Those who contributed to the victory of the first match
Monument complex of "first battle victory" and Buddha pagoda in Hoang Tien commune.
Memories cannot be erased
In a small, peaceful house at the end of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, Dong Quang Ward, Colonel Le Van Lam welcomed us with the warm, friendly smile of a Ho Chi Minh soldier. He is over 86 years old this year, but the memory of the historic victory 61 years ago is still clear in his mind as an important milestone in the long journey of protecting the sacred islands of the Fatherland that cannot be erased.
Colonel Le Van Lam was born and raised in Hoang Hai commune, old Hoang Hoa district (now Hoang Tien commune). In 1963, following the sacred call of the Fatherland, he joined the army and was assigned to the K53 Radar training unit, Squad 2, Vietnam People's Navy, stationed at Bai Chay Port, Quang Ninh province. With a distant look in his eyes, he recalled: On August 2, 1964, Squad 2 of the escort patrol fleet from Quang Ninh province entered Lach Truong estuary, Thanh Hoa province, with the mission of protecting torpedo boat 333 commanded and captained by comrade Nguyen Xuan Bot. With determination, torpedo boat squadrons 333, 336, 339 of the Vietnam Navy launched a combat sortie, firing torpedoes that injured the Madoc ship and forced it to flee from the northern waters.
On August 5, 1964, the US mobilized aircraft to launch attacks on most of the Vietnamese Navy bases along the northern coastal strip from Gianh River, Quang Tri Province to Bai Chay, Quang Ninh Province. Among them, the Lach Truong estuary was the most fiercely attacked area. Two of our ships in Lach Truong, T130 and T132, were hit by the first volley of bullets and sank. About 20 of our soldiers on those ships that year sacrificed forever, remaining in Lach Truong.
At about 2:15 p.m. on August 5, 1964, many groups of enemy aircraft flew in from the East Sea, bombarding from Ne Island to Lach Truong estuary. With a spirit of readiness to fight, the Vietnamese Navy units coordinated with Border Guard Station 74, Radar Company, Lach Truong Fisheries Self-Defense Force and militia from coastal communes to bravely fight the enemy aircraft. That afternoon, the Vietnamese Navy and local military and civilians shot down 8 American aircraft, damaged many others and captured many pilots. This was the first victory of the Vietnam People's Navy and also the first battle in Mr. Le Van Lam's military career.
In his story, Colonel Le Van Lam's eyes were red when he mentioned his comrades who sacrificed their lives in the Lach Truong sea. When talking about the Hero of the Armed Forces Dang Dinh Long, who was from Ngoc Son ward, he felt like his chest was choking. At that time, the Hero of the Armed Forces Dang Dinh Long was the number 5 gunner on Ship 146. Although he was injured and had both legs broken, he resolutely refused to leave his position, still tried to hang himself on a gun rack and shoot until he could no longer hold on and heroically sacrificed himself. That was a heroic act, a symbol of the determination to fight and win of the Vietnam People's Navy in the first battle.
In the unequal battles with the US Navy and Air Force, in the Lach Truong sea area, at sea, the Vietnamese Navy soldiers bravely confronted the enemy head-on. On the shore, the air defense forces, armed police, military and civilians of coastal communes also actively fought and served in combat. Under the "rain of bombs and bullets", hundreds of young people and local militia rushed to transport wounded soldiers, rescue, and bury martyrs. Ms. To Thi Dao in Hoa Loc commune, who was the secretary of the Youth Union and the militia squad leader of Hoa Ngu hamlet, recalled: "At that time, the Hoa Ngu hamlet militia squad was assigned to help people evacuate and participate in medical aid. There were no young men left, only the elderly, women and children. We mobilized people to take pots, beds and mats to make stretchers. When there were wounded soldiers, we carried them to a place called the salt station to wait for the military medics to return to treat the wounded soldiers". Along with the Vietnam People’s Navy, ordinary people like Mrs. To Thi Dao also keep in their memories the small part they played in that first victorious battle. That memory is forever fresh and still intact in the minds of those who remain today.
The wishes of those who make victory
To honor the great contributions and sacrifices of the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy, the army and people of Thanh Hoa in the struggle for national liberation, on July 29, 2014, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province and the Navy Command built the "first victory" monument in Hoang Truong commune, the old Hoang Hoa district (now Hoang Tien commune).
It has become a tradition that in the first days of August every year, the veterans of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Navy Liaison Committee return to the "First Battle Victory" Monument to offer incense to commemorate the 54 comrades who sacrificed and forever remain at Lach Truong estuary. The sea and the horizon are still connected, as blue as 61 years ago. Each wave still crashes against the cliffs, creating white foam. Standing in front of the sea, in front of the souls of their comrades who have merged into the waves of their homeland, the former officers and soldiers of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Navy Liaison Committee wish to have a stele house to record the names and commemorate the 54 soldiers who sacrificed at Lach Truong estuary. That is not only the wish of those who contributed to the victory of the first battle, but also a meaningful gratitude to the souls of their comrades who sacrificed at Lach Truong estuary of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Navy Liaison Committee as well as Colonel Le Van Lam.
Together with the monument complex of "first battle victory" and Buddha pagoda, this place will be a cultural, historical and spiritual work to remember, honor and show gratitude for the great contributions and sacrifices of our army and people in the cause of national liberation, a destination for many tourists and contributing to the propaganda and education of revolutionary traditions for future generations.
Article and photos: Minh Thuy
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-nguoi-gop-phan-lam-nen-chien-thang-tran-dau-256961.htm
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