August Revolution: Lang Son among first localities to seize administration

(LSO) – The August Revolution is one of the most glorious chapters in the country’s history of national construction and defence. Through the event, Vietnamese people overthrew the rule of Japanese fascists and the nearly 100-year French domination, erasing the thousand-year feudalism, and bringing Vietnam to a new era – that of independence and socialism. Vietnamese people, from slaves, became the real owners of the country and their own destiny. The Party, brutally suppressed since its formation, has since become the ruling party leading the administration and society.

On August 15, 1945, the Party National Conference was held in Tan Trao of Tuyen Quang province, and called for uprising to regain the administration across the country. The call was strongly responded in all cities and provinces.

In Lang Son, under the leadership of the Cao-Bac-Lang Inter-Committee, the revolutionary force won the administration in localities across the province from April to August 25, 1945.

Lang Son was one of the first localities to claim the administration during the August Revolution.

From the Bac Son-Vo Nhai base, National Salvation Army’s branches spread to communes of Huu Lung district. In early April 1945, the revolutionary army in Van Nham commune destroyed the enemy’s granary in Phong, distributing food to locals in surrounding communes.

On April 15, 1945, the army attacked the enemy’s Met fortress, forcing the enemy administration to surrender. After seizing the control of the district capital, a district Viet Minh Board was established. On April 18, 1945, the armed forces and local community liberated Bac Son district, dissolved the enemy administration, and organized a meeting to celebrate the victory. A day later, a platoon attacked the fortress of Binh Gia and promptly controlled the district.

Phai Ve Flag Tower in Lang Son city (Photo: Bui Thuan)

In early July, an armed group directly commanded led by comrade Hoang Van Kieu, in combination with the revolutionary masses around the locality, attacked the fortress of Diem He – the base of the French army and its henchmen.

After a few hours of weak resistance, the enemy was completely destroyed and captured, while locals took the complete control over the district. On the same day, also at Diem He, the provincial Viet Minh Committee organised a large meeting to claim that the administration belonged to the people.

On August 15, 1945, over 800 armed militia and locals flocked to On Chau in Chi Lang district, forcing the Japanese troops to surrender their weapons. The revolutionary army delivered 100 tonnes of rice and 5 tonnes of salt to locals, while holding a meeting to declare the establishment of the revolutionary administration on August 18, 1945.

In Trang Dinh district, the revolutionary forces convinced a prefect and security officer to lend a helping hand in taking over That Khe town on August 21, 1945. Facing continuous victories obtained by the force, Japanese soldiers rushed to burn their armouries and other stuff before escaping from Nam Sam (Thoat Lang district). On August 22, 1945, revolutionary fighters took control of Thoat Lang, held a meeting, and established a local administration.

In Lang Son town, the Dai Viet force that worked for Japan failed to set up an administration. The Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) asked the Japanese army to hand over their weapons and send a representative to the Ba Xa revolutionary base for the work. On August 25, two revolutionary companies and many locals moved from Ba Xa, Bang Mac, Diem He to liberate Lang Son town, pushing the Japanese force to leave for Dong Mo. Residents in Cao Loc and Dong Dang welcomed revolutionary troops in delight. At a meeting to welcome the victory that gathered thousands of people in Lang Son’s Ky Lua, the Japanese-backed mayor had to step down and hand over the power to Viet Minh. The revolutionary force then took over public agencies and overpowered the security force. On August 28, 1945, revolutionary troops entered Loc Binh district, the last to be liberated in Lang Son.

The August Revolution promoted the tradition of patriotism and solidarity of Lang Son ethnic communities. Such experience has been utilised by the local Party committee in the current context of innovation and integration.

On August 26, 1945, over 120,000 Chinese soldiers entered Lang Son to support the Japanese force. In July 1946, the French army came back to annex Lang Son. The locality began another long struggle for independence and finally succeeded with the Dien Phu Phu Victory on May 7 in 1945, opening a new era of independence, socialism, and global integration.