During the fierce years of the resistance war against the US, the heroic land of Thanh Hoa became one of the key battlefields, where heroic battles took place, contributing to the overall victory of the nation. In particular, the Ham Rong Victory has gone down in history as a symbol of the indomitable spirit and strong will of our army and people. And behind those feats, it is impossible not to mention the important rear role of Dong Son village (Ham Rong ward, Thanh Hoa city).

Dong Son village - the rear of Ham Rong artillery position.

Dong Son village, an ancient village located on the poetic Ma River, has long been famous for its long-standing cultural traditions and passionate patriotism. During the war, Dong Son village became one of the important rear areas, providing manpower and resources for the Ham Rong front.

During the resistance war against the US, the Ham Rong area was not only an economic, cultural and political center but also a key national defense point. The US military believed that from Hanoi to the Ho Chi Minh trail, Ham Rong was a “blockage point”, and attacking Ham Rong would effectively prevent the supply of manpower and resources from the large rear base in the North to the southern battlefield. Therefore, the US mobilized a large force of bombers to attack the Ham Rong area in order to destroy and cut off the supply of weapons and military supplies to the anti-aircraft artillery positions.

To serve the Ham Rong artillery site, the people of Dong Son village did not hesitate to face difficulties and hardships. The whole village went to the battlefield, some carried ammunition, some carried food, some were medics. Everyone enthusiastically participated in the production emulation movements. Many families voluntarily contributed rice, food, and vegetables to supply the battlefield. From women, children to the elderly, everyone actively contributed to the Ham Rong artillery site.

Returning to Dong Son village these days, on every street and roof, people recall those fierce years of bombs and bullets. In the minds of Dong Son villagers, especially those who directly participated in the fighting and performed logistical tasks, the fierce atmosphere of the battles and the spirit of solidarity between the army and the people are still present.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Teo (far right) - a militia member participating in transporting and first aid at the Ham Rong artillery site.

For Ms. Nguyen Thi Teo (born in 1945, in the ancient village of Dong Son), the years when the whole village fought together, the memories of the war are still intact in her mind. Ms. Nguyen Thi Teo recalled: "Ham Rong was an area where the US fiercely attacked. At its peak in 1965 and 1966, the US attacked and injured many soldiers. At that time, I was the squad leader of the ambulance squad (belonging to Platoon 2, militia concentrated in Ham Rong District). Our squad had 15 people, all of whom were women, assigned to be on duty at Moong Cave to perform the tasks of communication, night watch, listening to radio alarms to warn people to go to safe shelters, providing first aid on the second line for wounded soldiers and then transferring them to the first line (in the area of ​​Hac Oa village) for ambulances to take them to the hospital; digging up buried people, burying the dead".

Mrs. Teo cannot forget the times when the US bombed fiercely, planes rumbled in the sky continuously, there were days when there were 5 or 6 bombings, there were so many wounded that there were not enough stretchers to carry them, blood was up to their feet, the women in the transport and ambulance teams encouraged each other to do their best, calmly bandaged and encouraged the wounded soldiers. Mrs. Teo shared: "I still remember the image of the young man who was seriously injured by a bomb but still shouted "Long live Ho Chi Minh, I have completed my mission". That fighting spirit to protect the Fatherland was not only that of the young man but also the spirit of the army and people in the Ham Rong area during the fierce fighting years.

Recalling the years when the US bombed the Ham Rong area, Mr. Luong Tri Son (born in 1949) shared: “In 1965, I was still young so I worked as a liaison, counting bomb craters, reporting which bombs had exploded and which had not exploded to the town team. But when the war was fierce, I also had the duty of transporting the wounded, first aid, carrying water, and carrying rice. There were times when there were so many wounded soldiers that there were not enough stretchers, so we had to use the temple door to carry the wounded.”

Despite the hardships and fierceness, the people of Dong Son village were always united, not afraid of difficulties, actively participating in production, and enthusiastically participating in movements to use leaves for camouflage, cook rice, and carry water to feed the soldiers during the years of fierce American bombing. Ms. Luong Thi Tho (born in 1936), one of the female militia who participated in logistics work, shared: "The whole village participated in supplying food, carrying rice, and carrying water for the soldiers. During the peak days, I and 3 sisters in the female militia platoon were assigned to cook rice for the artillery team. At that time, I had to leave my children with relatives to carry out the task. Because I thought, I was here to serve the soldiers, just like my husband was in the army and was supported by people from other places".

Exhibition space about the contributions of the army and people in the Ham Rong victory.

The contribution of Dong Son village did not stop at providing material, but also provided great spiritual encouragement to the officers and soldiers fighting in the Ham Rong battlefield. Ms. Luong Thi Tho shared: "When our soldiers defeated the American planes, the villagers carried syrup to celebrate the victory and sang to encourage the soldiers' spirit. The close bond between the army and the people became an invisible force, helping our army fight steadfastly and win."

In the fierce battles, the army and villagers of Dong Son fought side by side with the army, bravely contributing to the resounding victory of the Ham Rong artillery site. Their exploits have further enhanced the patriotic tradition and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Today, when the country has been peacefully unified, Dong Son village is still proud of its great contributions to the cause of defending the Fatherland. Historical relics, stories of the bravery and sacrifice of Dong Son people are still preserved, reminding future generations of a glorious period of the nation.

Ms. Le Thi Thanh, Chairwoman of Ham Rong Ward People's Committee shared: "Dong Son village, as a solid rear base of Ham Rong artillery site, has written heroic pages of history, contributing to the glorious victory of the nation. The spirit of solidarity, indomitable will, and silent sacrifice of Dong Son people will forever be remembered and promoted for the future."

Article and photos: Thuy Linh