Dien Bien Phu Battle Analysis

This Battle Analysis is written to illustrate the importance of logistics to complement tactical decisions with the war fighter on the battleground. The battle of Dien Bien Phu (DBP) was a decisive engagement during the Indochina War (1946-54). Less than ten percent of the total French forces in Indochina occupied the DBP valley in late 1953; Viet Minh Commander Vo Nguyen Giap amassed troops and placed heavy artillery in the caves of the mountains overlooking the valley (History, 1996). The French had a half million troops in Indochina by the fall of 1953; with a two to one presence over the Viet Minh. The French were still losing heavily despite their technological advantages, economic superiority, and trained Soldiers. The French operation was planned to be supplied through air assets, and become the greatest fort of all to prevent Viet Minh resupply through Laos. This “out of focus” thinking about the defense of DBP underestimated the artillery ability of the Viet Minh taking the high ground. This battle was the end of the French empire in Indochina and shaped a psychological persuasion in favor of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam during peace talks (PeriscopeFilm, 2015).
Keywords: Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam People’s Army
French Battle at Dien Bien Phu: Logistical Attrition …show more content…
When China fell to communism in 1949, President Eisenhower believed one Asian country falling to communism would cause a ripple effect of other countries converting to a communist state all the way down to Australia. The Chinese changeover incited fear of the Soviet Union and communist expansion. Additional communist rule could have made an impact on the economic interest with the trade links and different communications through the Indian Ocean in Asia and the Pacific. The United States started backing France indirectly in Indochina with finances and equipment (World,