Uncategorised 7 May, 1954. Fall of fortress Dien Bien Phu

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello readers.

On May 7, 1954 towards evening French forces of the garrison ceased combat actions at the siege area of Dien Bien Phu . An attempt of the garrison of strongpoint Isabelle located some distance away, to break out failed.

A long march into captivity began for the exhausted survivors of whom only a small number would see liberty after the conclusion of an armistice later that year.

This post is meant to perhaps bring back some attention to a battle long ago during which French Forces consisting of practically all the different components making up the French expeditionary corps plus the Indochinese troops fighting alongside it, resisted the attacks by Vietminh troops. For the whole duration of the war Indochinese prisoners had the smallest percentage of survivors , official figures showed 1,435 returned of 15,759 who disappeared and were presumed to have been taken prisoner.The mortality rate of all prisoners taken at Dien Bien Phu was 72 % and that during four months of captivity.

Bernhard H. Holst

[Hugh]

I still remember the introduction to one of Larteguy's books - discussing the movement of a column of prisoners from Dien Bien Phu. Tragic.

Hugh

[Michael Johnson]

Bernhard,

Thank you for bringing this to the fore again. For too many of my generation the Indochina campaign was just a prologue to the Vietnam War, and ancient history for those born after 1970.

It is fitting to remember them.

Parmi eux:

Jacques François CHEVREAUX http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1606400 Gérard CIONE

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1606718

Etienne Maurice FUENTES

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1611200

Marc Francois GADEL

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1611244

André Ferdinand GARNOT

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1611447

Brunno GIOVATTI

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1611960

Gilbert Etienne GENOD

http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/guerre_indochine/detail_fiche.php?debut=0&ref=1636384

Michael

[Taz]

It is fitting to remember them.

Yes it is, R.I.P

Eddie

Edited May 6, 2014 by Taz

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello.

Thanks to all who placed their posts regarding this reminder of a war largely forgotten and perhaps only remembered by the ever dwindling number of those who participated.

Michael has selected some who lost their lives during that conflict based on the official French data base of the fatal losses by French forces in Indochina. Very unfortunately with many inaccurate transcriptions of locations, names, units and other vital data. But still very valuable to retrieve information to assist in research.

I take the liberty to once again mention the name of my boyhood friend Leg.1.cl. Kurt (Bob) Armbrecht, 1.BEP missing in action at Dien Bien Phu and officially declared Mort pour la France with date of 8 May, 1954. His family has erected a large memorial stone in their family plot on the local cemetery I had the opportunity to visit.

Bernhard H. Holst

[Michael Johnson]

Bernhard,

They are all from Rhone, where my maternal grandmother was born.

Je me souviens.