Remember the time when female militia in Binh Giang shot down enemy planes

Members of the Mobile Militia Women's Platoon of Trang Liet Commune (now Ke Sat Town, Binh Giang) met and recalled old memories.

Regardless of danger

We had the opportunity to meet and talk emotionally with 9 of the 14 female militiamen of Trang Liet commune at that time (now Ke Sat town, Binh Giang district, Hai Duong ). They are now in their seventies, their hair is white but they still remember very clearly the years they fought and achieved feats with their comrades.

The remaining 5 female militiamen, some were in poor health, some were busy with family work, taking care of children far away so they could not gather.

In wartime, they were female militiamen with steady hands on the plow and steady hands on guns. In peacetime, they lived a good life, upheld their religion, and were shining examples for future generations to learn from and follow.

Ms. Cao Thi Nam (78 years old), former Captain of Battery 1, recounted that in June 1967, the Trang Liet Commune Mobile Militia Women's Platoon was established with 14 people, all of whom were Catholics, equipped with 4 12.7mm anti-aircraft guns.

Even though they were eighteen or twenty years old, everyone wanted to take up arms and fight. Other militia teams were only on duty in the village, but the Trang Liet female militia platoon, under the province's command, was ready to go anywhere.

"Of the 14 sisters, only I was married. After 3 days of marriage, my husband went to the South to fight. Back home, I wrote a request to go to war in blood. At that time, all young people wanted to hold a gun to protect the Fatherland, regardless of life or death," Ms. Nam recalled.

After a short training period, the unit was assigned to go to the battlefield to protect Ba Thuy culvert, Long Xuyen commune (Binh Giang). At that time, the enemy often sent planes to conduct reconnaissance and patrol this area. Every day, the female militiamen reinforced trenches and fortifications, changed new camouflage leaves, observed and were on duty.

2 times downed enemy planes

Representatives of the Military Command of Binh Giang district visited and presented gifts to the former female militia platoon of Trang Liet commune on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army on December 22.

At about 11:30 a.m. on February 23, 1968, from the Southeast direction, a group of A6 planes appeared and flew into the battlefield area of Ba Thuy culvert, Long Xuyen commune (Binh Giang).

Above, a group of F4H fighters were on a bombing and rocket-launching mission. Observing the battlefield from above, the first F4H dived at an altitude of 700 m and launched rockets, but was intercepted by the militia of Trang Liet commune deployed on the dike.

The second F4H continued to dive to attack the target. As the enemy aircraft dropped bombs, the red signal flag in the hands of platoon leader Dang Thi Minh was waved with a clear, decisive command: "Fire!"

The entire platoon fired simultaneously, the battlefield resounded with gunfire, dirt and sand flew everywhere. The F4H plane burned in the sky of Ba Thuy. After this victory, the unit was awarded a certificate of merit by Military Region 3.

After that, the Platoon continued to be mobilized to move to Ha Ky commune (Tu Ky) and then transferred to Tranh ferry (in Phu Duc district, Thai Binh ).

"Those days were very difficult, traveling dozens of kilometers had to be done on foot, transported by ox cart. On the cart were weapons, rice, pots and pans for cooking. There were rainy nights, everyone was soaked, the road was slippery but we walked barefoot, wearing palm hats at night. Until now, thinking back, I don't understand why I was so strong back then," female militia Dao Thi Kim recalled with emotion.

Here, the platoon was deployed into combat clusters on the banks of the Luoc River. The girls quickly built fortifications, camouflaged themselves, practiced actively during the day, and were ready for combat at night.

The moment of shooting down an American plane on the night of March 31, 1968 is still clearly imprinted in the minds of the female militia of Trang Liet commune.

At around 11pm, enemy planes attacked the Nho Lam area, Phuong Ky commune (Tu Ky) and then circled around Ninh Giang town. Hearing the sound of planes and bombs exploding, the female militia platoon immediately took up combat positions, ready to fire when they flew over.

As expected, the enemy planes flew out over Ninh Giang after the attack. The female militia calmly observed, intercepted, and waited for the planes to get within a favorable distance.

Female militia Dao Thi Kim and her husband Pham Van Xuan recall memories of a time of war.

When the enemy aircraft came within firing range, the platoon opened fire simultaneously, all four 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns aimed at one target. The A6 at the head of the formation was hit and caught fire, the remaining planes panicked and turned around to flee. At that moment, everyone was so happy, they didn’t have time to wipe their sweat, their faces were covered in dirt, everyone hugged each other, shouting: The plane is on fire! The plane is on fire!”...

For the feat of shooting down an American plane, the Trang Liet Commune Mobile Militia Platoon was awarded the Second Class Military Exploit Medal by the State. Many badges and certificates of merit were awarded to each individual at all levels.

After the US announced the cessation of bombing in the North, the Trang Liet Mobile Militia Platoon was ordered to withdraw to their locality. The women in the team still worked together, both producing and patrolling to protect the locality.

For many years now, on March 31st every year, female militiamen still hold meetings to recall memories of an unforgettable heroic time.

NGHIA AN

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nho-thoi-nhung-nu-dan-quan-o-binh-giang-ban-roi-may-bay-dich-398582.html