April 16, 1954: The trenches of the 312th and 308th Divisions were connected, cutting Muong Thanh airport in half.

Our trenches cut Muong Thanh airport in half, creating favorable conditions for shock troops to destroy the enemy. Photo: VNA

To the north of the airport, on the night of the 16th, the positions of the 165th Regiment of the 312th Division from four directions developed close to the 105th stronghold, in some places only 15 meters from the enemy fence. The enemy was tightly confined, no longer receiving supplies, no drinking water, while sniper teams were ready to destroy those who left the trenches. Our DKZ firepower destroyed 15 enemy gun emplacements in the front line.

In the West, Regiment 36 built a siege position to attack stronghold 206 (Huguette 1). Regiment 88 dug a trench across Muong Thanh airport, connecting with Regiment 141, which was advancing into the airport from the east.

Our shock troops under the command of military hero Nguyen Quoc Tri are attacking Muong Thanh airport. Photo: VNA

At the Hong Cum Sub-sector, the 57th Regiment's trenches were getting closer and closer to the enemy's bunkers. The enemy responded frantically. During the day, they brought out tanks and infantry to fill the trenches and then set mines to trap our troops. At night, they organized small groups to ambush right at the tip of the trenches. We changed our working hours and digging positions, sometimes digging from the outside in, sometimes digging from the inside out, arranging forces to attack the ambushers.

At 4:00 a.m. on April 16, two French Foreign Legion companies took advantage of the darkness when our troops were about to return to rest, dividing into two groups to break into the trenches of Company 54, Regiment 57, Division 304. A group of enemy troops approached the company command position. The company promptly ordered the platoons to quickly disperse to both sides, using 60mm mortars and machine guns to fire at the enemy formation, the troops formed two groups to attack and circle back. A platoon in the rear heard the gunshots and immediately rushed out to reinforce.

Our shock troops under the command of military hero Nguyen Quoc Tri are attacking Muong Thanh airport. Photo: VNA

A sniper team also automatically ran to coordinate the attack on the enemy. When the enemy was busy defending the front, they were suddenly attacked from the flank. Fearing that they would fall into a trap, they panicked and retreated to their base, leaving dozens of corpses behind. Company 54, which was suddenly attacked, but thanks to calm handling, flexible forces and proactive coordination to support each other, turned from passive to active, launching a counterattack, attacking from three sides and winning a resounding victory.

In the direction of Muong Thanh field, the relief and supply operation for Base 105 (Huguette 6) commanded by Lang-ge-le entered the second day. The enemy force faced a battlefield with layers of trenches and gun emplacements. In addition, the wreck of an airplane still lying in the middle of the runway, which had become a floating fortification that helped our troops place machine guns to sweep down the most eager legionnaires who were determined to charge forward. The supply operation for Base 105 had brought Lang-ge-le greater losses in combat forces than the counterattack to retake Hill C1. At night, two enemy battalions, after fighting for ten hours, were able to open a supply route to bring to Base 105 six boxes of ammunition and several barrels of water.

General Vo Nguyen Giap issued an order to the 308th Division Command. The order announced the upcoming battle plan of the General Command, which was: concentrate forces to destroy Base 105, then hold the base to control and destroy the northern part of the enemy airport.

The 308th Division was assigned the following tasks: + Use the entire force of the 88th Regiment to destroy the 105th stronghold (replacing the 165th Regiment). On the evening of April 16, we must march to the assembly point without delay. + The 36th Regiment must attack reinforcements on two lines: 1) the main line between the 105th and 206th strongholds; 2) between the 206th and 208th strongholds from the West to the airport. On the evening of April 16, we must actively build a battleground to attack reinforcements. Timelines: + On the evening of April 18, we must be ready + On April 19, the cadres must personally conduct a final inspection + On April 20, we must fight. We must not be late (Only the Division Committee and the Regiment cadres will know the time). - At the joint battlefield on April 16, 1954, the 42nd Regiment of the 3rd Inter-Zone and a company of Cam Giang district ambushed on Highway 5, Quy Duong - Phu Xa - Ngu Loc section, destroying and capturing almost the entire African-European company (85 soldiers) {1}