Liberating Dien Bien - leaving behind deep affection: Part 1

Veterans visit heroic martyrs at A1 National Martyrs Cemetery ( Dien Bien )

These days, throughout the martyrs' cemeteries in Dien Bien, a soulful voice still resounds warmly: "The blood of fallen heroes has soaked every inch of land and blade of grass in the fortifications and trenches, dyeing the national flag redder, making the homeland greener."

"The village youth came together!"

The photo of the Dien Bien Phu battlefield that Mr. Nguyen Duc Noi (sitting in the middle) still keeps

- You're so small, can you keep up with them? If you keep going, you'll die...

- The village youths have come, Mom! I can go. I can die!

That was the whispered story of Mr. Nguyen Duc Noi and his mother, in a dark room in Lang Xuyen village, Gia Tan commune (Gia Loc) 73 years ago. At that time, everything was secret. French military posts were everywhere. If anyone was known to be joining the resistance, their family would be made difficult. Therefore, although 19 families in Lang Xuyen at that time said goodbye to their children going to war without a return date, absolutely no one in the village knew.

In 1952, when he packed his bags and said goodbye to his parents and siblings to go to Dien Bien Phu, Grandpa was only 16 years old.

- It was a dark night, 19 young men from Lang Xuyen, led by a soldier, quietly went on a campaign. Every now and then they saw the lights from the posts, they all lay down on the ditch bank - Grandpa Noi said.

I don't remember how long it took to walk to Bac Giang for training, then walk to Dien Bien Phu. Upon arrival, my grandfather was assigned to C509, E174, F316. His unit was tasked with "Trinh - cong - ve" (reconnaissance, engineering, protection).

Early in the morning of May 6, 1954, when nearly 1 ton of explosives detonated on hill A1 - the most important stronghold, the key door directly protecting the command center - where the French military headquarters were stationed, Grandpa was in Hong Lieu village (now Noong Bua ward, Dien Bien Phu city), right at the foot of hill A1, to take care of and transport wounded soldiers.

Although he is 89 years old this year, Mr. Nguyen Duc Noi is still very healthy and clear-minded.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Noi is 89 years old this year, a 4th class disabled soldier when attacking Na San fort (a key siege battle in the Northwest Campaign, in Mai Son district, Son La province). December 1, 1952. After the campaign, Grandpa changed careers, dedicating his youth to the Northwest and then Laos before returning to his hometown Gia Loc.

- Na San garrison, news has come back that I am dead. Mother has set up an altar!

During the campaign, he faced life and death many times and was injured, but he still believed that he was lucky to be able to return to his family. His comrades now lie unknown where under meters of earth, trenches, fortifications... In 2013, he returned to the battlefield.

- Dien Bien was very different then, although bomb craters and fortifications were still there. Many of my brothers were still there. They never came back!

On April 23 and 24, Mr. Nguyen Duc Noi was one of 15 people from Hai Duong who attended a meeting with Party and State leaders, veteran representatives, and former youth volunteers on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory in Hanoi.

In the Dien Bien Phu Campaign of the past, Gia Loc still has 51 wounded and sick soldiers who directly participated and served in combat.

Dad said, "The campaign is over, let's go home."

Dien Bien soldier Do Xuan Nha, from Hai Duong, currently living in Dien Bien Phu city, devoted his entire youth and life to the land of Dien Bien.

Mr. Do Xuan Nha, born on February 3, 1932, is from Ung Hoe commune (Ninh Giang), now in Thanh Truong ward (Dien Bien Phu city). Mr. Nha enlisted in the army in 1952, discharged in 1958, belonging to H3, E176, F316.

- After the campaign, he stayed here to work on the farm, rebuilding Dien Bien with everyone. 70 years have passed, and now he is no longer lucid, still urging his children and grandchildren, "The campaign is over, let's go back to the countryside." But there is no one left in the countryside - Mr. Do Xuan Tho, the eldest son, currently Head of the Organizing Committee of Dien Bien District Party Committee (Dien Bien province), said when we visited.

Mr. Nha is a 3/4 severely wounded veteran, still has a bullet in his lung. He has difficulty walking, needs someone to support him, but is very excited when talking about the old battles, even though they are only incoherent stories. After the campaign, like many other veterans, he stayed in Dien Bien, becoming a farm worker. To have Dien Bien today, many generations have given their blood, sweat and tears to cultivate. Mr. Nha has 7 children working in Dien Bien province and other provinces. Mr. Nha's children all remember that their fathers and grandfathers devoted their youth to the Northwest, so what they do today is all for that. Dien Bien and the Northwest have become an indispensable part, their second homeland.

There are still many people from Hai Duong who remain in the historical land of Dien Bien without clear information. In the photo: Traces of the explosion of nearly 1 ton of explosives by our troops when attacking A1 hill

During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Hai Duong had tens of thousands of soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline laborers directly participating in the fighting and serving the campaign. The entire province currently has 471 wounded, sick, and military personnel, the oldest of whom is 107 years old. Hai Duong province has 402 martyrs who directly participated in the campaign. The above number of martyrs is in all 12 districts, towns, and cities. Some martyrs have had their remains brought back to their hometowns, but many others remain scattered in cemeteries in Dien Bien province such as A1, Him Lam, Doc Lap, and Tong Khao. A few martyrs have had their names clearly identified, while many others still lie in graves with unknown information.

Next: Copied at A1 National Martyrs Cemetery

TIEN HUY

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/giai-phong-dien-bien-de-nghia-tinh-nang-sau-o-lai-bai-1-gop-xuong-mau-lam-nen-lich-su-380418.html