The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part three

On March 13th 1954, the Viet Minh launch a powerful artillery attack upon the French garrison  at Dien Bien Phu.  The night the Viet Minh launch an attack on the French defensive position of Beatrice, capturing it and destroying a Foreign Legion battalion.  The next night the Viet Minh attack the Gabrielle defensive position capturing it and destroying an Algerian battalion.  A biography of the commander of the Viet Minh 312th Division, Colonel Le Tan.

To be published on Saturday 3rd February.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part two

The French Army at Dien Bien Phu built a series of defensive strongpoints with blockhouse, protected by trenches and barbed wire.  The French Army find it increasing difficult to launch raids into the surrounding country as the Viet Minh pour troops into the hills overlooking the French base.  A biography of General Cogny the commander of the French Army in North Vietnam.  The French Army launch an offensive in Central Vietnam.

To be published on Saturday 27th January

The RSS link can be found in the episode notes for episode 2.11

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part one

On November 20th 1953, the French air force dropped parachute troops into Dien Bien Phu, a battle with local Viet Minh, they win control of the area and establish a base with a airstrip to fly in supplies.  Colonel De Castries becomes the base commander, a biography of him.  The Viet Minh seize the hills overlooking the French base and pour troops into the area.  General Giap orders a Viet Minh invasion of Laos.

The RSS link is in the show notes for episode 2.11, the episode will be published on Saturday 20th January.

The Navarre Plan

Opposition to the war in France grows.  General Henri Navarre is appointed as the new commander of the French Army in Indochina.  He plans to expand both French forces and those of his Vietnamese allies.  The French Army launch an operation along Highway Four near the border with China and another operation to defeat the Viet Minh 320th Division.  General Navarre plans for a French military operation to occupy a valley in North Vietnam which contains Dien Bien Phu.  A biography of General Navarre.

To be published on Saturday 13th Janaury.

The Battle of Na Sam

General Giap orders three regular divisions of the Viet Minh to march towards Laos.  General Salan, the commander of the French Army in Indochina orders a French offensive to attack to the North West of Hanoi but it achieves little.  General Salan orders that an outpost at Na Sam along the invasion route of the Viet Minh towards Laos be reinforced.  Attempts by the Viet Minh to take the outpost are defeated.  The Viet Minh invasion of Laos is ended when the rainy season arrives.  A biography of General Salan.