Image of the battlefield with 15 ceremonial cannons ready to fire in preparation for National Day, September 2

On August 20, under the scorching sun, soldiers of Brigade 45 (Artillery Corps) pulled 15 artillery pieces into position, ready to fire in practice to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, September 2.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The artillery team is divided into 5 platoons, each platoon consists of 3 guns. When on duty, platoon 1 fires 5 rounds and the remaining 4 platoons fire 4 rounds.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Each howitzer weighs more than 2.3 tons, uses 105 mm artillery shells, and is directly operated by 3 gunners.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The soldiers performing the mission were carefully selected from officers and soldiers in Brigade 45, with an average height of 1.75 m, good-looking, qualified, and experienced in training.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

When starting the mission of each howitzer, gunner number 1 is responsible for pulling the trigger to fire each shot, gunner number 2 opens and closes the breech, and gunner number 3 loads the ammunition into the chamber.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

After the cannons were pulled into position, the soldiers cleaned, painted, and carefully repaired the details to ensure technical safety.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The cannons are placed outside the My Dinh Stadium's playing field, with their barrels facing Le Quang Dao Street. On the opposite side, stands are being set up so that people and tourists can watch.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

21 series of fireworks will be fired to the background of the National Anthem at the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, September 2.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

It is expected that on the evening of August 21, 15 ceremonial cannons at My Dinh Stadium will be fired, preparing for the general training of forces at Ba Dinh Square. After August 21, 15 cannons will be permanently placed here from now until the end of the September 2nd ceremony. Brigade 45 will assign people to guard the cannons 24/7, and will also practice with the cannons every day. The scene of the ceremonial cannon firing will be broadcast live to Ba Dinh Square on September 2nd.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Brigade 45 was established on August 22, 1945, and was one of the earliest units of the Vietnam People's Army. This brigade was the unit that fired the opening shots of the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954 and fired the final shots of the Ho Chi Minh campaign in 1975.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hinh-anh-tran-dia-15-khau-phao-le-san-sang-khai-hoa-chuan-bi-quoc-khanh-29-185250820132105748.htm