Steel roses protect the Ngu Thuy sea during the war years
Quang Binh - The Ngu Thuy artillery female company had a resounding feat, contributing to protecting the homeland's sea during the resistance war against the US.
In the historic April days, when the whole country was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South, we returned to Ngu Thuy commune (Le Thuy district, Quang Binh), which marked the heroic feats of the female artillery company.
Meeting the "Girls" of the past, now entering the "thirties and forties" age, our hearts were filled with emotion. Despite the time of printing the imprint on their gray hair, their eyes still shine with the indomitable spirit of a time when "bombs and bullets fell".
A time of fireworks and girls fighting for fireworks
In the resistance war against the US, Quang Binh was a direct rear end to the Southern battlefield and was also a front line that suffered victims of brutal bombs and bullets. In particular, Ngu Thuy land became a strategic barge, where each citizen on average suffered more than 130 bombs and bullets of all kinds.
Faced with the fierce situation, on November 20, 1967, the Quang Binh Provincial Army decided to establish the Ngu Thuy Artillery Women's Team, gathering 37 girls aged from 16 to 20 in Ngu Hoa, Hai Thuy and Ngu Thuy communes. During its peak, the company had up to 91 soldiers, taking turns fighting. People affectionately call them "Girls" - resilient girls with firecrackers.
Ms. Tran Thi Than, former Political Commissar of the Women's Artillery Company, recounted: "When the new big girls first touched the iron and steel artillery, everyone was startled. But after only a short time of studying day and night, we have mastered the equipment and enthusiastically started the match."
Just over two months after its founding, on February 7, 1968, the Women's Artillery Team made its first attack, seriously injuring a US mine ship. In the first 100 days of 1968, the sisters continued to make achievements, hitting three US warships, forcing the enemy Navy to retreat far from the coast. That is not only a military achievement but also the pride of the whole North.
Ms. Ngo Thi That, the youngest sister of the company, recalled: That day, I was a child, only 16 years old, and I trembled when I saw a 16kg bullet as big as a calf. However, because of my determination, I still carried the bullet in one hand, continuously receiving bullets with my teammates."
Experiencing 8 big battles, with 5 burning shots, sinking US warships, the Fisheries Artillery Company wrote heroic hero in the central waters of the smoke. On August 25, 1970, the unit was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and State. In 2000, Quang Binh province built a monument of Fisheries Artillery as a sacred impression in the heart of his homeland.
Monuments in real life
After peace, the women returned to normal life in the poor land of white sand. They put behind them brilliant feats to quietly nurture their families and homeland. Although life is still difficult, the female firefighters still keep the spirit of "Three Strengths", unite, and help each other overcome all difficulties.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Ngoc, Political Commissar of the Le Thuy District Military Command, shared: "In addition to one-time allowances and health insurance, many women still have difficulties. The local government hopes that the community will join hands to support the mothers and sisters to have a better life".
In the midst of the Ngo Thuy female archer monument today, in the golden sunshine of April, gray hair, sunburned skin, gentle smiles seem to light up the vivid monument of a generation of resilient Vietnamese women.
You, the small but extraordinary daughters, have devoted your youth to the country. And in the hearts of today's generation, they will forever be immortal monuments, inspiring patriotism, resilience and indomitable for future generations.
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