Faced with the above actions of the American invaders, in mid-June 1966, President Ho Chi Minh chaired a Politburo meeting and agreed on the policy: "Must soon bring missiles to the South of Military Region 4 to study how to attack B-52s". To implement this policy, Missile Regiment 238 (Division 363, Air Defense - Air Force) received orders to go to Vinh Linh (Quang Tri) to study how to attack B-52s.

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Manh Hien (right) and the author. Photo: HONG THUY

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Manh Hien, former commanding officer, Battalion 84, Missile Regiment 238, recalled: Entering the Vinh Linh battlefield to find a way to attack B-52 aircraft was a new and difficult task. Missile Regiment 238 had to move a large amount of equipment from Hanoi to Vinh Linh, most of which had to follow the newly opened strategic route, with many steep passes and deep ravines, which the enemy often controlled and fiercely attacked; while traveling, they had to fight back against the enemy in the air and on the ground. Arriving at Vinh Linh, the Regiment deployed to the Quyet Thang Farm and fought under conditions of fierce enemy attacks. At first, the battles encountered strong interference, so the missiles did not hit the target; the battlefield was exposed and had to endure a series of bombs and artillery shells from the enemy air force. Our four firepower battalions all suffered quite heavy damage. Undaunted, the Regiment concentrated its remaining forces on Battalion 84, then secretly moved to the new battlefield to launch an ambush.

On the afternoon of September 17, 1967, the Regiment was informed by the B5 Front Command: "B-52 aircraft are going to attack Vinh Linh...". Battalion Commander Nguyen Dinh Phien ordered the unit to level 1. A few minutes later, an interference signal appeared on the radar screen. With experience from previous battles, the combat crew confirmed that it was a signal from a B-52 aircraft. When the target entered the firing area, the parameters were stable, Battalion Commander Nguyen Dinh Phien ordered: "Launch"! 2 missiles flew into the air, after a few seconds of flashing light in the sky, the B-52 caught fire and crashed into the Cua Viet sea. This was the first B-52 of the US Air Force to be shot down by our army.

Joy burst out on the dark faces of the officers and soldiers. A few dozen minutes later, the group of B-52 planes continued to fly in to attack. At this time, Battalion 84 only had one missile left on the launch pad, but still shot down another B-52 plane. The army and people on both sides of the Ben Hai River were happy and excited when they heard the news that the American "flying fortress" was on fire in the sky of Quang Tri. Uncle Ho sent a telegram praising the army and people of Vinh Linh for their outstanding achievement, shooting down two B-52 planes. Missile Regiment 238 had excellently carried out President Ho Chi Minh 's direction: "We must find a way to defeat the B-52."

LE XUAN MINH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/nghe-thuat-quan-su-vn/phai-tim-cach-danh-cho-duoc-b-52-846011