For Turns 6/7 at B1, French artillery was finally called inside their own wire to devastate VM followup troops. This permitted French troops to regain much of the position, although with some losses. Two Viets remain isolated at the center while the 2nd assault company approaches the wire (right)
Over at B2, the 3 Viet assault companies have shot their bolt. What remains is huddled in the front trench line but with no officers alive, will not advance. Two unfortunate Viets lay pinned down at the wire...
At B3, all that is left of the 1st assault company, holds out precariously at top center while it awaits the second wave at left...
Turns 8/9 at B1, saw the final VM assault company approaching the wire as the 2nd company was completely destroyed. The French artillery still blasters the open ground between the trenches and the wire...
At B2, the desperate close in fighting continues as neither side can finish the other. The two Viets pinned at the wire are till there!
But at B3, the situation is bloody for both sides. The VM have a toehold in the bunker at the top but only two men from the initial two companies remain! It will be up to the 3rd company now coming up the hill to finish the French. They hold on to the Command bunker and adjacent trench...
During Turns 10/11, the third and last VM company managed to get some troops in the trenches temporarily. All that remains is a handful trying to reach the trench and their commander (seen to the right edge) is trying to get word to HQ that they need reinforcements to continue the struggle...
The French gained a slight advantage at B2, but fighting continues. The Viets appear to outnumber the Legionaires, but there are two LMGs in the bottom and lefthand bunkers. Note only one lone Viet is stuck at the wire...
At B3, the Viets took numerous casualties as they fell to French artillery, but their numbers are starting to tell. One Viet (top bunker), sole survivor of the first two companies, succeeded in taking out two Legionaires in close action...
The next seven Turns were very brief. The fighting in B1 and B2 ended with the French barely in control and down to a handful of men. B3 saw continued fighting with dwindling men on both sides (main reason for the shortness of the turns). The unlucky Legionaire at the center next to the Command bunker (where the French RTO was KIA at his post as the VM broke in), will be captured in the very next Turn...
While the struggle on B3 wore on, the French consolidated their forces, on B1...
B2...
Seen below, are the positions at the end on Turn 18. Note that only two Frenchmen are left on B3 (upper left). There is a French LMG standing in a destroyed bunker next to another man marked with a red Pin marker. You can also see the Legionaire who was captured (marked with the Yellow Shaken Marker next to the Command bunker. The time is 2130 and the struggle for Beatrice has been going on for over four hours. The VM have lost the better part of three battalions! But two reserve battalions have now take up their positions and following a brief artillery barrage, are ready to reignite the fighting. The 3/13 DBLE has lost the better portions of three companies, and the few remaining Legionaires are preparing to sell their lives to hold on to Beatrice. French artillery has been called on to attempt to save the position! Viva la Legion!
To be continued...
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