With the replacement of some paratroopers units by Legion, North African and Thaï battalions, the establishing of the heavy artillery and on base air assets during the month of December, Dien Bien Phu enter a period of misleading routine. This false sense of security and superiority will soon be shattered by the first operations around the base and the rapid observation of a tightening of the vietminh encirclement.
Dien Bien Phu based F8F Bearcat from Fighter Group 1/22 Saintonge
Mortar and artillery
First operations around the base in January/February 1954
The casualties are evacuated by plane... a short lived luxury
Some Vietminh prisoners
and the first Vietminh shells fall on the base...
Hey! A picture of a medic and his kit. I have been looking for this for a while. Thanks for posting it. I wonder if this is standard gear for the entire French army in indochina or unique to the Paras.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered that there is very little information on uniforms and kit of non-Para units available.