Even though he is old, the memories of the days of taking over the Mine Area are still fresh in the mind of veteran Nguyen Ngoc Thung, a former soldier of Regiment 244.
CCB Nguyen Ngoc Thung (born 1933), currently 75 years old in the Party, former soldier of Regiment 244 taking over the mining area, former Director of Quang Ninh Radio and Television Station. Entering the army, from the position of company political secretary without being a platoon political officer, Mr. Thung was promoted straight to platoon deputy.
In 1953, Mr. Thung joined the army and was a soldier of the Quang Yen Provincial Team. In 1954, peace was restored. One morning, his unit was stationed in Chi Linh (Hai Duong) when they heard that their superiors ordered a ceasefire at exactly 7 a.m. Each side’s army must retreat at least 5km. Mr. Thung’s unit received orders to move to Son Dong (Bac Giang) for professional training and was ordered to prepare to return to Hon Gai. Mr. Thung and his comrades had to march around Dinh Lap (Lang Son) to Tien Yen. Arriving at Tien Yen, Mr. Thung and his teammates were ordered to take over, protect Van Hoa port and prepare to take over Hon Gai.
During these days, Mr. Thung’s unit was transferred to the Hong Quang Army Area to prepare to form Regiment 244 to take over Hon Gai. Regiment 244 is one of 5 regiments (along with 600, 254, 53, 94) of Infantry Division 350, decided to establish by the Ministry of National Defense. These are units gathered from battlefields and localities in the Northern inter-regions to take over and protect newly liberated areas, including large cities, industrial parks…
On the night of April 19 and early morning of April 20, 1955, Mr. Thung and his comrades marched across Mong Duong to the center of Cam Pha town. The unit moved in to take over Cua Ong, Coc Sau, Deo Nai, and then moved to Quang Hanh. On the night of April 21, the mobile unit approached the Ha Rang area (in Quang Hanh ward, Cam Pha city today). That night, from the top of the mountain looking at Cam Pha Town, we saw bright electric lights. No one in the whole unit could sleep because they were both happy and worried. The good news is that from tomorrow this place will be liberated. Worried that the enemy had previously established the reactionary Thanh Phan lobby and promoted propaganda with the slogan “Viet Minh in the forest with long hair, black teeth, cannibals”, so when they took over, if they were not careful, developments will be unpredictable.
After taking over Quang Hanh electric station, Mr. Thung’s unit continued to march through Ha Tu toward the center of Hon Gai town. Due to the conspiracy of the French colonialists, in these days the henchmen tried to sabotage machines, force people to migrate to the South and organize propaganda to defame Viet Minh officials. However, the people’s will was not shaken and they absolutely supported the army taking over.
While Regiment 244 was the unit gathered from the northern battlefields of Mr. Thung and his comrades to take over and protect the newly liberated area, Regiment 238 continued to take over Cam Pha, the Committee said. Military officers and other army forces from all directions headed to take over Hon Gai.
The days of taking over the Mining Area took place like a slow-motion movie that is still imprinted in the mind of CCB Nguyen Ngoc Thung to this day. He said: “We marched to Hon Gai. Looking ahead, there was no one in sight. On the way in, we didn’t see any people. Our unit was stationed at Cot 5. The company formed an honor guard to see the French troops off the ship. We opened our mouths at the ferry wharf. Wherever we went, there was almost no one in front of us, but behind us, people rushed out with red flags and yellow stars shouting in support of the Viet Minh. When the ship opened its mouth and left, there were ships and boats All the red flags were on the wharf, the atmosphere was so happy. The red flags and flowers lit up the vast ocean and water. For the first time, we heard the loudspeakers and the songs were very happy mixed with laughter and joyful singing. Life feels extremely happy.”
The mining area was taken over by our army and people, and the people took control of their lives and their homeland. The joy came like an explosion, giving strength to the people of the Mining Area to overcome the years of hardship after liberation, immediately embarking on the urgent task of protecting the machinery, not allowing the enemy to sabotage, not allowing take away, restore production, made a miracle by quickly restoring the coal production backbone system.
Although working in conditions where equipment and supplies are lacking, being completely self-sufficient, and difficult logistics are not enough, the spirit of the workers, who are in a position to take control of their lives, is enthusiastic. extremely. Mine workers were labored “as much as five or ten” to build the Coal Region, contributing to the whole North to support the South to fight against the Americans.
In 1960, Regiment 244 completed its mission and was disbanded. Mr. Thung changed his profession to work at the Propaganda Department of the Hong Quang Party Committee, then became Head of the Propaganda Department of the Dong Trieu District Party Committee, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, and Director of the Propaganda Department of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee. Director of the Provincial Radio and Television Station from 1989 until retiring in 1994. In any position, he did not shy away from difficulties, determined to use all his talent and strength to serve the Party, government and people of Quang Ninh. .
Mr. Thung and his teammates are honored and happy to be able to immerse themselves in the great milestones of the country’s history and the mining region. To this day, looking back at all the milestones that have passed, he himself cannot imagine them. 69 years after the takeover, the mining area has changed a lot, but the beautiful memories of CCB Nguyen Ngoc Thung and his teammates remind today’s young generation to continue writing epic songs in the beloved coal area.
