The 57th anniversary of the death of the martyrs of Battalion 263

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Ho Thi Hoang Yen (3rd from right) and delegates attending the memorial service for martyrs of Battalion 263 of Military Region 8. Photo: Kim Loan

Attending the ceremony were representatives of the departments, agencies and unions of Long An and Tien Giang provinces, the Heroes of the People's Armed Forces of Battalion 263, generals and leaders of the Political Department of Military Region 9. Representatives of the leaders of Ben Tre province were Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Ho Thi Hoang Yen, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Be Muoi, former Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Cong Ngu, along with representatives of the departments, agencies of the province and nearly 100 comrades who are veterans, relatives of martyrs of Battalion 263 and a large number of people of Cau Van hamlet, An Luc Long commune came to offer incense in memory.

The General Offensive and Uprising of the Spring of Mau Than 1968 in the provinces of the Southwest took place extremely fiercely, especially in the second phase in Long An province, the enemy tried to sweep and kill very savagely, the main units of Military Region 8 were strengthened to coordinate with local forces to fight and prevent enemy operations, notably the event on April 7, Mau Than year (1968), in the area of ​​Cau Van hamlet, An Luc Long commune, Chau Thanh district, Long An province, there was a fierce anti-sweep battle by the troops of Battalion 263 of Regiment 2, Military Region 8, confronting the puppet army's 7th Division. After finishing a fierce battle with an enemy unit in Go Cong, on the way back to the unit at dawn, the unit stopped at a Go Tram Bau in the middle of the field, but the enemy discovered it. They mobilized their forces to surround us, using very strong firepower, modern weapons, infantry, vehicles, and aircraft support, determined to destroy our forces. Due to the much greater balance of forces than us, the officers and soldiers of Battalion 263 encountered many difficulties and challenges. In the "Enemy on all sides" situation, but with determination, bravery, and resilience, the unit fought steadfastly, repelling many enemy attacks. However, due to exhaustion, lack of weapons and equipment, and the balance of forces leaning heavily towards the enemy, more than 120 officers and soldiers of Battalion 263 fought heroically and sacrificed heroically (most of them were children from Ben Tre ).

To commemorate and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, every year, the locality coordinates with the Battalion Liaison Committee to organize a very solemn and warm collective death anniversary ceremony at the location of the battle in the past. Today, it has been invested in and built spaciously, on a large scale, becoming a place toeducate people about traditions.

Also on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the martyrs who died in the Cau Van battle, the Liaison Committee of Battalion 263 held an internal meeting to discuss and unify some preparations for activities to celebrate the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27, 2025. To preserve the traditions and important historical milestones of the Battalion, the Liaison Committee agreed to collect documents to publish the Battalion 263 Yearbook. Mobilize comrades and teammates in the unit to join hands to raise funds to visit and give gifts to sick and ill veterans of the Battalion; visit and promptly help families of wounded soldiers and relatives of martyrs in difficulty. Thereby paying tribute to the heroic martyrs, officers and soldiers who once fought and sacrificed for the cause of national liberation and reunification, while promoting the tradition of determination to fight and win of the heroic unit of the People's Armed Forces.

Kim Loan

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/le-gio-lan-thu-57-liet-si-tieu-doan-263-04052025-a146110.html