More than 60 veterans of the 1st Infantry Battalion from all over the country attended the meeting.
Fight the enemy in the hearts of the people
On May 20, 1965, the Standing Committee of Quang Da Provincial Party Committee assigned the Party Committee and the Command of Infantry Battalion 1 (R20) to coordinate with the armed forces of Duy Xuyen district to organize a battalion-level battle, with the motto "fight close, destroy completely" to build the tradition of "winning, destroying completely" for the main battalion of the province.
Immediately afterwards, the R20 battlefield preparation unit coordinated with Duy Xuyen District Team and Xuyen Tan Commune guerrillas (present-day Duy Thanh Commune) to develop an ambush plan to attack the enemy military convoy marching across National Highway 1, Nam Phuoc - Ba Ren section with more than one hundred vehicles, with an escort company.
At 5:00 p.m. on May 27, 1965, R20 troops returned to occupy and set up positions in Van Quat village. The Party Committee and the Military Command of Xuyen Tan commune coordinated to inspect and consolidate the entire line of trenches and fortifications. At the same time, we mobilized nearly 200 laborers to gather in Van Quat to serve the fight, and guard posts were reinforced day and night.
However, at that time, on the Quang Da battlefield, the enemy suffered consecutive defeats in the final stages of the special war. Therefore, to save the situation, the enemy postponed the plan to march on Highway 1.
Instead, they ordered the puppet army in Duy Xuyen and Quang Nam District to use the Security Company and 2 Commando Companies with about 650 soldiers (equivalent to a battalion) to launch a sweep and attack on Xuyen Tan with the intention of secretly and unexpectedly penetrating deep, surrounding and destroying the Duy Xuyen army and Xuyen Tan guerrillas.
At about 2:00 a.m. on May 28, 1965, the entire enemy force secretly marched along Highway 104 down to Lang Chau village, into Con De, approaching the riverbank. The entire Tay An hamlet (Thi Thai village) was surrounded. The enemy divided into many groups and advanced to Van Quat village.
At 5:00 a.m. the same day, guerrilla team members Le Trung Lich, Tran Van Tien, and Huynh Hien discovered the enemy from Ma To Duy Vinh crossing over. Comrade Le Trung Lich fired an alarm shot, at the same time Squad Leader Huynh Dang also discovered the enemy entering from Duy Phuoc.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung - Deputy Head of the R20 Veterans Liaison Committee said that from being surrounded by the enemy, our forces quickly switched to an active offensive position.
Accordingly, Company 2 maneuvered around to Duy Phuoc to attack the enemy's rear. At the same time, a platoon was arranged to coordinate with Duy Xuyen troops and guerrillas to advance to Thi Thai village, firing and retreating to lure the enemy to Van Quat, where our forces were ambushing.
The enemy was surrounded on three sides, the other side was the Ba Ren River - the only escape route, but it was also blocked by us.
The order "don't let the enemy escape" was thoroughly communicated to each soldier. Company 1 took the lead in attacking the enemy formation directly. Company 3 attacked the enemy's flank from the South. Being attacked head on, the enemy troops were pushed out of the village and immediately encountered the attack of Company 2 from Duy Phuoc, which pushed them back.
Taken by surprise, the enemy panicked, fought back weakly, retreated to the cemetery area and crossed the river to escape.
“As a result, our army won completely. In addition to those killed, we captured about 200 prisoners, including Buong - the enemy battalion commander, and seized more than 30 guns of various types. The enemy battalion was wiped out. This victory once again affirmed that the strength of the people is extremely important," said Mr. Tung.
Victory forever
Mr. Bui Hong Khanh - Head of the R20 Veterans Liaison Committee said that the victory at Van Quat was the unit's first battle and a resounding victory after only 9 days of establishment.
Besides destroying enemy forces and capturing many weapons, the unit clearly demonstrated its combat skills and ability to flexibly apply various tactical forms. From passive to active attack, from ambush to encirclement, effectively fighting the enemy.
Mr. Khanh said: "The victory at Van Quat was not only a military victory, but also a vivid demonstration of the close coordination between the main armed forces and local forces, a symbol of the indomitable will, solidarity and steadfast patriotism of our army and people. Many examples of steadfast fighting and heroic sacrifice such as nurse Nguyen Van Do who used his body to shield wounded soldiers from bullets still shine with the spirit of ardent patriotism".
Promoting the spirit of victory in Van Quat, during the 10 years of resistance war against the US, the cadres and people of Xuyen Tan commune overcame countless hardships, steadfastly stuck to their land and villages, both producing and fighting until the day of total victory and national reunification.
With its outstanding achievements in the resistance war, Duy Thanh commune was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and State.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Hung - Secretary of Duy Thanh Commune Party Committee said, years will pass, but the victory of Van Quat will still resonate forever. To honor that heroic victory, in 2005, with the attention and support of all levels, Duy Thanh Commune built the Van Quat Victory Monument in an area of 2,000m2 .
This place has been recognized as a provincial historical relic by the People's Committee of Quang Nam province. On holidays, officials and people inside and outside the commune come to lay wreaths, pay tribute and commemorate the comrades who heroically sacrificed in this heroic battle. At the same time, this is also one of the red addresses, a placeto educate the revolutionary tradition for future generations.
"The 60th anniversary of the Van Quat Victory is an opportunity for each of us to remember and show deep gratitude to the heroic martyrs and the outstanding children who devoted their youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. At the same time, we review the glorious tradition, thereby strengthening our faith and arousing our aspirations to build Duy Thanh to become more and more prosperous and civilized" - Mr. Nguyen Tien Hung, Secretary of the Duy Thanh Commune Party Committee emphasized.
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/vang-mai-chien-thang-van-quat-60-nam-truoc-3155128.html
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