Gaining victory from the very first battle (on 24 July 1965) was a unique feature manifesting the application of the art of people’s war in the field of air defense. The victory holds lessons of significant importance, especially on military art, and it needs further studies and applying in the new situation.

Missile force in combat (File photo)

Suffering from successive defeats in the battlefields in the South of Vietnam, in June 1965, the US imperialist escalated the war with the bombardment of the North, aiming to weaken the support from the major northern rear to the southern front. Responding to this escalation, the Central Military Commission and the General Command decided to deploy air-defense missile force. Grasping the decision, the Air Defence and Air Force carried out thorough studied, careful appreciation of the enemy, the terrain, and the weather conditions, particularly the action plan of the US Forces to map out combat plan for the missile force. At the same time, preparation was conducted carefully in force development, combat disposition, determination building, training, and weapon and equipment, etc, aiming at ensuring victory for the missile force right in the very first combat. With thorough studies on all concerning aspects and creative application and development of the arts of Vietnamese people’s war, the Air Defence and Air Force Service decided on combat method for the missile force in this period as follow: to conduct “guerilla” fights. This means secretly deploying forces, setting up ambushes to fight the enemy planes right on their air ways and then quickly manoeuvre to another position to ensure safety for the force. This proved to be a sound and scientific combat method as it was relevant to the limited amount of missiles and maintained secret, surprise and flexible factors which were essential for fighting effectiveness and force protection. To ensure victory of the first battle, the service did not place their missile batteries within Hanoi. Instead, they manoeuvred their weapons to ambush and attack the enemy planes on their air ways. After the first launches which down 03 U.S airplanes, the weapons and equipment were immediately moved away. Replacing them there were fake ones made from bamboo to lure the enemy planes into our prepared ambush of the anti-air guns from 03 forces (the regular, the local forces, and the militias). Several more enemy’s aircraft were shot down when they tried to attack our dummy missiles making the victory even more encouraging.

Besides, to create a synergy from all forces, particularly the ones in combat areas, a movement, namely “All for the victory of the missile force in the very first battle” was promoted. Implementing the movement, all central and local sectors, bodies, organizations operating near missile units made positive contributions for the troops (both workforce and material supports). Tractors, bulldozers, excavators and workers from nearby farms, together with local people and armed forces were involved. Thereby, during a short period of time, the systems of fortifications, combat ground, manoeuvre routes, headquarters, etc., were soon completed despite cruel conditions of weather. Thus, it only took 36 hours for the missile force to secretly and safely maneuver, deploy and be ready to operate.

In order to have effective protection and collaboration in combat, the service divided its formation into three groups. Radar groups were positioned in places that they could collaborate effectively with those of the divisions. Anti-aircraft guns of local armed forces and militias were deployed all-round to protect the missiles, and to arrest the enemy’s pilots once their aircraft were shot down. We succeeded in widely setting up 3–force air-defence order,  with close collaboration and multi-layers of fire to trap the enemy aircraft. This is a clear manifestation of the creative application of Vietnam’s people war in air defense, creating a synergy for the missile force to win the very first battle, regardless of the enemy’s experienced pilots and superior in technology.

Today, thanks to the rapid development of science and technology, there have been more modern missiles systems with various types, and they have become strategic weapons of many countries. Together with newly equipped modern weapons, missiles forces need to inherit and promote its glorious tradition, be creative and effectively apply its history lessons on developing and organizing forces; focusing on training to master and utilize modern weapons.

 Colonel Pham Van Hung

The Academy of Air Defence and Air Force