 Where the French war ended: Photos 42 to 63 |
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Where the French war ended: Photos 42 to 63
Asia » Vietnam » Northwest » Dien Bien Phu
June 30th 2009 by theRedRiver
Điện Biên Phủ is a remote city inside the Mường Thanh valley in the north west of Vietnam, only 36.5km from the Lao border. The ethnic minority people living in this area are the Thai and H'mong. The city is famous for the site of the battle, where the French troops were defeated by Việt Minh (the League for the Independence of Vietnam - Việt Nam độc lập đồng minh hội) forces on 7 May 1954 after a 56-day siege, resulting in the end of the French rule in Vietnam (1858 - 1954) and its colonial control in Indochina.
To achieve this victory, the Viet Minh forces, under General Võ Nguyên Giáp, dug trenches and tunnels to reach the French positions without coming under fire. They also carried 105mm artillery pieces and anti-aircraft guns (pháo cao xạ) through jungles, across rivers, up and down passes and mountains, then emplaced them in secret positions overlooking the French positions. All 16,200 men of the French garrison were either killed or taken prisoner, while Vietnam's casualties were about 25,000.
The distance from Hanoi to Điện Biên Phủ is 420km and if you travel overland by car or bus, it often takes a
Full Text Entry: Where the French war ended
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June 30th 2009 - Batatawada: HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
July 1st 2009 - Kob: The French War Ended
Dear Hong Ha
Thanks for all of your phtos, with which I visually noticed how Vietnamese fighted with French army.
I wonder why Majority of Vietmamese martyrs at the cementery are anoymous, or whether those martyrs are unidetified civilians.
It's much regrettable that the war expanded to the proxy war between capitalist countries and communist countries in the field of Vietnam, and ended up when N.Vietnam entered Saigon in April 30 1975, leaving behind the great number of irreparable victim.
Regards
Kob
July 2nd 2009 - larry dinh: Happy Birthday!!!
Better late than never. Happy Birthday! I have heard of the battle in Dien Bien Phu but never pictured what the place looks like until I read your entry. Thank you for sharing! Where is your next destination?
July 10th 2009 - Marcus Schuetz: Very interesting ...
... entry. Hope you are fine and enjoyed your birthday trip. Greetings, Marcus
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French Colonel Pirote
On 15 Mar 1954, he committed suicide with generade after he failed to carry out his promise to muzzle Vietnam's artillery (Pirote - Đại tá tư lệnh pháo binh Pháp, tự t̗... [more]
At the museum
At the Vietnamese weapon display area, my motorbike driver is reading the words on the wheel of 105mm artillery gun. He found the words "Made in England" on the wheel.
At the museum
Two options for the general attacks on the French troops, however after consideration, General Võ Nguyên Giáp decided to change into option No. 2 (good preparation, certain attack and success - đ... [more]
At the museum
When deciding to change from option No. 1 (fast attack - đánh nhanh, thắng nhanh) into option No. 2 (certain attack and success - đánh chắc, tiến chắc), General Võ Ng... [more]
Model of Điện Biên Phủ battlefield
When I was a school girl, I was taken to the Military Museum in Hanoi where I also watched the same model. I like the final minute when Vietnam's flag appeared and flew on the roof top of the French h... [more]
Desk and chair from France
The desk and chair of French Colonel De Castries used inside his bunker headquarters.
Hand written instructions
The hand written instructions from General Võ Nguyên Giáp fixed the attack time 8:30am in the important positions. He also requested exact time for good coordination.
At the museum
After the Điện Biên Phủ victory, French soldiers surrendered in An Khê and folded their flag to leave Vietnam.
Near the French headquarters
Oxen are eating grass next to the French artillery pieces (bãi pháo gần hầm chỉ huy của De Castries).
Memorial stupa for French soldiers
This memorial stupa is placed inside a beautiful garden near the French headquarters of Colonel De Castries. The fund was donated by the French veterans. (Đài tưởng niệm binh s&#... [more]
At the museum
After the Điện Biên Phủ victory, Hanoi capital was liberated and on 10 October 1954, the soldiers entered the city.
A1 hill
A large hole was formed on this hill when Vietnamese soldiers detonated 960kg of explosives to start a general attack on the battlefield. (Hố bộc phá được tạo thành d... [more]
4 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
June 30th 2009 - Batatawada: HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
HAPPY Birthday....sorry a bit late....
July 1st 2009 - Kob: The French War Ended
Dear Hong Ha
Thanks for all of your phtos, with which I visually noticed how Vietnamese fighted with French army.
I wonder why Majority of Vietmamese martyrs at the cementery are anoymous, or whether those martyrs are unidetified civilians.
It's much regrettable that the war expanded to the proxy war between capitalist countries and communist countries in the field of Vietnam, and ended up when N.Vietnam entered Saigon in April 30 1975, leaving behind the great number of irreparable victim.
Regards
Kob
July 2nd 2009 - larry dinh: Happy Birthday!!!
Better late than never. Happy Birthday! I have heard of the battle in Dien Bien Phu but never pictured what the place looks like until I read your entry. Thank you for sharing! Where is your next destination?
July 10th 2009 - Marcus Schuetz: Very interesting ...
... entry. Hope you are fine and enjoyed your birthday trip. Greetings, Marcus
All Comments
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