The Siege of Dien Bien Phu CPT William

The Siege of Dien Bien Phu CPT William Louie 9/15/2021

Outline • • • References Geography Background Action Summary Questions 9/15/2021

References • Vietnam: Decisive Battles by John Pimlott, Barnes & Nobles Books, New York, 1999 • The Siege of Dien Bien Phu by Bernard B. Fall, De Capo Press, New York, 1966 • http: //www. globalsecurity. org 9/15/2021

Location

Physical Geography

Political Background • French: – Lost “Indochine” colony to Japanese in WWII. Wanted to re-establish colonial power against Vietnam nationalist wishes. – Fighting for about 7 years at start of this operation. Received American support, but no troops. • Viet Minh: – Since the ’ 40 s, the Viet Minh were fighting the French, the Japanese, and then the French for independence. 9/15/2021

Military Background • Objective: – Strategically: French govt. wanted to minimize casualties while seeking an honorable way out of war. – Operationally: Airbase at Dien Bien Phu will: • Cover Laos, • Establish guerilla re-supply point, • Trap Viet Minh in set-piece battle. • Recent Events: – French fight Viet Minh in airbases at end of LOC. Interpret enemy withdrawal as success. 9/15/2021

Military Background • Objectives: – Strategically: Force French to negotiate to Ho Chi Minh’s terms with a spectacular victory. – Operationally: Defeat French garrison at Dien Bien Phu. • Recent Events: – Learned lessons to defeat French airbase concept. 9/15/2021

French Combatants • Commanders: – All French forces in Indochine: GEN Henri Navarre – DBP forces: COL Christian de Castries • Total forces at beginning of siege: 10, 814 • Airborne reinforcements: 4, 291 • Ethnicity: 9/15/2021

Viet Minh Combatants • Commander-in-Chief: GEN Vo Nguyen Giap • Forces: – – 9/15/2021 4 Infantry Divisions, 1 Heavy Division, plus misc Estimated 55, 000 troops Estimated losses: 7, 900 KIA, 15, 000 WIA Compare to French losses of around 8, 200 soldiers, and 6, 500 captured

The Beginning of The End Operation Castor – Dec 6, 1953 - Campaign begins with air drop into valley. 9/15/2021

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Build-up of Forces 6 Dec 53 – 13 Mar 54 The French build strongpoints to defend garrison. The Viet Minh surround the garrison. 9/15/2021

The Siege Begins 1700 13 Mar 54 – Viet Minh artillery barrage followed by human-wave assaults. “Beatrice”, falls, two days later, “Gabrielle” overrun, and three days later, “Anne-Marie”. 9/15/2021

Tightening the Noose 4 Apr – 1 May: Giap switches tactics, encroaching with trenches. 9/15/2021

The Last Charge • 2 May: Giap assaults on all fronts. In the next three days, he takes three more strongpoints, leaving the central area open. • 6 May: Artillery barrages continue on remaining French troops, while Viet Minh mass. • 7 May: At 1730, Viet Minh enter French command bunker and De Castris surrenders. 9/15/2021

Summary • French errors: – French intelligence discount Viet Minh capabilities to mass personnel and artillery. – French commander at Dien Bien Phu cannot construct adequate fighting positions and conduct adequate patrols as spoiling attacks. • French desire to retain Indochine dies with loss. • Viet Minh & French split Vietnam in Geneva Accords at 17 th Parallel, setting stage for Vietnam War. 9/15/2021

Questions? 9/15/2021