PANO – Over the past 60 years, veteran Do Thanh Hung, former soldier of Regiment 57 of Unit 304 and present Head of the liaison board for Dien Bien Phu veterans in Da Nang City, still bears in mind the unforgettable memories of the historic campaign of Dien Bien Phu.
Veteran Do Thanh Hung (L)
Hung recalled that in early January 1954, cadres and soldiers of Regiment 57 were ordered to immediately move out to Lai Chau province from Phu Tho province to join the campaign. On the way to the battlefield, they saw thousands of people transporting weapons, equipment and supplies to the battlefield. This gave them more strength and energy to fulfil their tasks.
Arriving at the regrouping place, his company was entrusted to transport a 105mm artillery piece to a set position about 10km away, having to pass through difficult mountain terrain surrounding the French encampment. It was really hard work as they had to fasten winches at slope tops to pull up the weapon inch by inch. Once when passing over a 70 degree slope gradient, seven pulling ropes were broken, so they called it the “7-rope slope”.
Immediately after setting four artilleries into the set position, the regiment suddenly was ordered to bring the artilleries out of their positions.
The difficulties they confronted taking the artilleries out of the battlefield were much more than when taking them in, because the secret roads to the battlefield were discovered and bombarded by the enemy.
The soldiers had to carefully let the artilleries roll slowly to the foot of mountain. This required precise calculation to prevent the artillery and dozens of troops from being lost over the edge of the mountain. To Vinh Diem had heroically used his own body to keep an artillery from sliding down. His brave example had been immediately introduced to all units and became a bight example to encourage all soldiers to fulfil their tasks. Many brave troops were admitted to the Party right at the battlefield.
Another bright example is soldier Gia of Hung’s company. While trying to push the artillery up a mountain slope, he was seriously hit by the heavy machine. Despite great pain, he kept holding onto the artillery and encouraged his comrades to do likewise to avoid allowing the artillery to slide down.
As a result, with high determination and courage, Regiment 57′s troops safely brought 4 artilleries in and out of the battlefield within 10 days and nights.
At every get-together held by the liaison board for Dien Bien Phu veterans in Da Nang City, Hung sang the the song in praise of the brave soldiers “Ho keo phao” (Cannon-tugging Chantey), by composer Hoang Van.
Translated by Pham Huy
Đăng ký: VietNam News
