Nghe An returns nearly 2,000 files to officials 'going to B'

On the occasion of the 72nd Anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2019), on the morning of July 24, the Department of Home Affairs organized a ceremony to return files of "B" cadres to districts, cities and towns for management and continued to return files of cadres and relatives of "B" cadres. Attending the ceremony were comrades: Nguyen Thi Nga - Deputy Director of the State Records and Archives Department; Dau Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Home Affairs.

Secret, noble revolutionary mission

During the resistance wars against the US, in response to the requirements of the Southern revolution, in addition to providing material support, military uniforms, military equipment, medicine, food, and provisions, providing military forces also became urgent.

Many Southern cadres gathered in the North to work enthusiastically and produce at construction sites and factories in the North, and even Northern cadres volunteered to quietly and secretly cross the Truong Son mountain range to provide manpower for the war and serve in combat in the South. It was a secret, noble, and glorious revolutionary mission, called by the code name “going to B”.

Director of the Department of Home Affairs Dau Van Thanh delivered the opening speech at the ceremony. Photo: Thanh Le

Tens of thousands of outstanding people from both the South and the North volunteered to "go to B", contributing to the independence and unification of the country. When they left, all their belongings, luggage, personal documents and memorabilia such as: Party records, cadre records, medals and personal belongings such as photos, diaries, letters, savings books, etc. were sent back to the Government Unification Committee for safekeeping, waiting for the day they returned.

Among the tens of thousands of cadres who "went to B", many are still alive but many have heroically sacrificed on the battlefield.

Deputy Director of the State Records and Archives Department Nguyen Thi Nga expressed gratitude to the "B" officers. Photo: Thanh Le

Deep gratitude

Responding to the widespread wishes of relatives of “B” cadres across the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to authenticate and hand over nearly 56,000 files and memorabilia of “B” cadres from 89 provinces and cities (according to administrative boundaries from 1945 to 1975) to the provinces and cities to continue returning them to cadres and their relatives. Nghe An province received 1,967 files of “B” cadres.

Deputy Director of the State Records and Archives Department Nguyen Thi Nga returns files to officials who "went to B". Photo: Thanh Le

Immediately after receiving the documents, Nghe An Department of Records and Archives classified and made a list of "B" cadre files according to districts, cities and towns.

Of which, Hung Nguyen district has 149 records, Nam Dan 236 records, Thanh Chuong 270 records; Do Luong 239 records, Anh Son 81 records, Yen Thanh 178 records, Con Cuong 2 records, Tuong Duong 4 records, Nghi Loc 175 records, Dien Chau 257 records, Quynh Luu 157 records, Nghia Dan 10 records, Quy Hop 8 records, Quy Chau 1 record, Que Phong 2 records, Vinh city 82 records, Cua Lo town 30 records, Thai Hoa town 17 records and Hoang Mai town 28 records.

The joy of "going to B" officers when receiving their personal records. Photo: Thanh Le

Although this is just a copy of the records of the cadres who "went to B" through the civilian route and only accounts for a small percentage compared to the number of compatriots who participated in the resistance war, it has special significance for the province.

The return of records and relics of cadres who “went to B” has great significance and value, not only preserving personal information and the efforts of cadres who “went to B”, but also being a unique and diverse source of documents, a priceless source of historical data proving a heroic period of the nation’s history associated with the fate of tens of thousands of people in the context of war and a divided country.

Handing over B-files to districts, cities and towns for management. Photo: Thanh Le

The return of documents demonstrates the province's responsibility and sentiment and the desire to help "B" cadres or their relatives find documents to resolve the regime and policies for people with revolutionary contributions.

At the same time, through records and relics, we will contribute to educating traditions, helping generations, especially the younger generation, understand better and be more proud of a heroic revolutionary period in which our ancestors lived and fought for national independence and peace./.

Thanh Le