Dien Bien soldiers in the revolutionary homeland of Cao Bang (part 11)

Part 11: Worth it Armorial “Chien soh Dien Bien Phu”

According to officers’ feet PDepartment of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Ha Lang district, We went to Soc Quan village, Thanh Nhat town to meet veteran Chu Van Tai – one of the Cao Bang soldiers participate directly cConstitution of Dien Bien Phu in 1954; grandfather Okay awarded the Badge “Chien soh Dien Bien Phu”.

Beautiful youth in the army

Welcoming us in the simple but neat and cozy stilt house, family members said that Mr. Tai was cycling around the neighborhood. After a while, he returned home, which surprised us born in 1929, 95 years old this year but very alert and agile. When asked about his memories of being in the army and participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, he quickly found and showed us the “treasure” of trophies, orders, and resistance medals that he still kept.

Mr. Tai recounted that in February 1949, when he was just 20 years old, with the desire to fight the French to protect his homeland, he and his brothers in the neighborhood went together to join the army, then moved to Hoa An to join the army. Company 398 belongs to the main battalion of Cao Bang province (no regiment, no company). The unit only operates in each location for a few days to prevent commandos and secret police from monitoring and preventing air strikes. In 1950, the French withdrew from Cao Bang town to Dong Khe. His unit was stationed in Nam Loat and Bo Mu, moving to Na Can airport to pursue the enemy. At this time, Dong Khe had just liberated and captured prisoners; The superiors assigned the unit to receive 300 prisoners of war, including generals Le-pa-gieu and Sac.–Tong, was the general commander of the French army in the province. The unit took prisoners from Dong Khe to Quang Hoa, then received orders from superiors to transfer the prisoners to Bac Kan to return to France. Always successfully completing all assigned tasks, Mr. Tai was admitted to the Party on April 3, 1950, officially on December 17, 1950.

In February 1952, he was added to the regular army, units C395, D89, E36, F308, marching to the Northwest. The unit attacked Cua Nhi post. After 30 minutes of shooting, 4 enemy bunkers were destroyed; Our army climbed ladders over barbed wire, called for attack, and the enemy one by one raised their hands to surrender.

In early 1953, General Xa Lang – General Commander of the French Expeditionary Force in Indochina decided to place Upper Laos under the command of the French Army Command in Northern Vietnam; At the same time, concentrate forces and means, build solid fortifications and fulcrums, turning Sam Nua into a group of strongholds in the style of “Na San” in Laos. In January 1953, his unit marched to Laos to attack Sam Nua.

At this time, the enemy army lost heavily in the Northwest, they parachuted into Phu Tho to block the attack to lure our troops back so they could consolidate. The superiors assessed the situation and only sent the 36th Regiment, which was in Laos, back to the country to destroy the enemy, including him. The unit marched quickly day and night back home. At the end of the battle, the unit rested and continued to march to Laos a second time to liberate along the Nam U River. In April 1954, his unit was ordered to return home. returned to Vietnam to prepare to attack Dien Bien Phu.

Mr. Tai recounted that the war time was extremely difficult, On their shoulders, soldiers always carry luggage including military equipment, clothes, rice, guns, bullets… constantly moving regardless of rain or shine., late at night to ensure secrecy. It’s like that at night, day off, every night marching until 1 – 2 am. At mealtimes there was only rice and dried fish, other times it was just ground green beans cooked in thin porridge or rice mixed with cassava, many times there was nothing to eat only a little wild vegetables to make soup but everyone was in the spirit of “Determining to die for the Ancestors”. The nation decides to live”.

Dien Bien Phu – unforgettable memories

Mentioning Dien Bien Phu, Mr. Tai’s gradually dim eyes seemed to shine with sparkling light, the corners of his mouth full of traces of time smiled. The story between us became more exciting as he still clearly remembered that at that time, to prepare for the campaign, superiors contacted the people to bring straw back to the soldiers, each soldier woven their own straw into ropes. as big as your wrist, then roll it up and tie it tightly using a string to make a strap to wear it like a backpack, avoiding damage from enemy bombs and bullets. With the support of his compatriots, he and his comrades were filled with enthusiasm and determined to defeat the enemy and liberate Dien Bien Phu. “Participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, I held the position of Deputy Commander, but when our troops were preparing to attack the base, I had a severe fever, my limbs were convulsing, my teammates had to carry me to the back, then went to the Thu Dung team to treatment”. At this point, the old soldier’s smile suddenly faded, his eyes looked into the distance, the images of that year appeared more and more clearly and filled with regret when he could not stand side by side with his comrades in that historic moment. that. The Dien Bien Phu campaign was a resounding victory. He and his teammates hugged each other and cheered. The joy at that time was indescribable.

After the victory at Dien Bien Phu, his unit marched to Bac Giang, up to Pha Lai to attack Chi Tac post. In May 1954, France was preparing to withdraw, his unit was ordered to move to Hanoi to take over Hoa Lo Prison, guarding the prisoners left behind by France. On October 10, 1954, he was honored to participate in the parade and military review welcoming President Ho Chi Minh to the capital Hanoi.

Showing us his cherished and carefully preserved medals and medals, he could not hide his pride: “Due to his many contributions in fighting the Cua Nhi post (Northwest); pursuing the enemy in Sam Nua; fighting in Nam Nga; liberation along the Nam U River (Laos); Ambushing the enemy’s retreat on Route 2 – Phu Tho and ambushing Chi Tac post… contributed to isolating and advancing to the victory of Dien Bien Phu “splendid in five continents – shaking the earth”, I was granted a Certificate of Merit. certified and awarded “Dien Bien Phu Soldier Badge”; was awarded the Resistance Commemoration Award (1954), the 3rd Class Victory Medal (1958) and the First Class Resistance Medal (1987).

Simple in everyday life

In July 1956, Mr. Tai returned to the locality. In April 1957, he received the decision to go to the People’s Committee of Ha Lang district to be responsible for calculating agricultural taxes. From 1958 – 1966, he rotated through many different jobs; was sent to study intermediate food classes in Gia Lam (Hanoi)… In December 1978, there was a decision to re-establish the food industry. He became the Head of the Transfer Station, receiving rice and noodles from the Central Government donated by other countries. support (at Luu Xa station, Thai Nguyen province). In 1982, he decided to become Deputy Planning Department, Cao Bang Food Department. On January 1, 1983, he retired and returned to the locality.

Promoting the noble qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, veteran Chu Van Tai is always exemplary in life, energetic and enthusiastic in participating in local social work… recognized by party committees, authorities and people. beloved people. Chairman of Thanh Nhat Town People’s Committee Be Duc Thien said: Although he has been retired for many years and his health has recently declined, Mr. Tai always enthusiastically participates and responds to local emulation movements. Besides, he and his family actively produce, raise livestock, develop the economy, and raise their children to adulthood; His family has won the title of Cultural Family for many years… He is a shining example for his children and grandchildren to study and follow.

Part 1: Glory to the soldiers of the 367th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment

Part 2: Proud of heroic Dien Bien soldiers

Part 3: Remembering a time when flowers were on fire

Part 4: Proud to assist General Vo Nguyen Giap at the Dien Bien battlefield

Part 5: People who contribute to “becoming a red crown of flowers, becoming a golden history”

Part 6: Youth sent the entire Dien Bien battlefield

Part 7: Meet the driver in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign

Part 8: Memories of Dien Bien soldiers

Part 9: The white-blouse soldier in the Dien Bien Phu campaign

Lam Giang