The entire Dien Bien Phu campaign took place in fifty-six days and nights. The development is divided into three attacks.
The Dien Bien Phu campaign took place for 55 days and nights, but the battles did not take place continuously but were divided into 3 phases:
Phase 1: From March 13 to 17, 1954, Viet Minh completely destroyed Him Lam and Doc Lap bases, surrendered Ban Keo base, and broke the northern gateway of the Dien Bien Phu base group; destroyed and captured over 2,000 enemies, destroyed 25 aircraft, wiped out a regiment, and threatened Muong Thanh airport; Pierre, the French artillery commander at Dien Bien Phu, helpless before our artillery, used a grenade to commit suicide.
Phase 2: From March 30 to April 30, 1954, Viet Minh simultaneously attacked the eastern bases of the central subdivision; Tighten the siege, divide and control Muong Thanh airport, limit enemy reinforcements to the base Group.
This was the most persistent, longest, fiercest, and toughest attack, with the Viet Minh and French army fighting over every inch of land and every trench. In particular, at C1 hill, the Vietnamese and the enemy fought for up to 20 days and A1 hill fought for up to 30 days. After the second attack, the central area of Dien Bien Phu was within range of Viet Minh’s guns, and the enemy troops fell into a state of passivity and high morale.
Phase 3: From May 1 to May 7, 1954, Viet Minh completely defeated the Eastern hills and launched a general attack to destroy the remaining positions, capture General De Castries, ending the campaign.
After 55 days and nights of courageous, cunning, and creative fighting, our army and people destroyed the entire Dien Bien Phu stronghold group, destroyed and captured 16,200 people, shot down 62 planes, and captured 64 cars. and all enemy weapons, ammunition, and military equipment
Viet Minh smashed the “strongest fortress in Indochina” – the “impregnable fortress” of the French colonialists.
