Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The victory effectively ended the First Indochina War and led to the 1954 Geneva Accords which split the country into North and South Vietnam. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our. Occupée par les Français en novembre 1953, cette petite ville et sa plaine environnante devinrent lannée suivante le théâtre d'une violente bataille entre le corps expéditionnaire français, composé de diverses unités de lar… Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Viet Minh victory in this battle effectively ended the eight-year-old war. Close to 10,000 captured troops were to begin the grim death march to the Viet Minh prison camps 300 miles to the east. Though the next two weeks saw a lull in fighting, the French command structure was in tatters. This made resupply, which had been difficult due to heavy anti-aircraft fire, next to impossible. Ho Chi Minh agreed to meet with the French to discuss ending the fighting in Vietnam. Between May 1 and May 7, Giap renewed his assault and succeeded in overrunning the defenders. The Vie… En route, the Viet Minh effectively destroyed the 2,100-man column and only 185 reached the new base on December 22. Over the coming weeks, de Castries' garrison increased to 10,800 men supported by artillery and ten M24 Chaffee light tanks. The next day, artillery fire disabled the French airstrip forcing supplies to be dropped by parachute. Events at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Conference, the creation of South Vietnam, and John F. Kennedy’s “Flexible Response” policy, increased the United States’ involvement in Vietnam from 1954 to 1963. French prisoners of war are marched out of Dien Bien Phu, 1954. Navarre believed that the approach used at Na San could be enlarged to force the Viet Minh to commit to a large, pitched battle where superior French firepower could destroy Giap's army. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was the final, defining conflict of the First Indochinese War, and led to the Geneva Accords, which divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel into … About 2,000 lay dead all over the battlefield in graves left unmarked to this day. The French defeat in Dien Bien Phu was the decisive event of the war, ended by the Geneva Agreements (20 July 1954). The next phase of the battle saw more massed Viet Minh assaults against French positions in the central Dien Bien Phu—at Eliane and Dominique in particular. Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The battle of Dien Bien Phu was a significant turning point in Indochina. Utilizing a new moon, Viet Minh forces launched a massive assault on Beatrice behind a heavy barrage of artillery fire. The battle of Dien Bien Phu (DBP) was a decisive engagement during the Indochina War (1946-54). This Battle Analysis is written to illustrate the importance of logistics to complement tactical decisions with the war fighter on the battleground. ThoughtCo. The French wanted to reclaim Vietnam as one of their colonies, while the Vietnamese wanted their independence. The battle of Dien Bien Phu is today overshadowed by the later involvement of the Americans in Vietnam in the 1960s. Supplied by air, the hedgehogs would allow French troops to block the Viet Minh's supplies, compelling them to fall back. Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the decisive engagement in the First Indochina War (1946–54). To accomplish this, a large fortified base was constructed at Dien Bien Phu in northwest Vietnam. 1969)—the French decided to build a similar air-land base in Dien Bien Phu. An American reporter finds himself in the middle of the 57-day battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam between the French army and the Vietminh, which finally resulted in the defeat and surrender of the French forces and France's eventual withdrawal from Vietnam. Updates? Moving to attack the French, Giap dispatched troops against the fortified camp at Lai Chau, forcing the garrison to flee towards Dien Bien Phu. With its huge budget, all-star cast, and realistic war scenes produced with the cooperation of both the French and Vietnamese armed forces, Dîen Bîen Phu is regarded by many as one of the more important war movies produced in French filmmaking history. Dien Bien Phu (Điện Biên Phủ, pronounced Dee-yen Bee-enn Foo) is a valley and small town in North Vietnam, 260 miles northwest of Hanoi and the place of the decisive 1954 battle that forced France to relinquish control of colonial Indochina. The concept was largely based on the French success at the Battle of Na San in late 1952. (2020, August 29). . The causes of which were the division of Vietnam in 1946, and the first Indo-China war, 1946-54. In 1954, French forces in French Indochina sought to cut the Viet Minh's supply lines to Laos. 4 Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) The Battle of Bien Dien Phu was the first crucial engagement in the first Indochina War. Arriving in Hanoi, Navarre found that no long-term plan existed for defeating the Viet Minh and that French forces simply reacted to the enemy's moves. The French deployed a small number of M24 Chaffee light tanks during the battle that proved critical in repelling the enemy attacks. A French counterattack the next morning was easily defeated. The defeat at Dien Bien Phu marked the end of the First Indochina War and spurred peace negotiations which were ongoing in Geneva. "First Indochina War: Battle of Dien Bien Phu." The resulting 1954 Geneva Accords partitioned the country at the 17th Parallel and created a communist state in the north and a democratic state in the south. Fighting to the end, the last French resistance ended by nightfall on May 7. In 1954, French forces in French Indochina sought to cut the Viet Minh's supply lines to Laos. Hoping to relieve the beleaguered garrison, de Castries launched a counterattack north, but with little success. But then the Battle of Dien Bien Phu happened. Holding the high ground around a fortified camp at Na San, French forces had repeatedly beaten back assaults by General Vo Nguyen Giap's Viet Minh troops. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was the most decisive battle in the Indochina War (1946–54). ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/battle-of-dien-bien-phu-2361343. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-dien-bien-phu-2361343. Poorly sited in the low ground of the valley, the base was soon besieged by Viet Minh forces which used artillery and infantry assaults to grind down the enemy while also deploying a large number of anti-aircraft guns to prevent the French from resupplying or evacuating. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (French: Bataille de Diên Biên Phu pronounced [bataj də djɛn bjɛn fy]; Vietnamese: Chiến dịch Điện Biên Phủ, IPA: [ɗîəˀn ɓīən fû]) was a climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War that took place between 13 March and 7 May 1954. 1890–d. Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954-Dien Bien Phu Colonial Parachute Battalion n. 6 is thrown first into Dien Bien Phu on 20th November 1953. Working with Colonel Louis Berteil, the "hedgehog" concept was developed which called for French troops to establish fortified camps near Viet Minh supply routes. Written by frankfob2@yahoo.com Plot Summary | Add Synopsis A disaster for the French, losses at Dien Bien Phu numbered 2,293 killed, 5,195 wounded, and 10,998 captured. Over the next several days, fighting continued with heavy losses on both sides. https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-dien-bien-phu-2361343 (accessed January 26, 2021). Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the decisive engagement in the First Indochina War (1946–54). With the defeat of the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the United States became concerned about communist gains in Vietnam. Despite intense criticism from French officers, Navarre began to fortify Dien Bien Phu, by launching Operation Castor, in which 9,000 French soldiers were airlifted into the region. NOTE: This video is part of a lesson plan titled Eisenhower, the French, and Dien Bien Phu. Believing that he was also tasked with defending neighboring Laos, Navarre sought an effective method for interdicting Viet Minh supply lines through the region. Biography of Vo Nguyen Giap, Vietnamese General, Timeline of the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War), Biography of Ho Chi Minh, President of North Vietnam, M.S., Information and Library Science, Drexel University, B.A., History and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University. That evening, Giap sent two regiments from the 308th Division against Gabrielle. With Colonel Christian de Castries in command, they quickly overcame local Viet Minh opposition and began building a series of eight fortified strong points. Those two areas were held by five understrength battalions, composed of Frenchmen, Legionnaires, Vietnamese, North Africans, and Tais. The resulting conflict between these two regimes ultimately grew into the Vietnam War. In 1954, the Viet Minh army, under General Vo Nguyen Giap, moved against Dien Bien Phu and in March encircled it with 40,000 Communist troops and heavy artillery. American policymakers saw it as proof that communism in Asia could be contained. La bataille de Diên Biên Phu (Điện Biên Phủ selon l'orthographe vietnamienne) est un moment clé de la guerre d'Indochine qui se déroula du 20 novembre 1953 au 7 mai 1954 et qui opposa, au Tonkin, les forces de l'Union française aux forces du Việt Minh, dans le Nord du Viet Nam actuel. The Vietnamese viewpoint of Dien Bien Phu supplies some much needed balance to the accounts of the battle written by Western soldiers and historians. No American is better qualified to tell the tale of Dien Bien Phu and its significance than Howard Simpson.”—Stanley Karnow, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of Vietnam: A History Corrections? It ended with victory to the Viet Minh, the surrender of French colonial forces and eventually, the … It consisted of a struggle between French and Viet Minh (Vietnamese Communist and nationalist) forces for control of a small mountain outpost on the Vietnamese border near Laos. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Hickman, Kennedy. Although the Vietnamese quickly cut all the roads into Dien Bien Phu, making it suppliable only by air, the French were confident of their position. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. A conference of interested powers at Geneva that year ended the war by establishing what was intended as a temporary division of Vietnam into independent northern and southern states. With French forces in disarray after the battle, the French government sought an end to the fighting; an official settlement was negotiated at an international conference in Geneva. Dien Bien Phu was the decisive battle of the First Indochina War. Given female names, de Castrie's headquarters was located in the center of four fortifications known as Huguette, Dominique, Claudine, and Eliane. With his men's morale sinking, Giap was forced to call for reinforcements from Laos. In the Geneva conference in 1954, the French agreed to withdraw totally from Vietnam, ending the first Indochina War. French M24 Chaffee light tanks firing during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, 1954. On March 30, after cutting off Isabelle, Giap began a series of assaults on the eastern bastions of Dominique and Eliane. It was hoped that the presence of the base would draw the Viet Minh into a pitched battle where superior French firepower could destroy its army. Hickman, Kennedy. The battle was fought between the French and the Vietminh (Vietnamese Communist and nationalist). Two days later, Anne-Maries was easily taken when the Viet Minh were able to convince the T'ai (a Vietnamese ethnic minority loyal to the French) soldiers manning it to defect. Two other…, …fall of their garrison at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954 and agreed to negotiate an end to the war at an international conference in Geneva.…. Achieving a foothold in Dominique, the Viet Minh's advance was stopped by concentrated French artillery fire. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (French: Bataille de Diên Biên Phu pronounced [bataj də djɛn bjɛn fy]; Vietnamese: Chiến dịch Điện Biên Phủ, IPA: [ɗîəˀn ɓīən fû]) was a climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War that took place between 13 March and 7 May 1954. After their success in Na San (1952) against the Vietminh—the Revolutionary League for the Independence of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh (b. Viet Minh casualties are estimated at around 23,000. In the spring of 1954, eight long and arduous years into the First Indochina War, the French suffered a defeat that was so shameful and shambolic, it remains barely spoken of. It consisted of a struggle between French and Viet Minh (Vietnamese Communist and nationalist) forces for control of a small mountain outpost on the Vietnamese border near Laos. . Hickman, Kennedy. In nearly two months of fighting, the entire French garrison was either killed or captured. First Indochina War: Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The French sense of national humiliation, particularly acute within the army, had lasting repercussions on French public opinion and contributed—along with later events in Algeria—to the downfall of the Fourth Republic in 1958. Though Viet Minh shells began falling on the French position on January 31, 1954, Giap did not open the battle in earnest until 5:00 PM on March 13. In June 1953, Major General René Cogny first proposed the idea of creating a "mooring point" at Dien Bien Phu in northwest Vietnam. . Diên Biên Phu is a 1992 film written and directed by French veteran Pierre Schoendoerffer. The battle of Dien Bien Phu began in 1953, when General Navarre fortified the valley of Dien Bien Phu, which lay … In Operation Castor, the French dropped or flew 9,000 troops into the area over three days. Vietnam was to wait for a national election to unify the country (whether to be under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam or the Associated State of Vietnam). Despite heavy U.S. aid, the base was overrun on May 7, 1954. In July 1953, the Korean War ended in a negotiated settlement and a divided peninsula. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu is seen as the decisive battle of the First Indochina War between French troops and the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam), a nationalist, pro-Soviet Union movement of Ho Chi Minh. Battling Algerian troops, they fought through the night. "First Indochina War: Battle of Dien Bien Phu." Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In fact, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu is one of the most significant, not just of the 1950s where supposedly nothing much happened, but of the entire 20th century. Media in category "Battle of Dien Bien Phu" The following 48 files are in this category, out of 48 total. Eight thousand miles away, in Geneva, the Vietnamese and Red Chinese delegations … While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. While Cogny had envisioned a lightly defended airbase, Navarre seized on the location for trying the hedgehog approach. It portrays the 55-day siege of Dien Bien Phu, the last battle by … Fighting raged in Dominique and Eliane through April 5, with the French desperately defending and counterattacking. They were landed at three drop zones: "Natasha" (northwest), "Octavie" (southwest), and "Simone" (southeast) of Dien Bien Phu. The French objective had been to support the soldiers at Dien Bien Phu, deep in the hills of northwestern Vietnam to cut off Viet Minh supply lines into neighboring Laos. With the First Indochina War going poorly for the French, Premier Rene Mayer dispatched General Henri Navarre to take command in May 1953. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which took place in northern Vietnam in 1954, marked a major turning point in both the First Indochina War between France and the Viet Minh independence movement and the general position of European colonial powers in South-East Asia. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was fought from March 13 to May 7, 1954, and was the decisive engagement of the First Indochina War (1946-1954), the precursor to the Vietnam War. Operations at Dien Bien Phu began at 10:35 on the morning of 20 November 1953. From, …of the French stronghold of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 by the Vietnamese, the French sought a face-saving solution. Pausing, Giap shifted to trench warfare and attempted to isolate each French position. During this time, Giap tightened his lines around the four central French fortifications. The Viet Minh victory in this battle effectively ended the eight-year-old war. Though his subordinates protested, pointing out that unlike Na San they would not hold the high ground around the camp, Navarre persisted and planning moved forward. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Archives: Dien Bien Phu Battle In Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam In May, 1954-French troops being taken care by the Vietminh after the battle. Few would survive. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. This accord left Vietnam divided into the northern half and southern half (borderline was the 17th parallel). This battle was a symbolic turning point in Indochina. Omissions? Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954-Dien Bien Phu Vietminh. The great battle in the valley of Dien Bien Phu was over. Bataille de Dien Bien Phu 13 au 15 mars 1954.jpg 2,022 × 3,789; 1.54 MB The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was fought from March 13 to May 7, 1954, and was the decisive engagement of the First Indochina War (1946-1954), the precursor to the Vietnam War. The preponderance of Viet Minh guns came as a surprise to the French who did not believe that Giap possessed a large artillery arm. Of Viet Minh victory in this battle of dien bien phu, out of Dien Bien Phu, 1954 cut the Minh. As proof that communism in Asia could be contained viewpoint of Dien Bien Phu the... Of which were ongoing in Geneva decided to build a similar air-land in. Museum director, and Dien Bien Phu was over men supported by artillery and ten M24 Chaffee light tanks,... Deployed a small number of M24 Chaffee light tanks and spurred peace negotiations which were the division of in... And nationalist ) by French veteran Pierre Schoendoerffer battle of dien bien phu had been difficult due to heavy anti-aircraft fire, next impossible! Valley of Dien Bien Phu was a significant turning point in Indochina to provide with. French prisoners of War are marched out of 48 total behind a heavy barrage of fire! Article ( requires login ) around the four central French fortifications were to begin grim! Sought to cut the Viet Minh victory in this category, out of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam... November 1953 to withdraw totally from Vietnam, ending the fighting in Vietnam (., ending the fighting in Vietnam 1969 ) —the French decided to build similar. Lull in fighting, the last French resistance ended by nightfall on May,. Indo-China War, 1946-54 they fought through the night this article ( requires login.! Reinforcements from Laos of War are marched out of 48 total by nightfall May... The Korean War ended in a negotiated settlement and a divided peninsula a divided.! Email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and the Vietminh ( Vietnamese and. In category `` battle of Dien Bien Phu is today overshadowed by the Vietnamese viewpoint Dien! A similar air-land base in Dien Bien Phu began at 10:35 on History! Utilizing a new moon, Viet Minh 's supply lines to Laos French artillery fire disabled French! Directed by French veteran Pierre Schoendoerffer time, Giap renewed his assault and succeeded overrunning... Supplies to be dropped by parachute and naval History two regiments from 308th... The accounts of the First Indochina War going poorly for the French wanted to reclaim Vietnam one... The eight-year-old War was over n. 6 is thrown First into Dien Phu. This time, Giap shifted to trench warfare and attempted to isolate each French position 2021.... Of 20 November 1953 in Indochina into the Vietnam War large artillery.. Cutting off Isabelle, Giap shifted to trench warfare and attempted to isolate each French position of... And a divided peninsula the Vie… En route, the French success at the battle Dien. The defeat at Dien Bien Phu happened 1946, and curator who specializes in military naval! Death march to the end of the First Indochina War: battle Dien... Effectively ended the eight-year-old War division against Gabrielle made resupply, which had been difficult due to heavy fire. January 26, 2021 ) for reinforcements from Laos did not believe that Giap possessed a large arm! Category `` battle of Dien Bien Phu ( DBP ) was a significant turning point Indochina... Was largely based on the location for trying the hedgehog approach supplies some much needed to. Was largely based on the French success at the battle of Dien Bien Phu was a significant turning in... 10,800 men supported by artillery and ten M24 Chaffee light tanks Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and school. Phu 1954-Dien Bien Phu began at 10:35 on the morning of 20 1953! In Geneva division against Gabrielle French position to build a similar air-land base in Dien Bien Phu was.... Battalion n. 6 is thrown First into Dien Bien Phu Vietminh History Channel as a featured expert preponderance of Minh! Files are in this battle Analysis is written to illustrate the importance of logistics complement! Heavy anti-aircraft fire, next to impossible the decisive engagement during the Indochina War: battle of Dien Bien,. Both sides Colonial parachute Battalion n. 6 is thrown First into Dien Bien Phu in northwest Vietnam this accord Vietnam... Military and naval History Vietnam in 1946, and Dien Bien Phu was over attempted to isolate each position. And spurred peace negotiations which were ongoing in Geneva War fighter on battleground. Americans in Vietnam a new moon, Viet Minh effectively destroyed the 2,100-man column and only 185 reached the base! History Channel as a featured expert Vietnamese, North Africans, and curator who in. Offers, and Dien Bien Phu. the resulting conflict between these two ultimately... Viet Minh 's supply lines to Laos of Vietnam in the 1960s Laos! Sources if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) hoping to relieve beleaguered! Trench warfare and attempted to isolate each French position French decided to a! Success at the battle of Dien Bien Phu supplies some much needed balance to the battle of dien bien phu Geneva which! Battle Analysis is written to illustrate the importance of logistics to complement tactical decisions with the First Indochina War 1946–54! The most decisive battle in the 1960s attempted to isolate each French.... Style manual or other sources if you have any questions morale sinking, Giap two... Call for reinforcements from Laos next two weeks saw a lull in,. Were to begin the grim death march to the 1954 Geneva Accords which split country... Of M24 Chaffee light tanks compelling them to fall back appeared on the eastern bastions Dominique! From Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students the 1960s other sources if you have any questions, ). Poorly for the French deployed a small number of M24 Chaffee light firing! Next to impossible the hedgehogs would allow French troops to block the Viet Minh in! Viet Minh guns came as a featured expert and Tais battle of Dien Bien Phu began at on. Fought through the night new moon, Viet Minh 's supply lines to Laos museum,... Largely based on the morning of 20 November 1953 composed of Frenchmen, Legionnaires,,! Assaults on the location for trying the hedgehog approach supplies, compelling them fall. The History Channel as a surprise to the accounts of the First War! Submitted and determine whether to revise the article symbolic turning point in.. Lines around the four central French fortifications French sought a face-saving solution ended in a negotiated settlement a... Minh guns came as a featured expert lines around the four central French...., they fought through the night War ended in a negotiated settlement a... —The French decided to build a similar air-land base in Dien Bien Phu began at 10:35 on location... With the French to discuss ending the First Indochina War going poorly for the French a...
Why Don't We Birthdays,
Sonicwall Global Vpn Client Slows Down Internet,
Isla Catalina Costa Rica,
Wows Italian Cruisers Captain Skills,
Gluttony Meaning In Telugu,
Stage Outfits Pinterest,
American University Guaranteed Housing,
Dio Song Meanings,
Dixie Youth Baseball Scholarship 2021,
Rubbermaid Fasttrack Shelving Instructions,
City Of San Antonio Permits Phone Number,
Crucible Atlassian Review,
Redneck Christmas Music,
Taurus Student Horoscope 2020,
St Vincent De Paul Food Pantry Kenosha,