Aerial victory marks milestone in Vietnam’s liberation struggle
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| (Photo archive VNA) |
The victory dubbed “Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” was politically and militarily significant as it created a strategic breakthrough in Vietnam’s revolution and helped complete the struggle for national liberation.
In the last month of 1972, the US launched a strategic air strike on northern Vietnam in order to make the socialist north return to the Stone Age and force Vietnam to make concessions upon signing the Paris Accord.
During 12 days and nights from December 18th to 30th, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 US military airplanes, including 34 B-52 bombers.
National significance
The aerial victory demonstrated the correct military and political guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the universal truth “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”
The victory was attributable to the entire nation’s political will and staunchness and the strategy and tactics of guerilla warfare.
Commander of the Air Defense Air Force Service Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh said, “With their iron will, the Vietnamese army and people, especially the air defense force, won over the unprecedented air attack by the US imperialists. For the first time in history, the B-52 Stratofortresses suffered a defeat and the US air force suffered the heaviest loss.”
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| (Photo archive VNA) |
Colonel Nguyen Van Luong of Vietnam’s Military History Institute offered his view: “The Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory in December 1972 dealt a decisive blow to the US imperialists’ aggression, forced them to sign the Paris Accord on ending the war in Vietnam, and opened strategic opportunities for Vietnam to carry out the General Offensive in spring 1975. This was one of the greatest victories of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century, writing another golden page of Vietnam’s glorious history of fighting foreign invaders.”
The victory marked the profound development of the air force as Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh put it: “There was a big difference between the two warring sides’ weapons and economies, which went beyond any imagination. But the victory belonged to Vietnam. Why? Because the air defense force’s lessons of pro-activeness, creativity, and determination to win were learned and applied. We should carefully prepare our tactics. President Ho Chi Minh said we should be pro-active and well prepared either in peace or war time to avoid losses.”
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| (Photo archive VNA) |
International significance
During the anti-US war of resistance, particularly the 12 days and nights fighting back US air attacks, the Vietnamese people received strong support from foreign friends.
Major General Nguyen Van Ninh, who was in charge of air defense duty at the combat command shelter, said, “Soviet experts helped the Vietnamese army improve its weapons to be capable of hitting B-52 aircraft. They came to Vietnam and stayed here for months to help adjust our weapons.”
The Dien Bien Phu in the Air victory was important to the world’s struggles for peace, national independence, democracy, and social advancement.
As Vietnam celebrates the 45th anniversary of the victory, the lessons learned from it remain valuable for the current national construction and defense.
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
The victory dubbed “Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” was politically and militarily significant as it created a strategic breakthrough in Vietnam’s revolution and helped complete the struggle for national liberation.
In the last month of 1972, the US launched a strategic air strike on northern Vietnam in order to make the socialist north return to the Stone Age and force Vietnam to make concessions upon signing the Paris Accord.
During 12 days and nights from December 18th to 30th, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 US military airplanes, including 34 B-52 bombers.
National significance
The aerial victory demonstrated the correct military and political guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the universal truth “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”
The victory was attributable to the entire nation’s political will and staunchness and the strategy and tactics of guerilla warfare.
Commander of the Air Defense Air Force Service Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh said, “With their iron will, the Vietnamese army and people, especially the air defense force, won over the unprecedented air attack by the US imperialists. For the first time in history, the B-52 Stratofortresses suffered a defeat and the US air force suffered the heaviest loss.”
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
Colonel Nguyen Van Luong of Vietnam’s Military History Institute offered his view: “The Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory in December 1972 dealt a decisive blow to the US imperialists’ aggression, forced them to sign the Paris Accord on ending the war in Vietnam, and opened strategic opportunities for Vietnam to carry out the General Offensive in spring 1975. This was one of the greatest victories of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century, writing another golden page of Vietnam’s glorious history of fighting foreign invaders.”
The victory marked the profound development of the air force as Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh put it: “There was a big difference between the two warring sides’ weapons and economies, which went beyond any imagination. But the victory belonged to Vietnam. Why? Because the air defense force’s lessons of pro-activeness, creativity, and determination to win were learned and applied. We should carefully prepare our tactics. President Ho Chi Minh said we should be pro-active and well prepared either in peace or war time to avoid losses.”
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
International significance
During the anti-US war of resistance, particularly the 12 days and nights fighting back US air attacks, the Vietnamese people received strong support from foreign friends.
Major General Nguyen Van Ninh, who was in charge of air defense duty at the combat command shelter, said, “Soviet experts helped the Vietnamese army improve its weapons to be capable of hitting B-52 aircraft. They came to Vietnam and stayed here for months to help adjust our weapons.”
The Dien Bien Phu in the Air victory was important to the world’s struggles for peace, national independence, democracy, and social advancement.
As Vietnam celebrates the 45th anniversary of the victory, the lessons learned from it remain valuable for the current national construction and defense
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
The victory dubbed “Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” was politically and militarily significant as it created a strategic breakthrough in Vietnam’s revolution and helped complete the struggle for national liberation.
In the last month of 1972, the US launched a strategic air strike on northern Vietnam in order to make the socialist north return to the Stone Age and force Vietnam to make concessions upon signing the Paris Accord.
During 12 days and nights from December 18th to 30th, the Vietnamese army and people shot down 81 US military airplanes, including 34 B-52 bombers.
National significance
The aerial victory demonstrated the correct military and political guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the universal truth “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”
The victory was attributable to the entire nation’s political will and staunchness and the strategy and tactics of guerilla warfare.
Commander of the Air Defense Air Force Service Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh said, “With their iron will, the Vietnamese army and people, especially the air defense force, won over the unprecedented air attack by the US imperialists. For the first time in history, the B-52 Stratofortresses suffered a defeat and the US air force suffered the heaviest loss.”
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
Colonel Nguyen Van Luong of Vietnam’s Military History Institute offered his view: “The Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the Air” victory in December 1972 dealt a decisive blow to the US imperialists’ aggression, forced them to sign the Paris Accord on ending the war in Vietnam, and opened strategic opportunities for Vietnam to carry out the General Offensive in spring 1975. This was one of the greatest victories of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century, writing another golden page of Vietnam’s glorious history of fighting foreign invaders.”
The victory marked the profound development of the air force as Lieutenant General Le Huy Vinh put it: “There was a big difference between the two warring sides’ weapons and economies, which went beyond any imagination. But the victory belonged to Vietnam. Why? Because the air defense force’s lessons of pro-activeness, creativity, and determination to win were learned and applied. We should carefully prepare our tactics. President Ho Chi Minh said we should be pro-active and well prepared either in peace or war time to avoid losses.”
|
| (Photo archive VNA) |
International significance
During the anti-US war of resistance, particularly the 12 days and nights fighting back US air attacks, the Vietnamese people received strong support from foreign friends.
Major General Nguyen Van Ninh, who was in charge of air defense duty at the combat command shelter, said, “Soviet experts helped the Vietnamese army improve its weapons to be capable of hitting B-52 aircraft. They came to Vietnam and stayed here for months to help adjust our weapons.”
The Dien Bien Phu in the Air victory was important to the world’s struggles for peace, national independence, democracy, and social advancement.
As Vietnam celebrates the 45th anniversary of the victory, the lessons learned from it remain valuable for the current national construction and defense.
