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Lesson 2: Heroic memories of the battle in the Central Highlands campaign

During his military career, Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces (LLVTND) Doan Sinh Huong was a rather special general. He saw his life as fate being placed in fierce battles. At the age of 18, he was honored as a Brave American Destroyer, and at the age of 26, he was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces...

Báo Công an Nhân dânBáo Công an Nhân dân02/04/2025

From the desire to become a soldier

50 years have passed, but the memories of the bloody days of March 1975 still remain in the hearts of every soldier who directly participated in the opening battle in Buon Ma Thuot. And then, every time I recall, I am filled with emotion about a time of youth when I was immersed in the flow of history, when I contributed a small part with the nation to the great victory of Spring 1975.

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Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Doan Sinh Huong tells about the Central Highlands campaign.

Lieutenant General, People's Armed Forces Hero Doan Sinh Huong is no exception. Although 50 years have passed, in the memory of Uncle Ho's soldiers of the past, especially he was the one who directly participated in the Buon Ma Thuot Campaign, being present at that historic moment is an unforgettable memory, that memory will last forever.

Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong was born into a farming family in Binh Ngoc commune, Mong Cai town, Quang Ninh province. He said that since he was a child, he had a desire to join the army. Therefore, when he was only 17 years old, not old enough to join the army, weighing only 41kg, suffering from high blood pressure, and being short, he went to the military recruitment exam in the commune with the spirit of "must join the army no matter what". "That day, the whole commune had 29 people called to join the army, but according to the list, there was one person missing due to not meeting the health requirements. Seeing that, I immediately asked to be the one to join the army. So all the criteria for joining the army were "secretly" edited by the military recruitment officer to suit me so that I could join that batch. On September 28, 1966, I said goodbye to my family and hometown, leaving behind a childhood filled with memories of excitement on the battlefield", Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong recalled.

During his first days in the army, he was a soldier of the 308th Division - the Pioneer Division and his first campaign in his life was the Route 9 - Khe Sanh campaign, a battle still known as the "second Dien Bien Phu ", fierce and painful. Khe Sanh to him was a "death hole" but also an honor. "This was the first time the 308th Division directly fought and defeated the Americans, and it was also the first time I went to battle with my teammates and directly fought against the elite main force of the Americans, the army equipped with the most modern weapons. And we won", Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong said.

To the memory of the key battle of Buon Ma Thuot

During the Route 9 - Khe Sanh campaign, Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong was the Squad Leader of the 82mm Mortar Company (Regiment 88, Division 308) and directly fought in 14 battles, destroyed 5 bunkers, destroyed 1 heavy machine gun, killed 15 American soldiers, and was awarded the title of Brave American Destroyer; Brave Vehicle Destroyer. He was admitted to the Party on the battlefield when he was 19 years old. After the Route 9 - Khe Sanh campaign, he and his comrades participated in many other battles and major campaigns. However, for him, the battle in Buon Ma Thuot, the key battle in the Central Highlands Campaign codenamed "Campaign 275" was the most beautiful days of his military career.

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Liberation Army forces raise the flag after capturing the enemy's Command Post on March 10, 1975. Photo provided by the character

Then he said, on January 17, 1975, his unit's 273rd Armored Regiment was ordered to move its formation to the south of the Central Highlands. His 9th Company in the Regiment's formation secretly traveled 300km safely to the assembly point in Buon Gia Wam, 40km north of Buon Ma Thuot, ready to attack and liberate the key and decisive target of Buon Ma Thuot.

“At that time, all preparations were very elaborate, both technically and tactically. Company 9 was equipped with all new generation T-54B tanks. We organized each tank crew to practice carefully and determinedly to ensure fast and accurate combat. The technical force organized drying machines with charcoal and drying machines manually to ensure smooth communication,” Lieutenant General Huong recalled.

At the assembly point, Mr. Huong proposed to reinforce 10 artillery shells for each tank, increasing the total number of shells from 34 to 54, and adding 10 shells to each K-63 armored vehicle. This would increase the ability to fight for a long time and fire without limit at suspected enemy targets. In addition to reinforcing the shells, Mr. Huong suggested to provide more grenades for the tanks, with his own tank being given priority for two boxes and using them all up on the morning of March 10, 1975 to destroy the enemy. In addition, with his combat experience, he suggested to depart 15 minutes earlier than ordered, from 1:45 am instead of 2:00 am.

The attack on Buon Ma Thuot began when artillery and commandos attacked the airport, Mai Hac De warehouse, and Hoa Binh airport. The 9th Company, commanded by him, consisted of 10 T-54Bs and 10 K-63s, organized into 4 squads. He commanded the 2nd squad and the entire formation, keeping it a secret until the last minute, without the enemy knowing.

“At around 5:30 a.m. on March 10, 1975, when the artillery changed firing lanes, our tanks and vehicles accelerated, knocking down trees and advancing straight into Buon Ma Thuot. Seeing the enemy in extreme confusion, I ordered the vehicle lights to be turned on. Company 9 followed suit, and other units also turned on their lights, turning the Central Highlands mountains and forests into a sea of fire, encouraging our troops and terrifying the enemy. According to the battle plan, the first echelon took the lead in breaking through the open gate, leaving the second echelon under my command to penetrate deep into the headquarters of the puppet 23rd Division. Cornered, the enemy fiercely resisted...”, Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong recounted.

According to Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong, at that moment, most of our tanks had people injured, tank 980, commanded by Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong himself, was hit by a bullet. At that moment, the driver broke his arm, he immediately backed the tank up, took the driver to the rear line for emergency treatment and transferred someone else from tank 703 to replace him. From 5:30 to 10:30 on March 10, our troops continuously fought with the enemy. Anti-aircraft artillery 232 and 234 tightly protected the attacking formation. On the evening of March 10, Company 9 and infantry approached the headquarters of the puppet 23rd Division. Following orders, the unit stopped to consolidate and replenish ammunition. Mr. Huong and his teammates scouted, preparing to attack early the next morning. “At 6am on March 11, when the unit was ready to launch, I discovered enemy vehicles and ordered them to open fire, burning two M-113 and M-41 vehicles. Taking advantage of the enemy’s panic, I commanded the pursuit and captured the Dak Lak Deputy Governor. Our tanks continued to attack the 23rd Division Headquarters, the enemy’s last stronghold in Buon Ma Thuot. At 10am, all directions simultaneously attacked. At 10:30am, tanks and infantry approached the flagpole. Company 9 held the position, supported Battalion 4 in lowering the Saigon puppet government flag, and raised the liberation flag in the joy of victory,” Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong excitedly recounted.

Speaking of this, Mr. Huong choked up: “In my military career, I have experienced many battles and participated in many campaigns. Each battle was a test of courage, fierceness, and sacrifice. Now, the war has ended, my generation of comrades are still alive, some are gone. On this majestic land of the Central Highlands, many of my comrades have unfortunately remained, their souls and bodies have merged with the red soil of the Central Highlands. They fell so that our country could become more and more beautiful and eternal.”

Lieutenant General, Doctor of Military Science Doan Sinh Huong (former Commander of the 273rd Tank Brigade, Commander of the 320th Division, Commander of Armored Vehicles, Commander of Military Region 4). He was born in 1949, in Binh Ngoc Commune, Mong Cai Town, Quang Ninh Province. He enlisted in the army in 1966 at the age of 17. He was awarded the title of American Destroyer; Motor Vehicle Destroyer and was admitted to the Party right on the battlefield when he was only 18 years old. He was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and State in September 1975, when he was only 26 years old.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Phong-su-tu-lieu/bai-2-ky-uc-hao-hung-ve-tran-danh-o-chien-dich-tay-nguyen-i763795/


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