Where the fire is lit

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - On July 10, 1941, Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee decided to send the first 11 cadres and soldiers to promote the construction of Ngoc Trao base. Right from the moment they arrived at the base, the cadres and soldiers were warmly welcomed, nurtured and hidden by the people, creating all conditions for them to complete their tasks. The Provincial Party Committee's printing agency was also moved from Yen Dinh to Ngoc Trao base and received great support from the people.

Ngoc Trao war zone relic site has become a red address for educating patriotic and revolutionary traditions for generations.

On September 19, 1941, at Treo Cave, a location of Ngoc Trao base, on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, the leadership of Ngoc Trao war zone decided to establish the first armed guerrilla team of Ngoc Trao war zone consisting of 21 elite soldiers - the predecessor of Thanh Hoa armed forces later. At Treo Cave, the red flag with yellow star appeared for the first time. This was one of the concentrated guerrilla forces established after the 8th Central Conference of the Party. The reputation of the revolutionary base area with the guerrilla team had a wide influence on some communes of Ha Trung, Vinh Loc, Cam Thuy and Hoang Hoa. People in many localities in the province secretly donated food and medicine to the war zone. Many localities inside and outside the province selected enthusiastic young people to actively find their way to Ngoc Trao war zone.

In late September and early October 1941, the revolutionary movement in the country and in the province encountered many difficulties and challenges. The activities of the guerrilla team encountered many difficulties, the enemy began to discover the armed activities of the war zone and conducted sweeps and arrests, causing heavy losses to the guerrilla team. Although the activities of the Ngoc Trao war zone were short-lived, they left an indelible impression of the image of a revolutionary army, the elite sons of the people, wholeheartedly and bravely for the goal of national liberation.

The establishment of Ngoc Trao war zone with the first escaped guerrilla team of Thanh Hoa province was the inevitable result of the revolutionary movement to thoroughly implement the Party's general policy to prepare for a general uprising to seize power for the people. On August 13, 1945, the National Uprising Committee issued orders for the people and soldiers nationwide to rise up to gain independence. On August 17, 1945, the Thach Thanh District Uprising Committee was established with comrade Nguyen Tri Dao as its head. The Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee sent a number of cadres to directly direct the uprising. On the night of August 18 and the morning of August 19, 1945, the order of the Thach Thanh District Uprising Committee was transmitted to all communes in the district. Drums and gongs sounded continuously from commune to commune, from village to village. The people, holding sticks and spears, marched under the red and yellow flags, determined to seize power. The militia and guerrillas quickly surrounded the district office and pressured the Thach Thanh district chief to hand over the bronze seal. Within a few hours, the uprising to seize power in the district was victorious, thousands of people from all over the streets gathered at Kim Tan district to celebrate the victory of the uprising.

In the autumn of August 2025, we returned to the revolutionary homeland of Ngoc Trao commune and felt the strong changes. In the heart of the Muong ethnic veteran Quach Van Thien, he is always proud because he was born, grew up, and witnessed many ups and downs and changes in the revolutionary homeland. He could not help but be moved and proud, leading us to visit the traditional house and the monument of the Ngoc Trao guerrilla base. The new rural roads, spacious schools, sugarcane hills, guava and grapefruit gardens... are present, proving the change and prosperity.

Ngoc Trao Commune Party Secretary Le Xuan Binh said that Ngoc Trao Commune was arranged on the basis of 4 communes: Ngoc Trao, Thanh An, Thanh Long and Thanh Tam of the old Thach Thanh district. Immediately after its establishment, Ngoc Trao Commune Party Committee focused on leading and directing the completion of the organization, apparatus and staff and started operating effectively, best serving the people and in line with the development requirements in the new period. With the tradition of solidarity, consensus of the people and the timely leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, and the support of provincial departments, branches, sectors and organizations, Ngoc Trao will overcome all difficulties and obstacles, successfully implementing the goals and tasks set out in the Resolution of the 1st Ngoc Trao Commune Party Congress, term 2025-2030, together with the whole province and the whole country to build a rich and developed homeland and country.

Article and photos: Ngoc Huan

The article uses materials from the books History of the People's Council and People's Committee of Thach Thanh district (1945-2010); History of the Party Committee and revolutionary movement of Ngoc Trao commune (1930-2017); Ngoc Trao war zone - New development step of the revolutionary movement of Thanh Hoa province.

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/noi-thap-len-ngon-lua-258600.htm