Quang Trung Campaign, or Ha Nam Ninh Campaign, was from 28-May to 20-June-1951. The battlefield was in the former Ha Nam Ninh Province which are three separate provinces now: Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh. Major battles were on or near the Day River, hence the name Battle of the Day River as known to the French.
On 20-April-1951 the Viet Minh decided to initiate another military campaign, Ha Nam Ninh Campaign, coded Quang Trung, and the targets were French positions and French troops in the south of the Red River Delta.
22-May-1951 tasks delivered to the Viet Minh's units: 307 & 304 to attack targets around Ninh Binh Town and Phat Diem; 320 for targets in Ha Nam.
While 304 and 320 were on site, 308 was to march 400km from the Northeast passing through Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Ha Nam crossing the Lo, Thao, Da Rivers.
Phase I: 28-May to 30-May-1951
27-May-51 Viet Minh's attack orders were delivered.
28-May Night: Commando Company of Francois at Dai Phong Churh in Ninh Binh Town was eliminated in 30 minutes.
29-May Night: Non Nuoc (2 French companies) and Goi Hac (Hoi Hac) were attacked and overrun by Viet Minh in 2 hours. Bernard de Tassigny, son of De Lattre, killed at Goi Hac.
26 to 31-May Viet Minh managed to remove 26 French positions around Ha Nam, Ninh Binh and Phat Diem.
Road from Hanoi to Ninh Binh was cut. French enforcements were via waterway and air only.
29-May De Lattre ordered enforcements to Ninh Binh and the surrounding:
- GM1 to Ninh Binh;
- GM4 to Phu Ly;
- 7e BPC (Colonial Parachute Battalion) to north of Ninh Binh;
- 2e BPC to Thai Binh.
30-May Morning French units GM1, destroyers on the Day River arrived at Ninh Binh and managed to get back to town from the Viet Minh.
1-June Da Lattre retuned to France with his son's remains. Salan took the command.
Phase II: 1-June to 20-June-1951
1-June: Tasks delivered to Viet Minh's units for phase II
Due to quick enforcements, Viet Minh turned to small targets around Ha Dong, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh.
20-June-1951: Quang Trung Campaign ended.
