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“Ha Noi Hilton” - Ha Noi before in telling of the guards

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February 21, 2017

It’s lucky for us to meet Commander Luu Van Hop at Viet Nam Veteran association’s head office, Deputy Director Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam Veteran’s association, former leader of superintendent group in Hoa Lo Prison where detained US pilot. He gave us many interesting stories whose “a live witness” about the days meeting US pilots in Hoa Lo Prison (1970 - 1973).

He told that Hoa Lo prison had the framework of organization that the leader included: Chief of camp, second-in-command chief of camp (can speak English) and political members. Advisor division (can speak English) included: 4 head leaders whose assignment is propagandize the policy of our country by broadcast of camp, asking to the new comer, checking the last letter they sent to the relatives. Each of one group had 8 - 10 people: head leader group, second-in-command chief group and the supervisors who are the direct manager, helped them carry out the rules of camp and have awareness of the humane policy of Viet Nam government and know that it’s US anti-war in Viet Nam. The ordnance squad had two unit: serving for the solider and other served for prisoner of war; the guards calculated the number of prisoner and opened or closed the door; the security guard group on sentry duty must guarded all day inside and outside prison.

Picture, POWs draw in Hoa Lo Prison

Among of four head leaders in Hoa Lo Prison in this period time is captain Luu Van Hop who asking directly to POW from the first day to this camp. It is said that a almost all POWs had a high level learning standard, nearly all US pilot flied B52 were captured in 12 days in Ha Noi campaign had graduated, even master, some of them have an aptitude for art, be able to draw.

The meal of POWs at Hoa Lo Prison on Christmas Day

In this “Ha Noi Hilton”, the ration food of POWs was ensured. There were 2 loaves of hot bread, a bowl of potato soup, or squash, pumpkin, 2 grams of meat or beef, a cup of milk or coffee every meal. Specially, the kitchen of Vietnamese soldiers was next-door the wall of the camp. That made them changed their thought. Through by the window, they could see the meal for Viet Nam soldiers, different from their meal. Every month, they had medical check-up and four doctors at the camp looked after and cured to the diseases.

We take care not only their life but also their spiritual, they could have a sunbath, do exercises, take a shower twice a day. It had many activities for each other US pilots or with the guards.

Captain Luu Van Hop give Mr and Mrs Chuck Jackson and the staffs

of Administration Board Hoa Lo Prison Relic a warm welcome, 12/01/2017

A short time in Hoa Lo camp, they not be worried and changed their thought of Viet Nam war. So, the numbers of US pilots always want to come back Viet Nam to thank for the people save their life.

Lai Thi Minh Thu - Researching and collection Division