The Little River in Langna - "Memories of War" (1)
Author: Bao Jinliang
57 years ago, in June 1965, when I was only a few months into the army, my unit called for reinforcements. The Fourth Squadron of the Second Battalion of the Vietnam Anti-U.S. First Team was ordered to go to the battlefield in Vietnam. The Squadron Headquarters (Fourth Battalion Headquarters) was stationed in Lang Na, a mysterious place in Liangshan Province in northern Vietnam. This was my first stop in participating in the 1950s to aid Vietnam and fight against the United States. It was also the first day I entered the war. It was also my first starting point since joining the army... About one kilometer to the left of the squadron was stationed the Second Battalion ( Sixth Regiment Headquarters) as well as the health team, automobile company, directly affiliated units and headquarters radio and other units...
The location of the Fourth Battalion Headquarters is surrounded by mountains, with steep peaks. At a glance, you can only see There is a piece of blue sky above the head... The feeling of "deep mountains and old forests" comes unexpectedly, which is more or less a bit depressing... But this kind of terrain surrounded by mountains and steep walls is exactly the best way to prevent enemy planes. The best barrier for ultra-low-altitude air strikes, a natural reinforced iron shield and air defense barrier...
There is a small river in Langna that meanders from east (upstream) to west (downstream). The water is gurgling and trickling. interest. The No. 4 Squadron Headquarters and the No. 2 Battalion Headquarters are both stationed on the north bank of the creek. They are close to the creek and have good "feng shui". On weekdays, the river is crystal clear, and you can see pebbles in the water, fish swimming freely in the water, and you can also catch the lost things that the officers and soldiers accidentally dropped in the water... This naturally becomes a daily routine for the officers and soldiers. It is very pleasant to embrace the natural bathing place to enjoy the coolness at night... However, once it encounters heavy rainstorm season, the river water will turn from clear to yellow overnight, and the flow speed will be rapid. But it does not affect the officers and soldiers' love for the river and their desire for close contact every day in the unbearable hot summer environment... Over time, we and this mysterious river have formed a deep friendship between the natural environment and people... We regard this place and this small river that has benefited us as a natural bathing beach and a geomantic treasure...
At night, the officers and soldiers will come here at the same time, jumping into the river swarm like a flock of ducks taking to the water. The comrades were bathing, rubbing each other's backs, washing clothes (there are natural washing boulders in the river), singing and laughing, playing and having fun... There were also many situations where the officers and soldiers would talk and take stock of what happened that day. The war within the jurisdiction of the army, including experiences and lessons... Thinking about tomorrow's response plans and measures... It can be said that this has become a mobile swimming pool for officers and soldiers to cool down and cleanse themselves under war conditions... and also become comrades-in-arms. We discussed battles, brainstormed, and discussed drafting emergency repair and preparation plans at the field staff, war room and retreat !...
The small river Langna flows through all the places where our grassroots units (companies) are stationed, and the comrades naturally Sharing the convenience of life and spiritual interest that the river brings to everyone.I witnessed with my own eyes that when officers and soldiers were in the process of emergency repairs and construction, once someone with heat stroke appeared in the team, the team doctor or health personnel would quickly scoop some water from the creek and wipe the person with heat stroke on the spot. Body cooling and treatment measures...Xiaohe can better help officers and soldiers eliminate fatigue, prevent heatstroke and cool down, relieve tension and emotions during emergency repairs and construction, and continuous operations...Xiaohe is not only "a gift from God"...but also should be thanked for choosing The vision, consideration, experience and wisdom of the site personnel... During the days when the army was stationed at Langna Creek, this meritorious creek flowing through us, for our officers and soldiers, its contribution cannot be buried, its benefits cannot be underestimated, and its affection cannot be underestimated. Indifference...
...Half a century has passed. I accompanied my comrades to return to the battlefield in Vietnam and came to Lang Na, a small river that may be unknown to some people, but I think it has a lot of meanings. A sense of mystery! Kindness! Lovely thoughts!... Although more than half a century has passed, I am still filled with emotions and my thoughts are transcendent... Being able to revisit the battlefield once again left me with the memory of the war, the warmth and breath Embracing the river in my youthful years, my heart was full of satisfaction... At that moment, I held my breath, closed my eyes tightly, and stood by the river with all my concentration, using my feelings to "review the past and learn the new", to feel and look for those memories of those days. We are in each living picture, using our senses to smell and kiss every trace of breath left here... Then, I squatted down, holding the river water in my hands, tasting its current and original flavor... I used it again I bathed my face, symbolically sprinkled a few drops of nectar-like river water on my hair and body, and dreamed of restoring the scene and comfort of those years... Then, I stood up suddenly and shouted loudly: "I'm here! I'm here to see you! Dear Langna River!" At the same time, I respectfully faced the river and gave it a military salute... I said: "More than half a century has passed, and we have never Forget you, the flowing river that is imprinted in our hearts! Never forget the days when you were with us day and night! Never forget the convenience, cleanliness and joy you brought to us!”…
Today, after more than 50 years, we Old friends met again by chance, and the flow of "consensual consent" came together! It was like a reunion between people after a long separation! How could we not be happy and relieved!...
At that moment, I stood on the bank of the river and told Xiaohe, what I want to say most now is: "I wish you will follow your flow, accompany your notes, match your beat, follow your melody, carry our memories, and carry our yearnings with you. With our "original spring mother water" and fighting friendship, we are rushing towards the distance, towards the future, and towards peace! It has a long history..."
The reason why Langna's creek is so impressive in my heart is that it is not only It is not only the place where we bathed, but also the historical experience and memory of a veteran who participated in the war! There are many stories there, a lot of joy, and some sadness and tears... For example, technician Gao Guoyu of the Fourth Squadron who comes here to bathe together every day Sacrificed at the emergency repair site.His familiar figure will no longer be seen at the creek bathing place, his Sichuan-flavored words and hearty laughter will no longer be heard when he bathes here, and the water he brought back from the emergency repair site will no longer be smelled. , the whole body is full of the smell of ammunition, the breath and physical signs of sweat...
This small river allows people to bathe, and at the same time I also experience the baptism of war!
This small river has given me a wonderful life foundation and aftertaste! It has witnessed me From the country of peace to the realm of war! It witnessed me learn bravery, strength, sacrifice, dedication, maturity, self-confidence, determination and perseverance from the war! It recorded my world view, values, ideals and beliefs, and my journey. How to be stable in the war, sometimes to speed up, and sometimes to withstand the baptism of war! How to experience step by step, mature, firm, rich, solid, broad, no regrets, enrich and expand! How to gradually grow from a young recruit to a A Communist Party member and a real railway soldier!...
The gurgling water of the Langna creek
Revisiting the battlefield with endless love
Looking back at the memories again
The dusty pieces are in sight
...
The photo comes from the Railway Corps picture album
Editor: Le Zai where
