Rare memoir about the historic day of December 22, 1944

The book "The Light Is Here" is a rare document written about the process of establishing the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army - the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army.

Through his memoirs, Comrade Nong Van Lac recounted the real and vivid days when the revolution came to his hometown Nguyen Binh, bringing light to escape from misery for the people here. Readers seem to relive simple stories about comradeship and the loyalty of the people...

Scene of the Team's founding day

Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army in Tran Hung Dao forest

(Photo courtesy)

Nong Van Lac - Anh Van's right hand man

When mentioning the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army, everyone knows the great contributions of General Vo Nguyen Giap and the first 34 soldiers, but not everyone knows about comrade Nong Van Lac, who Mr. Van assessed as having many contributions in establishing the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army.

In his memoir "From the People", General Vo Nguyen Giap recounted a memory at the Viet Bac base, when developing the revolution in Nguyen Binh. At that time, General Vo Nguyen Giap organized the admission into the Party of a number of loyal local youths.

"When we clearly stated our intention to introduce Comrade Lac to the Party, Comrade Lac's facial expression changed completely. During the admission ceremony in the middle of the deserted forest, at the foot of an ancient tree, Comrade Lac's tears kept flowing. As soon as the admission ceremony ended, Comrade Lac ran down the ravine, picked up two bamboo tubes, and danced around like a martial artist."

Comrade Lac mentioned in the memories of General Vo Nguyen Giap is comrade Nong Van Lac - the person who in the Military History Institute's yearbook recorded: "Nong Van Lac - the person considered the right-hand man of comrade Van (General Vo Nguyen Giap) in organizing and establishing the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army. Comrade Lac's house was the place the enemy occupied to make Phai Khat fort".

To record the days of following the revolution and making revolution under the direction of General Vo Nguyen Giap, comrade Nong Van Lac published the book "Memoirs of Here Comes the Light".

In his memoir, Comrade Nong Van Lac recounted the story of when he questioned General Vo Nguyen Giap about the reason for not being selected to join the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army and the General replied: "Comrades, you were not recruited because of the important task of staying in the rear. That is very important. If we finish attacking Phai Khat fort, the Liberation Army will expand its activities to other places, in the locality, comrade must grasp the base, maintain the movement, and promote the spirit of the mass revolutionary struggle to a higher level. This position and area is very important, comrade must be responsible for protecting and preserving..."

On the founding day of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army, as if understanding the concerns and sadness of the soldier who had contributed a lot but was not accepted, General Vo Nguyen Giap met him privately and added: "The task of staying behind is very heavy, I will accept Lac as an 'honorary' team member."

The light of revolution is here!

"The memoir "Here is the light" by comrade Nong Van Lac recounted the first steps of the revolution in Nguyen Binh - where the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was born. In the mountains and forests of Nguyen Binh, the revolutionary army had its first victories: the victory at Phai Khat-Na Ngan.

In the introduction to the book "The Light Is Here", writer To Hoai wrote: "In Nong Van Lac's 'The Light Is Here', the writer's ideology, the measure of the writer's ideology, is expressed consistently, as absolute faith in the Party's leadership. That faith is clear and bold in any work or meaning. Faith is the light that shines to every hair in life and emotions. A faith with reason, with a deep origin and cause becomes the truth that guides him."

On December 22, 1944, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was established in Tran Hung Dao forest (Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang). In his memoir, comrade Nong Van Lac described the founding ceremony as solemn and proud.

"People of different heights, short, and colors. Clothes of all colors. Guns of many types, including a brand new small machine gun, which Comrade Hoang Sam was holding.

Hearing the flag salute, dozens of eyes followed the flag slowly rising. The organizing committee announced the reason, introduced the inter-provincial delegates of Cao-Bac-Lang, the regional committee, the district committee, the commune committee, and the communal committee, and the applause was boisterous again. Comrade Van stood up to announce and read the directive to establish the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army of the organization.

The oath of honor of more than thirty comrades resounded throughout the forest. Everyone's face was filled with excitement, confidence, and pride. The first people to be chosen by the organization and entrusted with a heavy and glorious task. Expressed in the oath, in harmony with the words of the local organization representatives, they promised and wished the armed propaganda team to grow stronger and stronger, and to gain victories to welcome the upcoming new year... The land in the forest from this afternoon was recorded in the history of the revolution."

It has been 67 years since December 22, 1944, but reading "The Light is Here" we still feel like we are reliving the arduous but glorious days of resistance. Most of the revolutionary soldiers of that day have passed away, but they seem to live forever in "The Light is Here" and in every page of the history of the Vietnamese people./.