351st Artillery-Engineer Division

351st Artillery-Engineer Division or 351st Heavy Division was the first artillery and engineering division and one of the six original "Steel and Iron Divisions" of the Viet Minh. Formed in 27 May 1951 with assistance from the People's Republic of China, it initially consisted of three regiments: 675th Artillery Regiment, 45th Artillery Regiment and 151st Military Engineer Regiment.

The division fought during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, hauling 200 dismantled artillery pieces up the hills and established positions overlooking the French fortress. Throughout the battle, it maintained a deadly rain of fire from its 75mm and 105mm howitzers while anti-aircraft artillery severely restricted French resupply and air drop missions.

In September 7, 1954, the division was bolstered with newly established 63rd Artillery Regiment and 67th Artillery Regiment. The 675th Regiment, however, was detached from the 351st and upgraded to 675th Artillery Division, consisted of three artillery regiments: 84th, 52nd and 56th.

In 1968, the division took part in the Battle of Khe Sanh. Of the 12,000 men, the division lost about 1000 due to B-52 bombings and napalm bombs

The division was later reorganized into PAVN Artillery Command, directing PAVN's Artillery Academy and holding nominal control over other artillery units

Notable Members

 * Commander General Nguyen Duc Huy