2023-04-30 14:00:00
In just 5 days and nights, the MiG 17 pilots changed the aircraft type, mastered the features and techniques and used the same American A37 aircraft obtained to carry out the battle at Tan Son Nhat airport.
The battle using A37 aircraft to attack Tan Son Nhat airport on the followingnoon of April 28, 1975 during the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign is known by many people, but the story regarding the preparation and conduct of the battle is not very well known…
Sincerely introduce the story that former fighter pilot Tran Hong Son shared:
Quyet Thang squadron completed the mission of bombing Tan Son Nhat airport and landed safely at Phan Rang airport. Documentary photos
Use enemy aircraft to fight the enemy
On April 19, 1975, the General Command and Ho Chi Minh Campaign Command assigned the Commander of the Air Defense Service – Air Force Le Van Tri to prepare the air force to participate in the campaign according to the plan of using the air force. A37 attack aircraft recovered from the enemy to fight the enemy.
Regarding the pilot force, the Air Force Command decided to select MiG 17 pilots to switch to flying A37 in the shortest time possible. The Deputy Commander of the 371st Airborne Division, Heroic Pilot Nguyen Hong Nhi and the Forward Headquarters selected the elite MiG 17 pilots from Company 4, Yen The Air Force Regiment (923 Regiment) to carry out the mission. this special service. These are pilots with many achievements and experience in combat such as Nguyen Van Luc, Tu De, Han Van Quang, Hoang Mai Vuong…
The task of presiding over the technical work, restoring and putting into use the A37 was assigned to Major Ho Thanh Minh – an officer of the Army Technical Department. Colonel, pilot Nguyen Van Tho recalled: “At that time, I was flying with the new MiG 21 pilots at Tho Xuan airport when I heard divisional officers announcing the preparation of military equipment, going to change the type of aircraft. obtained from the United States at Da Nang airport”.
The next day, he was on his way to Da Nang. At that time, the airport was still full of gun smoke, at the end of the runway there was an A37 number 778 with a flat tire still carrying bombs; Another A37, number 980, is heading towards the take-off runway.
Leader’s faith
Comrade Tran Manh directly assigned the task to Mr. Nguyen Van Tho: “Starting from tomorrow, we will train MiG 17 pilots to change their type to fly A37. The time is very urgent, only allowing learning to change the type within 5 days”.
Mr. Tho was surprised: “When I switched to MiG 17, it took 12 months, and it took 30 days to switch to MiG21 as quickly as possible. And now it only takes 5 days to change the A37 type, how can I do it?”
Deputy Chief of Staff Tran Manh laughed and said: “Comrade, just do it, I believe that you and our pilots can do it.”
Early that followingnoon, Army Commander Le Van Tri went down to meet Mr. Tho, standing beside him were two skinny people. The commander pointed to two people and said: “These are two military pilots, Nguyen Van Sanh and Tran Van On, both good pilots of A37 aircraft. I entrusted you to assist with the conversion training.”
Colonels Nguyen Van Luc and Han Van Quang said: “The story of the pilots’ theory learning was not too complicated, but they started to see many thrilling things. We take advantage of all the time, even when we eat and when we go to sleep, we still track each other’s cards.”
At 8:00 a.m. on April 26, 1975, there was a telegram from the General Staff, General Vo Nguyen Giap assigned the task to Army Commander Le Van Tri: “Quickly use the captured enemy aircraft to participate. Ho Chi Minh campaign and determined to hit on the followingnoon of April 28 and only that day!”.
Come back intact
On April 27, Army Commander Le Van Tri, Air Force Commander Tran Hanh, and Divisional Deputy Commander Nguyen Hong Nhi decided to use 5 A37 aircraft to participate in the battle. Commander Le Van Tri named the squadron that used A37 to attack Tan Son Nhat airport on April 28 as “Juet Thang Squadron”.
One of the five A37 planes that bombed Tan Son Nhat airport on April 28, 1975, on display at the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum (Military Zone 7 Museum). Photo: VNA
At 18:15 on April 28, all 5 aircraft of the squadron landed safely, successfully ending the historic and unique battle of the Vietnam People’s Air Force. When the whole squadron had just landed, Commander Le Van Tri hurriedly ran from the bridge to the apron area, hugged and kissed each pilot, so happy and touched, tears rolled down his cheeks. Everyone cheered to welcome the Quyet Thang Squadron.
As fighter pilots, we rejoice and admire the pilots of Quyet Thang Squadron. Because in the past, it was rare to see an entire squadron of successful combat sorties returning all 5 aircraft and pilots safely. Truly a winner…
The battle destroyed 24 enemy military aircraft, contributed to the unification of the country with our army and people, and added a golden history and a golden history in the heroic tradition of the Vietnam Air Force.
1682864567
#Order #General #Nguyen #Giap #resounding #victory
