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N0KFQ > TODAY 01.05.15 05:35l 62 Lines 2787 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 54347_N0KFQ
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Subj: Today in History - Apr 30
Path: IZ3LSV<ED1ZAC<IW0QNL<IK6ZDE<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ
Sent: 150430/1400Z 54347@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.63
1975
South Vietnam surrenders
By dawn, communist forces move into Saigon, where they meet only
sporadic resistance. The South Vietnamese forces had collapsed
under the rapid advancement of the North Vietnamese. The most
recent fighting had begun in December 1974, when the North
Vietnamese had launched a major attack against the lightly
defended province of Phuoc Long, located due north of Saigon
along the Cambodian border, overrunning the provincial capital at
Phuoc Binh on January 6, 1975. Despite previous presidential
promises to provide aid in such a scenario, the United States did
nothing. By this time, Nixon had resigned from office and his
successor, Gerald Ford, was unable to convince a hostile Congress
to make good on Nixon's earlier promises to rescue Saigon from
communist takeover.
This situation emboldened the North Vietnamese, who launched a
new campaign in March 1975. The South Vietnamese forces fell back
in total disarray, and once again, the United States did nothing.
The South Vietnamese abandoned Pleiku and Kontum in the Highlands
with very little fighting. Then Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang fell
to the communist onslaught. The North Vietnamese continued to
attack south along the coast toward Saigon, defeating the South
Vietnamese forces at each encounter.
The South Vietnamese 18th Division had fought a valiant battle at
Xuan Loc, just to the east of Saigon, destroying three North
Vietnamese divisions in the process. However, it proved to be the
last battle in the defense of the Republic of South Vietnam. The
South Vietnamese forces held out against the attackers until they
ran out of tactical air support and weapons, finally abandoning
Xuan Loc to the communists on April 21.
Having crushed the last major organized opposition before Saigon,
the North Vietnamese got into position for the final assault. In
Saigon, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned and
transferred authority to Vice President Tran Van Huong before
fleeing the city on April 25. By April 27, the North Vietnamese
had completely encircled Saigon and began to maneuver for a
complete takeover.
When they attacked at dawn on April 30, they met little
resistance. North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of
the Presidential Palace and the war came to an end. North
Vietnamese Col. Bui Tin accepted the surrender from Gen. Duong
Van Minh, who had taken over after Tran Van Huong spent only one
day in power. Tin explained to Minh, "You have nothing to fear.
Between Vietnamese there are no victors and no vanquished. Only
the Americans have been beaten. If you are patriots, consider
this a moment of joy. The war for our country is over."
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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