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A memo by the CIA and Army Intelligence released
A memo prepared by the CIA and Army Intelligence and published indicated that South Vietnam could hold through the current dry season%u20AC%u201Di.e. at least until 1976. -
General Dung preparing a major offensive in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
General Dung was preparing a major offensive in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, which began on 10 March and led to the capture of Ban Me Thuot. -
Hue captured
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Da Nang captured
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The Provisional Revolutionary Government's foreign minister made an announcement.
The Provisional Revolutionary Government's foreign minister had indicated that the PRG might negotiate with a Saigon government that did not include Thieu. Thus, even among Thieu's supporters, pressure was growing for his ouster. -
The North Vietnamese Politburo cabled Dung
By 8 April, the North Vietnamese Politburo, which in March had recommended caution to Dung, cabled him to demand "unremitting vigor in the attack all the way to the heart of Saigon." -
The presidental palace bombed
A South Vietnamese pilot bombed the presidential palace and then flew to a PAVN-controlled airstrip; Thieu was not hurt. -
PAVN forces reached Xuan Loc
PAVN forces reached Xuan Loc, a strategic gateway situated on the highway into Saigon. -
The campaign was renamed
They renamed the campaign the "Ho Chi Minh campaign," after revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, in the hopes of wrapping it up before his birthday on 19 May. Meanwhile, South Vietnam failed to garner any significant increase in military aid from the United States, killing President Nguyen Van Thieu's hopes for renewed American support. -
The victory at Xuan Loc
The battle of Xuan Loc lasted until 20 April, and though the ARVN fought with extreme tenacity, the communists captured the town. -
Saigon encircled by 100,000 South Vietnamese troops
The victory at Xuan Loc, which had drawn many South Vietnamese troops away from the Mekong Delta area, opened the way for PAVN to encircle Saigon, and they soon did so, moving 100,000 troops in position around the city by 27 April. With the ARVN having many fewer defenders, the fate of the city was effectively sealed. -
Saigon was hit by three NVA rockets
Saigon was hit by three NVA rockets %u20AC%u201C the first in more than 40 months. -
General Dung ordered by the Politbur
General Dung was ordered by the Politburo to "strike with the greatest determination straight into the enemy's final lair." -
The U.S. Marines withdrawing
The U.S. Marines who were providing security were withdrawing and arranging the demolition of the DAO office, American equipment, files, and cash. -
The refugee evacuation halted
The refugee evacuation was halted. Ambassador Martin had been ordering that South Vietnamese be flown out with Americans up to that point. Kissinger and Ford, livid with Martin's regard for the lives of the Vietnamese being equal to those of the Americans, quickly ordered Martin to evacuate only Americans from that point forward. -
The embassy evacuation took place
"Lady Ace 09" from HMM-165 and piloted by Berry, took off around 05:00 - had Martin refused to leave, the Marines had a reserve order to arrest him and carry him away to ensure his safety. The embassy evacuation had flown out 978 Americans and about 1,100 Vietnamese. -
The last aircraft leaving Vietnam
The Marines who had been securing the embassy followed at dawn, with the last aircraft leaving at 07:53. A few hundred Vietnamese were left behind in the embassy compound, with an additional crowd gathered outside the walls. -
Ambassador Martin relayed to Kissinger his desire to activate 'the FREQUENT WIND' evacuation plan
Ambassador Martin relayed to Kissinger his desire to activate "the FREQUENT WIND" evacuation plan; Kissinger gave the order three minutes later. The American radio station began regular play of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," the signal for American personnel to move immediately to the evacuation points. -
The NLF flag was raised over the Palace
The gates of the Independence Palace were destroyed by PAVN tanks as they entered, and the NLF flag was raised over the Palace. -
Duong Van Minh announced a surrender
Duong Van Minh, who had been president of South Vietnam for only three days, announced a surrender and asked South Vietnamese forces "to cease hostilities in calm and to stay where they are," while inviting the Provisional Revolutionary Government to engage in "a ceremony of orderly transfer of power so as to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed in the population." -
The new authorities held a victory rally