Victory in the Central Highlands - The beginning of total victory

On February 26, at the Hall of the 34th Corps Command (Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province), the 34th Corps coordinated with the People's Army Newspaper to organize a discussion with the theme "Central Highlands Victory - The Beginning of Total Victory" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Central Highlands Victory; 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day, 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 3rd Corps - the Heroic Central Highlands Corps (now the 34th Corps).

Scene of the discussion "Central Highlands Victory - Prelude to total victory". Photo: Tran Hoan

Attending the seminar were Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Vu Van Cuong, Deputy Commissar of the General Department of Logistics and Engineering; Party Committee, Command of the 34th Corps; Party Committee, Editorial Board of the People's Army Newspaper...

In his opening speech, Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Commander of the 34th Corps, shared that the victory in the Central Highlands was of utmost importance, creating a strategic turning point for the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, unifying the country. In that glorious victory, the Central Highlands armed forces in general and the 3rd Corps (the predecessor of the 34th Corps) in particular achieved many outstanding achievements.

Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Commander of the 34th Corps, delivered the opening speech at the seminar. Photo: Tran Hoan

Speaking at the seminar, on behalf of the Central Military Commission, Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc highly appreciated the People's Army Newspaper in coordination with the 34th Corps to organize the seminar "Central Highlands Victory - Prelude to Total Victory".

At the same time, the Lieutenant General suggested that the seminar should focus on highlighting the Party's leadership in choosing the battlefield; the leadership and direction of the Central Military Commission and the General Command on strategic combat methods on the Southern battlefield and the Central Highlands battlefield in 1975-1976; and at the same time clarify the strategic forecasts of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission on the enemy-us situation on the Southern battlefield in the final stage of the resistance war against the US to save the country;

Clarifying the art of seizing opportunities, attacking resolutely and continuously, and destroying on a large scale in the Central Highlands Campaign; clarifying the art of using forces, the work of building determination, the art of feints, creating battle positions, and creating opportunities on the Central Highlands battlefield; the art of determining positions and commanding the opening key battle and the following key battles; the art of commanding and directing operations of units participating in the Central Highlands Campaign...

From the lessons of the Central Highlands Campaign, apply them to building a solid defense zone and defense posture in the Central Highlands, build the 34th Corps and agencies and units to be "elite, compact, and strong", especially build a posture of people's hearts, build a national defense foundation, a national defense posture...

Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, gave a speech. Photo: Tran Hoan

In his report introducing the discussion, Major General Le Minh Quang, Political Commissar of the 34th Corps, emphasized that this is an opportunity for the entire Party, people and army to review the heroic and indomitable fighting tradition of the nation; to pay tribute to the heroic sons who fell on the majestic Central Highlands, sacrificing their blood and bones for the victory of the national liberation struggle.

Major General Le Minh Quang, Political Commissar of the 34th Corps, emphasized that this is an opportunity for the entire Party, people and army to review the nation's heroic and indomitable fighting tradition. Photo: Tran Hoan

Delegates attending the seminar listened to the presentation "Building the people's war posture in the Central Highlands during the resistance war against the US, saving the country" by Colonel, Dr. Vu Ngoc Thuy, Director of the Institute of Military Science and Arts (National Defense Academy); the presentation "Firmly grasping the enemy, clearly understanding ourselves in the Central Highlands Campaign" by Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hai, former Director of the Institute of National Defense Strategy; the presentation "Special Forces fought the opening battle to victory" by Colonel Vu Ngoc Hung, Political Commissar of the 198th Special Forces Brigade, Special Forces Corps and the presentation by Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Huy Hoi.

Lieutenant General, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hai, former Director of the Institute of National Defense Strategy, gave a speech on "Understanding the enemy and understanding ourselves in the Central Highlands Campaign"

Each presentation is a perspective, an aspect, but it has painted a panoramic picture of the Central Highlands Campaign. The presentations of the delegates all affirmed the stature, significance and value of the Central Highlands Campaign, which fundamentally changed the comparison of forces and strategic position between us and the enemy, creating a decisive turning point leading the resistance war to success.

At the discussion, the People's Army Newspaper and Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup) donated 300 million VND to support house building for 5 disadvantaged military families of the 34th Army Corps.