1. Which province in the South was first liberated in 1975?

  • Long Khanh
    0%
  • Binh Long
    0%
  • Phuoc Long
    0%
  • Lam Dong
    0%
Exactly

Phuoc Long was the first province in the South to be completely liberated in 1975 with a population of 50,000. This is a mountainous area, adjacent to the South Central Coast and the liberated areas of Loc Ninh and Bu Dop. It is the gateway and springboard for attacking Saigon from the North and the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail - the place to receive human and material resources from the great rear for the Southern battlefield.

2. The liberation of this province was part of which campaign?

  • Phuoc Long Campaign
    0%
  • Route 9 - Phuoc Long Campaign
    0%
  • Route 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign
    0%
  • Ho Chi Minh Campaign
    0%
Exactly

Entering the dry season of 1974 - 1975, our army stepped up its activities to create momentum and force on the battlefields of the entire South. Faced with that situation, the Military Commission and the Regional Command decided to launch the Route 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign, creating a springboard to create a threatening position, attack the defense system of the Saigon army, destroy enemy forces, liberate and expand the transportation corridor connecting to the Central Highlands.

On December 13, 1974, we opened fire to capture the security post at km19 on Highway 14, opening the campaign. The liberation of Phuoc Long province was also part of this campaign.

3. How many phases is this campaign divided into?

  • 1
    0%
  • 2
    0%
  • 3
    0%
  • 4
    0%
Exactly

The Route 14 - Phuoc Long campaign took place in 3 phases. Phase 1 from December 13 to 17, 1974 , we captured a series of enemy posts at km 19 on Route 14, attacked and controlled Bu Dang sub-region, besieged and squeezed Bu Na area, pursued the fleeing enemy troops there, and cleared out all enemy positions on Route 14 from Bu Dang to Dong Xoai.

After we won the first phase, the enemy did not send troops to rescue, only allowing tactical bombers to operate at a low level (2-3 times/day). Seizing the opportunity, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission directed the Regional Command to quickly implement the plan to liberate Dong Xoai.

To ensure victory, the Regional Command ordered the 4th Corps Command to increase its forces. From December 23 to 28, 1974 , our troops opened fire to attack and destroy targets, liberate Dong Xoai, and bring forces close to Phuoc Long.

The enemy lost two important outer areas (Bu Dang, Dong Xoai), leaving Phuoc Long completely surrounded and isolated. The enemy's response was still limited, they only sent an infantry battalion to reinforce Phuoc Long.

Seizing the opportunity, at the request of the Regional Command and the General Staff, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission agreed with the determination to immediately liberate Phuoc Long. From December 31, 1974 to January 6, 1975 , we attacked and captured the targets and liberated Phuoc Long. During the entire campaign, we destroyed and captured more than 4,000 enemies.

4. How many days does this campaign last?

  • 15
    0%
  • 20
    0%
  • 25
    0%
  • 30
    0%
Exactly

On January 6, 1975, after 25 days of fighting, the Route 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign ended in victory. This victory was considered to have the meaning of "a very important strategic reconnaissance strike". For the first time on the Southern battlefield and in the resistance war against the US, we completely liberated a province near Saigon.

According to the People's Army Newspaper, this event marked a new step of collapse for the Saigon army, creating an important strategic springboard to threaten the enemy's northern defense system, strengthening our determination to completely liberate the South and unify the country.

5. What was Nguyen Van Thieu's move right after losing Phuoc Long?

  • Resignation
    0%
  • Accept the loss of Phuoc Long
    0%
  • Calling for determination to take back Phuoc Long
    0%
  • Waiting for US response and assistance
    0%
Exactly

After Phuoc Long was liberated, from the call to “resolutely take back Phuoc Long”, the Saigon government still waited for the reaction and assistance from the US. Nguyen Van Thieu pointed out the call for everyone to stay calm and spend 3 days praying for Phuoc Long.

Previously, from October 9, 1974, Nguyen Van Thieu assessed: North Vietnam (referring to the Liberation Army) did not have the ability to attack and occupy important cities. When it was unexpectedly attacked and heavily defeated, the Saigon government was completely disappointed when Ambassador Martin reported that "US air support is not yet authorized".

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tinh-dau-tien-nao-o-mien-nam-duoc-giai-phong-trong-nam-1975-2396060.html