Memories of the 'flying soldiers' of a veteran from Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Approaching his centenary, Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong is still lucid and always proud to have witnessed the glorious moments of the country. The veteran still vividly remembers the glorious and heroic days of the "fire and war" period.
Guarding the Northern Sky
The sea breeze blew coolly into the village. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong (born in 1923) in Trung Den hamlet, Khanh Hop commune (Nghi Loc) was enjoying the cool breeze while attentively rereading the book “Flying Soldiers”. “This book was written by Lieutenant General,pilotPham Phu Thai, a former comrade, wrote and sent it to me. Every time I read it, I feel moved and moved because I get to relive the heroic years of my youth and meet my dear comrades and teammates again,” Mr. Hong confided.
 |
| Despite his old age, Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong is still sharp-minded and spends time reading books and newspapers every day. Photo: Cong Kien |
At the age of 22, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong joined the army, starting his journey to fight against foreign invaders, following each campaign. During the resistance war against the French, the soldier was present in major campaigns such as Hoa Binh, Tay Bac and then advancing to liberate Dien Bien (May 1954).
After the Geneva Agreement, the US gradually replaced France insouthernand carried out the long-term plan to divide Vietnam. Determining that sooner or later it would have to confront the US Air Force, the Army sent elite officers and soldiers to study at air force schools in socialist countries. Mr. Hong was one of those chosen to go to the Soviet Union, then China to study.
 |
| Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong reads the book "Flying Soldiers" by Lieutenant General and pilot Pham Phu Thai. Photo: Cong Kien |
 |
| The book "Flying Soldiers" by Lieutenant General Pham Phu Thai was given to Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong. Photo: Cong Kien |
In 1965, after completing his training program and returning home at the time when the US escalated its bombing of the North, air force officer Nguyen Manh Hong was assigned to Regiment 919 - the first Air Force Regiment of the Vietnam People's Army.
Then he joined the 921st Fighter Regiment (371st Division), participating in service, guiding, developing combat plans and commanding squadrons to take off to protect the sky.northFamous pilots such as Pham Tuan, Vu Xuan Thieu, Pham Thanh Ngan... were all teammates of Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong.
Every day, American planes from bases flew over the skies of the North, dropping bombs and destroying, preventing our army and people from supporting the battlefields of the South. Mr. Hong and his comrades fought day and night, contributing to guarding the skies of the North. Whenever there was a signal of enemy planes invading the skies, the squadrons took off, which was a nerve-wracking battle.
 |
| Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong's teammates included famous pilots, making the enemy terrified every time they heard about him. Photo courtesy |
Fighter pilots always show intelligence, bravery, courage and a spirit of sacrifice. Meanwhile, those on the ground are always alert and accurate in judging the situation and giving control orders to shoot down.planeenemies and ensure the safety of teammates.
When his teammates shot down enemy planes, Mr. Hong and the officers and soldiers of the Ground Command cheered together. When his teammates landed safely, he often went to the place to welcome them and shook their hands to congratulate them, saying sincere and simple words to each other. When his teammates died, everyone was in extreme pain...
Memories with the Quyet Thang squadron
Looking up at the wall calendar, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong suddenly felt nostalgic when he realized it was the end of April. Because, at this time 47 years ago, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign was about to begin, at that time he and more than 60 other members of the working group were sent by the Air Defense - Air Force Command to the South to carry out their mission.
In early April 1975, after Da Nang wasfree, Mr. Hong and the members of the working group took over the airport, deploying a plan to take enemy aircraft to fight back. Following the orders of superiors, the army's skilled technical staff and the Republic of Vietnam's technical soldiers presented themselves to coordinate in selecting and repairing the A-37s, which were relatively good spoils of war.
 |
| Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong (second from right) with his comrades of the Vietnam Air Force. Photo: NVCC |
Then, they continued to Phu Cat airport (Binh Dinh) to urgently carry out preparations and training. The pilots were trained by Nguyen Thanh Trung (who flew the plane that bombed Independence Palace on April 8) to control the A-37 aircraft.
Preparation work andtraincompleted, the A-37s and the Quyet Thang squadron including pilots Nguyen Thanh Trung, Tu De, Nguyen Van Luc, Hoang Mai Vuong, Tran Van On and Han Van Quang moved to Thanh Son airport (Ninh Thuan) to carry out the mission of taking off and bombing Tan Son Nhat airport. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong was assigned by his superiors to stay at Phu Cat airport, ready to support his teammates at Thanh Son airport when ordered.
 |
| The Quyet Thang Squadron completed its bombing mission at Tan Son Nhat Airport and landed safely at Thanh Son Airport (Ninh Thuan). Photo courtesy |
“When our comrades left, we in Phu Cat were extremely nervous, watching every minute and every second. Early in the evening of April 28, we received news from Thanh Son that 5 A-37s and the Quyet Thang squadron had landed safely a few minutes earlier, completing their mission excellently. We all rushed out and hugged each other. There were no words to describe our joy,” said Mr. Hong.
The Quyet Thang squadron's raid destroyed 24 planes and fuel depots, killed about 200 enemies, and caused the airport to collapse.Tan Son Nhatalmost paralyzed, preventing the enemy from evacuating by air, contributing to the victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
Two days later, Nguyen Manh Hong received the news that Saigon was liberated, and once again, joy and emotion welled up. At that moment, in the arms of his comrades, he remembered his homeland, his family, his hard-working wife who took care of their four young children and looked forward to the days of reunion.
 Colonel Nguyen Manh Hong is an exemplary role model, a person who is devoted to the Party, the people, and his comrades. Photo: Cong Kien |
Two days after the liberation of Saigon, following orders from his superiors, Nguyen Manh Hong was present at Tan Son Nhat airport to take over, organize and handle the various war spoils that were still scattered. Joywinstill intact, flags still fill the streets, Saigon people always wave to the liberation soldiers.
Mr. Hong went to the aircraft assembly area and fuel depot, witnessed with his own eyes the traces of the Quyet Thang squadron's victory, and was even more impressed with the intelligence and bravery of his teammates.
After the liberation of the South, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong continued in the aviation industry, with the highest position being Deputy General Director of Northern Aviation. After 40 years of military service, in 1987 he retired with the rank of Colonel. Returning to his hometown, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren while actively participating in social activities, contributing his intelligence to the development of his homeland.
“Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong is an exemplary model, a person who is devoted to the Party, the people, and his comrades and teammates. Although he is nearly 100 years old and has been in the Party for more than 70 years, he is still lucid, reads books and newspapers, regularly takes care of his health and lives in harmony with everyone.”
.png "Tùy bút: Tương Dương trong miền ký ức và khát vọng")
