag "Best Frontline Service" by Uncle Ho. Many collectives and individuals were commended, such as: C3 Packer Company (Hau Loc District), Company 4 and Company 7 (Thieu Hoa District), 2 bicycle packer units of Thanh Hoa town,...
However, to contribute to that victory, the hills of Sai village suffered many sacrifices and losses. In Thieu Hoa district alone, 27 frontline laborers were killed by enemy bombs on this road. And Co Phuong cave is a testament to a painful but heroic time of fire and smoke of our ancestors.
According to historical documents, at around 3:00 p.m. on April 2, 1953, French planes took turns dropping bombs on Phu Le commune, focusing on Co Phuong cave, in order to destroy food and weapons, cutting off our support to the battlefield. After that bombing, the cave entrance was covered by a large rock, burying 11 frontline workers who were taking shelter inside. Outside were full of bomb craters, the atmosphere of sadness covered the hills of Sai village.
The elders in Sai village recounted that after the bombing, they still heard cries for help coming from inside the cave. The people, soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers thought of a thousand ways to rescue them. But the rock was too big, no machine could pull it out, and if explosives were used, they would not be able to save their lives inside. Their youth remained with the majestic Quan Hoa mountains and forests, where they still heard the babbling of streams and the soothing sounds of the forest trees every day.
And their names are still engraved on the stone stele placed in front of Co Phuong cave. They were all from Thieu Nguyen commune (Thieu Hoa), including: Nguyen Thi Dieu, Nguyen Chi Hoang, Nguyen Thi Hoi, Nguyen Thi Mut, Nguyen Dung Phuoc, Nguyen Thi Thiem, Nguyen Chi Toan, Nguyen Thi Toan, Nguyen Thi Toan, Nguyen Thi To, Nguyen Thi Van, Nguyen Thi Vien. They have passed away, but their names will forever remain with this country and river.
When peace was restored, the authorities, local government and the martyrs’ relatives met to discuss plans to bring the remains of their brothers and sisters back to their homeland. There was a plan to move the large rock at the cave entrance to collect the remains of the martyrs. However, time had passed, and finding the remains and identifying their identities would be difficult. The martyrs’ relatives agreed to keep the cave as it is, so that they could rest in peace on this land.
To commemorate the heroic martyrs, in 1999, the Provincial People's Committee supported the funding to build a memorial stele at Co Phuong Cave. In 2012, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the Provincial People's Committee planned and restored the Co Phuong Cave Revolutionary Historical Relic Site. In 2012, the site was ranked at the provincial level. And in 2019, the Co Phuong Cave Historical Relic Site was ranked at the national level.
The historical site of Co Phuong cave currently has a stele house and a ceremony area lying quietly in the middle of the majestic forest, a testament to the indomitable spirit, brave fighting, ready to sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for the happiness of the people. In front of the cave, people have built a symbolic common grave, outside is a large incense burner, for people today and tomorrow to burn incense, pay tribute to those who have fallen, forming an immortal epic.
Article and photos: Van Anh
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