Remembering "the king of weapons" Tran Dai Nghia

SGGP 13/09/2023 07:17

On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Major General, Professor, Academician, and Labor Hero Tran Dai Nghia (September 13, 1913 - September 13, 2023), we remember him - known as the "king of weapons," a name associated with Vietnam 's military industry. He is a prime example of the intellect, conscience, and human dignity of the Ho Chi Minh era.

Numerous scientists and researchers attended the scientific conference on Professor and Academician Tran Dai Nghia. Photo: Tuan Quang

1. Tran Dai Nghia, whose real name was Pham Quang Le, was born into a poor family of teachers in Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province. He lost his father at the age of 7 and was raised and educated by his mother and sister. After completing his primary education in My Tho, he went to Saigon to study at Petrus Ky School. In 1933, he earned two high school diplomas, one in Vietnamese and one in French, and shortly after received a scholarship to study in France.

With all his hard work, he earned three university degrees simultaneously (civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mathematics). He then went on to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering. He also spent time in Germany researching aircraft manufacturing and weapons, before returning to France to work as chief engineer for Concord Aircraft Research and Development. He spent all his savings on books related to weapons, studying day and night, waiting for an opportunity to return and help his country. His constant concern was that Vietnam, despite its tradition of fighting invaders, lacked modern weaponry.

In 1946, during a trip to France, President Ho Chi Minh met and spoke with overseas Vietnamese and listened to Pham Quang Le's desire to bring back the military technical knowledge he had accumulated over many years abroad to serve the country. After this meeting, President Ho Chi Minh left France and returned to Vietnam, accompanied by four overseas Vietnamese. Pham Quang Le returned home with a ton of books specializing in weapons. President Ho Chi Minh gave him the name Tran Dai Nghia and entrusted him with the important responsibility of being the first Director of the Vietnamese Military Industry.

2. With the trust and special attention of Uncle Ho, and the strong cooperation of his comrades, in early 1947, after more than 5 months back in the country, Tran Dai Nghia and his colleagues manufactured the Bazooka – the first anti-tank gun based on the American model, capable of firing up to 600m, with a lethal range of 50m, and a penetration depth of 75cm in brick walls, equivalent to the ammunition manufactured by the Americans. The Bazooka contributed to the defeat of the French offensive at the Cau Moi - Ha Dong front. During the Autumn-Winter campaign, the Bazooka also sank French warships on the Lo River.

His next invention, along with that of his colleagues, was the SKZ recoilless rifle, weighing 20 kg, used to fire at fortified strongholds and penetrate concrete bunkers. In the 1950s, our troops used the SKZ recoilless rifle in the South Central battlefield, sometimes eliminating five outposts in a single night. During the Dien Bien Phu campaign, our troops deployed 10 SKZ rifles along with 100 rounds of ammunition. This was followed by the DKZ, and then the flying bombs targeting concentrated positions, comparable to German weapons. Later, we developed missiles capable of striking targets up to 4 km away.

During the war against the US, our improved weapons contributed to countering B52 bombers, destroying American mines, and manufacturing special equipment for special forces. According to President Ho Chi Minh's prediction: "Sooner or later, the American imperialists will bring B52s to attack Hanoi, and only after defeat will they admit defeat." Tran Dai Nghia, along with scientists and research units, effectively improved the SAM-2 missile and the KX equipment. Combined with tactical firing techniques, the courageous fighting spirit, and the air defense combat skills of our missile troops, this created a "Dien Bien Phu in the air" in 1972 over Hanoi.

On April 30, 1975, he quietly wrote in his notebook: "My mission is accomplished." It was the sacred mission of saving the country that he had cherished since his youth.

3. He was promoted to general in 1948 and held many positions: Director of the Artillery Department, Deputy Head of the General Department of Logistics, and Deputy Head of the General Department of Engineering. After leaving the army, he was assigned to be the Rector of Hanoi University of Technology, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister of Heavy Industry, Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology, Director of the Vietnam Academy of Science, and President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

He was one of the first seven heroes awarded in 1952, along with Cu Chinh Lan, La Van Cau, Nguyen Thi Chien, etc. He was the first general to be awarded the title of Hero. He was elected a member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences in 1966 and was later awarded the Ho Chi Minh Order.

Tran Dai Nghia was a true general and scientist, who devoted his life to studying and developing modern weapons to defeat powerful colonial and imperialist invaders. He was willing to give up a high salary, equivalent to 22 taels of gold a month at the time, to share the hardships with the people, to win freedom and independence, and to ensure the sustainable development of the country.

Tran Dai Nghia truly deserves to be recognized as a general of the heroic army, a scientist who selflessly dedicated himself to the nation and its people. He deserves the name that President Ho Chi Minh bestowed upon him. That name has also been given to schools, roads, and memorial sites… so that future generations will forever remember a man who always acted for the greater good.

On September 12th, the Vinh Long Provincial Party Committee, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, organized a scientific conference with the theme "Professor, Academician Tran Dai Nghia, a talented scientist and military leader, an outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh," to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Tran Dai Nghia (September 13, 1913 - September 13, 2023).

At the seminar, scientists, researchers, and those knowledgeable about the life and career of Professor and Academician Tran Dai Nghia focused on discussing many important issues. These included analyzing and clarifying the spirit of learning and passion for scientific research with the noble goal of serving the Fatherland and the people, as demonstrated by Comrade Tran Dai Nghia; affirming the great contributions of Comrade Tran Dai Nghia – a talented military scientist.

TUAN QUANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nho-ong-vua-vu-khi-tran-dai-nghia-post705367.html