Victory News April 1, 1975: Binh Dinh completely liberated

The History of Vietnam book records: "At 2:00 p.m. on April 1, the Politburo sent a telegram to comrades Pham Hung, Le Duc Tho, and Van Tien Dung, emphasizing: The opportunity to launch a general offensive and uprising in Saigon - Gia Dinh was ripe. From this moment on, the final strategic battle of our army and people had begun...

We must grasp the strategic opportunity, be determined to carry out a general offensive and uprising, and successfully end the war of liberation in the shortest possible time. It is best to start and end it in April this year, without delay... We must act "quickly, boldly, and unexpectedly".

Under the direction from the central government, the 3rd main force Division of Military Region 5 and the 968th Division of the 3rd Corps moved along Route 19, coordinating with local armed forces to attack enemy troops in Quy Nhon town. The 968th Division captured Go Quanh airport.

Liberation army attacks Go Loi stronghold, Hoai An district, Binh Dinh (Photo: Binh Dinh Province Historical Archives Center)

Faced with our strong offensive momentum, the enemy troops were confused and fled in panic, leaving behind their military equipment and supplies. Most of the 22nd Division, 14th Armored Regiment and two enemy artillery battalions were destroyed.

On April 1, 1975, Quy Nhon town and the entire Binh Dinh province were completely liberated.

The front page of Nhan Dan Newspaper reported on this victory with the headline "Completely liberating Binh Dinh province and Quy Nhon city. Destroying and disintegrating the entire 22nd Infantry Division of the puppet army", with the following content:

"After attacking and rising up to capture Cu Mong Pass, controlling the military sub-regions, district capitals of Tam Quan, De Duc, Binh Khe, Hoai Nhon, Phu My, Phu Cat, An Nhon, Tuy Phuoc, Van Canh, Dap Da, Bong Son town, Binh Dinh citadel, capturing Phu Cat and Go Quanh airports and the headquarters of the 22nd puppet division in An Son, on March 31, the Binh Dinh Liberation Army took advantage of the victory to fiercely attack the enemy in Quy Nhon city.

The Liberation Army from the south attacked Ganh Ranh in the south, captured area 6, Tuy Phuoc in the west along Highway 1, captured Cau Doi, the main gateway to the city, then pushed straight into Quy Nhon airport. Another Liberation Army force from the north attacked and captured area 1, area 2, Quy Nhon port, the communications center, the provincial governor's palace, and many other military targets.

News published in Nhan Dan newspaper about the complete liberation of Binh Dinh.

The people of Quy Nhon city rose up in unison, closely coordinating with the Liberation Army, smashing the enemy's repressive apparatus and gaining control. Many officers, soldiers, police and puppet government employees followed the call of the revolutionary government to mutiny, punish stubborn commanders, and bring weapons, files and documents back to the revolution.

At exactly 5:00 a.m. on April 1, the entire Binh Dinh province and Quy Nhon city were completely liberated. The army and people of Binh Dinh province and Quy Nhon city destroyed and completely disintegrated the puppet infantry division No. 22, captured many prisoners, and seized all weapons. Nearly 900,000 people of Binh Dinh province and Quy Nhon city gained control.

Thousands of compatriots who were forced by the enemy to follow them resolutely resisted, returned, carried the revolutionary government flag, banners, and shouted slogans to welcome the Liberation Army. Revolutionary governments at all levels were established. The people of Binh Dinh and Quy Nhon city were extremely excited, and together with the people's armed forces, were vigilant, protecting the liberated areas, and maintaining order and security in the city.

People's lives were quickly stabilized!"

An An

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ban-tin-chien-thang-1-4-1975-binh-dinh-hoan-toan-giai-phong-ar934856.html