On a historic day in April, we visited Vu Tan Ich, famous captain of the “Top Secret” ships during the Vietnamese resistance against the USA.
Vu Tan Ich was born in 1930 in Binh Thoi Commune, Binh Son District, Quang Ngai.
He and his comrades created a legendary Ho Chi Minh sea-path. Ich’s house at Nguyen Tri Phuong Road in Da Nang City contains a lot of remembrances of his glorious past when he led nine “Top Secret” ships to reinforce the army in the South with weapons.
Ich was as eager as many other young men in the South to join the army, then he came to the North in 1954. He was sent to China in 1956 to study for the navy. In 1959, he returned to Vietnam and became a captain of Ship No. 5 from the naval force protecting the northern sea area.
Vu Tan Ich reminiscing on his glorious past as a captain
Although Ich was living in the North, he always longed for the day when he could return to the South and contribute to its liberation. This dream of his eventually came true. In 1964, he was appointed Captain of a “Top Secret” ship to carry weapons for the Southern army. His team included 12 others and headed off to Ben Tre Province.
In order to keep completely anonymous, all goods and personal items which were labeled or had anything that could reveal that they were from the North had to be left behind. The ship was disguised as a fishing ship and was very poorly equipped. There was only a compass, a speed measuring machine, binoculars, a radio and a torch.
Nobody on the ship knew where they were going except the captain. If the ship was discovered by the enemy, it would be destroyed.
This voyage for Ich was filled with obstacles such as storms they encountered, enemy aircraft, and a lack of knowledge of their route. Even though it proved difficult, his team was successful.
Ich led nine voyages. Twice, his missions were not successful. One ship got stuck at Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and another was discovered by enemy troops. As a result, two comrades of Ich were killed.
“When we joined this mission, we were always to sacrifice our lives for the liberation of the South,” said Ich.
In 1970, he became a water commando, then rejoined the Naval force. In 1975, he participated in military zone No. 5 for Da Nang’s liberation.
For all his contributions, Lieutenant-Colonel Vu Tan Ich was awarded the 3rd rank of Labour Medal by the Party and State in 2000.
Vu Tan Ich and his comrades with “Uncle Ho” in 1960
“Top secret” ships included a crew from Division 759 under the Ministry of Defense established in July 1959. These ships were designed to secretly transport weapons, military facilities and top-secret officials from the North to the South. The crew was carefully selected from those who were in excellent physical condition, were rich with marine experience, and filled with patriotism. At the end of 1964, Division 759 was under control of the High Command of the Navy. It was changed into Naval Division 125. |
