In the jubilant atmosphere of April, we visited Colonel Nguyen Van Ai in Linh Dong ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh city. In his reminiscences, Mr. Chin Ai told about the time he shot down an enemy plane when he was a guerrilla in Phuoc Thanh commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province.

On June 12, 1967, when hearing the buzzing sound of airplanes from afar, the guerrilla force of Phuoc Thanh commune at the ambush position was ready to raise its guns to wait for the enemy aircraft. With a rifle in hand, guerrilla Nguyen Van Ai seized the opportunity to shoot down the enemy F-4H aircraft while it was diving down to drop bombs. After that achievement, Nguyen Van Ai left his hometown of Ben Tre , volunteered to join the Saigon-Gia Dinh special forces, initially operating secretly in the suburbs, then operating deep into the center of Saigon.

Colonel Nguyen Van Ai (right) talks about his time in the special forces.

On December 21, 1972, in the battle against the puppet army in Ba Song hamlet, An Nhon Tay commune, Cu Chi district, comrade Chin Ai fought steadfastly, resourcefully, and creatively, destroying 10 enemies and was injured, but fortunately, his teammates bandaged and treated him in time. Then, on December 22, 1972, 3 enemy helicopters fiercely attacked. Although his wound had not healed and his body was still in pain, comrade Chin Ai used an AK gun to shoot down 1 helicopter. That feat of comrade Chin Ai made the local people happy, and his teammates admired his brave, courageous, and determined fighting spirit.

After that, comrade Chin Ai fought in the commando force and continuously achieved many outstanding achievements. In March 1974, when the 316th Special Forces Brigade was established, he joined the unit. The task of the special forces soldier was to lead the way and coordinate combat with the troops of the Gia Dinh Regiment to attack enemy posts and bases in the direction of Xuan Thoi Thuong commune (Hoc Mon district). On April 28, the 316th Special Forces Brigade destroyed enemy posts and bases along the way to Saigon. After that, the locations from Xuan Thoi Thuong to Tan Son Nhi (Tan Phu district), the Phu Nhuan district area and part of Tan Son Nhat airport were quickly liberated. At noon on April 30, comrade Chin Ai's unit and the Gia Dinh Regiment took over the entire area of ​​the puppet General Staff. “The atmosphere in Saigon that day was hard to describe. Wherever our troops advanced, people filled the streets, cheering and waving to warmly welcome the troops. The enemy fled in all directions to escape, leaving behind helmets, clothes, guns and ammunition in piles, scattered on the side of the road,” Mr. Chin Ai recalled the happy moment on the day of total victory, when the country was filled with joy.

On May 5, 1975, Mr. Chin Ai was assigned to be the Commander of the Military Command of Tu Duc Ward (now Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). His task was to work with the hamlets and villages to review the list of officers and soldiers of the old regime to gather, propagate, and call on the subjects to present themselves and register for study and reform.

In the early days of liberation, Saigon had a complicated security and order situation. Mr. Chin Ai and his comrades in the Tu Duc Ward Military Command regularly coordinated with the main force to patrol, protect, organize propaganda andeducation to eliminate social evils, maintain security and order, and protect the peace of each neighborhood in the ward.

Article and photos: THE ANH

* Readers are invited to visit the 50th Anniversary of the Great Victory of Spring 1975 section to see related news and articles.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/ky-su/nguoi-hai-lan-ha-may-bay-dich-826025