The art of special forces combat in the mission to open the gate to Saigon

In the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, the Vietnamese Special Forces played a very important role in directly opening and holding the route to lead the army into Saigon, directly contributing to the historic victory of Spring 1975. Many people died forever at the key points opening the gateway to the Pearl of the Far East; the rest, retreated to their small corners with unforgettable heroic memories.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, VietnamPlus had an interview with Major General Do Thanh Binh, Commander of the Special Forces, about the role and significance of this special force in the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

Major General Do Thanh Binh, Commander of the Special Forces. Photo: MVietnam+

-In the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, the Special Forces took the lead in opening a bloody path to lead the army into Saigon. Could you please explain more about this mission?

-Major General Do Thanh Binh:On March 31, 1975, the Central Party Politburo met and decided to launch the final strategic decisive campaign to defeat all remaining enemy forces, liberate Saigon, completely liberate the South, and successfully end the resistance war against the US to save the country. The historic campaign to liberate Saigon - Gia Dinh was honored to be named after the great President Ho Chi Minh.

In this campaign, the commandos were assigned to capture and hold 14 bridges and 6 bases guarding the gateway to Saigon, bombard Tan Son Nhat airport, capture Nha Be port, divide Long Tau river, create favorable conditions and ensure the maneuver route for the troops to quickly attack, capture a number of important targets inside the city, and support the uprising of the masses.

In the East and Southeast, the commandos attacked the Hoc Ba Thuc armored base, controlled the road from Buu Hoa intersection to Hoa An bridge, captured and protected Ghenh bridge for the main force to enter Saigon; attacked Nha Be port, Phuoc Khanh security post, controlled Long Tau river; captured Dong Nai bridge, Ben Go military sub-region, Cat Lai ferry, together with the 2nd Corps' deep penetration force entered the inner city, captured Independence Palace, Radio station, Bank, Navy Command...; captured Rach Ba bridge, Long Xuyen hamlet, Rach Dua port, coordinated with Division 3 to attack Vung Tau town; captured Rach Chiec bridge, Tan Cang bridge, together with the main force entered the inner city.

Attacks by special forces in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign. Photo: Vietnam+

In the West and Southwest, the commandos attacked Tan Son Nhat airport, coordinated with Regiment 3 to capture and control the entire Tan Tao area, then developed to capture Phu Tho Racecourse; attacked the puppet 7th Battalion, Phu Lam radar area... together with Regiment 24 to capture Ky Thuc On base, Nhi Thien Duong bridge... then developed into District 8; captured Dien Hong commando camp and Phu Tho sub-region; captured the puppet parliament headquarters and a number of other targets; led the way and together with the main force captured important targets, acting as the core to mobilize the masses to rise up and gain control in a number of areas.

In the North and Northwest, commandos captured Cho Moi and Rach Cat bridges, fired artillery at Tan Son Nhat airport...; opened and protected the opening gate in the North of Tan Son Nhat airport, ready to welcome the main force to capture the airport; captured Bong bridge, Sang bridge and Thanh Quan Nam citadel...; moved towards Binh Duong to attack enemy positions clustered on Highway 8, captured Hai Thuyen base, and simultaneously swept away enemy remnants; captured Binh Phuoc bridge, coordinated with the main force to attack the 3rd Cavalry Brigade blocking the way from Binh Phuoc bridge to Vinh Binh bridge; captured the computer center, together with the main force to capture the General Staff area...

-So, looking at it objectively, in the Spring 1975 campaign, the special forces were the vanguard force and also the "key" to opening the way to liberate Saigon, Major General?

- Major General Do Thanh Binh:In the Ho Chi Minh campaign alone, the participation of special forces was significant both strategically and operationally.

Strategically, up to 1975, the Special Forces had never been mobilized in such a large and powerful number. For the entire campaign, we used 1 brigade, 7 regiments, 6 battalions and many other special forces. The use of a large force of special forces affirmed the extremely important role of special forces in attacking and liberating Saigon.

In addition, the special forces also directly participated in capturing, attacking and holding, ensuring the smooth flow of 14 bridgeheads at the direct gateways to the city. These were key strategic areas, with many powerful bases. The enemy concentrated large forces, firmly and stubbornly defended to hold the last lair. The special forces demonstrated the spirit of determination to die for the Fatherland, firmly holding out to coordinate with the main force and the uprising mass forces, ensuring the final victory.

In terms of the campaign, the special forces participated in all wings, correctly implemented the instructions given by the Campaign Command, ensuring the progress of the entire campaign. From April 27 to the morning of April 30, the special forces brigades and regiments captured and held all the gateway bridges, fired 400 artillery shells at Tan Son Nhat airport, occupied the northern part of the airport; at the same time attacked the puppet General Staff, ensuring the right timing and coordination time as previously set out.

- Special forces have always been known by the nickname "walking without traces, cooking without smoke, speaking without sound." So, how were these qualities promoted in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, Major General?

- Major General Do Thanh Binh:It can be said that in the Ho Chi Minh campaign, the most typical qualities of the Vietnamese special forces were demonstrated. Although the force was only equipped with small weapons, under conditions of careful enemy guarding and defense, the special forces soldiers still took advantage of rivers and enemy gaps to infiltrate deeply, hide closely, and hide carefully in important positions. In particular, in addition to the task of destroying, the special forces also demonstrated the ability to defend and protect targets until the main force advanced.

The task of defending the 14 bridges leading to Saigon posed enormous challenges for the special forces soldiers participating in the campaign. The special forces were thin with limited weapons, mainly pistols, AKs, submachine guns or guns such as B40, B41. Meanwhile, they had to hold the bridges for a long time, and were constantly and fiercely counterattacked by the enemy, so both weapons and personnel suffered great losses. For example, at Ghenh bridge, 50/52 soldiers fell. However, with the spirit of dying for the Fatherland, all the "doors" leading to the inner city remained steadfast until the most important moment of the day of total victory.

Special forces soldiers in the campaign to attack and defend Rach Ba bridge. Photo: Document

The art of using special forces in combat in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign reached its peak in the liberation war. The work of organizing forces and preparing the battle formation to participate in large-scale combined arms campaigns was carried out carefully and most effectively. We prepared a large force, concentrated in large units, capable of completing difficult and heavy tasks in the most complex and fast-evolving situations. The use of methods and tricks to fight the enemy in large spaces, great depth, and to attack many important targets was highly effective, meeting the requirements of the campaign. Commando command work in all directions, coordination between special forces and infantry, artillery, tanks and other forces was very rhythmic and tight... The Ho Chi Minh Campaign affirmed that the Special Forces were an important component of large-scale combined arms campaigns, an indispensable force in general offensives and uprisings.

Although the preparation time during the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising was very urgent, we had to “speed up” to seize the opportunity, but the campaign staff agency had built a plan to use special forces. Because of the plan, the organization of special forces was very tight, the tasks of the units were very clear, the targets were assigned specifically, the time and coordination signals were predetermined. This was truly an important development step in the art of using special forces in joint combat between troops and services.

- What factors contributed to the formation and molding of such a loyal special forces soldier, Major General?

- Major General Do Thanh Binh:The first thing to mention is the spiritual factor. Special forces always keep in mind President Ho Chi Minh's instructions: "The political stance must be especially firm, the determination to defeat the enemy, the determination to destroy the enemy must also be especially high." In addition, based on the requirements of the mission, special forces often have to attack important, dangerous targets with campaign and strategic significance. Therefore, we operate with a high degree of independence, requiring soldiers to always have the courage and will to fight. Many battles in the resistance war against the US such as the battle at Nha Be Gas Depot, Long Binh General Depot, General Police Department, the battle to hold 14 bridges to Saigon... were victories in which the spiritual factor - "iron will" played a decisive role.

Besides, an advantage is that the special forces in particular and the army in general are always supported and assisted by the people. Particularly in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, when the main forces had not yet entered Saigon, the people were the force that stretched the enemy, creating conditions for the special forces to stay and hold their targets.

Today's and future generations of special forces always remember the merits of heroes, martyrs, and previous generations and are determined to learn and promote that spirit at all times, in all places, and on all missions...

- Thank you, Major General, for the interview!

According to Vietnam+