Steel and Blood by Ha Mai Viet

Author:Ha Mai Viet [Viet, Ha Mai]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612514338
Publisher: Naval Institute Press

The Disintegration of the 1st Tactical Zone

In the 1st Tactical Zone, about two days before the attack on Ban Me Thuot, North Vietnamese communist troops simultaneously launched disruptive attacks against key positions held by RF and PF forces in Quang Tri, Thua Thien, Quang Nam, and Quang Tin Provinces.

On the northern front lines, North Vietnamese troops attacked villages and hamlets along the coast in the eastern part of Quang Tri, as well as forward outposts and strongpoints held by the 110th RF Battalion in southwestern Quang Tri. After many ferocious counterattacks, both sides had suffered significant losses.

On 8 March 1975 the North Vietnamese communists captured seven hamlets in Hai Lang District, southern Quang Tri Province, and about 100,000 residents of the area poured out onto Route 1 and headed south to escape the fighting. The 8th Airborne Battalion, the 112th and 122nd RF Battalions, and the 921st RF Company, supported by tank and armored cavalry units, drove the enemy back out of their areas of responsibility, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

In Thua Thien, the North Vietnamese communists attacked villages along the coast and fought heavy engagements against the 1st Infantry Division on the routes leading to Hue City. On the morning of 8 March 1975, a regiment of the North Vietnamese 324B Division attacked Hills 121 and 144, defended by 2nd Battalion/1st Regiment and 2nd Battalion/54th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. The 1st Division commander, Brigadier General Nguyen Van Diem, sent the 15th Ranger Group, consisting of the 61st and 94th Ranger Battalions, to reinforce his defense line.

On 9 March 1975 the North Vietnamese 324B Division moved southward and attacked Phu Loc District. In two days of bloody fighting, the 147th Marine Brigade killed two hundred enemy troops, captured large numbers of weapons, destroyed two T-54 tanks, and damaged seven other tanks (out of a total of twenty tanks that appeared on the battlefield). The 8th Airborne Battalion, together with two infantry companies and an attached armored cavalry troop, shattered one North Vietnamese battalion.

South of the Hai Van Pass, on 8 March 1975 communist sappers snuck into Danang and made attacks in Hoa Vang District. On 11 March the North Vietnamese hit the Danang Airbase with rockets, destroying one F-5E jet fighter. Meanwhile, enemy infantry, supported by heavy artillery, attacked the 3rd Infantry Division, the Airborne Division, and Territorial Forces from Dai Loc down to Que Son. All these enemy attacks were shattered and repelled by friendly forces. Enemy forces suffered heavy casualties. One main bridge on Provincial Route 540 north of Dai Loc was destroyed by enemy sappers.

In Quang Tin the military situation was more serious than in the other locations. On 10 March 1975 two districts, Tien Phuoc and Hau Duc, were lost. The residents of these two districts fled to Tam Ky City, the province capital, to seek refuge there.

The next day, 11 March 1975, the North Vietnamese began to shell Tam Ky steadily, virtually every day. Brigadier General Tran Van Nhut, the 2nd Division commander, sent 5th Regiment/2nd Division to help defend Tam Ky.

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