Attack on Base Eleven

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•04/06/2023

In late 1969, the 9th Military Region Command decided to concentrate its forces to destroy the enemy's Eleventh Combined Defense Group. This was a large military base, strategically located on the Xáng Xẻo Rô canal, a crucial transportation route from Rạch Giá to Cà Mau and cutting through the U Minh Thượng forest in Đông Thái commune, An Biên district (now part of Kiên Giang province). Here, the enemy deployed forces on both banks of the canal, including the command of Brigade B (marines) and 3 subordinate companies; Battalion 4 (Brigade B) consisting of 4 companies; and Riverine Group 74, totaling approximately 750 troops.

In this battle, the 1st Regiment of U Minh (now part of the 330th Division, Military Region 9) was tasked with launching an attack on the main direction, destroying the enemy on the western bank of the Xang Canal; the newly reinforced 2nd Regiment of the Military Region was responsible for the eastern bank of the Xang Canal, destroying the enemy's convoy on the Xang Canal and the enemy forces at the Eleventh Base.

Soldiers of the 1st Regiment approach and attack the Eleventh Base. (Archival photo)

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Implementing the battle plan, on the night of November 5th and the early morning of November 6th, 1969, Company 2 (Battalion 309, Regiment 1) was tasked with leading the main assault force, commanded by Comrade Ly Thanh Hung (Hung Mien), who led 12 comrades in a deep penetration operation. Six of these comrades infiltrated and positioned themselves near the enemy's command post. Upon receiving the signal, the infiltrating force detonated an 8kg explosive charge, destroying the command post bunker of Brigade B, signaling the other units to open fire and attack. Immediately, enemy positions on both sides of the Xang Canal were engulfed in smoke and fire. Using a surprise attack tactic, each of our companies had 1 to 3 secret infiltration units, quickly overcoming enemy minefields and infantry lines on the outer perimeter. When the explosive charge of Company 1, Battalion 309 completely destroyed the enemy brigade's command post, our units sprang up and attacked the enemy with hand grenades, shrapnel, and close-range fire... attacking from within and from without. Some units swiftly attacked external targets to quickly penetrate inside, destroy important targets, and then counterattack. By 3:15 AM on November 6th, the unit had essentially secured the battlefield.

On the eastern coast, the 2nd Regiment also took control of the situation and coordinated with the 1st Regiment to destroy enemy ships. The recoilless rifle (DKZ) batteries quickly moved inward to participate in the attack on the ships. Despite the enemy's nearby artillery positions firing intensely to support the Eleventh Base, our troops continued to fight bravely. At the end of the battle, we completely destroyed the Eleventh combined defense cluster, eliminating 680 enemy soldiers (including 4 American advisors), destroying and sinking 8 iron ships (including the command ship), 6 cannons, more than 20 mortars, recoilless rifles and machine guns; and capturing dozens of communication devices and various types of weapons.

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NGUYEN HUU DUY (former Information Platoon Leader, 309th Battalion, 1st Regiment, 9th Military Region)

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