(VOVworld) – Various activities have been held to mark 40^th anniversary of the ‘Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air’ victory. Speaking at a ceremony held by the Air Force Command, Colonel Nguyen Quang Tuyen, Commander-in-chief of Division 361 said that the victory will forever be the success of will to dare to fight, be determined to fight, and defeat the American invasion. During the 12 days and nights, Hanoi’s military forces and residents shot down 81 planes of various kinds including 34 B-52s. The victory was attributed to the Division’s solidarity and creativeness.

Underground commander’s combat of the General Staff covers an area of 34 m2 equipped with state-of-the-art military equipment at that time. (Photo: Ba Do)

On the same day, for the first time, the underground commander’s combat of the General Staff was opened to the public. Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, said ‘We have restored the commanding trench of the General Staff during the War against American imperialists to introduce our revolutionary tradition to domestic and international visitors, especially the young generation. The displayed items which have been donated by agencies of the Defense Ministry and witnesses are heritages of origin and highly historical value.’

Built from late 1964 to 1965, the trench covering an area of 64 square meters was made of monolithic concrete considered the most modern at that time. It was equipped with air filtration systems, cooling, ventilation, power lines, and capable of anti nuclear bombs and rockets. The basement was the place where the Politburo and Central Military Commission directed and made tactical plans to protect the north leading to the success of the ‘Hanoi  - Dien Bien Phu in the air’ campaign.