53 years ago, although the homeland was liberated, people in some areas of Quang Tri still embarked on a "red march" called K15 to avoid enemy bombs. During those difficult days, tens of thousands of people came to Quang Binh , living in the care and protection of the people here. Until now, the memories of the time "full of love for the homeland" still linger in the hearts of historical witnesses and are always reminded by affectionate connections.
Lesson 1: From the right policy to the historic evacuation
Mr. Nguyen Minh Ky recorded the history of K15 with the hope that the next generation will never forget - Photo: QH
Emergency evacuation to protect people
The house of Mr. Nguyen Minh Ky, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, is located in a green, peaceful space, as if separated from the hustle and bustle of the city. Despite his old age, Mr. Ky still maintains the habit of reading newspapers every day. In the recent flow of information, he has paid much attention to the unification of the province. "More than half a century ago, in the midst of difficulties, the people of Quang Binh "embraced the people of Quang Tri" to leave a bright mark in history. Today, I believe that tradition will continue, bringing many opportunities," said Mr. Ky.
The sharing of Mr. Nguyen Minh Ky, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, opened the history page of K15, where many beautiful stories about the Quang Binh - Quang Tri friendship are preserved. Following the stream of nostalgia, Mr. Ky said that on May 1, 1972, our army and people closely coordinated to attack, wipe out the most solid defense system, smash the brutal suppression of the US - puppet regime, and completely liberate Quang Tri.
After this event, the task set for the province was to both focus on fighting back and repelling the enemy's reoccupation operations in Quang Tri town, and protect the lives of the people. In response to the urgent need, in June 1972, the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee had a policy of evacuating people from areas affected by enemy counterattacks. Mr. Ky said: "After receiving the approval of the Central Party Secretariat, the province promptly established provincial and district-level steering committees. Plan 15, to quickly move people to safe areas, was quickly developed, abbreviated as K15".
On June 24, 1972, the Standing Committee of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee issued a directive to evacuate people from the enemy's key attack points. According to the plan, more than 80,000 people from Hai Lang and Trieu Phong overcame enemy bombs and bullets to evacuate to Gio Linh, Cam Lo, Vinh Linh and several communes in Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. Later, due to the fierceness of the counterattacks, many people in Hai Lang, Cam Lo, Gio Linh... also packed up and left for coastal communes in Le Thuy district.
As a member of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Cam Lo District Party Committee at that time, Mr. Ky still remembers the urgent and determined atmosphere, but also filled with many worries. The large-scale evacuation of tens of thousands of people was carried out under passive conditions and at a fierce war level. On the way to the evacuation, people had to endure fierce bombings by American planes. The rain of bombs and B52 artillery shells carpeted many people, causing many deaths and many families to be separated, some from the North and some from the South.
Mr. Hoang Sau, Head of the K15 Liaison Committee of Ha Tay village (left) and Mr. Le Quang Hoc recall stories during the evacuation of K15 - Photo: LT
According to Mr. Ky, Plan K15 affirmed the correctness of the art of people's war, knowing how to rely on the people, taking the people as the root. In the resistance war against the US in the whole country in general, Quang Tri province in particular, due to the requirements of the war, each side had different ways of evacuating people. The enemy gathered people into concentrated areas for easy control. On our side, due to the nature of the battle and the characteristics of the battlefield, Quang Tri province advocated the dispersion of people with many evacuation plans such as K8, K10, K15... By implementing Plan K15, Quang Tri province has correctly applied the revolutionary struggle motto, the combat motto that is appropriate and close to reality.
Mentioning this important decision, the face of Mr. Le Van Hoan, former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Tri Province, Secretary of the Hai Lang District Party Committee from 1967 to 1973, seemed brighter. At the age of 95, Mr. Hoan is no longer as clear-minded as before. However, the K15 Plan is still an unforgettable memory for him. Mr. Hoan affirmed that without this wise decision, the enemy's counterattacks would have taken many lives. "K15 is also one of the living proofs of the Quang Binh - Quang Tri friendship," Mr. Hoan said.
A challenging journey
In August 1972, Trieu An commune, Trieu Phong district had about 200 households evacuated, including Ha Tay villagers who were evacuated to Sen Thuy, Ngu Thuy, Hung Thuy, Cam Thuy, Duong Thuy communes of Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. Sen Thuong 2 village was the furthest evacuation point for Ha Tay people with about 25 households coming to live.
According to Mr. Hoang Sau (born in 1955), Head of Liaison Committee K15 of Ha Tay village, Trieu An commune (now Trieu Tan commune), Trieu Phong district, after the liberation of the commune in February 1972, the situation in Trieu An was still very tense. By August 1972, the local war was very fierce, so about 200 households of the commune were evacuated to the North. Of which, Ha Tay village had about 25 households living in Lien Hiep village (now Sen Thuong 2), Sen Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. At this time, Mr. Sau was 17 years old and was a local guerrilla. He brought his mother, Mrs. Le Thi Biu, and his sister, Hoang Thi Danh (26 years old), who was pregnant with their first child, to evacuate. Mr. Sau and his three children were arranged to live in Mr. Tham's house.
The evacuation of Ha Tay people to the North was mainly by road, but they had to cross the Hieu and Ben Hai rivers twice. “The situation at that time was very dangerous and urgent. Everyone was ordered to evacuate immediately without any preparation. In the evacuation group of the village at that time, when crossing the river at Cua Viet, Mrs. Tran Thi Do went into labor. I remember that the boat was very crowded at that time. Everyone jostled and pushed her, and the baby fell into the water. Luckily, the people on the boat picked her up in time, wrapped the baby in a blanket to keep warm, and continued to cross the river to the North. The good news was that the baby was still alive and healthy, and was named Hung. The people of Le Thuy took care of both mother and child.”
People of Sen Thuong 2 village, Sen Thuy commune, share memories of the days of protecting people of Trieu Phong district during the evacuation according to Plan K15 - Photo: LT
In the evacuation area, some Quang Tri babies were also born in the love of everyone. Mr. Sau's nephew was one of them. Mr. Sau said that after living in the evacuation area for about 2 months, his sister gave birth. "The most touching image was of Mr. Tham - the homeowner, who did not fear danger, going day and night to Hong Leo mountain to cut down trees and then digging the ground to build a small shelter, just big enough for a bamboo bed but still a safe place for my sister to give birth," Mr. Sau said.
Mr. Le Quang Hoc, a resident of Ha Tay village, still remembers clearly the evacuation scene of his family in 1972. “At that time, my father carried on his shoulders some dried potatoes and a few sets of clothes for the whole family. My mother carried my two younger siblings: Huyen (3 years old) and Hoan (3 months old). I was about 6 years old at that time and ran after my parents. When we reached Vinh Linh, an uncle gave me a bundle of green tea. I carried the bundle of tea on my back and kept running after the group of evacuees. Overhead, planes and artillery from the 7th Fleet fired at us. Everyone walked very fast, following the sandbank as if running. When we reached the southern bank of Ben Hai River, we stopped in the basement, waiting for the boat of soldiers and local people to take us across the river at night to avoid being detected by enemy planes. After that, everyone continued to follow the guide through shortcuts heading north to avoid being detected by enemy planes.”
Whenever the journey was too tiring, everyone in the group asked if it was still far or near. The guide said: “Just a little more straw” (meaning there was only a short distance left to encourage the people). Hearing that, everyone was excited. Thanks to that, the long journey seemed closer.
On the front line, the people of Quang Tri seem to be all too familiar with evacuation trips. It is a challenging journey, paid for with both blood and tears. K15 is no exception. To get to Ngu Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, people from Trieu Van, Trieu Lang, Trieu Do... had to go by sea. Other evacuees carried their children, food, belongings... by road to Quang Binh. Throughout the journey, everyone was busy walking with their hearts pounding. That anxiety was well-founded. Because, in Sen Thuy commune, a group of 7 evacuees died after the enemy's B52 bombing. After going through hardships and dangers, the meeting of the people of Quang Binh - Quang Tri was filled with tears.
Quang Hiep - Lam Thanh
Lesson 2: Years pass, but love remains
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/k15-dau-son-nghia-tinh-194597.htm
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