The epic of indomitable heroism will forever resound.

Báo Đại Đoàn Kết•07/04/2024

Present at the reunion ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Chu, from Dong Nam commune, Dong Son district ( Thanh Hoa province), could not hide his emotional reaction upon meeting his former comrades again.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chu, formerly the commander of the 105mm artillery squad, Company 14, Battalion 82, Division 351—the unit that directly opened the Dien Bien Phu Campaign—recalls: His unit was assigned the extremely important task of attacking and destroying the Him Lam stronghold, a task that the unit had prepared for more than a month in advance. If Dien Bien Phu was an "impregnable fortress," then the Him Lam resistance center was a "steel gate" built by the French with an extremely solid and strong defense system.

To reach the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex, one had to overcome this "steel gate." This was the first time our artillery had been deployed, so the preparation of the artillery was given great importance. Our cannons had secretly occupied their positions. Artillery companies were ready in bunkers scattered across the high points running from east to west. The cannons were positioned on the hillsides, cleverly camouflaged.

To create an element of surprise, our troops were ordered to dig an underground tunnel near Him Lam Hill day and night. When the tunnel was completed, the 105mm artillery battery received its combat orders on March 13, 1954. The superiors ordered a surprise attack to neutralize the enemy and completely destroy the Him Lam stronghold. Determined to win the first battle, the entire battery was ready, waiting for the moment to fire, marking the beginning of the campaign.

“At exactly 5:05 PM on March 13, 1954, the order to open fire was given. Along with other units, the 105mm artillery battery fired 22 volleys, attacking the Him Lam stronghold, raining fire down on the enemy. Caught by surprise, the French were bewildered and panicked. Taking advantage of the enemy's shock and inability to react, our infantry units continued the attack. After just over 5 hours of fighting, our troops completely took control of the Him Lam resistance center, creating a favorable opportunity for our troops to attack and destroy the remaining strongholds, ending the first offensive,” Mr. Chu recalled.

Meanwhile, veteran Dang Mai Thanh (An Thuong commune, Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province) recounted: "The pain and loss are like a triumphant anthem that only resounded somewhere yesterday."

He fondly recalled that he volunteered for military service in 1952 at the age of 20, with the desire to fight the enemy and protect his homeland. His unit was stationed in what is now Dien Bien province, conducting training and preparing plans to fight the French in the Northwest region. When French paratroopers landed in Dien Bien Phu to prepare for the construction of the fortified complex, we were among the first soldiers to fight on this battlefield.

“Later, because the enemy was too strong and the disparity in forces was too great, our unit was withdrawn and then marched to fight the French in the battlefields of neighboring Laos. At that time, President Ho Chi Minh and the Command decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, and our unit was ordered to fight the enemy in the surrounding battlefields, preventing reinforcements from outside from reaching the Dien Bien Phu stronghold. We fought enthusiastically and hoped to make a name for ourselves,” Mr. Thanh recalled.

Veteran Dang Mai Thanh further shared: Although each battle in combat has its own value, upon hearing news of the fierce fighting at Dien Bien Phu, his unit repeatedly requested reinforcements from superiors. However, the commander said that the unit had an equally important mission. Our troops had tightly encircled the French forces at Dien Bien Phu; if we abandoned our position, the enemy would receive reinforcements, and our comrades would face even greater difficulties.

From then on, his unit held its ground, ensuring that not a single bullet or grain of rice supplied by the French from Laos to the Dien Bien Phu fortified complex escaped.

“No matter which battlefield I fought on, Dien Bien Phu will forever remain an unforgettable memory for me. Dien Bien Phu is like a part of my flesh and blood. Being able to attend this meeting to honor the Dien Bien Phu soldiers, youth volunteers, and civilian workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, held in Thanh Hoa province, makes me feel honored, proud, and remember my former comrades once again,” Mr. Thanh said emotionally.

At the age of 89, veteran Tran Huy Mai said that he was born and raised in Tran Hung Dao commune, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province.

He recounted: At the age of 18, while working as a primary school teacher in his hometown, but responding to the call to arms – “Put the Fatherland first, your own life is insignificant; in times of national crisis and war, young people should go to the front lines” – he volunteered to enlist in the army, answering the sacred call of the Fatherland.

Mr. Mai was assigned to the 165th Regiment, 312th Division - the unit that fought the first battle at the Him Lam stronghold; subsequently, he coordinated with the 88th Regiment, 308th Division to capture Doc Lap Hill and Ban Keo.

Whenever he talks about the historic Dien Bien Phu Campaign, he feels as if he is reliving a glorious and heroic era. Today, he and his comrades are very honored and proud to be here to attend the program to meet and pay tribute to the Dien Bien Phu soldiers, youth volunteers, and civilian workers who directly participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

“Although we are old and our health has declined significantly, we are still very enthusiastic and excited to participate in this program. This is an opportunity for me and my comrades to reminisce about the memories of a time of 'bombing and shelling' when we did not hesitate to shed blood and sacrifice our youth for the independence and freedom of the nation. Thank you to the Party and the State for always caring for those who have contributed to the revolution; thank you to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Thanh Hoa province for organizing this meaningful program,” Mr. Mai shared.

Source