After losing the Central Highlands, Hue, Da Nang and many important locations in the provinces along the Central Coast, the Republic of Vietnam government tried every way to defend Saigon. They built a strong defense line in Phan Rang, with the intention of establishing a "steel shield" here to block our army's land and sea routes.
In Phan Rang, the enemy increased its forces, including the 6th Air Division, 2 Infantry Regiments and Battalions, the 31st Ranger Group, 2 Tank Battalions, and a fleet offshore, ready to support.
All of the above units were arranged to form a dense defense line from Du Long to the center of Phan Rang town and Thanh Son airport, directly commanded by Lieutenant General Nguyen Vinh Nghi, Forward Commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Republic of Vietnam.
Liberation Army tanks occupy Ninh Thuan provincial government offices. (Photo: VNA)
To destroy the enemy's long-distance defense line, the Commander of the Coastal Army, Senior Lieutenant General Le Trong Tan decided to use the 3rd Division (Military Region 5), the 325th Division, the 25th Regiment of the Central Highlands and Military Region 6, along with forces in Ninh Thuan to plan an attack on the enemy's "steel shield" of Phan Rang. At the same time, he assigned the task to the Ninh Thuan armed forces, mainly special forces, to provide information, conduct reconnaissance and guidance, coordinate attacks on the enemy, and hunt down the remaining troops.
At dawn on April 16, 1975, from all directions, our infantry and tanks simultaneously attacked targets in Phan Rang town. The 101st Regiment of the 325th Division led the attack on soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 31st Ranger Group defending in Hoi Dien, An Xuan, then advanced towards Ca Du intersection, Dai Son hamlet. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions followed with mechanized troops. The 164th Artillery Brigade provided fire support.
Division 3, Military Region 5 and Regiment 25 coordinated with the deep thrust of Division 325 to attack a number of targets in Phan Rang town and Thanh Son airport. Regiment 101 and Division 3 bravely repelled enemy counterattacks and captured Thanh Son airport.
At 7:00 a.m. on April 16, 1975, our troops completely controlled Phan Rang town. Next, our troops quickly went to occupy Tan Thanh and Ninh Chu ports. Another unit followed Route 1 to the south of the town and occupied Dao Long bridge, Phu Quy district.
At 9:30 a.m. the same day, the "steel shield" of Phan Rang that the enemy had built was destroyed by our army, the flag of the Liberation Front fluttered on top of the Ninh Thuan Administration Building. Ninh Thuan province was completely liberated.
The destruction of the distant defense line protecting Saigon opened the way for our army to quickly attack the southern provinces, break the steel gate of Xuan Loc, and advance to liberate Saigon.
News of the complete liberation of Ninh Thuan province and Phan Rang town was published in Nhan Dan Newspaper. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)
Faced with the stormy attacks of our army from all directions and fronts, the enemy's resistance gradually weakened and then they abandoned their weapons and fled in chaos. More than 10,000 enemy troops at the Phan Rang defense line disintegrated.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Vinh Nghi, Forward Commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Republic of Vietnam, and Brigadier General Pham Ngoc Sang, Commander of the 6th Air Division, along with many enemy officers and soldiers were captured. Our troops captured many enemy weapons and war vehicles, including intact A37 aircraft.
At 10:00 p.m. on April 16, 1975, General and Commander-in-Chief Vo Nguyen Giap sent a telegram praising all officers and soldiers for their victory in Phan Rang.
On the same day, the Central Military Commission issued an order to the 2nd Army Corps to quickly pursue the enemy, develop rapid, bold, and unexpected attacks, and be determined to gain new victories; urgently consolidate forces, continue combat operations, and participate in the Saigon Liberation Campaign in time.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ban-tin-chien-thang-16-4-1975-giai-phong-tinh-ninh-thuan-ar937926.html
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