Major General Ho De (1926 - 2007), former Commander of Artillery Battalion 632 - (Regiment 675 - Artillery Division 351) recounted the exciting joint combat activities of artillery and infantry in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

Artillery firing at the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Photo: THQHVN Document

On March 15, 1954, the enemy used a mobile infantry battalion and two 18-ton tanks to launch a counterattack to retake Doc Lap Hill, which had been captured by us the day before. From the command observation post of Battalion 632, clearly detecting the enemy formation advancing east of Hill D, Battalion Commander Ho De immediately called the regiment for orders to fire. But the communication line was completely blocked, so communication was impossible. The radio also could not contact the regiment. “Actually, at that time, I was very anxious because the enemy counterattacked, affecting our troops who were attacking Doc Lap Hill. I automatically ordered two artillery companies to prepare elements to be ready to fire at the enemy troops who counterattacked,” Major General Ho De recalled.

Artillery Battalion Commander Ho De. Photo: Family documents.

At that time, the observation posts had clearly detected the target, the artillery soldiers were all eager and impatient, waiting for the order to fire. The situation was extremely urgent and the loss of information with the regimental commander made the artillery commander somewhat frustrated. Suddenly, the phone at the Battalion Commander rang. Mr. Ho De immediately picked up the phone. From the artillery position came an order: "Immediately fire to block the enemy counterattacking". Battalion Commander Ho De was surprised and asked: "Whose order is this?". The battalion political commissar reported: "Order from General Vo Nguyen Giap".

Major General Ho De (standing in the middle) visits and congratulates General Vo Nguyen Giap on the 40th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (1994). Photo: Family documents.

The battalion commander ordered two 105mm artillery companies to fire directly at the enemy formation. The tested element changed direction of fire, so the bullets hit the enemy infantry battalion that was moving. The enemy formation became disordered. Some fled to Hill D, the rest continued to advance but were intercepted by our infantry. The enemy's counterattack hoping to retake Doc Lap Hill failed.

Artillery fire to support infantry attack at Dien Bien Phu. Photo: THQHVN Document

Later, Mr. Ho De learned that due to information problems, the Command's envoy went directly to the artillery site to convey the order of Commander-in-Chief Vo Nguyen Giap to the artillery battalion.

Major General Ho De (1926 – 2007). Photo: Family documents.

From the second phase of the campaign, Battalion 632 received orders to coordinate operations with Division 308. Chaired by Division Commander Vuong Thua Vu, the conference discussed in detail the combat plan and assigned tasks to the artillery while establishing a wired line to communicate command orders with the artillery./.

quochoitv.vn

Source