On May 7, 1954, after 56 days and nights of fighting, the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu ended the war of aggression by the French in Vietnam. Let's go back in time to re-evaluate the importance of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold through some photos of Reporter Raymond Cauchetier.
At first, French General Navarre only considered Dien Bien as a normal base to prevent a military action by sides. However, seeing that the Vietnamese army was constantly moving to the Northwest, Navarre focused on strengthening Dien Bien Phu so that it would become a decisive battle between the two sides. After that, the French forces stationed in Dien Bien kept increasing. By December 1953, there were 6 battalions. Dien Bien Phu fortress was a group of strongholds with strong firepower. The entire area consists of 49 strongholds divided into 3 subdivisions. The bases are closely linked with each other.
Parachute down to Dien Bien Phu
Not only building Dien Bien Phu stronghold into an impregnable fortress cluster. The French army is also equipped with modern war facilities such as bombers on the spot, many aircraft taking off from Hanoi and Hai Phong that can rescue, transport aircraft, armored vehicles, heavy artillery. With an overwhelming artillery force, and only two reconnaissance aircraft dedicated to detecting artillery positions, Lieutenant Colonel Piroth — the French artillery commander in Dien Bien confidently promised Navarre that he would destroy any Viet Minh artillery after 3 minutes of firing. The flat terrain in the Dien Bien Phu area was a favorable factor that helped the French army promote the fire advantage of bombers and tanks. . .
Machine gun magazine (On the plane)
Airdrop supplies to triangular strongholds
Supplies were parachuted at Dien Bien Phu
Bomber B26
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Preparing to drop napalm solid fuel bombs from IU52 aircraft
Dien Bien Phu
Machine Gunner (On Airplane)
Airdrop supplies to the besieged fortress
Besides that, the appearance of heavy ground artillery (105mm) and anti-aircraft artillery of the Viet Minh army made the air bridge - the only supply route for the French in Dien Bien cut off. When the French dropped their parachute, they were fiercely fired by anti-aircraft artillery, making this operation not very successful. Most of the parachutes fell on the Viet Minh's battlefield. Being controlled in terms of logistics was one reason why the French lost the battle of Dien Bien.
The B26 was bombed and caught on fire
DC 3 transport plane destroyed
The Dien Bien Phu victory forced the French to sit at the negotiating table to sign the Geneva Agreement. After the campaign, the first developments for the signing process began.
Bearcat attack aircraft destroyed
JU52 transport plane shot down