Returning to the old battlefield

A group of nearly 200 veterans (from the 70th, 72nd, 74th, and 11th Battalions of the Quang Nam Provincial Military Command during the anti-American war), all originally from the North and now living throughout the country, arranged to reunite in Tam Ky city on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Quang Nam province (March 24th). From there, they marched back to their old battlefields, where they fought and sacrificed their youth.

On March 22, 2025, vehicles bearing the inscription "Returning to the Old Battlefields of the North" departed from Tam Ky city, heading straight to the western region of Quang Nam province. The Son Cam Ha area, now part of Tien Phuoc district, was a base and stronghold for the province's main army units, such as Battalions 70, 72, 74, and 11. The mountains, forests, and local people sheltered and hid the soldiers throughout the anti-American war. From here, the army units organized numerous battles, large and small, in enemy-occupied areas to expand the liberated zone. However, it was also here that the soldiers faced harsh natural disasters and constant enemy troop surges and sweeps.

Upon arriving in Tien Phuoc, the veterans from the North sought out the people of their past, especially the "mothers" who had sheltered them. But these "mothers" had passed away, leaving only their descendants and former comrades who welcomed them as if they were their own siblings. This is one of the sacred things that keeps these veterans from the North returning, no matter how many years pass.

Returning to their old battlefields this time, as always, they stopped at the places where their comrades had sacrificed their lives. Back in Hiep Duc, on the banks of the Tranh River, the spring water flowed gently, but on that day, at the end of December 1973, the river raged, and four comrades from Battalion 74, on duty carrying rice back to their unit, perished while crossing the river.

Nguyen Dinh Cu, a soldier of the 74th Battalion during the war against the Americans, recounted: “We had to walk from the base to Phuoc Son to carry rice back to the unit. The round trip took six days, and we were very tired. The journey involved crossing the Tranh River by ferry. That day, many ferries had safely crossed the river during the rainy season. But on the last trip, the water surged too strongly, the boat capsized, and I and two other comrades were lucky enough to cling to a rock and escape death, but four of our comrades perished there forever. Although we stayed for three days afterward, we were still unable to find their bodies.”

Veterans commemorate their fallen comrades in the Tranh River. Photo: THANH XUAN

Standing silently before the crystal-clear waters of the Tranh River, the survivors still gaze longingly down to the riverbed, as if searching for the remains of their comrades who have turned to stone. Just above that stretch of river, a bridge spans the river, built long after the peace treaty .

The convoy transported the veterans to the eastern part of Thang Binh district. This was the site of the fiercest battles between our forces and the enemy. Many soldiers also sacrificed their lives here. Among them were six soldiers from Battalion 74 who died on November 16, 1972, during a march. They were buried by the local people and, after the peace treaty, their remains were interred at the Martyrs' Cemetery in Binh Dinh commune, Thang Binh district. On March 23, 2025, the last of those six soldiers who died that day had his remains brought back to his hometown in the North by his surviving comrades who contacted his family.

In early March 1974, the 74th and 70th Battalions coordinated an attack on enemy bases in Que Son, a fierce battle that lasted a week. The result was victory, but six comrades were killed on the artillery emplacement. Today, veterans have returned to this battlefield, lighting incense to commemorate their fallen comrades and searching for their graves in nearby local cemeteries, but to no avail. Each cemetery still contains countless graves bearing the inscription "Martyr, unidentified."

The eastern region of Thang Binh, where the main army units fought valiantly. Photo: THANH XUAN

Mr. Doan Van Phuc, a soldier from Battalion 74 during the war against the US, who organized this return to the old battlefield, shared: “We don't have much time left in our lives, so as long as we can, we will all go back to Quang Nam. Because this is our second home, the local people sheltered and hid us during the most difficult and fierce years, and so many comrades have fallen here. We can never forget.”

Veterans reunite in Quang Nam. Photo: THANH XUAN

Returning to Quang Nam on the 50th anniversary of its liberation, these veterans from the North, now over 70 years old, with failing eyesight, weak legs, and trembling hands, most of them bearing the scars of the battlefield. But returning to Quang Nam, they have become stronger than ever, because here is their youth, the place that nurtured their lifelong ideals.

“We are moved and proud that Quang Nam has developed to what it is today. And we will continue to make plans to return to Quang Nam every year at this time until we can no longer walk,” said Mr. Vo Quang Tien, Company Commander of Company 3, Battalion 70 during the anti-American war.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/tro-ve-chien-truong-xua-3151312.html