The monument to the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon is a significant site for educating the younger generation about revolutionary traditions.
In 1964, the US intensified its attacks on the Lach Truong area and along the Kenh De River to block waterway transportation and hinder the supply of food and weapons from the North to the South. Faced with this situation, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command launched a guerrilla warfare movement, building a people's war posture in almost all localities. The Hoa Loc (formerly) Commune Military Command selected female militia members to participate in training with 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns. On May 19, 1967, the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon was established, consisting of 14 female militia members with 3 squads of 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns and rifles, establishing a battle position in the Dong Ngan area. The Hoa Loc women militia simultaneously fought, worked in production, built, and defended their homeland. Throughout the periods of struggle, due to the demands of work, labor, and study, the women's militia platoon underwent frequent adjustments and additions to better meet the task of defending the Fatherland during the increasingly fierce resistance war against the US. The total number of female militia members in the platoon, through three rotations and additions, included 35 women militiamen. On June 16, 1967, the Hoa Loc commune women's militia platoon achieved a resounding victory, shooting down an A4D bomber of the US imperialists, becoming the first guerrilla militia unit in the country to shoot down an enemy aircraft with infantry weapons. Victory followed victory, on November 2, 1967, shooting down an A3J bomber. On July 30, 1972, shooting down an F4H aircraft. The achievements of the Hoa Loc commune women's militia platoon made a significant contribution to the overall victory of the army and people of the whole country, and were praised in a letter from President Ho Chi Minh. Domestic and international press reported on and regarded this as a symbol of the spirit of Vietnamese women: "Heroic, indomitable, loyal, and capable." The Party and State bestowed upon her the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, along with many other prestigious awards. In 1991, the Dong Ngan Battlefield, part of the Hoa Loc historical and cultural relic complex in Hoa Loc commune, was classified as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic.
Recalling the time when the female militia members fought in the past, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu, now 78 years old (commander of the 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun squad), currently living with her husband, children, and grandchildren in Hoa Loc commune, emotionally shared: “With the spirit of 'when the enemy comes to our house, even women will fight,' most of the Hoa Loc female militia members back then were very young, eighteen or twenty years old. Undeterred by hardship, suffering, or sacrifice, they volunteered to go to battle and fought bravely and tenaciously, determined to protect the sacred skies of the Fatherland. Of the 14 female militia members from that time, only 5 still live locally, some live in other provinces, and 3 have passed away. The lives of most of the Hoa Loc female militia members from that time are now stable, their children are successful, but some still face many difficulties, chronic illnesses, and lack the means for medicine and treatment... However "So, every year on the anniversary of the platoon's founding, we remind each other to meet up, reminisce about the glorious years, share stories, and encourage each other to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. We are proud to educate our children and grandchildren to uphold the revolutionary tradition, strive to excel in their studies, work, and production, and contribute to building a stronger and more prosperous Hoa Loc homeland in particular, and Thanh Hoa province in general."
To commemorate the heroic deeds of the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon during the resistance war against the US for national liberation, Thanh Hoa province and the local authorities have invested in the Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and Monument Project for the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon.
The Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon Monument project commenced construction in June 2023 (located in Hoa Loc commune, covering an area of 1.51 hectares). The project comprises four main areas: the external relations area; the area recreating the Dong Ngan battlefield model; the monument area (including the monument, ceremonial grounds, and experiential grounds); and the area supporting the promotion of the historical site's value. The main components include: the construction of technical infrastructure (including the management, reception, and exhibition buildings; the area recreating the Dong Ngan battlefield model; the main and secondary gates; and the monument's information sign...). The artistic component includes the monument. The monument has a height of 16 meters from the base to the top. The content and base of the monument feature Hoa Loc cultural patterns. The monument depicts the wreckage of an American plane, five girls representing the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon, and a 12.7mm machine gun. The monument is made of natural granite. The project was implemented by the Hau Loc District Investment and Construction Project Management Board (now the Hau Loc Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board)...
Recognizing this as a key project, the local authorities mobilized the people of Hoa Loc commune, who unanimously supported the project and promptly completed land clearance, creating favorable conditions for the construction unit to carry out its tasks. The Hau Loc Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board increased the number of staff on the construction site to direct and supervise the technical aspects and quality of each project item; regularly held meetings to resolve difficulties and obstacles, and accelerated the project's construction progress to ensure it was put into use on schedule.
After two years of implementation, the Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and the Monument to the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon have been completed. The project aims to honor and celebrate the glorious achievements of the heroic women's militia platoon of Hoa Loc commune; and to establish the site as a significant location for educating the younger generation and all segments of the population about revolutionary traditions.
“The Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon Monument are planned and constructed reflecting the concern of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, and provincial departments and agencies, fulfilling the aspirations of local officials and people. The Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon Monument will become a popular tourist destination for those seeking to learn about national history; it will also be a significant site for educational institutions inside and outside the province to visit and learn about the heroic achievements in the defense and construction of the Fatherland. Officials and people of Hoa Loc commune are determined to uphold the fine traditions of their heroic revolutionary homeland, along with the historical and cultural values of the area. The Dong Ngan Battlefield Historical Site and the Hoa Loc Women's Militia Platoon Monument have become an intrinsic resource and a driving force for the Party Committee, government, and people of Hoa Loc commune to make breakthroughs in socio-economic development and strive for progress.” "Building our homeland of Hoa Loc into an increasingly prosperous and civilized place" - shared Comrade Hoang Viet Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Loc commune.
Text and photos: Hoang Loc
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tran-dia-dong-ngan-and-tuong-dai-trung-doi-dan-quan-gai-hoa-loc-dia-chi-do-tren-hanh-trinh-ve-nguon-255369.htm
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