Memories of April Victory of Veterans

1.Every year, on the occasion of the anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification, veteran Tran Thanh Van, block 1B, Anh Son town, is filled with emotion.

Mr. Van shared: When he was just 18 years old, he enthusiastically volunteered to join the army at the sacred call of the Fatherland on May 1, 1972. In October 1972, he joined the battle at the Ben Hai artillery unit, Brigade 164, when he was assigned to do combat service work.

The liberation of Saigon 43 years ago is considered a brilliant milestone in the nation's history, ending 30 years of arduous resistance war, bringing the country back together. Photo: Archive

On April 5, 1975, his brigade received orders to quickly advance along the Central Coast, bringing the combat formation to the Southeast of Saigon. With the determination of “speed, boldness, surprise, and sure victory”, at exactly 5:30 a.m. on April 14, 1975, his brigade began a fierce attack on the enemy’s Phan Rang defense line.

On all fronts, the fighting spirit took place fiercely, day and night. On April 16, 1975, he and his comrades attacked and liberated the towns and cities along Highway 1, then liberated Phan Rang, Phan Thiet, and Binh Tuy. From there, they concentrated their forces for the final decisive battle, paving the way for the victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, completely liberating the South and reunifying the country.

Mr. Tran Thanh Van recalls the unit's battle in the past. Photo by Thai Hien

After nearly 10 years of service in the army, he was discharged in 1981. Returning to his hometown, he continued to contribute to the construction of his hometown, holding many positions such as Party cell secretary, village chief and standing member of the town's War Veterans Association...

2“43 years ago, the atmosphere was boiling and intense throughout the battlefields of the South, the sound of bombs and bullets gradually faded away along the 17th parallel with the progress of our army, news of victory was reported from many places through the small radio, the belief in unification, the North and the South being one family made us even more excited and confident...”, those are unforgettable memories for Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoan, village 8, Phuc Son commune every April.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoan with souvenirs from the past. Photo: Thai Hien

In the mind of veteran Nguyen Cong Hoan, the memories of the atmosphere of determination to win the Ho Chi Minh campaign are still intact. Veteran Nguyen Cong Hoan recalled: When participating in the battle in Division 325, Corps 2, he was assigned as a company commander. At 7:00 a.m. on April 26, 1975, his division and other divisions in Corps 2 began attacking on the fronts east and southeast of Saigon.

On the afternoon of April 26, all enemy targets in the outer ring to protect Saigon's inner city in the Southeast direction were destroyed by the 2nd Corps. After capturing the Nhon Trach area, early in the morning of April 29, according to the set plan, the 130mm artillery of his division continuously fired at Tan Son Nhat airport to control the airport, not allowing the enemy to escape. At this time, Tan Son Nhat airport was engulfed in flames, many sections of the runway and enemy aircraft were damaged. The artillery of the 2nd Corps units roared throughout Saigon's inner city, terrifying the enemy.

On April 30, 1975, his 325th Division was tasked with crossing the Cat Lai ferry to attack the Navy Command, Saigon port, and Nha Be. He said: When we received information that the Independence Palace was completely under control, the liberation flag was flying on the roof of the headquarters of the Saigon puppet government, everyone was moved to tears and extremely happy, because the Ho Chi Minh campaign had won completely, ending the glorious and heroic years of resistance of the nation.

3.Veteran Nguyen Cong Anh, village 12, Phuc Son commune, still keeps faded photos, a scarf, a canteen, a hammock... souvenirs from the time of bombs and bullets.

Tanks crashed through the gate of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. Photo: Internet

During the 1975 Spring General Offensive, Mr. Nguyen Cong Anh was in the formation of the Northwest army that entered to liberate Saigon and took over Tan Son Nhat airport. For him, the great victory of Spring 1975 and the moment the national flag flew over the roof of the Independence Palace that day will forever be engraved in his memory. "Those years in each of our hearts, there was only the spirit of determination and team spirit, loyalty to the country" - he recalled with emotion.

After his military service, veteran Nguyen Cong Anh overcame all difficulties, was creative in economic development, and actively participated in Party and government building with 30 years of dedication to the locality. Regardless of his position, he was always dedicated, devoted and excellently completed all assigned tasks./.