Artifacts in Da Sap Cave and the journey to bring martyrs back

Remnants left in the heart of the mountain

At noon on July 13, each part of the martyr's remains was carefully removed by officers and soldiers from Da Sap Cave, Ha Nha commune, Da Nang city. After exhumation, the remains were covered with the national flag, preparing for the memorial service and burial.

A few hours earlier, the search force had to delve deep into dangerous locations, peeling off layers of landslide soil and rock in the cave. Interspersed between mud and rubble, the remains gradually revealed along with many household and combat items.

Those are sandals, ballpoint pens, hair clips, medicine bottles, items containing food, ammunition and many bones. Small items have remained in the heart of the mountain for more than half a century, becoming traces of the life and duties of officers and soldiers on the Quang Da battlefield.

By the afternoon of the same day, the task force initially found and repatriated 5 sets of remains of martyrs.

According to the Military Command of Da Nang City, this result is not only meaningful in the search and repatriation work but also affirms the accuracy of historical documents and witness accounts of people who sacrificed at Da Sap Cave.

All remains and artifacts were collected and carefully preserved to serve the verification work. The search continues to be expanded with the hope of bringing back more people remaining in the heart of the mountain, after 57 years.

The search from the witness's memory

According to historical documents, Da Sap Cave was once a place to gather food, weapons and ammunition to serve the Quang Da battlefield.

In April 1969, this area was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft and artillery. The cave entrance collapsed, burying many officers and soldiers on duty inside.

Before deploying the excavation, functional agencies organized a conference with the participation of veterans and witnesses who fought in the Hang Da Sap area in 1969. From the connected memories and verified information, the search location was gradually determined.

Military Region 5 then directed the Da Nang City Military Command to develop a plan to handle bombs, mines, and remaining explosives, and at the same time organize searches around the cave area.

Complex terrain, cave entrances once buried by soil and rocks, and the risk of explosives made the work have to be carried out step by step, both urgently and cautiously. Each layer of soil removed not only expands the search scope but also extends the hopes of relatives and comrades for the day the martyrs return.

The memorial service and burial of 5 martyrs' remains will be held on the afternoon of July 14th at Dai Dong Martyrs' Cemetery, Ha Nha commune.

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