50 years of national reunification - March 23, 1975: Liberation of An Khe

Implementing the Politburo's directive to Military Region V: "The immediate goal is to destroy the enemy's 2nd Division and advance to Da Nang to coordinate the general plan," the Standing Committee of the Regional Party Committee and the Military Region V Party Committee determined to speed up the attack and uprising, liberating the entire Region V in the shortest time.

Following the Politburo's directive, the Tri-Thien Military Region and the 2nd Army Corps quickly developed attacks to destroy the enemy troops clustered in Hue from two directions: North, Southwest and South of Hue; at the same time, organized forces to prevent the enemy troops from withdrawing to Da Nang.

The 3rd Division of Military Region V and 1 Battalion of Regiment 950 attacked and liberated An Khe. The 64th Regiment, Division 320 moved close to Cung Son, closely coordinating with local troops of Phu Yen to surround all remaining retreating forces of Military Region II and the puppet 2nd Corps.

Panicked, the 1st Infantry Division and the 147th Marine Brigade of the puppet army withdrew from Quang Tri on March 23, 1975 to defend Da Nang. The Airborne Division also withdrew its remaining units from Da Nang to Saigon.

Immediately, the 4th Regiment of the Tri-Thien military region's main force attacked the defensive positions of the puppet marines, defeated their counterattacks, and advanced to Ba Sinh intersection. The 6th and 271st Regiments of the military region's main force followed Route 12 and quickly marched towards the Huong River.

Local troops in Phong Dien and Quang Dien destroyed a number of militia posts, occupied Pho Trach district, and supported the people's uprising to liberate many rural and delta villages and communes.

In the North of Hue, the 3rd, 14th, and 812th Battalions of the Quang Tri Province local army finished organizing their formations. The 18th Regiment, 325th Division captured Mui Ne, then attacked and destroyed the Phu Loc military district-town.

Artillery of the Huong Giang Corps, Tri-Thien military region fired heavily at the puppet 1st Corps Command Headquarters (Mang Ca station), the Marine Division, Phu Bai airport, Tan My port... blocking the enemy's escape routes.

The forces of the 2nd Corps deployed to penetrate deep into the Thuan An estuary, blocking the enemy's only remaining escape route to the sea, creating a large encirclement from the south of Hue to Hai Van Pass.

Many enemy warships from Da Nang came to pick up the retreating troops at Thuan An and Tu Hien estuaries, but were blocked by our artillery fire and did not dare to come close to shore. Some were hit by bullets, and most had to turn back.

Meanwhile, the 101st Regiment, 325th Division destroyed the 15th Special Forces Regiment of the puppet army, liberated the Luong Dien area and cleared the enemy north of Truoi Bridge. After that, the 101st Regiment followed Route 1 straight to Phu Bai, expanding the area of ​​separation on Route 1.

In the direction of Division 324, Regiments 1 and 2 quickly advanced to the plains east of Route 1, surrounded, destroyed and captured thousands of soldiers of the puppet Division 1 in Phu Thu.

Led by the people, Regiment 1 crossed Tam Giang, captured Ke Sung, Cu Lai, and cut off the enemy's retreat route to Tu Hien estuary. A part of the Regiment attacked and captured Tan My port, the southern bank of Thuan An estuary, at the same time as local troops from Quang Tri captured the northern bank.

Regiment 2 followed the West bank to break Tam Giang, attacked the East of Hue, coordinated with Regiment 1 and units of the military region, and blocked Thuan An seaport.

The 4th Tank Company of the 324th Division from A Luoi promptly moved in to coordinate with the infantry to fight the enemy. By the afternoon of March 23, 1975, the 4th Tank Company coordinated with the 1st Battalion to suddenly attack and capture the 303rd Base, Nui Bong, Nui Nghe, then advanced down Route 1 to attack Phu Bai. The 78th Artillery Regiment moved down to La Son, Cau Truoi to support the infantry units fighting in the front.

On the night of March 23, 1975, after reaching Phu Loc plain, Regiments 1 and 2, Division 324 followed the coastal plain and urgently advanced towards Thuan An estuary, destroying the enemy's intention to evacuate a part of the force in Thua Thien-Hue by sea at this estuary; surrounded, destroyed and captured thousands of soldiers of the puppet Division 1 in Phu Thu.

On the eastern flank, supported by tanks from the Tri-Thien Military Region, the 3rd Quang Tri Battalion attacked and captured Huong Dien district, destroyed Thanh Huong position, and forced the enemy to retreat.

That same night, the enemy troops in Hue began to withdraw back to Da Nang in three wings. Wing 1, including the 147th Marine Brigade, the 14th Ranger Group, the 5th Regiment of the 1st Division, and the 1st Armored Cavalry Brigade, headed to Thuan An estuary by water to Da Nang.

Wing 2 includes Regiment 3 of Infantry Division 1, Brigade 15 commandos to Cu Lai (south of Thuan An estuary). Wing 3 includes Regiments 1 and 54 of Infantry Division 1 to Tu Hien estuary by waterway to Da Nang.

On the battlefield in the Southern Central Highlands, on the afternoon of March 23, 1975, the 320th Division advanced along Route 7 to Cung Son district - the last gathering point of 6,000 enemy remnants in the Central Highlands and more than 40 tanks./.

[Source: VNA; Historical Moments: Ho Chi Minh Campaign 1975, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2005; Campaigns that were decisive for victory in the Great Spring Victory of 1975, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2010; Historical Events and Figures, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2015; Historical Decisions, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2015; Ministry of National Defense - Vietnam Military History Institute: Vietnam Military History, Volume 11, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2019; General Van Tien Dung: Great Spring Victory, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2024; From the Battle of Phai Khat, Na Ngan to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2024].

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/50-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-ngay-2331975-giai-phong-an-khe-post1022155.vnp