French Indochina: 1953

Back in 2019, (and it that does seem a long time ago!) The Gaming Group fought a number of battles recreating the French Indochina War. We fought through 1949 and 1950 and had reached the massive struggle at Dong Ke on RC4. Then we turned our sights elsewhere.

At a slightly earlier time, i had the opportunity to watch the film Dien Bien Phu, directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer on UTube. The only version at that time was in French, but the film mesmerized me. Then suddenly I found that someone had added English subtitles and I was in heaven. Then ALL the copies disappeared from the net and that remained for years. I keep looking, but could find no copy that would play in the States, until last month. For about $30, I purchased through Amazon a beautiful BluRay edition and when it arrived, i watched it three straight nights. I have read many reviews that didn't rate it highly, but for me personally, I appreciated it more and more. Even since I read Bernard Fall's Hell in a Very Small Place back in the early 70s (1970 that is), I have been fascinated by this incredible battle. I and friends have fought numerous miniature games over the years, and i have constructed a massive battle board covering the entire French position in 15mm. Had the set up at a Convention years ago and fought it over three days. Watching the film has reignited my passion for the French and Viet Minh struggle all those years again.

A lot of research has been undertaken in those years, and many more books on the topic have been read. The Group even recreated Operation Castor, again in 15mm that was a blast.  But last week, i dug out the figures, reset the rules, and pulled out the boards necessary for the first major struggle in the valley of Dien Bien Phu in March of 1953.

This view of the French position of Beatrice, is from the SW as the Viet Minh artillery barrage is pounding the shocked French Foreign Legion defenders of the famous 3/13DBLE. This was the unit that held Rommel's forces at bay at Bir Hakeim in North Africa in 1942. In spite of their history and experience, they, like the rest of the French Union forces at Dien Bien Phu, had never experienced the intensity of the artillery barrage that General Giap unleashed upon them. No one believed that the Viets could accomplish what was necessary to bring heavy guns through trackless jungled-covered hills, and then supply them with enough ammunition to make a difference. The boards themselves are based on old 2'x4' ceiling tiles. Beatrice is covering approximately 6'x4'. The trenches and bunkers were carved into the boards and then lined with individually molded sand bags out of playdough! I know, crazy. But the result was quite effective i believe. There will be more photos in the future postings that you can study.