Victory News April 19, 1975: Liberation of Binh Thuan Province

After liberating Tuy Phong, Hoa Da, Phan Ly and Hai Ninh districts, on the evening of April 18, 1975, our army attacked Phan Thiet. The enemy quickly disintegrated, laid down their weapons and surrendered to the liberation army.

On the morning of April 19, 1975, the Military Management Committee took over Phan Thiet, marking the moment Binh Thuan province was liberated.

News published in Nhan Dan newspaper about the liberation of Binh Thuan province and Phan Thiet town. (Photo: Nhan Dan newspaper)

Nhan Dan Newspaper reported on this victory with the title "Completely liberating Binh Thuan province and Phan Thiet town", with the following content:

"At 7:00 a.m. on April 19, enemy warships that came to rescue their comrades were punished by the Liberation Army's artillery, one was sunk on the spot, another was set on fire. By 10:00 a.m. on April 19, the army and people of Binh Thuan province completely controlled Phan Thiet town and the entire Binh Thuan province. Nearly 300,000 people in the province took control."

Our army destroyed and defeated 8 security and commando battalions, 18 companies and 136 security and militia platoons; captured 16 artillery pieces, 4 helicopters, all military vehicles and warehouses; and smashed the entire enemy control system in Binh Thuan province. More than 14,000 enemy soldiers and military officers showed up and surrendered their weapons.

After handing over the area to the local government and armed forces of Binh Thuan, the 2nd Corps' attack formation rushed through Binh Tuy province (now Binh Thuan province), rapidly advanced into Long Khanh, and coordinated with the 4th Corps to capture Xuan Loc.

At the Xuan Loc front, the battles were fierce. The 341st Division captured the American advisory area, the information center, the police station, the bus station, and crushed the counterattacks of three enemy battalions to hold their positions. The 7th Division attacked from the east of the town. Our troops and the enemy fought over every trench, house, and street corner.

Liberation Army armored vehicles on the way to Phan Thiet town. (Photo: Binh Thuan Newspaper)

Also on April 19, 1975, the 571st Automobile Division of the Truong Son Command, with more than 1,000 vehicles, overcame 1,200km of mountain and forest roads, bringing the entire 1st Corps formation to the assembly point in Dong Xoai, both safely and 6 days ahead of schedule.

On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Command gave preliminary orders to the Air Defense - Air Force Command to prepare for the air force to participate in the campaign. Receiving the mission, the Party Committee and the Air Force Command discussed and decided to use captured enemy aircraft and assigned the combat air force command to organize the implementation.

In Saigon, enemy generals and officers and opposition groups demanded that President Nguyen Van Thieu resign.

Libra

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ban-tin-chien-thang-19-4-1975-giai-phong-tinh-binh-thuan-ar938624.html