Ten Lam Ha militiawomen: An enduring epic of sacrifice

During the war against the US imperialists, militia in Lam Ha commune in Phu Ly city, former Ha Nam province, actively fought alongside regular and local forces and took part in combat and support operations on various battlefields.

As part of efforts to thwart and repel the US air war against northern Vietnam, numerous anti-aircraft artillery positions were established around Phu Ly township at the time.

To support and coordinate with the regular forces at these anti-aircraft positions, the Lam Ha Air Defence Militia Company was established on August 5, 1965, with 87 officers and soldiers organised into two platoons, one male and one female. The female platoon had 24 members, most of them still very young. Alongside working and contributing to production, they underwent military training, stood combat watch and coordinated with the army and other forces to protect keytargets.

In battles on October 1, 1966, October 9, 1966 and July 7, 1967, ten Lam Hamilitiawomen made the ultimate sacrifice at air defence positions. Among them were sisters Nguyen Thi Thu and Nguyen Thi Thi, who were only 17 and 15 years old, respectively.

Six decades on, memories of the fierce battles and the loss of her comrades remain vivid in the mind of Nguyen Thi Tinh, former commander of the Lam Ha female air defence militia platoon, who now lives in Ha Nam ward, Ninh Binh province.

On the morning of October 1, 1966 alone, US aircraft launched four successive attacks on the Lam Ha artillery position and Phu Ly Bridge.

The attacks claimed the lives of six militiawomen: Nguyen Thi Thu, Nguyen Thi Thi, Dinh Thi Tam, Phan Thi Tuyet, Pham Thi Lan and Vu Thi Phuong.

On October 9, 1966, three more women Nguyen Thi Thuan, Tran Thi Thep and Nguyen Thi Oanh were killed in action at a 100mm artillery position. The tenth, Dang Thi Chung, died at the Hoa Lac artillery position on July 7, 1967 while fighting alongside regular troops.

In recognition of the ten martyrs’ courage and sacrifice, the Party and State in 1998 conferred the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces on the Lam Ha Party organisation and people.

In 2010, the ten Lam Ha anti-aircraft militiawomen and their fallen comrades were officially recognised as martyrs. The Lam Ha Anti-Aircraft Militia Company and martyr Nguyen Thi Thi were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces.

In early 2009, the Ha Nam provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee approved a plan and launched a project to build a memorial complex dedicated to the province’s heroes and martyrs, including a memorial temple for the ten female militiamen at the former anti-aircraft artillery position where they made the ultimate sacrifice.

The complex now comprises the Memorial Temple for Heroes and Martyrs of former Ha Nam province, the Memorial Temple for the Ten Lam Ha Militiawomen, a monument dedicated to the ten women and a memorial house for comrade Luong Khanh Thien.

The site has become a special “history classroom” for younger generations. Every year, on War Invalids and Martyrs Day and other major national occasions, particularly on anniversaries of the ten women’s deaths, thousands of young people, students and local residents from across the country visit the site to pay tribute, burn incense and listen to stories of the war years, the “steel flowers” who stood firm under bombardment and the selfless sacrifice of earlier generations.

Most recently, the Ninh Binh Provincial School of Politics organised a seminar entitled “60 years since the sacrifice of the ten Lam Ha anti-aircraft militiawomen (1966-2026) Historical values and contemporary vitality”.

The seminar examined the historical significance and enduring relevance of the ten Lam Ha militiawomen from various perspectives, including history, military affairs, culture and education.

The discussions also highlighted the need to complete and systematise historical records, digitise archival materials, preserve and restore the relic site and promote its historical value, while strengthening the effectiveness of traditional education.

Participants also called for further scientific and practical research to identify an appropriate common date for commemorating and remembering the ten Lam Ha anti-aircraft militiawomen.

Authorities and agencies at all levels continue to implement policies for people with meritorious services to the revolution and provide care for martyrs’ families, while paying greater attention to the preservation of memorial sites, martyrs’ cemeteries and other “red addresses”.

Such efforts serve not only to honour those who devoted and sacrificed their lives to the revolutionary cause, but also to preserve historical values faithfully and pass on those enduring traditions to future generations./.