April 30, 1954: Front Command announces May 1, 1954, as launch date for third attack

On April 30, 1954, the Front Command informed units that May 1, 1954, would be the launch date for the third attack.

The tasks of the units participating in this attack were also announced.

Accordingly, Group 316 was assigned to destroy the enemy base at high point C1 and coordinate with the fighting unit on the C2 battlefield. If conditions were favourable, the unit would grasp the opportunity to destroy the enemy at C2 and make thorough preparations to capture and take control of the enemy’s important bunkers in A1.

Group 312 was asked to destroy the enemy at bases 505 and 505A; and use firepower and a small force to coordinate with the 316th Company to block the enemy’s support team while the 316th destroyed the enemy in C1. The group was also requested to make preparation to destroy the enemy at position 204.

Group 308 was ordered to make preparations to destroy the enemy at base 311B, and at the same time approach position 310.

Regiment 57 and Group 304 were commanded to restrain enemy’s artillery and approach area C in Hong Cum. If the real situation was favourable, they would destroy area C and prepare a unit to march to Upper Laos to join the fight upon receiving orders.

Group 351 was ordered to maintain regular tasks and coordinate with infantry during battles and counterattacks.

On the same day, the units organised political gatherings, during which many officers and soldiers wrote letters to leaders expressing their determination to complete the assigned tasks and win complete victory for the campaign.

On the battlefield in Cambodia, Battalion 436 of Infantry Regiment 101 (Corps 325) and Vietnamese armed teams operating in northeastern Cambodia coordinated with the Cambodian revolutionary armed forces to attack Veun Sai in Stung Treng Province.

Facing the risk of being destroyed, the enemy mobilised a company of the 52nd Mobile Army (GM52) to reinforce Veun Sai.

While the enemy took time to consolidate fortifications, Battalion 436 organised a surprise attack and destroyed most of the enemy’s reinforcement force.

At the same time, the Battalion used a platoon of armoured vehicles to attack and destroy the enemy in Veun Sai, taking control of the battlefield.

Frightened by the attack of the Vietnamese-Cambodian coalition, the French troops withdrew from Ba Kham, Bar Kaev, and Lumphat.

A large area was liberated in northeastern Cambodia, from Veun Sai to the northern border of the Central Highlands.