Thanh-giang, nguyen-van-chin

THANH-GIANG, NGUYEN-VAN-CHIN. 

© US. Copyrights 2013, by ML

PHOTO: Smart-Dragon broken wing in the air, author’s painting.

TAN-SON-NHUT BATTLE, APRL 29-1975

VNAF’S DOCUMENT NO # 3

PREFACE

Hanoi knew the power of the South Vietnamese Air Force. In order for the Viet Cong to take Saigon, the North Vietnamese knew they must first eliminate the threat of the strong protection of the South Vietnamese capital given by the VNAF stationed at Tan Son Nhut.     

The thought was that if the VNAF air power could be eliminated, surely, the Saigon Capital could be taken by the Communist, thus collapsing the South Vietnamese government.

Many times in the past, the Viet Cong attacked Tan Son Nhut with the hope of taking over this powerful base in the New Year of the 1968 Offensive. But the Vietnamese Communist were defeated each time, suffering high losses of key personnel in the Tan Son Nhut battles. Those battles were won, mostly, due to the abundant ammo and weapons supply and military support from the US. Government, coupled with a persevering high spirit and brave fighting of South Vietnam Armed Forces in their resolve to maintain an integrated South Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhut’s situation in April, 1975 was completely different than its situation during the 1968 Tet Offensive. For one thing, the US. Military supply and support was no longer available.  Also, the “un-orderly, without arrangement” withdrawal of South Vietnam president Nguyen-Van-Thieu didn't help matters.  Without the U.S. logistics support, and the governments' moral support, the South Vietnam Armed Forces quickly collapsed. Many towns, cities, provinces and war-zones quickly fell into the enemy’s hands, with horrible results.  Hopelessly fighting without adequate ammunition, the military and civilians squeezed into the city, facing an uncertain ending and possible death in the Saigon Capital.

The South Vietnamese soldiers were willing to give their lives in the effort to protect their precious relatives from the horrible enemy and to preserve the freedom of their beloved country.  This had been proven, before, during the Viet Cong Tet Offensive of 1968.  The North Armed Forces knew this and was determined to overwhelm the South Vietnamese Forces with different tactics in this encounter.

The last, and strongest, power of South Vietnam was at Tan Son Nhut.  The Viet Cong made preparations for a three-prong attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base. Collectively, 16 divisions would be used in this final effort to attack, seize, and control the Saigon Capital.

From the West, several divisions would attack Tan Son Nhut Air Base using artillery, 122mm and 130mm rockets, and anti-aircraft guns. They would be set up in the villages of Phu Lam, Bau Quang, Ba Diem, and Ba Queo.

From the North, many more divisions with tanks and strong artillery, were set up as far away as Cu-Chi, Tan-Phu, Hoc-Mon districts, Trung-Chanh and Quang Trung areas.  

More divisions were set up on the east side in Thu-Duc, An-Nhon, Xom-Moi, and Go-Vap districts of Tan Son Nhut. Their east battle front they deployed east side of Thu-Duc, An-Nhon, Xom-Moi, and Go-Vap districts.

In total, approximately 150,000 Viet Cong would be used to over-run Tan Son Nhut and sieze the Saigon capital in this final defeat of the South Vietnamese, thus conquering South Vietnam.

VNAF COUNTER-ATTACK TO VIETCONG

On 28 April, 1975, at 1700 hrs, an air attack was made on Tan Son Nhut Air Base by former VNAF pilots (traitors/turn-coats) who had stolen 5 fully armed A-37 fighters.  They were able to destroy one F5E and one AC-119G.  The leader of the attack was 1Lt Nguyen Thanh Trung.  He had secretly trained other turn-coats on the A-37.  Unfortunately, they were successful in their mission having eluded detection and any opposing threats. 

At 0400 hrs, April 29, 1975, all three of the Vietcong artillery sites simultaneously commenced firing onto the Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Thousands of rounds, also including mortars and rockets, were devastating the base.  It was just a matter of time that the base would be totally destroyed if the incoming rounds couldn't be stopped.

AC-119K Smart-Dragon 06 and two A-1 Skyraiders took off as soon as they could.  They began searching for the artillery sites and destroying all that they could locate.  At 0500 hrs, AC-119K Smart-Dragon 07, tail-number 889, took off piloted by First Lieutenant Trang Van Thanh. They replaced Smart-Dragon 06 and continued working with the two Skyraiders.  It was essential that the artillery sites be destroyed lest all the Air Base occupants be killed.

The AC-119K was equipped with a laser scope observation system which clearly identified enemy targets.  Armed with four 7.62mm mini guns with a firing rate of 6000 rounds per minute and two 20mm Gatling guns with a firing rate of 2800 rounds per minute, the AC-119K was a very lethal weapon system.  The 20mm rounds would explode on contact, similar to a small grenade. Controlled by the pilot, with spotters assisting in marking the explosions in relation to the desired target, the electronic firing was very accurate.  In two hours of searching and firing on the artillery sites, the west side battle field was silenced.

Smart Dragon 07 continued to assist the A-1 Skyraiders by locating targets for them to bomb. At 0700 hrs, Lieutenant Trang Van Thanh departed the west battle field. He flew Smart-Dragon 07 to the north battle front. The VC infantry was getting close to Tan Son Nhut as the artillery rounds were hitting the air base, causing confusing among the friendly forces. Several VC forces moved to Tan Son Nhut’s bunker 0-55 and along the northwest and northeast boundary fences. They were trying to quickly invade, destroy, and take over Tan Son Nhut Air Base. 0 attack when the air was clear of Smart Dragon 07.

After three passes on the east side, Lt. Thanh quickly moved to the north side targets.  After one pass, he would need to return to base for refueling. 

This morning, the Saigon sky was clear, without a single cloud. Tan Son Nhut’s two runways very close and in easy view from where Lt Thanh was orbiting.  With the base in easy reach in the event of an emergency landing, he was confident he could make a safe landing on either of the runways. 

With that confidence, Lt. Thanh decided to lower his attack altitude to 3,000 feet for his last firing pass before he finish his flight. At that lower altitude, he hoped he could firing exactly on the enemy targets without jeopardizing the people crowded out side of the base.

However, this low attitude was very well suited to the enemy’s AAA gunners and missile carriers.  Up till now, they had been silent and had quietly set up their equipment inside the Go-Vap district, right at the east end of the runway.  They had been waiting for a choice time to fire on "brave steel eagle 07", the deadly bird that had destroyed so much of the VC forces.

Unknowing to the friendly forces, the VC had been playing a “steel-bird hunting” game.  As luck would have it, Smart-Dragon 07's lower altitude has put it within easy reach of the ambush.  Now the VC are confident of a successful attack on Smart Dragon 07.  It will be hard for them to miss.

FIVE DEADLY MINUTES FOR THE AIRCREW OF

SMART DRAGON 07  

The morning of 29 April, 1975 revealed a clear blue sky over Tan Son Nhut airbase. Thanh Giang, a member of the 431st Squadron of the 33rd Tactical Wing, and many of his fellow airmen, had gone to a bomb shelter when the attack on Tan Son Nhut began.  At 0745 hrs, realizing that Smart Dragon 07 was firing on the enemy, they went outside to observe this historical event.  As they watched, the next five minutes would leave an indelible memory that each observer would have to live with for the rest of their lives. 

Thanh-Giang decided he would recount his experience and document it with drawings, the best he could. He picks up where Smart Dragon 07 has finished with destroying the west side artillery.

The familiar sound of the AC-119K could be heard approaching the base. It was on the east side and appeared to be about 2 miles away. It flew along the northeast side fence, toward the northern targets at bunker 0-55.  Thanh Giang was surprised to see Smart Dragon 07 so low and had great concern.

Smart Dragon 07 is now alone over the north battle fields and is preparing for its fourth and final firing circle before landing. It will attack the northern fence line with all of its remaining ammunition.

Suddenly, four red flashes from the ground were seen and four loud explosions appeared in the sky just aft of the AC-119K's tail section.  Smart Dragon 07 is hit!  The damage to the aircraft is fatal, causing it to break up into two pieces, and plummet to the ground - the parts landing approximately 2 miles northeast of the airbase. 

At that moment it became obvious that, without any U.S. military assistance, South Vietnam was doomed and the end was very near.  With this defeat, the military members, as well as the South Vietnamese civilians, would suffer a cruel revenge from the VC.

In retrospect, Thanh Giang describes the separate events of the downing of Smart Dragon 07 and accompanies the different phases of the event with 13 of his own personal drawings.

DRAWING IMAGE 2 

Four very loud AAA explosions occurred very near the tail section of Smart Dragon 07.  The deafening explosions shook the atmosphere, the souls of hundreds of thousands of witnesses shaken and perturbed.  All of the Saigon citizenry could have witnessed this event and most would suddenly realize that this was the last aircraft that could have stopped the on-slaughter of the cruel North Vietnamese communists.  With their successful overrun of the city they would reap their revenge with swift and cruel deaths of thousands of the South Vietnamese.        

The crewmembers in the aircraft, the witnesses on the ground, and the author are stunned to see this event occur.  As they realize what has happened, pulses ran high and all feared the worst.  Yet, with hearts pounding, and in disbelief, Smart Dragon 07 emerges from the 4 black clouds of smoke, seemingly still airworthy.  The AC119K appears to be intact and both engines were still working fine.  Those witnessing the attack on Smart Dragon 07 are cheering its apparent survival and hoping the aircrew members are safe. 

Thanh Giang now had a moment to reflect back to when he had attended Flight Engineer school.  Half of that class had been assigned to the 821st Squadron of AC-119K gunship.  Could it be that one of his former classmates was aboard Smart Dragon 07?

Now the witnesses and author realize the worst.  Fearful for the crew and aghast at what has transpired, hastened words spew forth, "My God! They've been hit with a SAM.  Bail out!  Bailout!  Hurry up!..."

DRAWING IMAGE 4

Lieutenant Thanh now has to make the biggest decision of his life.

He knows his aircraft is badly damaged and the situation is dangerous for his crew. Though he is very near the huge runway at Tan Son Nhut, a safe landing is questionable.  As an aircraft commander, he has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of his crew members, as well as that of the innocent civilian populace around the base and the crowded city of Go-Vap.

Lieutenant Thanh's first action was to calm the crew and have them prepare for an emergency landing.  That would require them to all secure all equipment and fasten their seat belts.  MSgt 1^st Class Nguyen-Van-Chin, a senior gunner, was anxious to depart the damaged aircraft as soon as he could.  He had wanted to from the moment he heard, and felt, the explosion, especially after seeing the red flames along side the fuselage.  Lieutenant Thanh called out to his crew, "Crewmembers, there is a loud, strange noise back there.  Determine the cause for the noise and let me know what you find."

From the description of the damage, Lt Thanh feared for the integrity of the left wing.  He knew he must make a quick decision that would be the safest for all concerned. If he were to make a steep, sudden turn, regardless of the direction, the damage to the left wing could worsen.  If he makes a slow, gradual turn to the right to align with the runway it could take 20 minutes to clear the city and highly populated areas.

Lt Thanh reports to the tower of his predicament.  The tower asks if he feels he can make a safe landing on the runway.  He reports that he has lost the left engine and is fearful of the possibility of losing the left wing.  He can't maintain altitude, as it is.  The tower advises him he is cleared for an emergency landing.  He replies, with a trembling voice, "I'm not sure if we can make it, but I am committed to trying!".

The quickest way to the runway is to the left.  Lt Thanh eases into a 15 degree left turn. 

DRAWING IMAGE 6

The air pressure lifts the left wing vertical, taking the twisted boom and broken elevator with it.  Lt Thanh, with a breaking voice urges his crewmembers to bailout, if they possibly can.  Then all communication was lost.                                                                     

DRAWING IMAGE 8

The left engine and outer wing are now separated from the fuselage.  Most flight control cables are now severed and the aircraft is uncontrollable.  The useless aircraft was falling. The crewmembers hardly have a chance for survival due to the low altitude and unstable platform.  Death is sure to come! But, for how many and which ones?

 

DRAWING IMAGE 9

In the cockpit, the flight engineer, MSgt Phan Quoc Tuan, had attached his parachute, released his seat belt, and was trying to open the overhead hatch.  However, due to the abnormal gyrations of the aircraft, he was never able to fully grasp the handle.

Both pilots realize the hopeless situation as their bodies are thrashed around, even though they are still secured by their seat belts.  At times, they would get a glimpse of the hard earth rushing up to meet them.  There is only just enough time for them to make a death mark signal and bid farewell to the world and their families.  Lt Thanh recalls promising his wife he would be back home in time for their evacuation.  It wasn't to be!

All crewmembers had a few seconds to make a final prayer as the hunk of useless metal plummeted earthward from 2500 feet to 700 feet in 13 seconds.

DRAWING IMAGE 10

At 700 feet, the witnesses are happy to see two tiny dots fall from out of the fuselage.  But the happiness is rapidly quelled, as it becomes seemingly apparent that there isn't enough time for a parachute to open.  Yet, one parachute starts to stream from one of the small dots.  It belongs to the senior gunner, MSgt 1st Class Nguyen Van Chin. The chute barely has time to fully open before he

When Mr. Chin was later interviewed, he disclosed that his survival was only because Lt Thanh had told him to report on the loud noise that was found to be a result of the loose   damaged metal pieces banging on the nacelle.

Mr. Chin stated: At the instant the aircraft started its uncontrolled left turn, he pulled his rip cord on his chest pack, but kept it from opening by clasping his arms around it.  He did not want to fall through the air not knowing if the chute was going to successfully blossom.  After jumping, he simply opened his arms and allowed the canopy to gather air.  It fully opened with no time to spare.  MSgt Chin impacted the ground before the chute could fully slow his descent.  He landed very hard, severely spraining his back and breaking his left leg.

At the same time MSgt Chin hit the ground, AC-119K 52-5889 slammed into the ground completely inverted, totally on its back.  It exploded in a fireball about 20 yards from him, so close that he could feel the severe heat, but far enough away for him to not receive any degree of burns.  The heat from the fire created a wind that began to draw his canopy toward the burning aircraft and the exploding ammunition.  Though painfully injured, MSgt Chin's wits were still with him.  He quickly pulled the two rings that released the parachute from his harness and let it go where the wind would take it --- straight into the flames. 

Now he can do nothing but wait for help.  He is just far enough away from the flames, due to the wind direction, that he doesn't have to try to crawl to a safer distance.  As he waits, he reluctantly sits up and anxiously watches the area in hopes of seeing other survivors.  Sadly, there are no others.  It was the loneliest time of his life!

Half an hour passes as MSgt Chin helplessly waits near the burning aircraft.  Then, with much relief and elation, he sees a jeep approaching the crash site.  The RVN had sent an Airborne jeep out to the crash site which was just inside Tan Son Nhut's northeast boundary.  He was rescued!  The RVN crew then took him to the Vietnam Air Forces Clinic located near VNAF headquarters.  There he would be successfully treated for his injuries.

While at VNAF’s hospital, the Vietnam Air Forces vice commander, Brigadier General Vo Xuan Lanh, visited MSgt Chin to consoled him.  While there, the General hoped to learn the facts behind the loss of the aircraft and the other crewmembers.  He had a special interest, outside the military need, since he was the uncle to the brave pilot's wife, Mrs. Trang Van Thanh. 

MSgt Chin confirmed Lieutenant Thanh was an aircraft commander who took pride in flying for the squadron commander of the 821^st Squadron.  Brigadier General Lanh’s nephew-in-law was a hero who sacrificed his life for his family and South Vietnam in that final flight doing what they could to protect Tan Son Nhut and Saigon.  In that effort, they had destroyed most of the Vietcong’s artillery, as well as the men of the North Army infantry. They were able to repel the enemy invasion for 24 hours giving thousands of citizens time to evade and escape before Tan Son Nhut and Saigon were overrun on that fateful date, 30 April, 1975.

Brigadier General Lanh counseled MSgt Chin to stay in his squadron office and await his evacuation to a safer place for the proper treatment of his injuries.  Wounded, and with a family to care for, he elected to accept the hardship he knew would come by staying in country.  Under enemy rule, there would be many problems to be resolved while suffering from the loss of their country's freedom.  It was a very difficult decision but, in the end, he and his family survived under communist rule. 

As the visit by General Lanh continued, MSgt Chin would cover his face in an effort to hide the pain he was having to go through --- not only the physical pain, but also that which came from realizing the loss of all of his fellow crewmembers, the nine heroes who had just paid the ultimate price in an effort to maintain a democratic state.  Acquainted with all of his crewmembers, and a close friend to several, he gave thought to the fact that they were on that final flight because they were a lead crew of the 821st Squadron.  In that position, it was quite common for them to take the responsibility of flying the most dangerous missions.

 

A SUDDEN MIRACLE

MSgt 1^st Class Chin feels perplexed each time he thinks of that last deadly combat mission.  Thinking back, he feels the hand of God guided him through his process of survival.  But for that guidance, he would not be here, today.  Surely, the marvelous results of God's intervention permitted him to live a fruitful life throughout the remainder of his time.  A sudden miracle that allowed him to live to tell the tale.

The heat-seeking SA-7 missile is a very effective, extremely deadly weapon system, especially feared by all aircrew members.  Due to that deadliness, few airmen survive direct hits on their aircraft.  Not because of injuries sustained by the missile explosion, but rather because they aren't able to bail out in a safe and timely manner.

Mr. Chin stated that he had three things that he always tried to do in preparation for any type of emergency that could result in the need to vacate an aircraft in an airborne emergency.  First, and foremost, he would evaluate all circumstances and the degree of danger that they might be. Secondly, he would always wear his parachute, in spite of the awkwardness it might pose, at times.  Lastly, he was always aware of which exit would be the best for him to use and to have it in close proximity to his workstation, if he could. His preference on the AC-119K was to man the #2 20mm gun.  It was near an easily accessible jump door.

Within the 821st, as well as other squadrons, many aircrew members wouldn't wear their parachutes while at their crew positions.  Some lived through emergencies - others didn't.

PERSONNEL UNDER THE SAME HOUSE’S ROOF

As the wounded MSgt Chin lay in the grass, he pondered how long it would be before help would arrive.  It seemed to be an eternity, though in reality more like 30 minutes, before he saw a military jeep approaching the crash site.  In the jeep were several RVN Airborne personnel.  Those brave soldiers had witnessed the SAM hit the AC-119K and two aircrew members come out of the aircraft.  Realizing the heroics of that aircrew, they felt compelled to do what they could for any survivors of the ensuing crash.  They had been watching the events from the western part of Tan Son Nhut where the Hoang Hoa Tham Airborne camp headquarters was located.  Despite the fact that the area was being hit by enemy artillery, they felt the need to do what they could for anyone who might have survived the crash

  After arriving at the hospital, they advised MSgt Chin to convalesce well for a speedy recovery from his wounds.  Then they told him they must get back to their unit to continue the fight.  Unfortunately, in the rush, MSgt Chin failed to get any of their names and was never able to properly thank them for their kind assistance.

DRAWING IMAGE 12

This drawing displays North Tan Son Nhut’s battle front. Indicated are the North Vietnamese Communist Army Forces targets which Smart-Dragon 07 attacked and destroyed.

A professional photographer was on hand and viewed the downing of AC-119K 52-5889.  He was able to get several pictures of the crash site, though he was quite some distance away.  His line of view was as depicted.  In his line of sight was one of the two rows of fortified revetments that were used to help protect parked aircraft.  Also, the control tower was in view, as well as the airbase runways.  Two large parts of the downed aircraft could be seen impacting the ground, just inside the perimeter of the base.

Thus ended the final VNAF combat mission.  The war was essentially over and the South Vietnam Democratic Regime was finished.