Liberation of Phan Thiet town

On April 18, 1975, we liberated Phan Thiet town. The Regional Command assigned the task of the General Offensive and Uprising to Military Region 9.

On April 18, 1975, the Central Secretariat issued a directive on policies towards prisoners and defectors in the new situation, which clearly stated: 1- Rebel soldiers: politically considered as revolutionary masses, in terms of material life, treated like our cadres and soldiers, assigned work depending on the level of political awareness and capacity of each person (...). 2- Enlightened soldiers returning to the revolution: enjoy citizenship rights, are treated spiritually and materially like ordinary citizens. 3- Prisoners of war: are treated humanely according to our policies.

On April 18, 1975, the Politburo urgently sent a telegram to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Command, emphasizing: The military and political opportunity to launch an attack on Saigon-Gia Dinh is ripe. We need to seize every day to promptly launch attacks on the enemy in all directions, we cannot delay. If we delay, it will not be beneficial both politically and militarily. Timely action at this time is to ensure certain victory. Grasping the great opportunity, we will definitely win.

On the night of April 17-18, 1975, in coordination with local forces, units of the 2nd Corps liberated all areas along the way, including 4 district capitals: Phan Ri, Tuy Phong, Song Mao and Hoa Da.

At noon on April 18, 1975, the leading force of the 2nd Corps gathered in Hoa Da to prepare to attack Phan Thiet. In the afternoon and evening of the same day, the 18th Regiment (325th Division) and other combined arms units coordinated with the 812th Regiment of the 6th Military Region, and the 15th Battalion of the Binh Thuan local army to attack key targets and enemy command headquarters.

The 812th Regiment, supported by tanks, attacked the sub-region and blocked the enemy's escape route towards Phu Hai and Mui Ne. People in the areas of Binh Hung, Phu Trinh, Phu Thuy, Duc Nghia, Duc Thang, etc. rose up and coordinated with the armed forces to gain control.

At 10:30 p.m. on April 18, 1975, we completely controlled Phan Thiet town. Building on the victory, Regiment 812 and Battalion 200C, supported by artillery and tanks from the 2nd Corps, developed an offensive to liberate Binh Tuy province. At this time, the enemy in Binh Tuy was extremely panicked. The defeated remnants from all over fled to the areas around La Gi town, Tan Ly seaport, and Lang Gon airport. Seizing the opportunity, the Binh Tuy armed forces proactively opened fire and captured enemy bases 8 and 13.

At the Xuan Loc-Long Khanh front, on April 18, 1975, the 7th Division and the 341st Division continuously clung to and fought with the enemy for every house and street corner in Long Khanh town. Local armed forces and local cadres forced the withdrawal of many enemy posts in the suburbs and on traffic routes.

On the enemy side, after learning that the Phan Rang, Phan Thiet, and Ham Tan defense lines had been captured by the Liberation Army, puppet general Le Minh Dao proposed to withdraw from Xuan Loc. The puppet General Staff agreed and instructed to keep the withdrawal plan secret to avoid being destroyed.

On the night of April 18, 1975, implementing the campaign intention of the 1st Corps, the 312th Division and the 320B Division crossed the forest to secretly move forces into new positions in the D war zone.

At the same time, to ensure the mobility of the 1st Corps' mechanized infantry to the south of the Be River, the 299th Engineer Brigade deployed underground construction of Ben Bau across the Be River, with an excavation volume of more than 2,000m3.

The unit also repaired, expanded and upgraded many roads, ensuring progress while maintaining secrecy to ensure quick road opening for forces to reach assembly locations on time.

On April 18, 1975, Military Region 9 received an order from the Regional Command assigning the following tasks to the Military Region: From April 26, it is necessary to completely control Tra Noc airport, liberate and completely occupy one or two sections on Highway 4. When the Region's strategic attack begins, seize the opportunity to liberate Can Tho city.

In Saigon, Saigon President Nguyen Van Thieu ordered the withdrawal of Xuan Loc to "defend to the death" Long Binh and Bien Hoa. US President G. Ford assigned Dinbrao - Head of the special task force to manage the evacuation plan with a large air force and navy: 35 warships (4 aircraft carriers) and hundreds of aircraft of all types. This evacuation campaign was dubbed "The Daredevil".

NDO

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/chinh-tri/ngay-18-4-1975-giai-phong-thi-xa-phan-thiet-157206.html