Back to the historical battlefields: Lesson 6

Quyet Thang Squadron before the historic bombing raid (documentary photo)

The Victory Squadron opens

Tan Son Nhat Airport was an important military base, contributing to the demonstration of the air power of the US and Republic of Vietnam armies. Therefore, capturing this stronghold would demoralize the enemy, pushing the Ho Chi Minh Campaign to complete victory.

On the afternoon of April 28, 1975, Tan Son Nhat airport was suddenly shaken by 18 bombs dropped by 5 A-37 aircraft. 24 enemy aircraft were destroyed, hundreds of enemy officers and soldiers were killed. The entire airport was paralyzed, causing panic in the Saigon government. But what scared the enemy the most was that they were attacked by their own vehicles and weapons.

The A-37 was originally a US-made fighter jet, used for bombing. On March 29, 1975, when our army liberated Da Nang City and occupied the airport, we captured 17 of these planes. From the "spoils of war", our army formed a new way of fighting, using enemy planes to fight the enemy.

Division 10 captured Tan Son Nhat airport

Our pilot force was only familiar with Soviet Mig-17 and Mig-21 fighter planes, but they quickly learned and changed aircraft types within a few days thanks to the support of the pilot Tran Van On. Mr. On was a soldier of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, sent to the US to train as a pilot stationed in Da Nang. When Da Nang City was liberated, instead of boarding a warship to evacuate, Mr. On presented himself and was recruited by our Air Defense - Air Force to join a team of pilots and technical staff to research and train to fly A-37 planes in preparation for the battle at Tan Son Nhat airport.

Along with the 5 wings advancing into Saigon with lightning speed and determination to win, the attack on Tan Son Nhat airport was considered the 6th attack of our army. This task was assigned to the pilots of the 923rd Air Force Regiment, the core of which was Company 4. The pilot force participating in this battle was organized into a squadron called the Determined to Win Squadron with Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Van Luc as Squadron Leader; Senior Lieutenant Tran Cao Thang, Political Commissar and Senior Lieutenant Tu De, Deputy Squadron Leader.

The battle plan was clearly defined. After takeoff, the squadron flew along the route from Thanh Son airport through Phan Thiet, Ham Tan, to Tan Son Nhat airport. The sortie formation consisted of 5 pilots flying 5 A-37 aircraft led by pilot Nguyen Thanh Trung. After bombing the Tan Son Nhat base, killing soldiers, and destroying enemy warehouses, all 5 aircraft landed safely at Thanh Son airport (Ninh Thuan).

The bombing of Tan Son Nhat airport was a unique battle of the Vietnamese Air Force, demonstrating the bravery and intelligence of our Air Force. At the same time, it weakened the enemy's morale, creating conditions for our infantry to develop an offensive position.

The "finishing blow" of the 10th Division

Political commissar of Company 5 Do Trong Loi (far right) directs his comrades to raise the victory flag at the communication area, near Tan Son Nhat airport.

The enemy had not yet recovered from the shock of the bombing when, the next day, April 29, 1975, the 10th Division with two main regiments, 24 and 28, along with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and anti-aircraft guns, launched into Saigon. The 24th Regiment was the spearhead heading towards Tan Son Nhat airport. On the way, our troops continuously fought with enemy infantry and tanks, but with a brave and tenacious fighting spirit, by 9:00 p.m. on April 29, 1975, the regiment's forces had reached the assembly point to consolidate their formation, preparing for the mission of capturing the airport the next day. Standing in this ranks was Mr. Do Trong Loi, born in 1951, in Toan Thang commune (Gia Loc).

Mr. Loi was then the Political Commissar of Company 5, Squad 5 (Regiment 24).

He left his footprints on all the battlefields in the South, but for him, the battle at Tan Son Nhat airport left the deepest impression. Mr. Loi said that on the morning of April 30, 1975, our firepower was concentrated on the targets in Tan Son Nhat airport. His company was assigned to enter gate number 5 of the airport. Here, he and his comrades encountered fierce resistance from the enemy, but with the spirit and will of "one day is equal to twenty years", our troops approached the target, closing the enemy encirclement.

The battle at Tan Son Nhat airport is always imprinted in the mind of Mr. Do Trong Loi, born in 1951, in Toan Thang commune (Gia Loc).

Gate No. 5 was where the enemy deployed the strongest firepower. After the 7th Company failed to break through, the 5th Company was assigned to attack. The two sides fought fiercely. The company commander, deputy company commander, and many gunners and soldiers of the 5th Company were injured and had to retreat. Mr. Loi and the deputy political commissar revived the team spirit, advanced to attack the communication area, and separated the enemy at Tan Son Nhat airport from the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhat airport terminal today. Photo: THANH CHUNG

By 10:30, Company 5 had taken control of the target and captured 57 prisoners. Among them were three colonels, the commander of the communications area, a psychological warfare officer, and the Deputy Commander of the 5th Air Division.

At the same time, the regiment’s units took control of the targets in the airport. Tay Son Nhat base - the enemy’s key stronghold - fell. “When the liberation flag was raised high above the strongholds in the airport, happiness seemed to explode. My comrades were wounded, some were dirty from the smoke of bombs and bullets, but everyone’s face was radiant,” Mr. Loi said emotionally.

The battle at Tan Son Nhat airport is a testament to the spirit and fierce fighting power of our army, contributing significantly to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, liberating the South and unifying the country.

Next: Heroic memories of unification day

NGUYEN MO - JACKSON LONG

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/tro-lai-nhung-chien-truong-lich-su-bai-6-tran-chien-tren-khong-va-mat-dat-tan-son-nhat-410140.html