Nghe An veteran proudly contributes to the 'famous victory in five continents'

Contributing to that resounding victory were the brave and courageous soldiers of Nghe An. On the occasion of the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2022), Nghe An Newspaper had a conversation with two living witnesses, who went through many glorious battles to protect the country, contributing to the peaceful independence of the nation.

We fight the enemy with the same spirit of bravery and courage.

PV:Dear veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Xuan Kinh, you were one of the first artillery soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army and directly participated inDien Bien Phu Campaign1954. More than half a decade has passed, surely you still remember very clearly those glorious days?

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh:At the end of 1953, I was 19 years old and started joining the Army. After training new recruits, on the way to the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, when I reached Hat Lot, I was one of 80 new recruits who received orders to go to China for anti-aircraft artillery training. After 1 month of training, we were ordered to pull the artillery back to occupy the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. At that time, our battlefield was located in Hong Cum near the enemy's Hong Cum airport. The task of the anti-aircraft artillery soldier in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign was to fight aircraft, control the air, and prevent the "old lady" and French Dakota aircraft from parachuting to support the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. At the same time, to allow our army forces to act on the ground.

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh recounts his days participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign with his old comrades. Photo: MH

The first control in the 56-day and night campaign, the Dien Bien Phu in the air campaign, was in April 1954. At that time, a Dakota aircraft from Hanoi appeared in the sky of Dien Bien Phu. When it reached a distance of 3,700m, we opened fire, forcing them to stagger and fly away and drop all their parachutes outside our army's position.

The best part was that among their dropped cargo was a chest containing the rank of Major General De Castries - Commander of the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. Previously, De Castries only held the rank of Colonel, but to encourage his morale before the campaign, the French Government promoted him to the rank of Major General, but then all his ranks fell into the hands of our army. The reason they staggered and dropped them quickly was because the anti-aircraft artillery fire was very strong. After that battle, our company was commended for its great achievements.

Soldiers participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in combat readiness. Photo: Archive

PV:Sir, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign lasted only 56 days and nights in an unequal battle between us and the enemy. So with the anti-aircraft artillery force at that time, at such a "young" time, what difficulties did we encounter?

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh:Yes, at that time, our military weapons were still very primitive and we fought the enemy with our own bravery and courage, although our techniques and tactics were still limited.

The work of pulling artillery into the battlefield during the anti-French period was also very different from the period of fighting against the Americans. Because in the later period, when the artillery was known to be coming, the militia and guerrillas gathered to help the troops, some pulling the artillery, some building fortifications. But at that time, there were no civilians on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, and even if there were, they could not be allowed in. Therefore, the work of pulling the artillery was mainly done by the troops. Indeed, at that time, there was not enough food, the troops worked very hard and arduously day and night. Pulling the artillery into the battlefield was not easy.

With anti-aircraft artillery, we don't have to go up hills like ground artillery. But the special thing is that at that time we couldn't use cars because we were afraid of revealing secrets, so we had to use manpower.

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh is reviewing old photos from his military career. Photo: MH

PV:Sir, what was the decisive moment leading to the Dien Bien Phu Victory?

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh:The most important moment was the afternoon of May 6, 1954, when we concentrated artillery and mortar fire on the strongholds. At Hill A1, after a squad pulled a 960kg explosive that blew up a large part of Hill A1 and destroyed the underground bunker, General De Castries' command began to panic. By dawn on May 7, when we completely occupied Hill A1, the battle ended in victory and created the premise for us to launch a general attack on many important enemy strongholds and force them to raise the white flag of surrender. That was also our happiest moment, indescribably joyful, excited, and thrilled.

During the times of controlling enemy aircraft, the time that made us think hard was the time of the general attack because at this time, French Dakota aircraft appeared a lot with a continuous frequency of flying over Dien Bien airspace, sometimes 5-6 at a time. The order from the superior assigned each company to attack the enemy aircraft. Our company in the Hong Cum battlefield therefore also attacked, aiming at the aircraft flying over the battlefield (flying south of Hong Cum airport). However, for some reason, when we were close to shooting range, they suddenly flew out. But the order from above, everyone had to be ready and as predicted, a few minutes later they flew in again and my company opened fire simultaneously. Although they did not shoot down the aircraft, they made the enemy panic, stagger and fly in the air, dropping parachutes to our battlefield outside.

At 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 1954, the "Determination to Fight, Determination to Win" flag of our Army flew over the roof of the enemy command post bunker. Historical photo

PV:The Dien Bien Phu campaign left its mark on the strategic talent ofGeneral Vo Nguyen GiapAs someone who fought directly during those 56 days and nights, what special impression do you have of this talented leader?

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh:I did not have the opportunity to meet General Vo Nguyen Giap during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign because at that time we were just young artillerymen. Later, I had the opportunity to meet him and most recently, when we represented the Dien Bien Phu Soldiers Liaison Committee to Hanoi, he wrote a letter with the preface to the book "Dien Bien Phu Rendezvous". The letter was very short but I remember very clearly the words the General sent: "I hope that you comrades will continue to promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", always uphold the spirit of comradeship, love and solidarity, help each other in life and actively contribute to the cause of innovation, building and defending the Fatherland".

In the world military history, there is probably no one who came from a history teacher background, never attended any formal military school, but was assigned the mission of commanding troops and then became the soul of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign like General - Commander-in-Chief Vo Nguyen Giap. Right at the Dien Bien Phu front, although he was a General, the Campaign Commander, Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap was like a father, an elder brother, a close and intimate comrade of the troops. Before many major battles, the General always wrote letters to inquire about and encourage the troops and laborers, and the sincere feelings of the Campaign Commander added strength to the spearheads and directions ready for battle.

Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh and veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh. Photo: MH

“Sharing the fire” for Dien Bien Phu

PV:Dear veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Ha Ngoc Khanh, I understand that in addition to the 56 days and nights we launched the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, there were forces fighting on the outside to prevent the French from expanding the battlefield, bankrupting the French Navarre plan, forcing the French to retreat to Dien Bien Phu. As a historical witness, can you elaborate on this?

Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh: When I was young, I was short and light, so in 1949 I volunteered to join the army but was not accepted. It was not until 1950, when the general mobilization movement was launched to supplement the force to fight the French, that I and many other young people in Hoi Son (Anh Son) were called to join the army. Initially, I was called to study the 2nd course of the Military Officer School of Inter-Zone 4. I don't remember which month we studied, but after about 8 months, the class held its closing ceremony in the middle of the forest in the fall. Among them, the superiors selected 30 scouts to supplement the Binh Tri Thien Division and I was one of them. Before leaving, we didn't have time to prepare anything, just had time to eat a bowl of rice with water spinach water and put on our rattan backpacks and set off. Our trip lasted 3 days, reaching the left bank of the Thach Han River (Quang Tri) and then looking for a boat to cross the river. This place is only about 2km from Quang Tri town...

Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh is at a rare old age but is still lucid and regularly contributes ideas to the work of the Commune Veterans Association. Photo: MH

From then until 1953, we continued to fight in Binh Tri Thien (from Ngang Pass to Thua Thien Hue). In September 1953, we were ordered to move all our troops to the southwest of Ngang Pass to "reform and reorganize the troops". Later, we made a diversionary move through Ben Thuy, Nghi Loc to Dien Chau, Quynh Luu and then stopped. At the same time, the 304th Division from outside joined our unit and went up to Nam Dan, through Highway 12 to Huong Khe - Ha Tinh and from there to Central Laos. Along the way, we met many laborers mobilized to serve the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

At that time, we did not know what our mission was. We only remember that on the way we met many wild elephants. As for the scouts, while marching, they had to learn Laotian, sleep on the road at night, use palm leaves to cover their backs and heads. When we reached the middle of Truong Son peak, seeing the rain and the sun, we knew we had arrived in Laos. At the top of Pha-na-phau on Highway 12, in our Laotian land, we fought fiercely to attract the enemy, to "cover the fire", and to spread out the troops for Dien Bien Phu. As far as I know, asking us to attack 1 month in advance had spread out 21 troops concentrated for Dien Bien Phu. We held out here for 8 months and it was not until June 1954 when the Dien Bien Phu Campaign was completed that we received orders to return to Vietnam and then continued to liberate Quang Binh, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri...

The legendary artillery road in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo archive

PV:Although you did not directly participate in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, you must have heard the news of victory that day and how did you feel, sir?

Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh:At that time, there were no telephones like today, but on the transmitters, information about the Dien Bien Phu Campaign was updated daily and we were regularly updated by our superiors. When we heard the news of victory, everyone was happy and excited. Even though we did not go to the actual battlefield, we still felt our contribution because we “held the enemy back”, not allowing them to flood into Dien Bien Phu. I also captured an Arab soldier as a prisoner of war and was later rewarded for this achievement.

PV:He has been in the military for more than 30 years, after the resistance war against France, he continued to participate in the resistance war against America to save the country, and later became a lecturer in the Military Intelligence Department of the Military School. So what is the most meaningful thing about his military career?

Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh. Photo: MH

Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh:The happiest part of a military career is completing your mission and living a clean, meaningful life. I am lucky that my children have been able to study and grow up to become useful citizens for the country. I always teach my children to live a righteous life, not to be greedy, and to maintain the family traditions of a military family. At the age of over 90, to me that is happiness and luck!

PV:Thank you veteran Tran Xuan Kinh and veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh for this interview!

- Veteran Tran Xuan Kinh (88 years old) currently lives in Vinh Tan ward (Vinh city) and is still participating in the work of the local Elderly Association. He has had many outstanding achievements and was awarded many medals in the two resistance wars against France and America.

- Veteran Ha Ngoc Khanh (93 years old) is currently living in Duc Son commune (Anh Son). He used to be the Chairman of the Veterans Association of the commune. In May 2019, he was the only delegate from Anh Son district to attend the Conference to meet outstanding military officers organized by the Provincial Veterans Association.