In the historical artifact display space of Lam Dong Provincial Museum, a brown metal hammer blade that has faded over time (symbol BTLD.367/Kl:139) quietly marks an important historical moment of the highland town. Few people know that this rudimentary hammer was once the decisive tool in the uprising to seize power by the people of Da Lat in the fall of 1945.
Iron hammer blade of martyr Luu Van Du (Symbol: BTLD.367/Kl:139), displayed at Lam Dong Provincial Museum
In August 1945, responding to President Ho Chi Minh's call for a general uprising, the wave of revolutionary struggle quickly spread throughout Lam Dong province. In Da Lat, before the uprising of all classes of people, the Japanese garrison and the old government apparatus were entrenched at many key points, including the Da Lat Stadium area. To prevent the advance of the revolutionary masses, the enemy set up a solid barbed wire fence system surrounding the area.
In the decisive moment, responding to Uncle Ho's call to take advantage of all the tools at hand to fight for independence,Mr. Luu Van Du, a Da Lat resident living on Hoang Dieu Street, brought his family's hand-forged hammer and rushed forward. Amid the encirclement and resistance of the enemy, he bravely used this hammer to repeatedly cut off layers of barbed wire to open an important door that helped the masses rush in to disarm the Japanese army, take control of the situation and make a decisive contribution to the victory of the General Uprising in Da Lat.
The battle was completely victorious, but Mr. Luu Van Du heroically sacrificed his life right on the battlefield. After his death, this metal hammer measuring 15 cm long and 11 cm wide is a souvenir associated with the brave spirit of martyr Luu Van Du. The memorabilia has been treasured by the family for more than three decades at No. 9, Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 3, Da Lat (now Hoang Dieu Street, Xuan Huong Ward - Da Lat). On December 7, 1978, the family decided to donate this artifact to the Lam Dong Museum with the hope that the story of his patriotism and sacrifice would continue to be passed down.
This hammer blade artifact is not simply a metal labor tool of the last century, but hasbecoming a vivid testament to the spirit of revolutionary attack and the direct contribution of the people of Da Lat to the overall victory of the August Revolution of 1945.
Huynh Dong Nghi