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Are there any Hai Duong people on the tanks entering the Independence Palace?

TIEN HUY April 29, 2024 05:30

Nearly half a century ago, the liberation army entered the Independence Palace - the last stronghold of the Saigon government. Leading the way were tank squadrons with many Hai Duong people on board.

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Mr. Nguyen Khac Nguyet with his "combat buddy" - tank 380, currently still in service with the 203rd Armored Brigade. Photo: NVCC

"Combat buddy" named 380

Talking about tank soldiers, about Hai Duong people on tanks entering the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975, most people only remember Political Commissar Vu Dang Toan who commanded and drove Nguyen Van Tap, also from Gia Loc, on T-59 tank number 390 that crashed into the palace gate, but there were many more Hai Duong people than that, on other tanks, they were gunners, commanders... present at that historic moment.

In December 1971, the Armored Corps (later the Armored Corps) took 800 soldiers from Hai Hung. Each district and town formed a platoon, gathered in Ai Quoc commune (now Hai Duong city) and then went to Vinh Phuc for training.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Nguyet, from Chi Linh City, went to driving school in mid-March 1972, and went to war while still in the middle of his studies. Many others who had not yet learned had also gone to the battlefield, training while traveling. In June 1973, Mr. Nguyet received the 380 tank and accompanied the campaign until the day of total victory. This was a tank manufactured by China based on the Soviet T-54A model. The vehicle weighed 36 tons, had a 100mm gun and 34 rounds of ammunition, next to the gun were 3 12.7mm machine guns (anti-aircraft machine guns for shooting at aircraft) and 2 heavy machine guns. In addition, there were infantry weapons such as AK, grenades...

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Tank 380 driven by Mr. Nguyet is present in Da Nang City. Photo taken by Vietnam News Agency reporter

Preparing to launch the Quang Tri campaign, Company 4, of which Mr. Nguyet was a member, received orders to enter the west of Thua Thien, with the mission of forming a flank attack on Hue. On the way, the company was hit in formation. Tank 388 overturned, killing all 4 people. On March 23, 1975, Company 4 fought its first battle at Bong Mountain, Nghe Mountain, southwest of Hue; then advanced to liberate Hue, planting the flag on the Imperial City...

On March 29, 1975, Mr. Nguyet's company received orders to attack Da Nang. After liberating Da Nang, Company 4 was the only tank unit parked in the inner city to pacify the people and do mass mobilization.

At the end of this campaign, Company 4 transferred to Battalion 1 (1 of 2 main tank battalions of the 203rd Armored Brigade) to advance to Saigon.

The tracks lead to the enemy's final lair.

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The historic moment when tank 380 driven by Mr. Nguyet passed through the gate of the Independence Palace. The photo was taken by a French reporter and is currently hanging in Mr. Nguyet's home in Hanoi.

In 1973, 8 tanks were delivered in western Quang Binh, but when they arrived in Saigon, only tanks numbered 390, 843, 381, 382 and 380 remained.

On April 14, 1975, the heavy tank unit marched rapidly to the South to participate in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. In 10 days, it moved 1,000 km to Long Khanh, Xuan Loc, through Nuoc Trong, Nhon Trach, Long Thanh...

Mr. Nguyet's vehicle 380 had its turret shot through, a 12.7mm gun was overturned, and a heavy machine gun was crushed. The vehicle commander Nguyen Dinh Luong (from Thanh Hoa) and the second gunner, Mr. Nguyen Kim Duyet (from Hanoi), were seriously injured. At that time, Mr. Nguyet drove the wounded to the military hospital. But then, Mr. Duyet died. Only Mr. Nguyet and gunner Truong Duc Tho (from Thai Binh) remained in the vehicle. From that point on, vehicle 380 lost its fighting ability, because there were only 2 members left, the weapon was heavily damaged, the gun could only be fired by hand, not by electricity. Mr. Nguyet then told Mr. Tho to load a piercing bullet. This was a life-and-death bullet, only fired when encountering a tank, while Mr. Nguyet drove using a machine gun. Fortunately, on the way to the Independence Palace, vehicle 380 did not have to open fire.

During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, at exactly 5:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the liberation forces from 5 directions simultaneously launched a general attack on Saigon's inner city. Tank T-54B number 843 of Company 4, Battalion 1, Armored Brigade 203, Corps 2 took the lead, followed by tank T-59 number 390.

After crossing the Saigon Bridge, the 203rd Armored Brigade's deep penetration force split into two groups. Tank 843 crashed into the side gate of the Independence Palace and then stalled. Tank 390 followed behind and crashed into the main gate.

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Mr. Nguyen Khac Nguyet next to a photo taken at the moment he drove tank 380 into the Independence Palace.

At that time, Mr. Nguyet's tank 380 arrived just a few minutes after tank 834 and tank 390. On the way to the Palace, some of our infantrymen jumped onto tank 380, and until now Mr. Nguyet still doesn't know who they were, whether they are still alive or dead.

Mr. Nguyet said, when he arrived at the Independence Palace, he parked his car near the water tank and hugged Mr. Tho, jumping up and down because the war had ended and the way home to his mother was very close. At that time, Mr. Nguyet was wearing the rank of corporal.

Later, when he visited the brigade, Mr. Nguyet was sure that the interior and machinery of the 380 tank had been completely replaced. However, he recently learned that the 380 was still original, including the electrical connections made by Mr. Nguyet in 1975. And this vehicle still operated normally.

According to the list Mr. Nguyet obtained, in addition to him, Mr. Toan, Mr. Tap, the Hai Duong people who entered the Independence Palace at that historic moment in the past, there was also Mr. Vu Phi Hai, Captain of Company 3, main force of Battalion 1, Armored Brigade 203, from Thanh Mien; Mr. Tran Huy Duc, from Chi Linh, driving tank K63-85, Company 3, Battalion 4. At the Independence Palace, Mr. Duc gave Mr. Nguyet a pair of pants, because Mr. Nguyet's pants were torn. In addition, there was Mr. Truong, from Tu Ky, driving tank 844. Attacking the north wing into the Palace was Mr. Nguyen Duc Khien, Political Commissar of Company 3, Battalion 66. Mr. Khien was from Kinh Mon, later a Lieutenant General...

TIEN HUY
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Are there any Hai Duong people on the tanks entering the Independence Palace?