Memories of the Central Highlands

Colonel Nguyen Binh Nguyen and his battlefield diary.

At his home in Quang Trung ward ( Thai Nguyen City), Colonel Nguyen Binh Nguyen greeted me in his neat military uniform. Although he was over 80 years old, his eyes still shone brightly whenever he talked about his years fighting in the Central Highlands.

"Fifty years have passed, but for me, the memories of the Central Highlands battlefield remain as vivid as if it were yesterday," Colonel Nguyen began his story, his voice warm and full of emotion.

In 1965, like many other young men, Nguyen Binh Nguyen answered the call of the Fatherland and enlisted in the army, joining the 95th Regiment. His unit was deployed to the Central Highlands battlefield with a special mission: to penetrate deep into enemy territory and cut off traffic on vital national highways 19 and 14 in Gia Lai province and the areas bordering Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, and Dak Lak .

"The Central Highlands is a harsh land, with dense, rugged forests and undulating hills. We had to face not only the enemy but also nature, harsh weather, and disease," Colonel Nguyen recounted. "But it was these challenges that forged the unwavering will of the revolutionary soldiers."

Colonel Nguyen recalled the historic days of the Central Highlands Campaign in 1975 - the opening act for the later historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

"When we received the order to participate in the Central Highlands Campaign, we all understood that this was a decisive moment. The fighting spirit of our comrades was very high. Everyone was determined to excellently complete the mission, contributing to the overall victory of the nation."

He recounted with vivid details: "I remember vividly the night of March 3rd and the early morning of March 4th, 1975. According to the plan, the regiment was ordered to open fire and attack to capture the Azun base, Plei Bong, and Mang Yang pass on Highway 19. Our mission was to cut off this road, especially the Mang Yang section, to block the enemy's retreat."

He recalled: "At that time, I commanded a company that intercepted an enemy convoy. They counterattacked fiercely, many of our men were wounded and killed, but the spirit of all the soldiers was determined to prevent any enemy vehicle from passing through Mang Yang at all costs. After about 3 hours of fighting, the company repelled the enemy's counterattack, shooting down a total of 9 vehicles, including 2 tanks and 7 M113 armored vehicles."

Each page of the diary is an unforgettable memory of a glorious era in the nation's history.

Colonel Nguyen has many profound memories associated with the Central Highlands battlefield, but perhaps the most memorable is the bond between the soldiers and the people there.

"The people of the Central Highlands have protected, sheltered, and helped us a great deal. I remember once, while my unit was on a march, a soldier contracted severe malaria. An elderly Ba Na villager used medicinal leaves from the forest to save him. Without the help of the people, we could not have overcome the difficulties and hardships."

He also spoke of his fallen comrades with a choked voice: "They passed away at a very young age, but lived fully for a noble ideal. Every time I remember them, I tell myself that I must live in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice."

When asked about the message he wanted to send to the younger generation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of liberation, Colonel Nguyen pondered for a moment before saying: "Peace, independence, and unity are the result of countless sacrifices and bloodshed of many generations of Vietnamese people. I hope that today's young people understand the value of peace, cherish what they have, and strive to study and work to build a stronger and more prosperous country."

"The Central Highlands has changed a lot now. But for me, the memories of this land and its people will always remain an indispensable part of a soldier's life," Colonel Nguyen confided at the end of the conversation.

Fifty years have passed since the reunification of the country, but the memories of the Central Highlands remain vivid in the minds of soldiers like Colonel Nguyen Binh Nguyen, serving as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. Their stories – the memories of the Central Highlands – will forever be a source of inspiration for future generations to continue building and defending the Fatherland.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202504/ky-uc-tay-nguyen-ce13d84/