Tears of an artillery soldier at the moment of national reunification

Unforgettable years

In the last days of April, amidst the scorching heat, Colonel Nghiem Xuan Thanh (67 years old, Veterans Association of District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) relived the most beautiful memory of his military career. He participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, witnessed the moment when the country was unified, the mountains and rivers were connected.

Before the Ho Chi Minh Campaign took place, Mr. Thanh was still a high school student in Thanh Hoa. However, during those days, he lived in a seething atmosphere, wishing to join the army and go to war.

When the general mobilization order came, he eagerly enlisted. He recalled: “I enlisted on March 15, 1975, in the 45th Artillery Brigade of the 1st Corps. After that, I was assigned to Company 12, Artillery Battalion 4 of the Brigade. At that time, I was only 18 years old, full of enthusiasm, and wanted to quickly leave for the battlefield.”

In late April, Colonel Nghiem Xuan Thanh recalled the moment of national reunification.

On March 27, 1975, young man Xuan Thanh fulfilled his wish. At exactly 7:00 a.m., the 4th Artillery Battalion received orders to march to the South to fight. When participating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, Thanh's unit was part of the 1st Corps.

At this time, the 45th Artillery Brigade had to march at lightning speed with a formation of hundreds of large vehicles and large cannons. The Brigade was ordered to race against time, covering a distance of 1,700km, rushing into the Southeast battlefield.

Due to the tight schedule, Mr. Thanh was not given formal combat training. Instead, he and his teammates trained during the times when the artillery tractor stopped to refuel, restock food, and medicine.

He said: “We entered the South on the Ho Chi Minh trail, training as we went. It was hard and tiring, but we still absorbed what we were taught well.

Moreover, when traveling on Ho Chi Minh trail, we saw everywhere slogans and propaganda with patriotic spirit and boiling determination to win.

Those slogans helped us become stronger and more determined. It must be said that only by walking on that path can we see how great and strong our army’s will and determination to liberate the South and unify the country was at that time.”

On April 18, 1975, because they marched during the day with a large number of vehicles, artillery and many other troops, the army was discovered by the enemy. Their air force continuously dropped bombs and fired rockets at the marching formation.

Being attacked by surprise, our army's anti-aircraft artillery and missile units were able to stabilize their formation and fight back fiercely. With strong firepower and a determination to win, these units quickly repelled all enemy airstrikes.

After that, the Brigade continued to march to the secret assembly position, preparing for combat. Mr. Thanh's 4th Artillery Battalion was ordered to coordinate with the 312th Division, attacking and capturing Phu Loi base, Binh Duong province.

Tears of the Winner

At 5:00 p.m. on April 27, Mr. Thanh's unit was ordered to cross the Song Be River (the section flowing through Binh Duong province) to occupy the battlefield in Binh Co hamlet, Binh My commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. Time was so urgent that his unit only had time to set up artillery positions on the ground and dig individual bunkers.

At around 10pm that same night, the preparations were complete. However, he and his comrades put aside their rest to load and carry artillery shells brought by the transport convoy of the 559 Command. During the two nights of April 28 and 29, he and his unit loaded and carried more than 1,000 130mm artillery shells weighing 70kg into the battlefield.

At exactly 5am on April 30, Mr. Thanh’s unit was ordered to fire intensively to support Division 312 in capturing Phu Loi base. At this time, the Southeast region was entering the end of the dry season, so the sun was scorching hot.

Not used to the “blazing heat”, he and his fellow gunners stripped naked, loaded artillery shells, and fired continuously to support the infantry attack. However, later, his unit’s artillery position was discovered by the enemy.

For nearly 50 years, Mr. Thanh has always proudly worn the Ho Chi Minh Campaign badge on his chest.

They frantically fired artillery shells into the battlefield, causing much damage. However, at 10:45, his unit received news that the 312th Division had captured and controlled the Phu Loi base. At 11:30 on April 30, 1975, he and his comrades received news that President of the Republic of Vietnam Duong Van Minh announced unconditional surrender.

Hearing the news of victory, Mr. Thanh and his teammates hugged each other, jumped up and down, cheering with joy. Around him, shouts resounded: "The country is liberated...! The country is unified, my brothers...!".

Then he stood in the middle of the battlefield and cried out loud like a child. His comrades cried too. In the sacred moment of the country, tears of happiness and utmost pride rolled down the cheeks of the soldiers.

Mr. Thanh shared: “In that sacred moment, I cried because I knew that the country had just overcome a fierce war. I also cried because I was extremely happy, joyful, and proud.

And deep in my heart, I cried because I knew I was about to return to my mother. At that time, I was still very young, missing my family, my mother, my teachers and friends had not yet subsided. Having gone through life and death moments at the end of the war, returning to my mother in one piece made me extremely happy.

Right after the country was unified, when he set foot in Saigon, Mr. Thanh was surprised by the joyful and happy atmosphere of the people. He realized that everyone wanted the war to end soon.

“I was fortunate to witness the moment when Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the country in general moved from war to peace, so I am very proud. That moment will never fade in my mind and heart.

So, I love this city very much. After the war, I went to school, worked in many places, and went to many battlefields. But in the end, I returned to Ho Chi Minh City to get married and live,” Mr. Thanh said.