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)
Using a very detailed Artillery Prep and Supply Rules originally established back in the 70s and 80s, and later edited and further developed in the last four years, the battle begins. The view has now changed to from the north. Beatrice actually had three linked hilltops labelled B1 (north or bottom of photo); B2 (top-right); B3 (top-left) and B4 (mid photo, although this position is sometimes shown as part of one of the other). Bunkers are those square/rectangular posts covered with sandbagged roof. Some have already been penetrated and uncovered. Note this at the lowest point of the French position shown near where the road (RP41-Route Provinciale 41) leaves the Battle Board. You can also see the approach trenches of the Viet Minh from both east and west. These were simply poster board outlined with the same playdough sand bags. They are easily place throughout the various games so provides numerous options.
Three Viet Minh Battalions have begun their assaults: One from the east (left), and two from the west (right top and bottom). The French Foreign Legion 3/13 DBLE consists of about 80 some 15mm figures, divided into four copies, one found on each of the positions, with Btn HQ on B4. Each Viet Minh Btn consists of about 100 figures in three companies each. Both have already suffered casualties from artillery fire. (Which was the big killer at Dien Bien Phu). The caps seen on the figures are, 1) Red=Pinned (figure can't move next turn but can shoot); 2) Yellow=Shaken )figure can't move or shoot and if contacted by enemy based figure will surrender); Green=KIA (found on heavy weapon stands with more than one figure such as mortars or MMG).
If you zoom in, you will be able to spot sections of the barbed wire breached by artillery fire...
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.
So one of the ships carrying the American troops to Vera Cruz, has instead, literally dropped onto a beach in the Alternative Yucatan. A rough barricade was thrown up, just in time in fact...
If you like reading Alternative History novels, I highly recommend Destroyermen and its prequel, The Artillerymen. The latter tells of American soldiers on their way to Vera Cruz during the Mexican-American War when they are mysteriously transported to a parallel planet Earth. This new Earth, among other things, has seen dinosaurs evolve into intelligent life, called the Grik. Another twist, is a culture based around the Spanish conquistadors melding with central American cultures into a bloody Holy Dominion Kingdom. The Americans find themselves deposited into what we would call the Yucatan, where they are attacked by Grik and Holy Dominion allies, the Holcano (Mayan tribe).
American soldiers representing Volunteers and Regulars from the book...
