During the Central Highlands Campaign (March 1975), while serving as Captain of the 9th Tank Company, 3rd Battalion, 273rd Regiment (3rd Corps), Lieutenant Doan Sinh Huong commanded the unit to coordinate with the infantry unit to fight bravely, repel many enemy counterattacks, recapture Mai Hac De warehouse and participate in the attack on the headquarters of the puppet 23rd Division, contributing to the liberation of Buon Ma Thuot. During the attack on Tuy Hoa town (Phu Yen) on April 1, 1975, Lieutenant Doan Sinh Huong commanded an M41 tank (captured from the enemy) to fire 9 shells, destroying a 105mm artillery position, sinking 1 warship and 1 enemy combat boat.

On April 29, 1975, participating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the 9th Tank Company coordinated with infantry and special forces stationed at Cau Bong (located on Highway 22, the main artery connecting Saigon-Tay Ninh) to destroy and capture the entire convoy of 22 M-113 vehicles of the puppet army, then together with friendly units captured Tan Son Nhat airport and the puppet General Staff.

Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong presented souvenirs to Dak Lak Museum.

In early April, Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong returned to visit the old battlefield, bringing with him the souvenirs that had accompanied him throughout the years of life and death with his comrades. He has preserved these souvenirs for half a century, because to him they are a part of history, containing sacred and indelible memories of the fierce battles in the resistance war against the US to save the country.

Among the artifacts donated by Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong to the Dak Lak Provincial Museum, we can mention 4 helmets equipped for T-54 tank troops. Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong said: “In the battle of Buon Ma Thuot, I commanded T-54 tank number 980. Although the T-54 tank of my company at that time was modern, had strong mobility and combat performance, the engine noise was very loud. Therefore, when fighting, crew members had to wear helmets to both soundproof and share information with each other. All 4 helmets were connected to the P-123 communication system on the tank. This system was responsible for connecting communication between members inside and outside the tank with many different frequencies, and could connect 5-10 vehicles and the command center during combat…”.

Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong also presented Dak Lak Museum with a number of other souvenirs, such as: a tank clock; backpack, blanket, mosquito net, rice basket; a flask; an antler (also known as a cane); a dagger; a piece of parachute cloth captured from the enemy that he always carried with him as a blanket when fighting in the Central Highlands, and used as camouflage to avoid being detected by the enemy...

“Several major museums have contacted us many times to receive the artifacts for preservation and display. However, I think Buon Ma Thuot is a sacred land to preserve, promote and spread the value of the artifacts, so that people can better understand the history and the glorious victory of the army and people of Dak Lak province…”, Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong shared.

Article and photos: MAI SAO