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From a 'stone-stuffing' recruit to a legendary sapper-commando
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Culture & Society

From a 'stone-stuffing' recruit to a legendary sapper-commando

From Thanh Niên · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Lữ Tấn Xa, a 96-year-old veteran, recounts his early days joining the army despite being underweight.
  • He used a trick of stuffing stones into his clothes to meet the weight requirement for enlistment.
  • Xa went on to become a courageous sapper-commando, participating in over 40 battles and undertaking dangerous missions.

At 96 years old, veteran Lữ Tấn Xa lives a quiet life in his Quảng Nam home, a stark contrast to his past as a courageous sapper-commando. His journey began with a determination to serve his country, even if it meant bending the rules.

I grew up when my homeland was engulfed in flames. Seeing the enemy destroy our villages, I just followed the revolution...

— Lữ Tấn XaThe veteran explained his motivation for joining the revolutionary forces at a young age.

Xa recalled his enlistment in 1948, when he was just 18. Too thin to meet the army's weight requirements, he resorted to a clever ruse: secretly stuffing stones into his clothes to pass the weigh-in. This allowed him to join Đại đội 11, Trung đoàn 108, fulfilling his dream of fighting for his homeland.

During his training, Xa actively sought to join the sapper-commando unit, a role known for its extreme danger. He understood the risks, stating that sapper-commandos must learn to remain calm in the face of death. His decision reflected a deep commitment to the most perilous missions.

At that time, I was only afraid of not being able to join the army, I didn't think of anything else.

— Lữ Tấn XaHe reflected on his determination to enlist despite his underweight condition.

One notable mission involved Xa scouting enemy positions near Nam Ô and Xuân Thiều in 1949. He meticulously observed enemy troop movements and supply lines before proposing a daring plan to attack the locomotive and its protective bunkers. The operation was launched on a rainy night, with the downpour aiding in concealing his movements while he carried nearly 60 kg of explosives.

To be a sapper-commando, one must learn to be calm in the face of death.

— Lữ Tấn XaThe veteran described the mental fortitude required for his dangerous role.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Thanh Niên in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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