The liberation of Truong Sa was the strategic vision and wise and timely direction of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense , the Party Committee and the Navy Command.

Naval Special Forces Group 126 patrols the area of ​​the sovereignty marker on the liberated Truong Sa island, April 29, 1975. Photo: Le Nhat/VNA

The Central Party's correct decision

According to Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Ngoc Que, Former Commander of the 126th Naval Special Forces Group, in the directive of the Ministry of National Defense to the Navy, it was clearly stated that it was necessary to seize every favorable opportunity to liberate the Truong Sa archipelago, an archipelago holding a strategic position in politics , military and economy, contributing to the complete liberation of the country. The Navy hastily established the Truong Sa liberation force codenamed C75, commanded by Hero of the People's Armed Forces Mai Nang, Commander of the 126th Naval Special Forces Regiment.

Faced with resounding victories on the battlefield, in early 1975, the Politburo met and decided to launch a general offensive and uprising to liberate the South and unify the country. Along with launching the Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate Saigon, the Politburo directed the Central Military Commission to coordinate in launching a strategic offensive at sea to liberate the Truong Sa archipelago and reunite the country.

Implementing the Politburo's policy, on April 4, 1975, the Ministry of National Defense directed the Navy and Military Region 5: To study and direct urgent implementation, aiming for the most favorable opportunity, to liberate the islands occupied by the puppet army of the South in the Truong Sa archipelago. This was a very important task. At the same time, the General Staff directed the Navy: To use existing forces, coordinate with the forces of Military Region 5 to liberate the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago occupied by the puppet government to coordinate with the directions of land attack in the key phase of the attack on Saigon.

The Navy determined the combat motto as: Must maintain secrecy, surprise, act resolutely, quickly, boldly, combine attack and surrender, liberate the island quickly. We used military transport ships disguised as foreign fishing boats operating in the area to transport troops to land. During the crossing, the ships were camouflaged, focusing on avoiding the enemy. Taking advantage of the darkness, special forces secretly landed, infiltrated deep, attacked by surprise, and completely destroyed; attacked one island first to probe the enemy's reaction, creating a springboard to attack another island, making the enemy unable to respond and send reinforcements. After liberation, the landing forces quickly organized defense, held positions, and protected, preventing the enemy from counterattacking and retaking the island.

Liberating the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago was an important but very difficult and complicated task. However, in response to the urgent request of the Central Military Commission, the Military Region 5 Command coordinated with the Navy Command to quickly organize forces to liberate the islands. Thanks to the liberation of Song Tu Tay (April 14), Son Ca (April 25), Nam Yet (April 27), Sinh Ton (April 28), and Truong Sa (April 29) islands, we had a springboard to expand our holding area to other islands and shoals, consolidating our firm position on the entire archipelago as it is today.

The liberation of the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago from the puppet army of the Republic of Vietnam is of special importance. This is the sea and island area under the sacred sovereignty of the Vietnamese people, so it must be liberated to achieve national unification. In addition, the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago were liberated with the presence of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, promptly preventing the plot to occupy the islands of some countries in the region. At the same time, the continuous presence of Vietnamese people on these islands is very clear legal evidence to prove to the international community that the Truong Sa archipelago belongs to Vietnam's sovereignty. Maintaining sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago plays a very important role in the cause of national construction, developing the marine economy and firmly protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Naval Special Forces Group 126 attacked and liberated Son Ca Island, Truong Sa archipelago, April 25, 1975. Photo: Le Nhat/VNA

Building a strong Truong Sa archipelago

According to Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Political Commissar of the Navy, in the new revolutionary period, the world and regional situation is forecast to continue to develop in a complex and unpredictable manner. In the East Sea, the situation of sovereignty disputes is becoming increasingly complicated. In that situation, the army and people on the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago have deeply understood the situation and tasks, clearly recognized the nature of hostile forces and combat objects, built a strong political stance, high determination to fight, made great efforts to study, improve the level of training, combat readiness and combat, mastered technical tactics, combat plans, implemented the right countermeasures, focused on taking advantage of all conditions to build and protect the island in a strong national defense, develop the economy, improve and enhance the material and spiritual life of the army and people of the island district.

Over the past 50 years since the liberation, the appearance of Truong Sa island district has been renewed day by day, becoming more spacious and solid. Many works such as wharves, airports, docks, lighthouses, hydrometeorological stations, satellite television broadcasting stations, clean energy systems, wind power generators, etc. have been built not only to serve national defense and security tasks but also to create favorable conditions for the island district's military and people and local fishermen to do business and develop the marine economy, combining economy and defense, defense with economy, contributing to the military and people of the island district in improving the capacity to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

The works: President Ho Chi Minh Memorial House, Martyrs Memorial, Capital Guest House, Truong Sa Pagoda, Song Tu Pagoda, Sinh Ton, Nam Yet Island Cultural House, Song Tu Island Cultural House, Da Tay Island Community House, ceramic national flag on Truong Sa Island... are places for cultural and spiritual exchange, education of national cultural traditions for the island district's soldiers and people, and also make the island district seem closer to the mainland.

Promoting the 50-year tradition of the army and people on Truong Sa archipelago, we always deeply remember and remember the advice of the late President, General Le Duc Anh, when visiting Truong Sa in May 1988: "... I swear before the souls of our ancestors, before the souls of the cadres and soldiers who sacrificed for the Fatherland, I promise to the people of the whole country, I tell the next generation "to be determined to protect Truong Sa archipelago - a part of the sacred territory and territorial waters of our beloved Fatherland".

People of Truong Sa island district in the historic days of April 2012. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong affirmed: To successfully complete the tasks in the new period, the generation of officers and soldiers of Truong Sa today continues to thoroughly grasp the viewpoints and guidelines of the Party, the State's legal policies, Resolution No. 36 on "sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, vision to 2045"; the situation of revolutionary tasks, the country, the Army, the Service, heightening the spirit of vigilance against foreign plots and tricks. Well implement the Resolution of the 8th Central Committee (13th tenure) on "Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in the new situation". Constantly improve the level and political capacity, create a comprehensive change in the awareness and political responsibility of officers and soldiers. Ready to receive and successfully complete all tasks, ready to fight and sacrifice for the beloved sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Focus on improving the quality of management work to protect sea and island sovereignty, combat readiness, and maintain a peaceful and stable environment in the sea and island areas under their responsibility. Regularly raise vigilance, be ready to fight, actively practice combat plans, improve training quality, discipline, build discipline, properly implement safety regulations, ensure good technical and logistical work, build strong units that are "exemplary and typical" in all aspects to meet the increasingly high requirements in the new situation.

Continue to implement Directive 05-CT/TW to promote studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style; constantly improve comprehensive and in-depth understanding and knowledge. Cultivate moral qualities, lifestyle, pure and healthy thoughts and actions, worthy of the title "Uncle Ho's soldiers - Navy soldiers"; the glorious tradition of the Army, Service, Region 4 and the Heroic Brigade 146.

Constantly consolidate and enhance internal solidarity, military-civilian solidarity, build an island district "Strong in defense, good in lifestyle, beautiful in landscape and environment, exemplary in military-civilian solidarity", officers and soldiers are of one mind, the army and the people have one will, strive, train, cultivate to overcome all difficulties and challenges to excellently complete assigned tasks, focusing on firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea, Truong Sa archipelago, and assigned sea areas.

Improve the comprehensive leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party organization, build a truly clean and strong Brigade Party organization, a team of cadres and Party members who are truly exemplary vanguards and are the core to lead the unit to successfully complete its tasks, creating trust and a solid support for the people. Build a strong Youth Union organization, a team of excellent, advanced youth union members who take the lead in carrying out the task of building and defending the Fatherland.

Regularly pay attention to creating favorable conditions for fishermen from localities to exploit and catch seafood in the Truong Sa archipelago, effectively implement the goals of the program "Vietnam Navy as a support for fishermen to go offshore", "Navy sponsors fishermen's children"; effectively carry out search, rescue and salvage work at sea, contributing to building the national defense posture and the people's war posture at sea.

Determined to synchronously deploy solutions to develop the marine economy and protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands, associated with the task of ensuring national defense and security, maintaining political security and social order and safety in each policy, strategy, planning, plan, and socio-economic development project; determined to successfully implement Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building Khanh Hoa province by 2030 with a vision to 2045, focusing on closely combining socio-economic development with ensuring national defense and security, promoting the construction and development of Truong Sa district to become the economic, cultural, and social center at sea of ​​the whole country, a solid fortress to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

During 50 years of construction, fighting and growth, many collectives and individuals have been honored by the Party and State with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces; the President has awarded the Military Exploit Medal, the Fatherland Protection Medal; the Prime Minister has awarded the Emulation Flag and many other noble awards.

The Truong Sa Group was awarded the noble title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State on January 25, 1983. The President awarded the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Truong Sa Group.

On September 28, 1985, Truong Sa island was awarded the title of Heroic unit of the People's Armed Forces.

On June 11, 1999, Song Tu Tay Island was awarded the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces.

On December 22, 2004, Nam Yet Island was honored by the state with the title of Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces.


According to baotintuc.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/bien-gioi-bien-dao/de-cao-canh-giac-bao-ve-vung-chac-chu-quyen-bien-dao-to-quoc-153169.html