In 1979, the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam swept like a storm, and our army's 200,000 troops launched an offensive on all fronts from the two directions of Guangxi and Yunnan, and achieved strategic goals with lightning speed. However, in this war, there was a once heroic and fearless 42nd Army, but it set off an internal turmoil, which caused the anger of the top brass of our army.
A swift attack that shook the world.
On February 17, 1979, our army launched a self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, and 200,000 troops descended the mountain like a fierce tiger and quickly captured major towns in northern Vietnam. In only three days, the troops of the Western Front conquered Lao Cai and Sapa, and the troops of the Eastern Front captured Lang Son, forcing the Vietnamese army into a desperate situation. The results of the battle were remarkable, and most of the northern part of Vietnam was controlled by our army, and the set strategic goals were achieved.
The glorious traditions of the 42 Army.
Before the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, the 42nd Army had always been the trump card of our army, especially in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, they were extremely brave and built a prestige. In 1950, in the first battle launched by the 42nd Army on the Sino-Korean border and nearby areas, it fought for 13 days and successfully blocked the US and South Korean troops, winning the first award and becoming a victorious division. Their heroic deeds made the entire army look sideways.
Internal turmoil: the "private retreat" of the 42nd Regiment of the 373rd Army
However, even the 42nd Army, which had great achievements, could not escape the twists and turns of the war. In the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, the 42nd Regiment of the 373rd Army had an accident, they encountered stubborn resistance in the direction of Shuikou, and in order to reduce **, they arbitrarily decided to suspend the offensive and withdraw the troops to the country. This decision angered Xu Shiyou, the commander of the 42nd Army, who shouted that he wanted to kill.
The anger and calmness of the commander of the 42 Army.
Faced with the arbitrary decision of the 373rd Regiment, General Xu Shiyou was furious, and he vowed to "kill their heads". However, after the anger, Xu Shiyou calmed down and understood that there would inevitably be accidents in the war, and the soldiers also paid great sacrifices. He had to face the reality that it wasn't always wise to storm and aggressively.
The victory and remarks of the 42nd Army.
In order to make up for the mistake of the 373rd Regiment, General Xu Shiyou redeployed the 125th Division and gave them a new task: to conquer the Fuhe area and open Highway 3. Li Tingge, commander of the 125th Division, led the troops to fight all night, completely annihilating 236 Vietnamese defenders, and finally completed the task, laying the foundation for the follow-up advance of our army.
The war legend of the 42nd Army.
After the end of the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, the 42nd Army continued to carry forward its heroic tradition and built up military merits on many occasions. In 1985, when the country was disarmed, the 42nd Army was originally considered to be abolished, but due to its rich combat experience and glorious traditions, it was eventually retained. This decision also reflects the army's trust and importance in the 42nd Army.
Epilogue. The 42nd Army in the war once caused a sensation due to internal turmoil, but with their heroic traditions and outstanding performance, they successfully made up for their mistakes and continued to write the legend of the war. The self-defense and counterattack war against Vietnam is a glorious chapter of our army, and the performance of the 42nd Army in it has both glory and setbacks, just as every war is not smooth sailing. This period of history is a portrayal of the soul of our army and a true portrayal of the indomitable and courageous march of soldiers. The glory in the flames of war is the testimony of the fearlessness and perseverance of these ordinary soldiers. Military history